Patrick County residents voice concerns over vehicle storage and budget disparities

The Patrick County Board of Supervisors convened on May 12, 2025, to discuss various pressing issues affecting the community, including budget allocations, personnel raises, and the management of derelict vehicles.

The meeting began with concerns raised about the storage of non-operational vehicles, particularly two ambulances and a Coca-Cola truck, located near the Mayo River Rail Trail. A speaker highlighted the potential negative impact of these vehicles on tourism, especially as the trail is set to receive significant upgrades aimed at attracting visitors. The speaker urged the board to develop an exit plan for these vehicles before adding more to the fleet.

Following this, Jane Folk from Dan River expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed budget, particularly regarding salary increases for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) personnel, which were set at only 3%. She criticized the disparity in raises, noting that some employees received substantial increases while others did not, calling for more equitable treatment of county employees.

Steve Faring also addressed the board, questioning the transparency of the proposed personnel budget for the upcoming fiscal year. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the Virginia compensation board's guidelines for cost-of-living increases and criticized the handling of salary adjustments for county employees. Faring called for the personnel budget to be discussed publicly as part of the overall operating budget.

Galen Gilbert from Peters Creek District raised concerns about the current personal property tax rate, suggesting it should be reduced. He proposed that funds allocated for fire and rescue services be placed in a special account to ensure they are used appropriately. Gilbert also commented on employee raises, advocating for a more modest increase in line with the cost-of-living adjustments for senior citizens.

The meeting concluded with a reminder about an upcoming public meeting regarding the local hospital, scheduled for May 21 at 6:30 PM. Overall, the discussions highlighted ongoing concerns about budget management, employee compensation, and the need for strategic planning in the county's operations. The board is expected to consider these issues further in future meetings.