[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6428337,"mediaKeyId","5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa","parentId",5874196,"title","Citizens press Surry County supervisors on public-comment timing, website transparency and free-speech limits","audioSeconds",468,"startMs",435000,"endMs",903000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa&start=435&end=903","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa/thumbnail_435000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6428337/Surry-County/Virginia/Citizens-press-Surry-County-supervisors-on-public-comment-timing-website-transparency-and-free-speech-limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428337-e0583ee67aa1eb2e567221aaa3886789/orig.mp4?Expires=1773627239&Signature=BnbNzXTRlV1NO-yEKpYblMf~zp6uxXsionsll8AKRwMRq3a17hfn7AM~WeXL22Uw2BCQs0sarzxe6U2j8sMEVY5P3nZV829HFM5U5dBA34fcOscj7mQc8p9y~lel0NPWwGzR9hbgNx0RZkVpWYC41aaAGZMXWLkST6QbbLTXDXH2Uzugcj7BFszDk2elYhNPYLO9zIjCnA6LLd1pviqiPtadSRSOemaVL9CwSaIo~19BojGXb-tfUPJXuQEru4FrdGdbJVcutRjTxz0WTbiig8ZhlpeqjrC6xIgfOziC1M5vzOpQPaC65QbQw8APBUZ-pW-hdzGVK2uZ8zeOhmkgqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Surry County","date","2025-10-02T00:00:00Z","article","Three public speakers at the Surry County Board of Supervisors meeting urged changes to how the county handles public comment and information posted online, and one cited federal court precedent on limits to content-based restrictions in limited public forums.

Susan Covello of the Claremont District told the board she had asked two months earlier why bid information had been removed from the county website and why presentations are not posted with agendas. “The public has no chance to review or respond,” she said, and she asked who is responsible for maintaining the county website. She asked the board to consider moving the public-comment period to the end of meetings so citizens can respond after presentations are complete.

Not all speakers agreed. Shalom Pierce of the Bakers Castle District said she opposed moving public comment to the end of the meeting. She said citizens should have the opportunity to speak before decisions are made: “I am a proponent of having the comments in the front and not in the back so that we can speak on those agenda items before action is taken,” she said. Pierce also urged the board and the planning commission to coordinate on comprehensive planning and zoning to accommodate strategic industrial growth while preserving rural character.

A third speaker, identified in the meeting as Daniel Shea, addressed constitutional limits on the county’s public-comment rules. Shea said the comment period constitutes a “limited public forum” and that, while time, place and manner restrictions are permitted if content neutral, courts have repeatedly protected viewpoint-based speech. “Determining what is or isn’t relevant is inherently subjective. And when that subjectivity is used to suppress dissent or unpopular speech, it becomes a First Amendment violation,” he said.

County Attorney Ms. Perkins read the board’s public-comment rules at the start of the period, noting a three-minute limit per speaker, a prohibition on audiovisual displays and that the period “is not intended to be a question and answer period or time for dialogue” with officials. The board did not adopt any changes to the public-comment rules at the meeting; no formal action was recorded on the transcript regarding changes to posting practices or the timing of the comment period.

Speakers asked for greater transparency in posting materials ahead of meetings and for clarity on which staff member is responsible for website updates. Board members and staff responded during the meeting that audit and other reports are typically posted on the county finance page after presentation to the board and that board members may be contacted directly between meetings.

The public-comments exchange combined procedural concerns (when citizens should be allowed to speak) with substantive requests (earlier posting of presentations and bid information). The transcript records no vote or formal direction from the board to change the timing of public comment or the county’s posting practices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors 2025-10-02","oneSentenceSummary","Three speakers at the Surry County Board of Supervisors meeting raised separate but related concerns about the timing of the public-comment period, the county website’s posting practices and legal limits on viewpoint-based restrictions.","taxTitle","Surry County, Virginia","taxId",38133,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428331,"Surry County auditor issues unmodified opinion on FY 2024 financial statements; board moved to accept report",784,935000,1719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa&start=935&end=1719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa/thumbnail_935000.jpg","/articles/6428331/Surry-County/Virginia/Surry-County-auditor-issues-unmodified-opinion-on-FY-2024-financial-statements-board-moved-to-accept-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428331-21b4a0cd36b0ba4866a2cc8d410747bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773627239&Signature=l67cDEqtniW5RxFJmmMLDcWW1QRg7ptK1e3NhRBxsmLZxERzL5Y7UwLlqPgCzGc7Vd16DUbtaY1I4LKVc6gImQL8n2vxT9WKayhxTr9RNSSxI6UZRyWOGuiHjwQsuMW29D5uR9blD0HGIviQa21ti6TNGVDytPFeW9CX-JLDPDj3yT7xtDbxE9WSCzfMl8mPpJjuYQ0CBR~yJ9J4lXrHH5Am4r~GHKsI278qQarwcb31KIxU-aXNZLBIdk2yf3BSuK7YYwaqD9VtvzDra82m7taUFA4prI2EdAVheF-8kkEXNH5klKtLXRQp~yKiaHmNNlPaVnZBcT1-tvllrrJKvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robinson Farmer Cox presented Surry County’s fiscal year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and issued an unmodified audit opinion, indicating the firm concluded that the county’s financial statements were materially correct.

Jay (partner, Robinson Farmer Cox) told the board the primary government showed roughly $33.2 million in net assets on an accrual basis, about $4.8 million more than the prior year. On a fund-basis (exhibit 3), the county’s fund balance was about $26.85 million at fiscal year-end 2024, down about $1.5 million from the prior year. Unassigned fund balance was approximately $10.7 million, essentially unchanged year over year. Unrestricted cash and investments declined to about $12.5 million from $20.2 million the prior year, while restricted cash and investments rose to about $14.7 million.

The auditor highlighted long-term debt of roughly $22.5 million excluding an actuarial landfill liability; about $1 million of the long-term debt is associated with the school board. The auditor also reviewed water and sewer fund statements and the county’s Schedule of Federal Awards (approximately $4 million received in FY 2024).

Robinson Farmer Cox reported one repeat finding in the financial statement findings related to bank reconciliations. The auditor said certain bank accounts were not reconciled in a timely manner (reconciliations for June 2024 appeared to have been completed in the subsequent months) and recommended all bank accounts be reconciled within 30 days and reviewed by someone outside the reconciliation process to strengthen internal control.

After the presentation, Supervisor Pierce moved “that we approve the report given by Robinson Farmer and Cox Association for fiscal year 2024 annual comprehensive financial report.” A board member seconded the motion on the record. The transcript does not include a roll-call vote or a recorded tally; no formal objections are recorded in the transcript excerpt and the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.

Board members discussed the timing of receiving the audit materials and acknowledged that the report is typically posted on the county finance web page after presentation. The auditor said he would be available by email for follow-up questions if board members wished to contact him after additional review.

The transcript records the presentation, the motion and a second; it does not record a formal vote count or whether any member abstained.

Clarifying details from the auditor’s presentation are summarized in the county’s packet schedule references (exhibits and schedules cited by page in the presented report).","Audit partner presented the FY 2024 annual comprehensive financial report, noting an unmodified opinion, a year-over-year increase in net assets, a drop in unrestricted cash, and a repeated finding on untimely bank reconciliations. A motion to approve the report was made and seconded; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428315,"Surry County wins VACO achievement award for 55+ initiative",382,1991000,2373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa&start=1991&end=2373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa/thumbnail_1991000.jpg","/articles/6428315/Surry-County/Virginia/Surry-County-wins-VACO-achievement-award-for-55-initiative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428315-6da76546306952f98b4fad3ed9daf96a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773627239&Signature=Be8O87NCYLzKuERRNEeCwZ61B3PfYkhp0mMmGyE38K2ZwbR~c2aqSinP5aUdWFTg15BgRCycVGB0mDHsvyGFqy0EDU~MT6xa9JciFn-PNevTYTCUHBiBYjuQNX8uiUEUN7P-qMbv1R5XON7vNvdfzi0Se4Y7KMCGMiDuKt04T3RwKlPXitkzQZTrxrva2NHGWXmPeNSKCIyZN6Wy1HByf~dQQpis~JqsmLnp7R~y-FViBxmNXmG5z3K1gY5ODQlr-MqBFKnjut0nYpAdc8~XhS7FLtmLgvmfPhIOOD3vAZkxSImG3UYYvLaLX4dBJ7jc~QRp~xJOUtkK7AxhqBxctA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) presented Surry County with an Achievement Award recognizing the county’s 55+ initiative, an interdepartmental program that coordinates events and services for residents age 55 and older.

Gage Harder of VACo said the association received 155 entries and selected 57 winners; Surry County’s 55+ initiative is the county’s second VACo award. County staff described the program as a collaboration among the Department of Social Services, Parks and Recreation, and Youth and Family Resources that provides trips, classes and community events for residents 55 and older.

Valerie Pierce, director of Social Services, said the program is “a collaborative effort” led by Social Services with contributions from Parks and Recreation and Youth and Family Resources. Program staff listed events planned for the remainder of the year including an Oktoberfest on Oct. 25, a Friendsgiving dinner on Nov. 21 at Luther Porter Jackson Middle School and a Christmas parade on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. (the parade route will follow Surry High School’s homecoming route through the town of Surry.)

County staff asked award attendees to stand so they could be recognized and posted photos with VACo representatives during the meeting.

The award highlights the county’s emphasis on coordinated services for older residents; board members congratulated staff and noted the program’s positive community impact.","The Virginia Association of Counties presented Surry County with an Achievement Award for its 55+ initiative, which coordinates Parks and Recreation, Social Services and Youth and Family Resources programming for residents age 55 and older.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428308,"Transportation director reports ditching, paving, RF beacons and Bank Street speed designation",684,2406000,3090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa&start=2406&end=3090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa/thumbnail_2406000.jpg","/articles/6428308/Surry-County/Virginia/Transportation-director-reports-ditching-paving-RF-beacons-and-Bank-Street-speed-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428308-d6933ae6593738d0160b3e6765877c77/orig.mp4?Expires=1773627239&Signature=GlUVHWvC1VpK7UAUBOA3~iEmwZ33OKQMvBNjqE2DZDD1ouC58jR-G6BQMAdFd-TdVYH8yloI9xt8pGtDqty8zIXdkPklWRX8ayGfI24d56ZbdaJq8Kb1BFil~ttVSOf~~HvBQ-iVI48bR2E1eO97eA6cEspnbnGfQxxWnarg9B7n2WZv7CFKMVPOfbXJWhjMiLD9X0UsfY~o93swnauOY9Vf0K8BML3cM0GHASLde6xrYaua-TOkT0NVn7QZaND~GKfd5DSLQSoV6VPCaON9rV~Z45gOto5V5LYIbA417Ci6OO6HHXxlInIH-rPFNCEDWYGex~E4XB8JrRdWQ~zoWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Surry County’s transportation superintendent presented the quarterly update covering July 1–Sept. 29, 2025, reporting completed work orders, maintenance highlights and planned projects.

Transportation Superintendent Carroll reported 123 public work orders received during the quarter; 107 had been completed. Staff generated 153 internal work orders and completed those as well, for an overall completion rate of 94.2 percent for the reporting period. Completed work included ditching on Route 31, pothole patching on several secondary routes, three cycles of mowing and pre-school-start sight-distance trimming at intersections.

Carroll described a significant ditching contract to clean ditches and pipes on Route 10 West from Route 31 to the Prince George line. The project will require daily lane closures over the coming months and use both truck ditching and excavators. The superintendent said work will be visible over the next two to four months as ditching, pipe cleaning and sediment control proceed.

The county placed orders for rapid flashing beacons for crosswalks at Routes 616 and 618 and is coordinating contract work for installation. Carroll also reported that cape seal projects are complete in some areas but plant-mix paving remains outstanding for Route 611 (Salisbury) and town streets; he noted a contractor completion date in the third week of November.

On a traffic-engineering review requested by the board, staff classified Bank Street as a residential district under the Virginia code sections cited in the presentation and concluded the statutory speed limit is 25 miles per hour; the street will be signed accordingly.

Board members praised the department’s responsiveness and reminded residents to submit concerns through the county process (via supervisors or the transportation-safety commission). No formal action items or votes were recorded on the update.","The county’s quarterly transportation update covered ditching crews, mowing cycles, a large ditching contract on Route 10 West, rapid-flashing beacon orders for two crosswalks and a traffic engineering finding that Bank Street is a statutory 25 mph residential zone.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428301,"Surry County highlights parks and rec offerings, disc golf course and youth 'Surry Youth Life' initiative",1284,3156000,4440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa&start=3156&end=4440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5874196-a789beb9083fb1fd0544792c493919aa/thumbnail_3156000.jpg","/articles/6428301/Surry-County/Virginia/Surry-County-highlights-parks-and-rec-offerings-disc-golf-course-and-youth-Surry-Youth-Life-initiative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428301-0d02a2f0a23e8d6676dbf0ab61ccdbc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773627239&Signature=YwTZxXSNazoDpwUBxct3eRDqBxcFtuRKK8T0n-4BKg5zkDpqETjcSjQ1GJ-Mpn8C4hL48xfHBBWu93UFMfg0D7B-9LQ8iq51yVD9tx8iUsHhvIylXpSA~0Psn1RbNJWIPcNuszZuywMwm5JryeUXq5sq251hqB71enkURsFTcKYXxvwMIlJ~4nc4rtF53~rXmfudJDGFmcygWw3-7Vrx17dGBYv7yq920YsBikOXOPK110PRIEg2CssKh2lyfiq4mPLU7NKKcXxFa37xygNMkIeRwDLKVEe9v5Uu3GP73BzY1mozzVXzMV~YZnZTis~NA8w7GG4IZEnxI59~xajKKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation and Youth and Family Resources gave updates on programming for all ages, including classes, leagues, trips and a new county youth initiative.

Parks and Recreation staff reported recent facility and program developments: a completed parking-area upgrade at the parks, active LIFT (lifelong integrated fitness together) strength classes and chair yoga taught by Stacy Hines, pickleball instruction (Mondays 10:30–11:30 a.m., $5 per class or a $35 10-class punch card), and a reintroduced adult softball league (10-week season with six teams and an August tournament). Staff also described summer-camp partnerships with Surry County Public Schools and a well-used 18-hole beginner-friendly disc-golf course listed on the uDisc app (free to play; course length just over a mile; playtime about 1 hour 20 minutes).

Parks staff said evening exercise classes (T21 fitness and cut-up-and-dance) are ongoing and that winter basketball registration runs through Nov. 21. The department confirmed a full bus for an upcoming free trip to the Virginia State Fair and noted volunteer chaperones will accompany the students.

Youth and Family Resources presented “Surry Youth Life,” a county youth initiative launched March 2025 that provides trips and enrichment for age groups from pre-K through older youth. Recent activities included a children’s museum outing, bowling and arcades, a “stay-cation” tour of Surry County historical sites (Smith’s Fort Plantation, Bacon’s Castle, Hampton Rose Winery), and the Keystone Trucks and Tractor Museum trip. The department announced upcoming youth events for winter 2026 including a “Charlie Brown” pre-K–4 event and a mother-son winter event with a queen-and-prince contest and essay component for the prince contest.

Board members praised staff for programming maintained with small teams and encouraged continued outreach. Staff requested RSVPs for posted events and provided a phone number for youth-program registration.","County staff reviewed Parks and Recreation programs (pickleball, adult softball, LIFT and chair yoga, disc-golf course, summer camp) and Youth and Family Resources described the Surry Youth Life initiative and planned trips and events for children and teens.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Citizens press Surry County supervisors on public-comment timing, website transparency and free-speech limits

Surry County auditor issues unmodified opinion on FY 2024 financial statements; board moved to accept report

Surry County wins VACO achievement award for 55+ initiative

Transportation director reports ditching, paving, RF beacons and Bank Street speed designation

Surry County highlights parks and rec offerings, disc golf course and youth 'Surry Youth Life' initiative