Carroll County board adopts 49¢ tax rate, approves multiple resolutions and schedules hearings after hours-long debate

The Carroll County Board of Supervisors voted 5‑1 on April 8 to adopt a 49‑cent per $100 real‑estate tax rate for fiscal 2025, formalizing a budget that relies in part on fund balance to cover shortfalls presented by county finance staff.

The board acted after a budget presentation from county and school staff and a lengthy discussion about rising costs — including school funding shifts and added costs for fire and EMS coverage — and proposals from supervisors for alternative revenue or cuts. Supervisor Erling cast the lone recorded no vote on the tax rate; the motion passed with Supervisors Moore, Horton, Bryant, Collins and Early voting yes.

The fiscal presentation, given to the board in public session, listed significant fiscal pressures the county must absorb. Staff said school funding increases and changes in the state funding formula added roughly $1.9 million to the county’s obligation compared with the prior biennium; county officials also cited increased staffing and operating costs tied to expanded fire and EMS coverage (figures presented by staff: about $600,000 for expanded 24/7 staffing and about $600,000 for other operating increases). At the advertised 49‑cent rate the proposed budget included a planned draw of about $547,000 from fund balance in the coming year, county staff said. Officials also noted the county previously used roughly $1.6 million from fund balance the prior year.

Why it matters: the tax rate determines the county’s near‑term ability to fund schools, public safety and capital projects without taking larger amounts from reserve funds. Board members discussed alternatives ranging from a county cigarette tax to across‑the‑board cuts, and several motions to reassign or return planned CIP funds for specific projects were raised during the meeting.

In other action the board: approved five VDOT rural‑rustic resolutions for local projects; authorized staff to pursue SmartScale funding support for two transportation projects; approved a regional water‑supply planning resolution; authorized acceptance of a small VDOT parcel transfer (pending county attorney review) to consolidate county‑owned property; set a public hearing to adopt an amended fee schedule for fire responses (county code 39‑3); directed staff to issue an RFP for countywide residential garbage collection service; and adopted a nondiscrimination policy. The board also ratified by ordinance the historic repeal of the county’s Sunday alcohol sales prohibition that had remained on the printed code despite a prior 2006 vote to repeal it.

Public comment: the meeting’s public comment period included multiple speakers about local emergency services. Resident Robert Larson read a proposed resolution asking the county to request a Weldon Cooper Center/Virginia Tech economic impact study of recent federal Medicaid cuts. Several speakers from Laurel Fork/Laurel Rescue Squad and nearby communities urged the board to address the reallocation or removal of volunteer rescue equipment; speakers said equipment had been removed from a rescue‑squad building and asked the board to seek a middle ground that preserves volunteer capacity. Board staff said the county planned a dedicated meeting on the issue on April 22.

Other informational items: Ashley Edwards, unit coordinator for Carroll County Virginia Cooperative Extension, gave a year‑in‑review of Extension programs, including agriculture and 4‑H outreach, food safety work with growers, forage testing that generated premium payments to producers, a drinking‑water clinic, and nutrition education programs. School division staff summarized budget priorities and capital needs, including ongoing renovations at Carroll County High School and a pending application for a state construction grant for Fancy Gap School windows and gym repairs.

Votes at a glance - Adopt tax rate 49¢ per $100 (budget adoption): Passed 5‑1 (Yes: Moore, Horton, Bryant, Collins, Early; No: Erling). Legal threshold: majority met. - Approve VDOT rural‑rustic resolutions (Hidden Valley Rd., Lakeview Dr., Silverleaf Rd., Hollow Tree Rd., Poplar Hill Dr.): Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Authorize staff to pursue two SmartScale projects with CTB (Salem District): Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Table public hearing on recreational vehicles: Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Authorize acceptance/transfer of VDOT parcel and authorize county staff signature (pending legal review): Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Adopt resolution for regional water supply planning (PDC participation/New River area): Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Set public hearing to amend fire fee schedule (county code 39‑3): Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Approve minutes, consent calendar and invoiced items listed in packet: Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Adopt nondiscrimination policy: Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Direct county administrator to issue an RFP for countywide residential garbage collection: Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes). - Schedule public hearing on a proposed county cigarette tax: Board voted to advertise a public hearing (motion carried with recorded majority; supervisors split on merits during discussion). - Ordinance ratifying repeal of Sunday alcohol‑sales prohibition (cleanup of code, confirming 2006 action): Passed (unanimous recorded yes votes).

What’s next: the board scheduled several public hearings and follow‑up items (fire fee schedule, Woodlawn property sale, proposed cigarette tax public hearing, and a dedicated meeting on rescue squad concerns). County staff are expected to bring back appropriation requests, final contract language and public‑hearing notices as required by statute and county procedure.

The board adjourned after routine committee appointments and board member comments.