The Franklin County Board of Supervisors elected Ronnie Thompson chairman and named Supervisor Lori Smith vice chair during its organizational meeting Thursday, Jan. 2.

The board opened nominations for chair and, after a single nomination for Ronnie Thompson and a motion to elect him, approved his selection by acclamation. The board then opened nominations for vice chair; after a roll-call vote, Lori Smith won 4-3 over Tim Tatum.

The board also set its regular meeting schedule for 3 p.m. on the board's scheduled Tuesdays while keeping Thursday meetings available as optional work sessions, adopted the county's holiday schedule that follows the Commonwealth of Virginia calendar, and scheduled a joint meeting with the Franklin County School Board for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Franklin Center, 50 Claiborne Avenue in Rocky Mount.

Why this matters: The chair and vice chair organize the board's workflow and preside over public hearings and meetings; the chosen meeting schedule and the maintenance of an optional Thursday work session affect when staff must prepare materials and how the board schedules public hearings and follow-up work. The Jan. 16 joint meeting sets a public forum for the county and school board to discuss shared issues.

Election of chair and vice chair
Thompson was nominated for chair and confirmed by acclamation after members were asked to signify agreement verbally. The vice chair position was decided by roll call: the board recorded votes that yielded a 4-3 outcome in favor of Lori Smith over Tim Tatum. The board's clerk conducted the roll call and announced the tally.

Meeting schedule, holidays and procedures
Board members discussed whether to revert to an earlier schedule with meetings beginning at 1:30 p.m. or to remain at 3 p.m. The clerk and county staff advised that preparing two meetings in one week produces similar staff workload but that keeping the Thursday slot available for work sessions provides flexibility. After a roll-call-style poll of preferences, the board confirmed 3 p.m. Tuesday meetings with Thursdays reserved as needed for work sessions; the broadband authority will meet at 2 p.m. on the same Tuesday in months when it needs to convene.

The board also adopted the Commonwealth of Virginia's holiday calendar for county observance and approved its board rules and procedures as presented.

Joint meeting with the school board and public notice
The board set a joint meeting with the Franklin County School Board for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Franklin Center multipurpose room and approved the public notice language used to inform residents. The clerk was directed to follow standard accommodation procedures for residents with disabilities who need assistance to attend.

Votes at a glance
- Chair: Ronnie Thompson — Approved by acclamation.
- Vice chair: Lori Smith — Approved by roll call, 4 yes, 3 no (Lori Smith 4, Tim Tatum 3).
- Adopt county holidays (state calendar) — Voice vote; no opposition recorded.
- Approve meeting rules and procedures as presented — Voice vote; approved.
- Set regular meeting time: 3:00 p.m. on scheduled Tuesdays; Thursdays reserved as needed — Confirmed by board poll/roll call.
- Broadband authority meeting time (as needed): 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday in the same week — Approved by motion and voice vote.
- Joint meeting with Franklin County School Board: Jan. 16, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Franklin Center — Approved by motion and second; voice vote.

Next steps
The board adjourned the organizational business and recessed momentarily to meet with the Farm Bureau in room B75 and to prepare for the joint meeting with the school board on Jan. 16.