Wythe County supervisors approve grants, join opioid settlement and get broadband update

Wythe County supervisors on Sept. 23 approved a package of routine fiscal items, accepted a foundation grant to fund courts at Ager Park, authorized the county to participate in a multi-manufacturer opioid settlement and received an update on the Mount Rogers broadband project.

The actions were taken during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. The board also introduced two new staff members and heard an awards presentation from the Virginia Association of Counties highlighting the county's Hitachi Energy Arena and its inclusive playground project at Ager Park.

Dean Lynch, executive director of the Virginia Association of Counties, presented two Achievement Awards to Wythe County and praised the arena revitalization. "The Hitachi Energy Arena is now a vibrant economic engine and a source of pride," Lynch said. The board received the plaque and brief remarks from county staff about the multiyear revitalization and naming-rights deal that brought a hockey team and other events to the facility.

On grants and capital projects, the board accepted $75,000 from the Wythe Bland Foundation toward the Play with Ager Park Phase 3 courts and surfacing project. County staff told the board the full courts and surfacing component is estimated at about $224,500; the larger park project, including parking-lot work, has other budget estimates and possible additional funding sources under consideration. The board voted to accept the $75,000 award and move ahead with the courts work; parking-lot work would wait pending other funding.

County Administrator Barry asked the board to amend FY26 appropriations to record a grant received for the sheriff's office and to move and appropriate money for e-summons maintenance. Barry described the award and related line-item changes for overtime and supplies. The board approved the grant amendment and the transfer and appropriation for the e-summons maintenance account.

County Attorney Farris recommended that Wythe County participate in a group settlement with secondary opioid manufacturers and authorize the county attorney to execute participation documents. "I would also recommend along with our litigation council that we participate in the settlement," Farris said. The board voted to join the settlement; the county attorney said settlement funds would be used for opioid-related purposes in the county budget as allowed by the settlement terms.

On broadband, Mister Sizemore provided an update on the Mount Rogers project and said he has signed contracts with the ISP partner (Citizens) but the state had not yet returned all documents. "I've signed those; state hasn't actually signed them and got them back to me yet," Sizemore said, and he added that a prior-authorization form should prevent paperwork from delaying construction. Citizens' CEO Donna Smith told the board a build contractor was scheduled to start the next day and encouraged residents to register interest so the provider can notify households as crews move through areas. Project staff said the current completion target remains December 2025.

The board approved the consent calendar, the payment of invoices and the minutes from the Sept. 9 meeting. Supervisors also approved the FY26 second-quarter appropriations as presented and held a closed session under Virginia Code to discuss personnel, prospective industry projects and legal matters; after returning to open session, the board certified the closed meeting and took one final administrative action to authorize the county administrator to sign a proposed diversion-of-property-easement letter.

During staff reports the board heard that the county 9-1-1 center is upgrading equipment and sending dispatchers to training, and that the parks and recreation department introduced Alicia Sides as the new recreation director. Melissa Parsons was introduced as the county's new assistant to the deputy county administrator for 9-1-1 and outlined short-term plans for training and equipment funded largely by grants.

Looking ahead, county staff said they will bring a draft capital-improvement plan for board review in November and reiterated the broadband project's December completion target. The board did not take further action on parking-lot work at Ager Park pending identification of additional funding.