Board approves array of personnel, budget and policy items; planning‑commission special‑use get 5‑2 vote

The Smith County Board of Supervisors on June 24 took a series of motions and votes covering personnel appointments, county policies, budget appropriations and board appointments. Several items were approved unanimously in committee or by voice vote; a planning commission special‑use recommendation passed 5‑2.

Key actions recorded in the meeting included:

• Appointment of a building official: The personnel committee recommended appointing Cody Ridge (hired as a building inspector) as building official effective July 1 following completion of his certification steps. Atkins (Charlie Atkins, Atkins District Supervisor) moved the recommendation; Michael Sturgill seconded. The board approved the committee recommendation by voice vote.

• Personnel travel policy: The personnel committee recommended replacing the county’s flat per‑diem travel payment with a schedule following the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) guidelines, with special situations to be approved case‑by‑case by the county administrator or designee. The committee recommended approval unanimously and the board accepted the recommendation.

• Personnel social‑media policy: Committee members presented a draft policy modeled on Fairfax County guidance and reviewed by the county attorney; committee recommended adoption as guidance with caution to avoid curtailing employees’ free speech. The board approved the policy as presented.

• Fire and EMS pay scale update: The personnel committee recommended, and the board approved, updates to the county’s fire and EMS salary scale (EMT basic, EMT intermediate, paramedic, deputy director and director) to formalize pay ranges after recent hires.

• FY25 supplemental appropriation: The budget committee moved a supplemental appropriation request of $1,200,000 for general‑fund needs in FY25; the committee recommended approval and the board approved the request by voice vote.

• Budget amendment number 12: Committee recommended a budget amendment number 12 to move funds between departments to cover overspends and capture additional personal property taxes and grant funds (including FEMA and wellness grants). The total figure cited in committee materials during discussion was unclear in the audio; the committee recommended approval and the board approved the amendment.

• 2024 airplane assessment revenue sharing with Wythe County: The committee reported $25,682.55 in airport revenue for 2024 and recommended paying 50% to Wythe County under the revenue‑sharing agreement; the board approved the payment after verification of the calculated amount.

• First‑quarter FY26 appropriations: The committee recommended and the board approved first‑quarter appropriations for FY26; the packet listed a total appropriation request of $36,484,611 for various departments and funds and the board approved the committee recommendation.

• DHCD MOU for disaster funds: (See separate article) The board approved the memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and directed staff to finalize a staffing plan, with the regional PDC suggested as possible administrator.

• Sheriff federal assets fund appropriation: County staff requested a $25,000 appropriation to finalize Fund 746 (sheriff's federal assets). The board approved the appropriation.

• Sponsorship: The board approved a $1,750 county sponsorship (half of a $3,500 package) to support the Rich Valley Fair music/kids portion, matching an Economic Development Authority contribution.

• Re‑voted items due to audio concerns from the June 12 meeting: The board re‑held three votes to ensure a clear record: adoption of the FY26 county budget resolution (approved by voice/hand raise), an ordinance setting water/sewer service rates for FY26 that included a 9% across‑the‑board rate increase (approved by hand raise), and the planning commission’s recommendation on a campground special‑use (approved 5‑2 on a hand‑raise vote). The planning‑commission special‑use was recorded as passing with five supervisors in favor and two opposed.

• Board appointments: The board nominated and approved several local appointments to advisory boards and authorities (Rye Valley Water Authority staggered terms, an EDA appointment, library board appointment, and others) as listed in the meeting packet. Several nominations were reported as current board members willing to serve; specific term end dates were read into the record.

Where motion and second names were recorded in the meeting packet or the committee reports, the article lists them above. Several committee recommendations were described as unanimous and were approved by the full board on voice vote; roll call tallies were not recorded for all items in the audio.