Franklin County board elects Laurie Smith chair, Nick Mitchell vice chair; makes appointments

The Franklin County Board of Supervisors elected Supervisor Laurie Smith as chair and Supervisor Nick Mitchell as vice chair at its organizational meeting. The votes were taken by roll call after nominations; the board then adopted its 2026 meeting and holiday schedules and approved two appointments to the Building Code Appeals Board.

Supervisor Carter nominated Laurie Smith for chair, and after nominations were closed the clerk took a roll‑call voice vote. The clerk announced "we have 5 yeses," and Chair Smith was declared elected. "I will work very hard on behalf of all the citizens of Franklin County and to represent you to the best of my ability," Smith said after the vote.

Nominations for vice chair produced two candidates: Supervisor Nick Mitchell and Tim Tatum. After a roll call the board recorded five votes for Mitchell and three for Tatum; the board declared Mitchell elected and Chair Smith formally congratulated him.

The board unanimously adopted its annual meeting schedule, keeping monthly regular meetings paired with same‑week work sessions at 3 p.m., following staff advice that the timing aids preparation and public notice. The board also approved the proposed 2026 holiday schedule.

After reconvening from a closed session, the board appointed Mr. Shively and Eric Buck to the Building Code Appeals Board by unanimous roll‑call vote.

The board certified that the closed session discussed only the items listed in the motion (personnel, acquisition/disposition of real property, and attorney consultation) and that only those matters were considered.

The board set a schedule to return for a regular meeting on Jan. 20 and noted an upcoming Roanoke Regional Chamber dinner on Jan. 29.

This organizational meeting included administrative items and set the board's leadership and routine calendar for 2026.