Bland County Board approves 2% pay raises, several budget amendments and permit extension

At a Nov. 28 meeting at the Bland County Courthouse, the Bland County Board of Supervisors approved multiple budget amendments and routine items, including a countywide 2% employee pay increase.

Chairman Stephen Kelley presided as the board voted unanimously to amend the FY24 budget to add $84,513 in additional revenues and to appropriate $70,000 to fund 2% salary increases for county employees, effective Dec. 1, 2023. Supervisor Randy Johnson moved the budget amendment, which Supervisor Patrick Groseclose seconded; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote of four to zero.

The FY24 amendment also allocated $12,513 for a Virginia Department of Environmental Quality litter grant and $2,000 to the county Community Fund. The consent agenda passed earlier in the meeting included routine payroll and vendor payments, departmental reports and a Bland County School Board December requisition for $1,112,984.67.

The board handled several other budget items by unanimous vote. Supervisors approved a $60,000 amendment for the Sheriff’s Office budget to take effect in January 2024 and a $1,614.75 amendment for the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Supervisor Keith Costello made both motions; both were seconded by Patrick Groseclose and approved by roll call.

On land‑use business, the board approved a one‑year extension for the Conditional Use Permit for Wolf Creek Landing, extending the permit through Nov. 30, 2024. Supervisor Randy Johnson made the motion to extend the permit; Supervisor Keith Costello seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The board also appropriated $400 from supervisors’ discretionary funds ($100 from each supervisor) to send 4‑H participants to Day at the Capitol. Supervisor Patrick Groseclose moved the appropriation; Supervisor Keith Costello seconded and the measure passed unanimously.

Separately, the board voted to table consideration of an additional administrative position until the December meeting and to address it in executive session. Supervisor Keith Costello moved to table the item; Supervisor Randy Johnson seconded and the motion carried by unanimous roll call.

The board adopted a proclamation recognizing November as National Diabetes Awareness Month and certified a resolution continuing a local burn ban that had been effective Nov. 7, 2023; both measures passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance • Approve amended meeting agenda — Moved: Randy Johnson; Second: Patrick Groseclose; Outcome: approved unanimously. • Consent agenda (payrolls, bills, reports, school requisition $1,112,984.67) — Moved: Keith Costello; Second: Patrick Groseclose; Outcome: approved unanimously. • FY24 budget amendment (2% raises $70,000; DEQ litter grant $12,513; Community Fund $2,000) — Moved: Randy Johnson; Second: Patrick Groseclose; Outcome: approved unanimously. • Table additional administrative position for Dec. meeting/executive session — Moved: Keith Costello; Second: Randy Johnson; Outcome: approved unanimously. • Proclamation: National Diabetes Awareness Month — Moved: Keith Costello; Second: Patrick Groseclose; Outcome: approved unanimously. • Resolution certifying local burn ban — Moved: Randy Johnson; Second: Keith Costello; Outcome: approved unanimously. • Conditional Use Permit extension for Wolf Creek Landing (to 11/30/2024) — Moved: Randy Johnson; Second: Keith Costello; Outcome: approved unanimously. • FY24 Sheriff’s Office budget amendment ($60,000) — Moved: Keith Costello; Second: Patrick Groseclose; Outcome: approved unanimously. • FY24 Circuit Court Clerk’s Office amendment ($1,614.75) — Moved: Keith Costello; Second: Patrick Groseclose; Outcome: approved unanimously. • 4‑H Day at the Capitol appropriation ($400 total) — Moved: Patrick Groseclose; Second: Keith Costello; Outcome: approved unanimously.

The board adjourned and scheduled its next regular meeting for Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.