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Bland County supervisors approve new county jobs, join Kroger opioid settlement and end burn-ban emergency
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Summary
At its July 23 meeting the Bland County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved participation in the Kroger opioid settlement, created two new county positions (youth sports coordinator and a part-time assistant commonwealth's attorney), approved multiple appropriations and amended a community services contract.
Bland County Board of Supervisors members on July 23 unanimously approved a package of personnel changes, budget moves and resolutions, including joining the proposed Kroger National Opioid Settlement and certifying the end of a local burn-ban emergency.
The action came at the board's regular meeting at the Bland County Courthouse. Chairman Keith Costello presided; County Administrator Cameron Burton offered the invocation. The board approved an amended agenda at the start of the meeting before taking up consent items including payroll, vendor bills, departmental reports and a school requisition.
Why it matters: the session advanced county staffing and legal steps the board said are intended to support local services — from legal prosecution capacity to youth recreation — and recorded Bland County's participation in a national opioid settlement that may provide funds for local response and abatement efforts.
Key votes and fiscal items: the board approved a resolution to participate in the proposed Kroger National Opioid Settlement by unanimous roll call. It also adopted a resolution certifying the June 28 burn-ban declaration and a separate resolution certifying that the local state of emergency for that burn ban ended on July 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
On staffing and budgets, the board approved creating a Bland County Youth Sports Coordinator position and appropriating $10,000 to Parks and Recreation to fund the role. The board also approved a part-time Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney position and appropriated $60,000 to the Commonwealth Attorney budget to fund it. Both personnel actions passed unanimously.
Other appropriations approved included $1,830 in reimbursed funds from Mountain Community Action Program to the Commissioner of the Revenue's FY25 budget and an amendment transferring $3,600 from Recording and Indexing to Salaries and Wages in the Clerk of Circuit Court's FY25 budget. The board also approved the FY24-25 Mount Rogers Community Services performance contract amendments and authorized Wythe-Bland Foundation grant applications.
The meeting opened a public-comment period but recorded no speakers. After completing business the board adjourned.
Votes at a glance: - Adopt amended meeting agenda: moved by Randy Johnson, seconded by Patrick Groseclose; outcome: unanimous approval. - Approve consent agenda (minutes, payroll, bills, reports, appropriations including $1,112,984.67 school requisition): moved by Stephen Kelley, seconded by Patrick Groseclose; roll-call unanimous. - Adopt resolution to participate in Kroger National Opioid Settlement: moved by Randy Johnson, seconded by Stephen Kelley; roll-call unanimous. - Adopt resolution certifying burn-ban declaration (June 28): moved by Patrick Groseclose, seconded by Randy Johnson; roll-call unanimous. - Adopt resolution certifying end of burn-ban (effective July 23, 2:00 p.m.): moved by Patrick Groseclose, seconded by Randy Johnson; roll-call unanimous. - Adopt VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty Benefits resolution (effective July 23, 2024): moved by Patrick Groseclose, seconded by Randy Johnson; roll-call unanimous. - Create Youth Sports Coordinator and appropriate $10,000: moved by Stephen Kelley, seconded by Patrick Groseclose; roll-call unanimous. - Create part-time Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney and appropriate $60,000: moved by Stephen Kelley, seconded by Randy Johnson; roll-call unanimous. - Appropriate $1,830 to Commissioner of the Revenue (reimbursed funds): moved by Randy Johnson, seconded by Patrick Groseclose; roll-call unanimous. - Approve Wythe-Bland Foundation grant applications: moved by Patrick Groseclose, seconded by Stephen Kelley; unanimous. - Amend Clerk of Circuit Court FY25 transfer ($3,600): moved by Randy Johnson, seconded by Patrick Groseclose; unanimous. - Approve FY24-25 Mount Rogers Community Services contract amendments: moved by Patrick Groseclose, seconded by Stephen Kelley; unanimous.
The board signed the minutes and adjourned the meeting.