Smyth County Board elects leadership for 2024, confirms slate of committee appointments

The Smyth County Board of Supervisors completed its annual organization in January, electing Atkins District Supervisor Charles Atkins as chair and Chilhowie District Supervisor Michael Sturgill as vice chair. County Administrator Shawn Utt opened nominations and the Board recorded unanimous or near‑unanimous votes on officer selections and clerk appointments. “Thank you to my colleagues for their support,” Atkins said after the vote, acknowledging the routine leadership changes that mark the start of the calendar year. The Board also appointed Shawn Utt as clerk and named Lisa Richardson and Auna Louthian as deputy clerks for the year. Over the subsequent months the Board approved a steady flow of committee appointments and reappointments. The Board reappointed members to the Community Policy Management Team, the Economic Development Authority, the Planning Commission and other advisory bodies, and confirmed representatives to regional entities such as the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission. For example, the Board reappointed district and town representatives and approved a slate of local board members covering building code appeals, the Board of Zoning Appeals and school and library boards. The Board typically handled these endorsements in committee and by unanimous vote on the full Board; motions and seconded votes are recorded in the public minutes. These routine actions are intended to ensure continuity of municipal operations and staffing of key advisory and oversight panels. Several appointments were made after committee interviews and recommendations — the Board asked the Circuit Court to act where state law assigns appointment authority (for example, particular BZA seats). Where conflicts or recusals occurred the minutes show the recorded votes. Looking ahead, the Board indicated it will continue to rotate committee roles and keep vacancies filled as municipal and regional needs evolve.