Surry County commissioners start upset-bid sale for Bourbon Trail parcel, approve consent agenda and make two appointments

The Surry County Board of Commissioners on April 6 approved several routine items, began an upset-bid process for a surplus property and confirmed two appointments to county boards.

County manager Chris Knoff reviewed a multi-item consent agenda that included a proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month, a sheriff’s office grant application for a computer system, an updated juvenile justice agency lease, a parks position reclassification, a Fisher River Park plaque request tied to a donated bike-maintenance station, a farmers market sound-system project to be cost-shared with the Tourism Development Authority, a chiller purchase and temporary chiller rental for the government center, budget amendment No. 14 (health department), insurance refunds, and other administrative items. Commissioner Marian moved to approve the consent agenda; Commissioner Tucker seconded and the board voted to adopt it.

The board took up a surplus parcel on Bourbon Trail in Mount Airy that had been assessed at about $11,400 for the land and with a remaining building assessed at zero. An adjoining owner offered $4,000. Knoff explained that accepting the initial bid would begin the statutory upset-bid process; commissioners noted that the cost to clean up the property could exceed the land value and that they had no county use for the lot. A motion to accept the initial $4,000 bid and begin the upset-bid process was made and approved.

The board also considered two board vacancies. Staff presented one opening on the Board of Equalization and Review (Dobson district, two-year term) and one opening on the Board of Health (three-year term). The board moved to appoint TJ Bledo to the Board of Equalization and Dr. Jury D'Vor to the Board of Health; both appointments were approved by voice vote.

Representatives from the Children’s Center and the Willow Tree Child Advocacy Center — Sheri Cox, Tess Bryant, Valerie Parker and Lindsay Evans — introduced pinwheels and upcoming events tied to Child Abuse Prevention Month, including a Darkness to Light training and a Wear Blue Day. Chair Bill Goins read the county proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Board members also made brief announcements about local volunteer appreciation month and a community prayer/rededication event tied to a national Freedom 250 initiative; they then took motions to go into closed session for legal matters and to adjourn.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve agenda: mover Commissioner Height; second Commissioner Marian; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion to approve March 16, 2026 minutes: mover Commissioner Tucker; second: not specified in transcript; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion to approve consent agenda: mover Commissioner Marian; second Commissioner Tucker; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion to accept initial $4,000 upset-bid for Bourbon Trail parcel: mover Commissioner Hyatt; second: not specified in transcript; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Appointment: TJ Bledo to Board of Equalization and Review (Dobson district, two-year term); mover: Commissioner M; second: recorded as second; outcome: approved. - Appointment: Dr. Jury D'Vor to Board of Health (three-year term); mover: Commissioner Height; second: Commissioner Tucker; outcome: approved.

What it means: Accepting the $4,000 offer initiates the upset-bid process; the board retains final approval after the upset-bid period. Approvals of consent-agenda items and appointments are standard administrative actions recorded as voice votes.

Next steps: The upset-bid process will run according to statutory requirements; when it concludes the board will again have the option to confirm or deny the final sale.