Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smyth County supervisors approve budget amendment, opioid settlement authorization and school transfer; discuss 25% Anthem premium hike
Summary
At its March 12 meeting the Smyth County Board of Supervisors approved Budget Amendment #5, authorized acceptance of an Opioid Abatement settlement, approved a $90,694 school budget transfer and funded an expansion of a substance-use prevention program; members also addressed a 25% Anthem insurance premium increase and community concerns about Grindstone Campground.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors on March 12 approved a series of budget and personnel actions, authorized county staff to accept an opioid settlement distribution once calculated and discussed the county’s anticipated insurance and school-funding pressures for fiscal year 2027.
The board unanimously approved Budget Amendment #5, a $349,972 amendment that included grant funding and a request from the Department of Social Services. County Administrator Shawn Utt noted that the county’s Comprehensive Services Act currently supports 46 children at private placements, and that the per-child cost was about $5,700 per month; he recommended treating CSA funds as a last-resort emergency resource and asked CSA to submit further requests by April 1 for additional review.
Why it matters: The amendment and the CSA discussion reflect rising human-services and behavioral-health costs that the board said will shape its upcoming FY27 budget choices, including potential service cuts or revenue adjustments.
The board also approved a request to increase Opioid Abatement “Direct Distribution” funding for Communities-In-Schools of Appalachian Highlands from $12,000 to $26,000 to expand the Brighter Paths substance-use-prevention program to county schools (the Career Center was excluded). The motion passed unanimously.
On legal and settlement matters, County Attorney Scot Farthing told the board that the Opioid Abatement Authority is releasing a multi-jurisdiction settlement and recommended accepting the county’s distribution and authorizing the County Administrator to execute necessary documents; the board authorized that action by unanimous vote, while noting the county’s exact distribution amount will be reported later.
Financial pressures were a recurring theme. Assistant County Administrator for Operations Lisa Richardson reported bank and CD balances of $18,430,383.61 and presented the Treasurer’s accountability information on uncollected taxes. In committee discussion, Mr. Utt said the county faces multiple cost increases next year, including nearly $1 million in required school funding increases from the General Assembly and an estimated $700,000 increase tied to Anthem’s health-insurance premium hike. "This increase of $700,000 is nonnegotiable with Anthem," County Administrator Shawn Utt said.
The board approved the FY27 Anthem health-insurance renewal, with the county continuing to fund 80% of premiums after the insurer proposed a 25% increase. HR Director Christy Bise told the board Anthem will not cover GLP-1 medications prescribed outside documented medical necessity. Committee members asked staff to pursue additional options and provide clearer information for employees about plan choices and potential FSA/HSA alternatives.
School finances received separate action: the board approved a School Board FY26 transfer of $90,694 from Instruction to Administration, Attendance & Health at the state’s request; Vice Chair Mike Sturgill abstained from that vote.
Other motions included rolling over $38,930.98 in remaining Rich Valley Fairground grant/loan funds into FY27 for maintenance and upgrades, appointments to the Social Services Board (Katie Joe Blevins as the Atkins representative through Oct. 31, 2029) and authorization for staff to contact candidates for the Mount Rogers Community Services Board for a March 26 update.
Public comment covered local matters: Library Director Rose Likins described upcoming VA250 events and a recently awarded $15,000 grant for laptops; Dr. Charles Wassum read a letter related to redistricting and thanked the board for a resolution opposing a proposed state constitutional amendment; a citizen asked the board about alleged health effects of "AI microwaves," and County Administrator Utt offered to follow up; and Joey Cook requested the board's support to reopen the Grindstone Campground, with staff reporting the campground closed for waste-management violations and that a new sewer system appeared fully funded.
The board entered a closed session under Code of Virginia §2.2-3711(a)(3) to discuss Building Study implementation options and later adopted the required certification that the closed session complied with state law. With no further business, Vice Chair Mike Sturgill adjourned the meeting.
Votes at a glance: motions to amend the agenda, approve minutes, accept invoices, approve the Anthem renewal recommendation, roll over the Rich Valley Fairground funds, approve Communities-In-Schools funding ($26,000), approve Budget Amendment #5 ($349,972), authorize acceptance of the Opioid Abatement settlement, and approve the School Board transfer ($90,694) passed with the votes recorded in the meeting minutes; Chair Charles Atkins was absent for the meeting.
