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Smyth County authorizes total outdoor burn ban and approves radio return-and-replace plan
Summary
The Smyth County Board authorized the County Administrator to implement a total outdoor burn ban amid elevated wildfire risk and approved a committee recommendation to return and replace certain Motorola radios — a move expected to produce about $128,000 in credit — while introducing a new Emergency Services Coordinator and approving a DECON machine order.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors on April 23 authorized County Administrator Shawn Utt to implement a total outdoor burn ban because of elevated wildfire risk and approved a Public Safety committee recommendation to return and replace certain Motorola radios, a plan that staff said would generate roughly a $128,000 credit.
Vice Chair Mike Sturgill called the meeting to order and the Board took the two actions during the Public Safety committee report. County Administrator Shawn Utt told supervisors that Virginia Code §44‑146.21 permits temporary, total burn bans and agreed to determine the county’s protocol for implementation. Rye Valley District Supervisor Jason Parris moved to authorize the County Administrator to implement a total burn ban; the Board voted unanimously in favor.
Utt also briefed the Board on an FCC licensing oversight for the county’s radio replacement project related to personnel turnover and coordination with Motorola Solutions; he said a petition for reconsideration was filed and the license currently reflects previous filings. Communications staff shared an estimate that returning certain radios and replacing them with lower‑cost units and accessories would result in a credit of “approximately $128,000,” according to county staff.
Chilhowie District Supervisor Mike Sturgill moved the committee recommendation to proceed with the return-and-replace plan; Rye Valley District Supervisor Jason Parris seconded, and the recommendation was approved unanimously.
During the same discussion, Supervisor Courtney Widener formally introduced Brandon Collins as the county’s new Emergency Services Coordinator, noting his transition from dispatch and his experience in fire and EMS. Adwolfe Fire Department Chief Steve Widner reported that the department’s previously approved purchase of a decontamination (DECON) machine should proceed; the Board indicated support for structuring payment across two fiscal years if needed.
The Board did not set an immediate effective date in the meeting minutes; County Administrator Utt agreed to follow the code and report back on implementation procedures.
