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Bedford supervisors approve rezoning, tax relief for local nonprofit, grants and capital steps; budgets adopted
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Bedford County Board approved two rezonings, granted tax‑exempt status to the Bedford Community Christmas Station, approved an agricultural API grant (4‑3), authorized bids for a new Social Services building, approved a temporary sheriff's office lease, and adopted the FY27 county and school budgets.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors on May 26 approved a suite of ordinances and resolutions, including rezonings, a nonprofit tax exemption, grant authorizations, and capital‑project steps, and formally adopted the county and school budgets for fiscal year 2026‑27.
Planning staff presented two rezoning requests tied to the Mariners Grand and Mariners Landing developments. Senior planner Abigail Curry described RZ26‑00002, a JCM Property Group request to rezone specified parcels from R‑1 to PRD to eliminate split zoning; the planning commission recommended approval 4‑0 and the board adopted ordinance 052626‑5 by roll call. The board likewise approved RZ26‑00003 (ordinance 052626‑06) to rezone a Mariners Landing parcel to PRD consistent with its master plan.
The board granted real‑estate tax‑exempt status to the Bedford Community Christmas Station after county staff said the organization's programs align with exemption criteria. Kevin Turner, a representative, described pantry services, a back‑to‑school shoes program and volunteer operations; the board voted in favor by roll call.
On economic development, the board approved submission and acceptance of an Agricultural and Forest Industry Development (API) grant to support electrical upgrades and a roof replacement for a local meat processing facility. The presenter, Pam Armstrong, said the $58,17x project would seek a $38,678 API grant that requires a 2:1 match (the match runs through the locality). Supervisors debated whether the county should provide the required match or expect the applicant to do so. After discussion the resolution passed 4‑3 (yes votes recorded by roll call).
The board also authorized staff to advertise for bids and potentially award a contract for a new Social Services building; authorized a lease of temporary private office space to accommodate sheriff's staff during construction; and approved the county and school operating budgets for FY2026‑27, making funds available July 1. The board approved two supplemental appropriations and reappropriations for school operating and school health funds, including carryover All‑In Virginia funds.
Several of these items were approved unanimously or with clear roll‑call majorities; the agricultural grant passed narrowly. The board closed the meeting after a brief exchange in board comments.
