Alleghany County adopts budget with health‑department and rescue‑squad additions amid dispute over DSS move from BDC building

Alleghany County commissioners voted 4–1 to adopt the county’s annual budget after adding $12,000 for the county health department and $10,000 for the local rescue squad.

The amendments were introduced during budget debate and approved by voice vote before the full budget was accepted. Commissioners said the health‑department increase responds to expanded clinic hours and service demand; the rescue‑squad allocation was amended to include a recommended up‑front half payment with the remainder released after an agreed audit procedure.

The vote followed a public comment period in which multiple BDC tenants and community members urged the board to reconsider plans to relocate the Department of Social Services (DSS) into the BDC (Business Development Center) building. Kimberly King, a long‑time BDC tenant, told commissioners, “Before displacing businesses and the services they provide, I respectfully ask that you explore every possible alternative,” and warned that many small businesses housed at the BDC “may not survive relocation.”

Commissioners discussed the urgency behind the DSS move and whether required paperwork exists for terminating existing leases. One commissioner asked whether the county had a written release from property owners for two DSS leases that together carry about $118,800 in payments remaining until July 1, 2028. County staff said conversations with the property owners had occurred but that formal written releases were not yet in hand. Brett Jared, who said he was present on behalf of property owners Bill and Peggy Blevins, summarized his reading of the leases: “When I look at that document, to me it is very much a one‑sided document that allows the county to terminate that lease at their option,” and added he was not an attorney.

Commissioners who supported the budget said the county must balance tenant interests with fiduciary responsibility for county‑owned property. Commissioner Walker argued that the county should use and maintain its buildings for government functions and noted long‑running questions about the BDC’s role as subsidized incubator space. Commissioner Owen, who cast the lone opposing vote, said he disagreed with the timing: “What I didn’t understand is the urgency behind the move… I don’t think our timing was right,” and said lease timelines and broader transparency issues should have been addressed earlier in the budget process.

County manager Bill Shelton thanked staff from finance and departmental leadership for more than 200 hours of budget work to finalize the package. The board also approved several line‑item amendments — including funding for volunteer fire departments, transfer‑facility repairs, the revaluation project and a $3,000 maintenance item for the PSAP/911 fund — by unanimous voice votes where recorded.

Next steps: staff said they will seek written confirmations from property owners regarding any required lease releases and will coordinate a timeline with BDC tenants that wish to relocate. The board scheduled no additional votes on the DSS relocation at this meeting.