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Wise Council approves police records software, awards crosswalk and striping contracts and backs $5.66M VDOT funding application
Summary
The Wise Town Council unanimously adopted four resolutions on March 31, 2026: it authorized a police records-management contract, awarded a $201,850 crosswalks contract and a pavement-striping contract, and authorized applying for up to $5,664,106 in VDOT Smart Scale funding for turn-lane improvements at US 23 and Norton Road.
The Wise Town Council on March 31 unanimously approved four resolutions advancing public-safety, traffic and pavement projects and authorized an application for state transportation funding.
Police Chief Kevin Yates told the council the police department's current records software was underperforming and that the department may receive Byrnes Justice Grant funds to offset part of a replacement. Council adopted Resolution #9 authorizing the Wise Police Department to enter into a contract with Southern Software for records management services; the vote was 5-0.
Town Manager Laura Roberts said three bids were received for the High Visibility Crosswalks project and that the lowest bid fell within the project's budget. Council adopted Resolution #10, awarding the crosswalks contract to McFall Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $201,850.00. Roberts also described the FY 2025-2026 pavement striping solicitation; Council adopted Resolution #12 awarding that contract to Clatterbuck Pavement Markings, Inc., also by unanimous roll call.
Roberts explained that Resolution #11 would allow the town to seek up to $5,664,106 through the Virginia Department of Transportation's Smart Scale program and the Bristol District Competitive Funding Program to reconfigure turn lanes at the intersection of US 23 and Norton Road to improve traffic flow; she said the project would include State funding with no local match required. Council voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution and authorized the Town Manager to execute project-administration agreements for any approved projects.
All four resolutions passed by roll-call votes recorded as “Aye” by Mayor Caynor Smith Jr., Vice-Mayor Laura Taylor, Teresa Adkins, Robin Dotson and S. Duane Phillips.
The actions aim to modernize police records handling, improve pedestrian safety with high-visibility crosswalks, maintain road-striping for traffic control and pursue a major state-funded intersection improvement. Roberts indicated staff will proceed with contracting steps and any necessary vendor or VDOT coordination.
Actions recorded at the meeting showed no amendments to the motions and no formal dissent; funding sources and grant opportunities were described as noted in the meeting record. The council scheduled follow-up administrative steps as needed to implement each project.
