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Smyth County supervisors approve $1.00 million HVAC contract, accept Wellspring grant and set public hearings on budget and tax changes
Summary
At its June 11 meeting the Smyth County Board of Supervisors approved a $1,001,244 courthouse HVAC contract, accepted a Wellspring Foundation Impact Grant for the Smyth Promise program, denied an animal-damage claim, and scheduled public hearings on a $5,002,000 budget amendment and proposed tax-billing changes.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors on June 11 approved several administrative and capital actions, scheduled public hearings on two major fiscal proposals and heard multiple public comments.
The board voted unanimously to authorize Trane’s courthouse HVAC proposal for $1,001,244, contingent on final approval from the county’s engineering consultant, Thompson & Litton, and to authorize County Administrator Shawn Utt to execute necessary contract documents. Royal Oak District Supervisor Courtney Widener moved the recommendation after the Building & Grounds committee reviewed competing bids and technical specifications. The vote recorded six ayes; Chair Atkins was absent.
The board also approved a Wellspring Foundation Impact Grant to support the Smyth Promise program and authorized the county administrator to sign the agreement. The motion passed unanimously.
On routine business, the board approved the May 28 meeting minutes and approved payment of invoices for May 1–31, 2026. The board’s committees recommended denying an animal-damage claim of $425 submitted by Terrence and Audrey Jones; the denial was approved as a committee recommendation.
Finance staff reported county reserves and cash positions during the meeting. Assistant County Administrator – Operations Lisa Richardson said the county’s current fund balance is $14,349,223.13.
The board scheduled two public hearings: one on June 18 at 5:00 p.m. to consider Budget Amendment #7 (totaling $5,002,000) and another on July 9 at 5:00 p.m. to consider amendments to the county code related to Emergency Services Volunteer Agency Tax Relief and tax-billing due dates. In presenting the July hearing item, County Administrator Shawn Utt said proposed revisions to the tax-billing schedule and the volunteer tax-relief ordinance will proceed to the Ordinance committee for review before final action.
Votes at a glance: • Amend agenda to remove Planning Commission recommendation on SUP for Brian Karriker — passed (motion: Kristopher Ratliff; second: Jason Parris) — Ayes: Sturgill, Widener, Billings, Parris, Ratliff, Call; Absent: Atkins. • Approve May 28 minutes as amended — passed (motion: Roscoe Call; second: Rick Billings) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins. • Accept payment of invoices for May 1–31, 2026 — passed (motion: Roscoe Call; second: Rick Billings) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins. • Deny animal-damage claim (Terrence & Audrey Jones, $425) — committee recommendation passed (motion: Rick Billings; second: Roscoe Call) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins. • Schedule public hearing on Budget Amendment #7 ($5,002,000) for June 18 — passed (motion: Courtney Widener; second: Mike Sturgill) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins. • Send proposed real estate and personal property tax-billing schedule amendments to Ordinance committee — passed (motion: Courtney Widener; second: Mike Sturgill) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins. • Schedule public hearing on Emergency Services Volunteer Agency Tax Relief ordinance (Chapter 23, Article XVII) for July 9 — passed (motion: Charlie Atkins; second: Kristopher Ratliff) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins. • Recommend Trane courthouse HVAC proposal ($1,001,244) pending Thompson & Litton approval and authorize execution — passed (motion: Courtney Widener; second: Mike Sturgill) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins. • Approve Wellspring Foundation Impact Grant and authorize execution — passed (motion: Courtney Widener; second: Jason Parris) — Ayes: same; Absent: Atkins.
What’s next: The board recessed and will reconvene June 18 at 5:00 p.m. to hold the public hearing on Budget Amendment #7. The Ordinance committee will review proposed tax-billing changes ahead of the July 9 public hearing. County staff also flagged a planned June 29 visit to Mecklenburg County to discuss data centers and noted state FOIA changes taking effect July 1, 2026 that will limit taking final action on nonurgent open-session items added after a meeting begins.
