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Smyth County Board approves removal of Open Space and Forest land‑use tax assessments
Summary
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors voted 6–1 on June 18 to amend Chapter 23 of the county code to remove the county allowance for Open Space and Forest land‑use tax assessments; Chair Charles E. Atkins was the lone vote against the change and no members of the public spoke during the hearing.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors on June 18 approved amendments to Chapter 23, Finance & Taxation, removing the county allowance for Open Space and Forest land‑use tax assessments.
County Administrator Shawn M. Utt told the board staff and elected officials had discussed options for how the county treats open‑space and forestal lands and wanted to gauge citizen feedback before acting. Chair Charles E. Atkins opened a public hearing on the proposed change; no members of the public spoke. "Seeing no interested speakers, Chair, Atkins District Supervisor Charlie Atkins closed the public hearing for the Amendments to Chapter 23," the record states.
Royal Oak District Supervisor S. Courtney Widener moved to approve the amendment; Chilhowie District Supervisor Michael L. Sturgill seconded. The motion passed with six votes in favor and Atkins voting no. Widener said he supported farmers while also "ensuring the County’s budget remains fiscally stable," and supporters framed the change as a budget‑stability measure. The amendment was recorded for action to take effect as needed under county code procedures.
Board members raised the limited amount of citizen feedback before the vote; Atkins specifically noted concerns about the narrow public response the proposal received. No formal appeal or further public comment was recorded at the meeting. The board’s recorded motion and vote are part of the official minutes and action history for the Chapter 23 amendment.
