Floyd County Political News (6/11/09)

The monthly meeting of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors on June 9, 2009 was long, lasting from 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM with a break for lunch. Donald Hart, president of the Virginia Association of Counties brought greetings to the BOS from VaCo. It is his goal as president to visit all 95 counties in the state. He particularly stressed efforts of VaCo to see that the General Assembly not pass unfunded mandates and to work for the equalization of towns, cities and counties.

Carl Ayers, director of Floyd County Department of Social Services, told the BOS that he is submitting comments to be read at the public hearing at Wytheville Community College on July 1, 2009 related to the 13% increase in electric power rates. This rate increase on the back of a 19% increase last year is particularly hard on DSS clients and Floyd County citizens as a whole. Since written comments are due by June 23rd, a letter will also be drafted for the BOS related to the rate hike.

Dr. Terry Arbogast, Floyd County Schools superintendent, brought the preliminary spring SOL test scores. These scores are excellent for all schools and are a tribute to the hard work of students, parents and all school personnel concerned.

Dr. Arbogast also made the BOS aware of additional federal stimulus monies coming to the county in the amount of $730,516. This money is to be spent over the next two years and is specific to Title I Reading ($229,031), Title II($11325), Title VI-B (preschool $15,967) and IDEA (special education $474,193). He asked that this money be reappropriated to the school system and to be included in the FY 10 budget (school budget $21, 786, 471).

A few months ago there was a discussion about the ambulance billing policy. A motion was passed to only accept the amount of money coming from private and public insurers. Effective June 9, 2009 there is to be no private billing or calls by billing companies to private citizens.

Early on Tuesday morning Shannon Zeman, sheriff of Floyd County, appeared before the BOS to ask that $21,488 be restored to his budget. This reduction , along with cuts to several other programs was made in May. This was done in order to meet the required restoration of $65,00 + to the state coffers. Sheriff Zeman said the cut would compromise services and it would be difficult to retain part-time officers.

At the end of the day, when considering the overall FY 10 budget, fund reductions came up again. Several ideas were floated to restore funds to offices, including the sheriff's department, but none were approved. In the end the BOS adopted a budget in the amount of $31,538,458 and approved the real estate tax rate at $.55 (no change from 2009).

The meeting was adjourned until June 29, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Floyd County Administration Building. At this meeting the fiscal year will be closed out by approving carry-over funds and final bills.

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Floyd County Political News

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at the Floyd County Administration Building. The BOS wrestled with budgetary issues, mainly those state reductions to localities for 2008-09 and 2009-10 in the amount of $65,688 for each year.

Dr. Terry Arbogast, Superintendent of Floyd County Schools, discussed the school system's plans for alternative education. There will be programs at the secondary level for those students who are academically behind, for those who are long-term suspended and for at-risk eighth graders. In addition Dr. Arbogast shared with the BOS the outstanding results of the 2008-09 SOL writing tests.

On a 4-1 vote the BOS approved the agreement between the BOS and the Floyd County Humane Society. This agreement goes into effect June 1st and initially volunteers will be at the animal shelter on Saturday mornings.

The BOS learned that Ernest Bryant is leaving the Floyd County Planning Commission. He has served on this commission for 24 years, many years as chairman, and has given invaluable service to Floyd County. Recently he has served as co-subdivision agent and will continue to volunteer in that area.

Floyd County Political News ( April 14 and 16, 2009)

The regular meeting of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors was on April 14, 2009 with a light agenda but a full day meeting. Terri Morris reported to the BOS that we are 75% through the fiscal year with the general fund at 71% and expenses at 72%. In other words we are exactlly where we need to be budget-wise.

Carl Ayers, Director of Social Services, gave the final numbers on energy assistance.There were 518 fuel applications, an increase of 17% over 2008. In March there was a slowing of food stamp and TANF applications.

Dr. Arbogast, Floyd County Schools superintendent, gave the BOS a copy of the school board, approved school calendar for 2009-10. Dr. Arbogast discussed the state graduation rate with the board. Floyd County High School meets state and national standards with an on-time graduation rate of 82.7% (students graduating with an advanced or regular studies diploma). Dr. Arbogast stated that "the goal is to graduate everyone."

Bob Beasley, VDOT, shared with the BOS the 6-year plan for road construction in Floyd County. There will be a public hearing on this plan on Tuesday, May 12th at 7:00PM at the Floyd County Administration Building.

Other information brought before the BOS follows:
1. Mike Maslaney made the BOS aware of the Earth Day program at FCHS on Saturday, April 18th beginning at 9:30AM.
2. Don Johnson, representing the Floyd County Volunteer Rescue Squad, reminded the BOS that this is the fourth consecutive year the board has not contributed toward the purchase of a new ambulance.
3. On a third motion motion $500 was approved as a contribution for the Floyd Town Jubilee scheduled for June 20, 2009. This money will come from the tourism promotion line in the county budget.
4. The BOS gave the Floyd County Sheriff's department permission to apply for a grant to fund one resource officer for the next three years to work in Floyd County's four elementary schools.

A public hearing on Floyd County's budget for fiscal year 2010 was held on Thursday, April 16, 2009. The total budget is $31, 004,660 as opposed to 2009 at $31,995,860. The hearing began at 7:00PM and was over at 7:20PM. Final approval of the budget will occur at a later date; however, the bottom line cannot be raised above the amount stated ($31,004,660). The real estate tax assessment will remain this year at $0.55.

Another strategic planning session of the BOS will be held on April 27, 2009 from 4:00 until 7:00PM with the lcation to be announced.

Foyd County Political News--April 2, 2009

For the past several weeks the Floyd County Board of Supervisors has been working on fiscal year 2009-10 budget. I hope we have pretty much completed that process. For this budget cycle the goal has been to maintain county services at the previous year's level.

Fortunately we have been able to maintain services and have a very small contingency ($104,00) in a budget of $31,004,660. A public hearing on the county budget has been scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Floyd County Administration Building (120 W. Oxford Street, Floyd).

Floyd County Political News---3/10/09

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors (BOS) met on March 10, 2009. There were not many action items; however, there was a full agenda for the day.

Carl Ayers, director, Floyd County Department of Social Services, reported a continued increase in applications for energy assistance, food stamps, Medicaid and TANF.

John McEnhill, president, Floyd County Chamber of Commerce, commented that 2009 is the 20th anniversary of the chamber and that it has 213 members. The chamber office is open six days per week and has approximately 90 walk-in visitors per month. He stated that the chamber web site received 18,864 visits in 2008.

Some time was spent on landfill issues. The department of environmental quality (DEQ) is concerned about the discharge of organic compounds from the closed facility. No levels of discharge have been detected since 2006 but DEQ would like to see additional wells ($15,000 per well) drilled. There will be a sampling event in May, 2009 from existing wells. Mike Lawless of Draper-Aden addressed the BOS. He will monitor these activities, advise the BOS on future actions and help with appropriate communication to DEQ.

Dr. Arbogast, superintendent, Floyd County Schools, gave the BOS a draft of the 2009-10 school calendar. He also made the BOS aware of an academic opportunity for elementary students accelerated or advanced in mathematics. Countywide these students will be able to take algebra 1 second semester of seventh grade. If students meet certain criteria, acceleration will begin at the sixth grade level.

Bob Beasley, VDoT resident engineer, reviewed the VDoT blueprint. Essentially it consists of three tenets:
1. Reduce road construction, streamline resources, personnel and close the Hillsville headquarters.
2.Eliminate shops in Floyd and Carroll--in Floyd the headquarters will be at Willis and Check.
3.Floyd County will probably be a part of a residency with Montgomery, Pulaski and Giles with headquarters in Christiansburg.

Floyd County Political News--3/9/09

The board of directors for the newly formed Floyd County Public Schools Foundation, Inc. follows:
Dr. Howard Conduff
Linda Mitchell
Mona Helms
Barry Hollandsworth
Doug Thompson
Bill Gardner
Steve Conley
Calvin Conner
Margaret Hubbard
Jim Shortt
Will Griffin
Jackie Crenshaw
Chris Hewitt

Floyd County Political News (2/13/09)

There were few items to take action on at the February meeting of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors; however, several individuals representing various agencies or interests made presentations to the Board. Representatives of Wingate and Associates, appraisal firm, talked about the upcoming reappraisal and sbsequent reassessment. State law dictates what assessors look at and how they will proceed. It is expected that the fieldwork will be completed by November, 2009 with public hearings to follow.

Carl Ayers, Director of the Floyd County Department of Social Services, stated that due to current economic conditions, food stamp applications are up 10% over last year and applications for energy assistance have surpassed last year's numbers. S-CHIP/FAMIS (childrens' insurance program) has been reauthorized by the U.S. Congress.

Marti Holliday, representing the New River District Planning Commission and Workforce Development, invited BOS members to participate in community converstions (visioning Floyd 2020) at The Floyd Country Store on March 12, 2009 at 6:00 PM. This is also a great way for all of us to give input as to what we would like to see happen /accomplished in Floyd County in the next 10 years.

Dan Campbell, Floyd County administrator, reported that he has met with representatives of the Floyd County Humane Society, Jerry Boothe and the animal control officer. Another meeting will be initiated but unfortunately it does not look like much will happen until a second animal control officer is hired.

Tammy Lemons and John McEnhill gave the BOS an update on activities and changes within New River Community Action (NRCA). Tammy's new title is regional assistance coordinator but she will still be based in Floyd. A federal review of Head Start earned the program an A+ rating. Demand for services from NRCA has greatly increased.

David Rundgren, New River Valley Planning District Commission (NRVPDC), gave an overview of conservation easements. He also talked about the PDC's help with revising Floyd County's comprehensive plan. This process is just starting and will look at all aspects of Floyd County development and planning.

Dr. Terry Arbogast, superintendent of Floyd County Schools, discussed several items with the Board. These items follow:
1. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Floyd County School Board and New River Community College has been executed. The purpose is to provide an off-campus alternative education site to teach students who have been long term suspended or expelled. There may be other students who will qualify on a case-by-case basis.
2. Dr. Arbogast discussed the impact of projected state budget cuts. He said his goal is to protect every staff position but, currently, does not know the revenue stream from the state or from the federal stimulus package.
3. Dr. Arbogast announced that a foundation, Floyd County Public Schools Foundation, has been established. This foundation will have a board of directors (nine members) and donors can earmark money for certain projects/causes or just donate to the school system.

Lee Chichester and Martha Sullivan from The Jacksonville Center received permission from the BOS to apply on the Board's behalf for a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

By consensus the BOS recommended that David Ingram, Dan Campbell and a community representative meet with U.S. Senators Warner and Webb as well as with Rep. Boucher in preparation for Floyd County to receive federal stimulus money.

There will be a Floyd County Board Of Supervisors planning retreat at the Floyd Country Store on February 28, 2009 beginning at 9:00 AM. As with all BOS meetings, this gathering is open to the public. In addition the first county budget work session will be on the evening of March 5, 2009 beginning at 6:30 PM at the Floyd County Administration Building.