Floyd County Political News--9/11/09

Although the September agenda was light, some information presented at the Floyd County Board of Supervisors' meeting needs to be highlighted. Sherrell Thompson, recycling coordinator, informed the BOS that no one wants glass (clear or colored). Montgomery County will take all glass at $32 per ton. For the next month Floyd County will continue to send clear glass to Montgomery and look at options for recycling glass.

Dr. Terry Arbogast, Floyd County Schools Superintendent, had great news for the BOS. All five schools in Floyd County met the No Child Left Behind benchmarks of adequate yearly progress as did the Floyd County School division. Dr. Arbogast reported that current schoolwide enrollment is 2081.

On Tuesday evening a public hearing was held at the county administration building related to the repeal of an ordinance passed in 1973 prohibiting hunting with a firearm within 100 yards of any primary/secondary highway in Floyd County. There is a current Virginia regulation by the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries that prohibits the discharge of a firearm from the right-a-way of a public road. Three speakers spoke for the repeal and one against. On a 3-2 vote at the conclusion of the hearing, the ordinance was repealed.

On Tuesday evening (9/15/09) the Floyd County Board of Supervisors will meet with the Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission at 7:00PM at the county administration building. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss revisions to the Floyd/Floyd County Comprehensive Plan. All meetings are open to the public.

Floyd County Political News--July 20,2009

It was disappointing for me to have to vote to rescind a motion at the Floyd County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 14, 2009. The motion in question passed at June 9th meeting related to direct billing of citizens of Floyd County for ambulance services by the rescue squad. It was determined that this action violates the policies of the Department of Health and Human Services. It is hoped , except for billing of non-residents for services, that the original intent of the motion can be accomplished by the following means: (1) waiving the additional billing for county residents with insurance and (2) having those citizens without health insurance complete a waiver. If we can only in the future remember to review the regulations or laws before we take such important steps.

There were concerns expressed about the erosion of the base of the Confederate statue on the courthouse lawn; however, there were no solutions as to how to determine the cost of repair or how to raise funds for restoration.

Floyd County has a local firearms ordinance that prohibits individuals from hunting with a firearm any game bird or game animal100 yards from any primary or secondary road. This ordinance is being reviewed by our county attorney, Jim Cornwell, and will be reconsidered at a future meeting of the BOS.

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.