Floyd County Political News--1/15/10

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors met on January 12, 2010 at the Floyd County Administration Building. There was significant discussion related to state budget cuts and the impact on localities. These cuts will be the subject of more discussion as the BOS works to craft a new budget.

Carl Ayers, director of Floyd County Department of Social Services, stated that demand for services from his agency (Food Stamps, Medicaid and TANF) was up 25 % in December, 2009 over December, 2008. He listed numerous areas where his agency is facing cuts.

Don Thomas, an appraiser with Wingate and Associates, talked about the conclusion of the appraisal process. All real property in Floyd County is valued at $1.8 billion. An Equalization Board has been named and includes David Peters, Jim Richards, Judy Anderson, Monty Moran and Evelyn Janney. Meetings are scheduled for January 19th, January 22nd and February 1st for the purpose of hearing complaints of inequalities, including, errors in acreage. Meetings will be held at the Floyd County Administration Building and citizens must call (540)745-9354 to make an appointment.

Dr.Terry Arbogast, superintendent of Floyd County Schools, stated that the December 1, 2009 unduplicated, special education child count was 324 (15.52 % of the school population of 2087).
He also gave the BOS preliminary results of Fall SOL scores from Floyd County High School. These scores are excellent and reflect the hard work of all involved.

Other actions or discussions of the BOS follow:
1. On a 3-2 vote approved the Erosion and Sediment Ordinance.
2. Bob Beasley (VDOT) said that lay-off notices were given to many VDOT employees including himself. The Hillsville office will also close on that date and then Floyd County will be part of a district that includes Montgomery and Giles.
3. Maintained the way the Floyd County school budget is proposed, adopted and administered throughout the fiscal year.
4. Set the hearing for the secondary road construction plan for March 9, 2010 at 7:00PM at the county administration building with a snow date of (2/11/10).
5. Approved purchasing software to bill in-house for emergency services, a move that will save the county approximately $14,000 per year.

Floyd County Political News--1/15/10

Congratulations to Willis Elementary on being selected for a Governor's Award for Excellence in Eduation . There were only 14 other schools chosen for this elite award in Virginia.

Floyd County Political News--1/6/10

At an adjourned meeting of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors (1/5/10) the following actions were taken toward reorganization:
(1) David Ingram was re-elected chairman and Fred Gerald is vice-chairman.
(2) Regular board meetings will continue to be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month beginning at 8:30 AM at the Floyd County Administration Building.
(3) Fred Gerald will continue to represent the BOS on the Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission and the New River Valley Planning District Comission.
(4) David Ingram will be the legislative contact from the BOS to the Virginia Association of Counties.
(5) Case Clinger was appointed to the Floyd County Social Services Board.
(6) Bill Gardner will be the the BOS liaison to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library system.
The regular BOS meeting will be at 8:30 AM on January 12, 2010 at the county administration building.

Floyd County Political News--12/14/09

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at the Floyd County administration Building. On a 3-2 vote the BOS adopted a resolution that allows the county to borrow $900,000 from the Virginia Municipal League-Va. Association Of Counties loan program. This money will be used for purchasing fire and solid waste equipment . The initial payment and fees are in the current budget and will be a budget item through the length of the loan (2010). For the first 12 months the rate will be 1.73% and after 12 months 1.58%.

Carl Ayers, Department of Social Services, stated that case loads are up 48% from last year for Medicaid and Food Stamps. Currently 1743 floyd County citizens are on Food Stamps. Energy assistance had 602 applications this year and reflects a 20% increase over 2008.

It was announced that the Floyd County Health Department is closer to obligating a new space. The health department will be in transitional quarters until the new space is renovated.

Dr. Terry Arbogast, Floyd County Schools, brought the BOS up to date on several initiatives. In September all schools went through an accreditation review, AdvancED. All schools met the expectations and responsibilities for accreditation without reservation.Dr. Arbogast also reported a current enrollment of 2086.

The Erosion - Sediment Ordinance is on the agenda for January since additional details need to be worked out.

I would like to pay tribute and thank Jerry Boothe for his many years of service to the BOS and to the citizens of Floyd County since this was Jerry's last meeting.

The BOS adjourned until January 5, 2010 at the county administration building for reorganization at 6:00PM. Snow date is 1/7/10 at 6:00PM.

Floyd County Political News (11/17/09)

Due to state compensation board budget cuts, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors once again approved reductions to the offices of commonwealth's attorney, sheriff, treasurer, circuit court clerk, commissioner of revenue and registrar. This continues to be the governor's approach in meeting state budgetary shortfalls. I have asked that before formulating the 2010 county budget that the BOS meet with these officers to discuss office needs in order to maintain the level of services they are currently providing.

Carl Ayers, director of Floyd County Department of Social Services, reported on the tremendous increases in demand for services (food stamps, fuel assistance, Medicaid, and child protective services). He stated that statewide DSS is "woefully underfunded and is failing. People are unhappy about not being seen soon enough."

At 3:00PM there was a public hearing related to mandated changes in the county's Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. Approval of the plan was rejected on a 3-2 vote but will be on the agenda again in December for reconsideration. The sticking point appears to be increased inspections and the possible need for an additional person to fulfill the requirements of the ordinance.

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.