Scott County public meetings in 2024

Planning Commission

The Scott County Planning Commission will meet to conduct a public hearing regarding a special use permit. The body will also receive a progress update on the Comprehensive Plan.

• Public hearing for Special Use Permit for Parcel 50-A-12 (New Leaf Energy for William Johnson III)
• Progress update for Comprehensive Plan

Board of Supervisors

The Scott County Board of Supervisors will consider adopting an ordinance to amend farm property tax exemptions and vote on ending the local emergency declared for Hurricane Helene. The meeting also includes presentations on the community garden and the county's economic development authority.

• Public hearing on ordinance amending farm property tax exemptions
• Vote to end Local Emergency from Hurricane Helene
• Presentation on Scott County Community Garden
• Presentation by Commonwealth's Attorney
• Appointments to Economic Development Authority

The Board adopted Ordinance 2024-09, which restates a lost 1979 ordinance and grants a 100% exemption from county personal property taxes on listed farm property and products and on household goods and personal effects, effective upon adoption. The Board also approved Resolution 2024-07 ending the local emergency declared for Hurricane Helene, ratified a letter of support for Clinch River Health Services, and approved monthly claims totaling over $1.7 million across county funds. Craig Bright and John Strutner were appointed to four-year terms on the Economic Development Authority; Joe Horton and Jennifer Pike were appointed by acclamation to the LENOWISCO Board and Tourism Development Committee. The Board postponed a Commonwealth's Attorney presentation to January and took no action on a $4,885 request for the Scott County Community Garden, asking the presenter to report back after seeking other donors.

• Adopted Ordinance 2024-09 granting 100% personal property tax exemption on listed farm property/products and household goods (7-0)
• Approved Resolution 2024-07 ending the local emergency declared for Hurricane Helene (7-0)
• Ratified a letter of support for Clinch River Health Services (7-0)
• Approved November 6, 2024 minutes (7-0)
• Postponed Item 10, Commonwealth's Attorney Presentation, to the January meeting (7-0)
• Appointed Craig Bright and John Strutner to four-year terms on the Economic Development Authority
• Appointed Joe Horton to a three-year term on the LENOWISCO Board by acclamation (7-0)
• Appointed Jennifer Pike to a three-year term on the Tourism Development Committee by acclamation (7-0)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings on updating the public procurement ordinance and amending personal property tax exemptions for disabled veterans. The board will also consider the sale of county-owned property at 179 West Jackson Street to Dianna Holliman.

• Proposed transfer of property at 179 West Jackson Street to Dianna Holliman
• Proposed amendment to Personal Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans
• Proposed update to the Scott County Public Procurement Ordinance
• Discussion of Information Technology/Cybersecurity position
• Appointments to Tourism Development Committee, Heart of Appalachia, and Ninth District Development Finance Board

The Scott County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize advertisement of a public hearing for an ordinance to exempt campers, RVs, pull-behind trailers, farming equipment, and logging equipment from personal property tax. The board also adopted a new Public Procurement Ordinance (2024-07), amended the disabled veterans' personal property tax exemption (2024-08), and approved the sale of the former Daisy Compton law office property for $100,000. The board authorized a new IT Cyber Security position with a starting salary of $53,000 plus benefits.

• Authorized advertisement of public hearing for ordinance to exempt campers, RVs, trailers, farm and logging equipment (unanimous)
• Adopted Ordinance 2024-07, the amended Scott County Public Procurement Ordinance (unanimous)
• Adopted Ordinance 2024-08, amending the disabled veterans' personal property tax exemption to expire upon the veteran's death (unanimous)
• Approved sale of former Daisy Compton law office property at 179 West Jackson St., Gate City to Dianna Holliman for $100,000 (unanimous)
• Authorized advertisement for new IT Cyber Security position at $53,000 salary plus benefits (unanimous)
• Accepted $195 from Animal Friendly license plate sales and transferred to Scott County Humane Society (unanimous)
• Appointed Amy Mann and Ishmael Richardson to Tourism Development Committee, Jennifer Pike to Heart of Appalachia Board (unanimous)
• Approved claims and reports totaling over $2.4 million across all funds (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will meet to discuss a special use permit for retail sales and confirm a declaration of emergency regarding Hurricane Helene. The agenda also includes updates on VDOT projects and an agriculture damage assessment.

• Special Use Permit for retail sales at 1281 Lucy Road (Parcel 170-A-13B)
• Confirmation of Declaration of Emergency for Hurricane Helene
• Letter of Support for LENOWISCO PDC SCTC/Verizon Wireless 5G Initiative
• Agriculture Damage Assessment report from Scott Jerrell
• VDOT SMART Scale Projects discussion

The Scott County Board of Supervisors officially confirmed a Declaration of Emergency following Hurricane Helene and heard extensive updates on storm damage and agricultural losses. The Board denied a special use permit for retail sales at 1281 Lucy Road, ratified a letter of support for a broadband 5G initiative, and authorized negotiations for real estate on Jackson Street in Gate City.

• Amended agenda to add disaster situation item (7-0)
• Approved June 13, 2024 and September 4, 2024 minutes (7-0)
• Denied special use permit for Parcel 170-A-13B at 1281 Lucy Road for retail sales (7-0)
• Ratified letter of support for LENOWISCO PDC's SCTC/Verizon Wireless 5G Initiative application (7-0)
• Confirmed Declaration of Emergency due to weather conditions from Hurricane Helene (7-0)
• Approved fund claims, vouchers, and payroll disbursements across multiple funds (7-0)
• Entered and exited closed session regarding real estate in Gate City (7-0)
• Authorized County Administrator to negotiate for property on Jackson Street in Gate City (7-0)

Board of Supervisors

The Scott County Board of Supervisors will meet to consider adopting amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding solar generation facilities. The meeting also includes reports from the county administrator and department heads, as well as a funding request from the Scott Co Rescue Squad Association.

• Public hearing on solar facility zoning amendments
• Scott Co Rescue Squad Association funding request
• County Administrator's Report
• Tourism Development Committee appointments
• Closed session for personnel and real estate matters

The Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 2024-06, amending the Scott County Zoning Ordinance to add regulations for utility-scale and small solar generation facilities. The board also approved the sally port project at the courthouse, with an estimated cost of $2,621,900, and authorized a letter of support for the reintroduction of the Spotfin Chub into the Clinch River.

• Adopted Ordinance 2024-06 amending zoning ordinance for solar generation facilities (7-0)
• Approved sally port project at the courthouse (6-1)
• Authorized letter of support for Spotfin Chub reintroduction into Clinch River (7-0)
• Funded $3,740.00 for Zoll heart monitor preventive maintenance (7-0)
• Approved information technology policies (7-0)
• Appropriated $361.52 for Park/Golf Course merchandise (7-0)
• Appropriated $2,615.11 for Sheriff's Office conferences & training (7-0)
• Approved 12 legislative priorities for 2025 session (7-0)

Board of Supervisors

The Scott County Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and a proposed update to the Comprehensive Plan. The meeting also includes reports on county agencies and a closed session for personnel and real estate matters.

• Public hearing on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding solar generation facilities and tower height restrictions
• Public hearing on a proposed update to the Scott County Comprehensive Plan
• Presentation by Colten Kilgore
• Presentation by Rye Cove Softball
• Discussion on Scott County EMS Agencies

The Board of Supervisors adopted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance updating regulations for day care centers and cell phone towers, and postponed updates related to solar facilities to a future meeting. The board also approved updates to the Comprehensive Plan, a fireworks permit for Duffield Daze, a behavioral health contract, a real estate lease for the Victim Witness office, and various financial appropriations and transfers.

• Adopted Zoning Ordinance amendments for daycares and cell towers; postponed solar updates (unanimous)
• Approved updates to the Scott County Comprehensive Plan (unanimous)
• Approved fireworks permit for Duffield Daze at Crooked Road Tech Center (unanimous)
• Approved PDI Behavioral Health Performance Contract (unanimous)
• Approved Big H Company real estate lease for Victim Witness office (unanimous)
• Authorized County Attorney to advertise for public hearings on ordinance changes per General Assembly (unanimous)
• Approved claims and appropriations totaling over $2.5 million across multiple funds (unanimous)
• Extended Sheriff's Office grant of $23,299.31 from Regional Improvement Commission funds (unanimous)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding proposed changes to the Scott County Comprehensive Plan. The commission will also discuss proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

• Public hearing for Scott County Comprehensive Plan changes
• Discussion of proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
• Approval of June 10, 2024 meeting minutes

Board of Supervisors

The Board will consider amendments to the Transient Occupancy Tax and Solid Waste Control ordinances. They will also review a special use permit application for a mini-warehouse on Bristol Highway.

• Proposed increase of Transient Occupancy Tax rate from 2% to 5%
• Proposed $40 reduced tipping fee for certain household waste collectors
• Special Use Permit application for a mini-warehouse on Bristol Highway
• Duffield Daze funding request
• SMART Scale Application Resolution of Support

The Board of Supervisors increased the transient occupancy tax from 2% to 5% to fund tourism. Other actions included approving a special use permit for a mini-warehouse and funding an opioid recovery facility.

• Adopted Ordinance 2024-03 increasing transient occupancy tax from 2% to 5% (7-0)
• Adopted Ordinance 2024-04 setting a $40 reduced tipping fee for licensed sole proprietors at the Transfer Station (7-0)
• Issued Special Use Permit to Albert W. Graybill for a mini-warehouse on Bristol Highway, conditional on VDOT permit (7-0)
• Approved $75,000 from opioid abatement funding for SECOR (7-0)
• Approved $1,000 from Board Contingency for Duffield Daze (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 2024-06 supporting the US 23 at Natural Tunnel Parkway Intersection Realignment project (7-0)
• Accepted six grants for the Sheriff's Office, Commonwealth's Attorney, and Tourism (7-0)
• Authorized the purchase of real estate in Gate City (7-0)

General

The Board will consider the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and related appropriation resolutions. Other items include a Tax Levy Resolution and the Personal Property Tax Relief Act Resolution.

• FY 25 Budget Adoption
• Tax Levy Resolution
• Personal Property Tax Relief Act Resolution
• Weber City Fireworks Permit

The Board of Supervisors approved the FY25 budget and associated tax levies without increasing taxes. The Board also joined the Kroger Settlement National Opioid Litigation and approved personal property tax relief for qualifying vehicles.

• Adopted FY25 budget with no tax increase (6-1)
• Approved FY25 tax levies for real estate ($0.77), personal property ($1.65), and other assets (7-0)
• Appropriated FY25 budget totaling $118,243,640 across all funds (6-1)
• Joined the Kroger Settlement National Opioid Litigation (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 2024-03 providing personal property tax relief for qualifying vehicles (7-0)
• Approved $320,000 transfer from Community Work Program to General Fund (3-4)
• Denied request to reduce School Board funding by $200,000 (2-5)
• Granted fireworks permit to Weber City Fire Department (7-0)

General

The Scott County Planning Commission will hold public hearings on special use permits for a mini warehouse and a take out restaurant. The commission will also review proposed zoning amendments regarding utility-scale solar generation facilities and tower height restrictions.

• Special Use Permit for Mini Warehouse at 4116 Bristol Highway
• Special Use Permit for Take Out Restaurant at 1281 Lucy Road
• Zoning amendments regarding utility-scale solar generation facilities
• Proposed removal of tower height restrictions
• Update to the Comprehensive Plan Transportation Section

Board of Supervisors

The Board will hold public hearings regarding the proposed budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and a possible tax levy increase for FY 2025. Other items include a special use permit for retail sales on Lucy Road and updates on the VDOT six-year plan.

• Public hearing for a Special Use Permit for retail sales at 1281 Lucy Road
• Discussion of proposed budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024
• Hearing on possible tax levy increase for FY 2025 budget
• Review of Scott County VDOT Six-Year Plan
• SECOR funding request

The Board approved the FY 2025 Secondary Roads Six Year Plan and Construction Budget. A special use permit for retail sales on Lucy Drive was postponed indefinitely, and the Board authorized a public hearing to consider a tipping fee exemption for sole proprietors in the Solid Waste Ordinance.

• Approved Secondary Roads Six Year Plan and Construction Budget (7-0)
• Postponed special use permit for retail sales on Lucy Drive indefinitely
• Authorized public hearing to amend Solid Waste Ordinance for sole proprietor tipping fee exemption (7-0)
• Approved $900 for Weber City Fire Department fireworks (7-0)
• Appointed Lindsay Fischer to Lonesome Pine Regional Library Board (7-0)
• Appointed Courtney Stidham to Tourism Development Committee (6-0, 1 abstain)
• Appointed Jace Smith to Planning Commission (7-0)
• Appropriated funds for E-911 ($756.43), Sheriff's Office ($11,162), and Park/Golf ($2,340.40) (7-0)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will hold a special called meeting on May 31, 2024. The only item listed for unfinished business is the Russell County Landfill Letter.

• Russell County Landfill Letter

The Board of Supervisors met for a special called meeting to address a proposed landfill in Russell County. The Board voted to send a first draft letter to the Russell County Board of Supervisors.

• Authorized sending first draft letter to Russell County Board of Supervisors regarding proposed landfill (6-1)

General

The Board of Supervisors is meeting for a budget workshop and to discuss an Emergency Operations Plan update. The session includes reviews of behavioral health services, trails, and the Sheriff's Office.

• Emergency Operations Plan Update
• Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates
• Russell County Landfill Letter
• Planning District One Behavioral Health Services
• Spearhead Trails

The Board of Supervisors approved a new Emergency Operations Plan and a contract for audit services with Robinson, Farmer, Cox and Associates. The Board also authorized public hearings to consider increasing the personal property tax and the transient occupancy tax.

• Approved updated Emergency Operations Plan (7-0)
• Approved audit contract with Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates (7-0)
• Approved Russell County Landfill letter contingent on adding environmental and forever chemical impacts (7-0)
• Denied increase of Spearhead Trails funding to $14,000 (3-4); funding remains $5,000
• Denied $20,000 reduction to County Attorney salary (3-4)
• Approved zero compensation for Board of Supervisors for FY25 (4-3)
• Approved $100,000 transfer from S.C.O.T.T. Service Program Fund 1325 (7-0)
• Approved public hearings for a 10-cent personal property tax increase and a 5% transient occupancy tax increase (7-0)

General

The Planning Commission is meeting to review proposed changes to the zoning ordinance. Previous discussions focused on establishing guidelines for small and large-scale solar projects, including decommissioning plans and setbacks.

• Proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing regarding the Animal and Rabies Control Ordinance. The meeting includes discussions on fee increases for golf carts and the transfer station, as well as road prioritization for the six-year plan.

• Public hearing: Animal and Rabies Control Ordinance
• Resolution to increase the Transfer Station tipping fee
• Golf Cart fee increase
• Six-Year Plan Road Prioritization
• Scott County Schools line of credit

The Board unanimously adopted Ordinance 2024-02, which prohibits dogs from running at large or in packs and updates dangerous dog references. They also approved Resolution 2024-02, increasing the transfer station tipping fee to $60.00 per ton effective July 1, 2024, with exemptions for household waste. Additionally, the Board authorized a $4 million line of credit for the school system and ratified a health center MOU with Dickenson County.

• Adopted Ordinance 2024-02 amending animal control rules (7-0)
• Approved Resolution 2024-02 raising transfer station fee to $60/ton (7-0)
• Authorized $4,000,000 line of credit for school system (7-0)
• Ratified MOU for Wildwood Health & Wellness Center with Dickenson County (7-0)
• Approved golf course fees: $8-$12 green fees, $8-$16 cart rentals (7-0)
• Changed regular meeting day/time to first Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. starting July 2024 (6-1)
• Issued $83,353.70 check to Tempur Sealy for Enterprise Zone incentives (7-0)
• Issued $67,928.72 check to VFP, Inc. for Enterprise Zone incentives (7-0)

General

The Board of Supervisors will meet to conduct a budget workshop. The session specifically includes a review of the Scott County Fire Association.

• Budget workshop regarding Scott County Fire Association

The Board discussed cutting a 3% cost-of-living increase for county employees and reducing a maintenance line item to $2,000 for uniforms. Members reached a consensus not to raise the Machinery and Tools tax and to request $200,000 from the School Board's budget.

• Approved agenda (2-5)
• Approved adding Citizen Expression Period to agenda (6-1)
• Consensus to reduce maintenance line item to $2,000 and add to uniforms
• Consensus to not raise Machinery and Tools tax
• Consensus to ask School Board for $200,000 from their budget

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is meeting for a budget workshop. No other specific business items or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Budget Workshop

At an April 16, 2024 budget workshop, the Scott County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 to keep the County Attorney position full-time after discussing whether to make it part-time to save money. The Board also directed the County Administrator to contact the Economic Development Authority about contracting for retail recruitment or returning $125,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds. No final budget was adopted; the Board scheduled further budget workshops for May 6 and May 15.

• Kept County Attorney position full-time (4-3 roll call: Jeter, Brickey, Maness, Addington for full-time; Glover, Skeen, Casteel for change)
• Directed County Administrator to contact Economic Development Authority about contracting for retail recruitment or returning $125,000 in ARPA funds
• Consensus that Fire Association & Rescue Association President and Fire Chiefs attend next budget workshop
• Consensus that County Administrator check cost for a sally port for Commonwealth's Attorney space needs
• Requested more data from S.C.O.T.T. Service Community Work Program and asked them to speak at next workshop
• Scheduled budget workshops for May 6 at 3:00 p.m. and May 15 at 8:30 a.m. if needed
• Amended agenda to add Eddie Skeen to New Business (7-0)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will discuss several funding requests and a proposed amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance. The meeting includes a review of a mutual aid agreement with Russell County and a CDBG Fair Housing Resolution.

• Proposed Animal Control Ordinance Amendment
• Mutual Aid Agreement with Russell County
• Funding requests for VA 250, Secor Residential Reentry Program, Commissioner of Revenue, Upper Tennessee River Roundtable, and Keith Memorial Park
• CDBG Fair Housing Resolution
• Solid Waste Committee Recommendations

The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution endorsing fair housing and appointed a Fair Housing Administrator. They approved the purchase of real estate software for the Commissioner of the Revenue and funded several community and infrastructure projects.

• Adopted Fair Housing Resolution 2024-02 and appointed Freda R. Starnes as Administrator
• Approved purchase of ConciseCAMA real estate software ($20,904.81 from contingency; $118,460 in FY25 budget)
• Approved $108,220 for new golf carts using LGIP interest
• Approved $14,700 for hazardous materials abatement for annex and old jail demolition
• Approved $5,000 in FY 2024/25 budget for Upper Tennessee River Roundtable
• Approved $1,750 from Board Contingency for staining Keith Memorial Park cabin
• Approved Thomas Village Community Center agreement with Three Bells Methodist Church
• Approved Mutual Aid Agreement for law enforcement with Russell County

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will consider grant requests for opioid services and funding for the Nickelsville Planning Commission. The meeting includes a discussion on a 10-year school maintenance, construction, and consolidation plan. Members will also address appointments for the Planning Commission and Public Service Authority.

• Opioid Grant Requests for Planning District One Behavioral Health and Department of Social Services
• Nickelsville Planning Commission funding request
• Six-Year Plan discussion regarding new additions
• Spearhead Trails MOA
• School 10-year Maintenance/Construction/Consolidation discussion

The Board of Supervisors approved several funding requests for recovery housing, social services, and emergency crews. They also appointed five members to various county commissions and boards. The Board formally requested a joint meeting with the School Board to discuss declining student counts and maintenance costs.

• Approved $19,655 over five years for Phase I recovery housing (7-0)
• Supported $10,000 opioid grant for Department of Social Services (7-0)
• Appropriated $45,000 to Scott County Life Saving Crew (7-0)
• Approved $1,617.16 for board room speaker upgrades (7-0)
• Funded Nickelsville Planning Commission $1,000 for events (7-0)
• Approved MOA with Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (7-0)
• Appropriated $55,377.75 for communications equipment replacement (7-0)
• Requested joint meeting with School Board to discuss future of schools (7-0)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will review the FY 2023 audit and approve the FY 25 budget calendar. The meeting includes discussions on funding requests for the Treasurer and EMS, as well as the selection of committee members.

• Approval of E. Luke Greene Co. bid for demolition
• Commissioner of Revenue Keystone contract
• FY 25 Budget Calendar approval
• Funding requests for Treasurer Kevin Helms and EMS
• Weber City Fire Department request

The Board passed a resolution opposing a requested rate increase by Appalachian Power Company. They also approved several funding requests for emergency services, county offices, and a building demolition project.

• Passed Resolution 2024-01 opposing Appalachian Power Company rate increase
• Approved $90,000 for Duffield and Nickelsville Rescue Squad payroll
• Approved $117,777 bid for Scott County Annex & Jail Building Demolition
• Approved $5,000 for Weber City Fire Department front doors
• Approved $5,000 for Treasurer's Office Deputy I starting salaries
• Approved $5,100 for Commissioner of the Revenue valuation services
• Approved FY 2024-25 budget calendar
• Appointed Rodney Baker, Lisa McCarty, John Kilgore, Ray Leonard, Barry Wolfe, Dexter Harmon, and Marsha Helton to various boards

General

The Scott County Planning Commission is meeting to conduct a public hearing regarding a special use permit. The commission will also review minutes from the December 11, 2023 meeting.

• Public hearing for Special Use Permit for retail sales at Parcel 170-A-13B (1281 Lucy Road)