Wise County, Virginia

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors approved the fiscal year 2026-2027 budgets for both the county and the Wise County Public Schools. The meeting also included discussions on budget amendments and county administrator recruitment.

• Wise County Public Schools FY26/27 budget approved at $103,050,500
• Wise County FY26/27 budget adopted
• Budget amendments for FY25-26 include $200,000 in opioid settlement funds
• County Administrator Recruitment discussed
• Board to cancel July meeting and change August meeting date to August 6, 2026

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors discussed a balanced $65.8M budget for FY26/27, which is approximately 13.2% lower than the previous year. The board also held a public hearing on a boundary adjustment for the Town of Pound and discussed various revenue sharing agreements.

• Public hearing for FY26/27 County Budget ($65.8M revenues and expenditures)
• Approval of Town of Pound boundary adjustment to include former Pound High School and J. W. Adams Combined School sites
• Public hearing for Community Development Block Grant Application for Riverview Water Line Replacement Phase I
• Proposed ordinance to authorize rounding cash payments to the nearest five cents
• Proposed revenue sharing agreements with Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority for two buildings (20,000 and 28,000 sq. ft.)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings regarding the VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan and a boundary adjustment for the Town of Pound. The meeting includes presentations on data centers, nuclear energy, and county finances.

• Public hearing on VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan & Secondary System Construction Budget FY26/27
• Public hearing and discussion on Town of Pound Boundary Adjustment
• Approval of monthly appropriations for June
• Budget amendments
• Setting compensation for the Board of Equalization

The Board approved the Town of Pound's request to adjust its boundary, allowing the town to collect tax revenue from the former Pound High School and J.W. Adams Combined School sites. The motion passed despite two dissenting votes. The Board also adopted the Secondary Six-Year Plan, approved budget amendments #50 and #51, and authorized June monthly appropriations.

• Approved Town of Pound boundary adjustment (Chairman Rivers and Steve Bates voted no)
• Approved Secondary Six-Year Plan (unanimous)
• Approved budget amendments #50 and #51 (unanimous)
• Approved monthly appropriations for June (unanimous)
• Approved HAZMAT MOU (unanimous)
• Approved Solid Waste Management Facilities MOU No. 48 (unanimous)
• Approved Ordinance – Personal Property Tax Due Date (Emergency) (unanimous)
• Approved compensation for Board of Equalization members at $100/day (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is holding a recessed meeting to discuss the budget. The agenda also includes a closed session to address the investing of public funds, legal counsel, and personnel matters.

• Budget discussion
• Closed session regarding investing of public funds
• Closed session for consultation with legal counsel
• Closed session regarding personnel

The Board reviewed the FY 2027 draft budget, noting a $65,885,430 total that is 13.1% lower than FY 2026 and discussed several proposed reductions. No formal budget approvals or rejections were recorded; a revised budget will be posted online. The meeting was then adjourned by unanimous vote.

• Unanimously approved motion to adjourn the meeting (4-55 p.m.)

Electoral Board

The Wise County Electoral Board will meet to conduct business and hear announcements. The primary item of new business is a discussion regarding LESS security standards.

• Discussion of LESS security standards

The Electoral Board recessed the provisional ballot meeting until April 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. After completing canvasses, the board signed the Abstracts of Votes. The board instructed Registrar Robbins to provide the Department of Elections with the certifications required by the 2026 LESS standards review. No other business was taken.

• Recessed provisional ballot meeting to April 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
• Signed the Abstracts of Votes presented by Registrar Robbins
• Instructed Registrar Robbins to submit required certifications for the 2026 LESS standards review

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors will hold a recessed meeting to interview a candidate for the County Administrator position in a closed session. The board will also certify the closed session.

• Closed session for County Administrator candidate interview
• Closed session certification
• Recessed meeting

The Board entered a closed session to interview a County Administrator candidate and then reconvened the public meeting. It approved a resolution certifying that only exempt matters were discussed. The agenda was amended to add a Board of Equalization appointment, and Andy Mallory was recommended for that board. The meeting was recessed to May 6 for a budget workshop.

• Closed session for Administrator interview approved (unanimous)
• Reopen public meeting approved (unanimous)
• Resolution certifying exempt matters approved (unanimous)
• Agenda amended to add ‘Appointment‑Board of Equalization’ (unanimous)
• Appointment of Andy Mallory to Board of Equalization approved (unanimous)
• Recess to May 6 for Budget Workshop approved (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meeting on April 14, 2026. Supervisors will interview candidates for the County Administrator position. In a closed session they will consider investing public funds, consulting legal counsel, and personnel matters, and will certify the closed session before adjourning.

• Interview of County Administrator candidates
• Closed Session – investing of public funds (Section 2.2‑3711 A(6))
• Closed Session – consultation with legal counsel (Section 2.2‑3711 A(7))
• Closed Session – personnel matters (Section 2.2‑3711 A(1))
• Resolution to certify the closed session

The Board approved the meeting agenda, entered a closed session to interview County Administrator candidates, and certified that only exempt public business was discussed. It also voted to reconvene the regular session and to recess the meeting, setting a new meeting for April 22, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. All motions were approved unanimously.

• Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
• Entered closed session for personnel interview (unanimous)
• Reopened regular session after closed session (unanimous)
• Approved resolution certifying limited public business in closed session (unanimous)
• Recessed meeting to April 22, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors met on April 9, 2026 to consider several agenda items. The Board unanimously approved a public hearing to amend Ordinance #7-1998 to increase the tire tipping fee, adopted an amendment to Ordinance #1-2009 raising the partial property tax exemption for elderly and disabled from $200 to $300, and approved budget amendments #46‑47 along with a proposed 1% increase to the FY25/26 budget. The Board also confirmed the appointment of Nancy Helbert to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board for a four‑year term. All motions were passed unanimously.

• Set public hearing (April 9, 2026) to amend Ordinance #7-1998 and increase tire tipping fee
• Amend Ordinance #1-2009 to raise partial property tax exemption from $200 to $300 for elderly and disabled
• Approve budget amendments #46 through #47
• Approve proposed 1% FY25/26 budget increase
• Appoint Nancy Helbert to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board for a four‑year term

The Board approved several items, including an amendment to Ordinance #7‑1998 that raises the tire‑tipping fee, and a resolution adding education and public safety to the Regional Improvement Commission Funds. Budget amendments #48 and #49 and the May monthly appropriations (excluding school funding until June) were also approved. Multiple appointments and reappointments were confirmed, and a public hearing for the Town of Pound boundary adjustment was scheduled for May 14. All motions were adopted unanimously.

• Approved Ordinance Amending Ord. #7-1998 – Tire Tipping Fee (unanimously approved)
• Approved Resolution – Regional Improvement Commission Funds with education and public safety language (unanimously approved)
• Approved Budget Amendments #48 and #49 (unanimously approved)
• Approved Monthly Appropriations for May, except school funding until June (unanimously approved)
• Approved appointment of Board of Equalization members: District 1 Bobby Ring, District 3 Ralph Gilley, District 4 Dick Houchins (unanimously approved)
• Approved reappointment of Kathy Stewart to Wise County Tourism Committee (unanimously approved)
• Approved appointment of B.J. Garrison to SWVA Emergency Services Council (unanimously approved)
• Approved scheduling of public hearing for Town of Pound boundary adjustment on May 14, 2026 (unanimously approved)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors will hold a special called meeting on April 8, 2026. The agenda includes a closed‑session discussion of the County Administrator position under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(1). The board will consider a resolution to certify the close session. The meeting will conclude with adjournment.

• Closed‑session discussion of County Administrator personnel matter (Section 2.2‑3711(A)(1))
• Resolution to certify the close session
• Consideration of the County Administrator position

The Board adopted a motion to hold a closed session, then voted to reconvene the regular meeting, approved a resolution certifying the closed session, and adjourned. All motions were approved unanimously.

• Motion to enter closed session approved unanimously
• Motion to reconvene regular meeting approved unanimously
• Resolution certifying closed session approved unanimously
• Motion to adjourn meeting approved unanimously

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will meet to discuss the county budget. The meeting also includes a closed session to address public fund investments, legal counsel, and personnel matters.

• Discussion of Budget
• Closed session regarding investing of public funds
• Closed session for consultation with legal counsel
• Closed session regarding personnel

The Board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and entered a closed session, then reconvened. It certified the closed session, excluded volunteer fire and rescue services from budget cuts, and approved a modification of the employee health insurance plan despite one dissenting vote. The meeting was then adjourned unanimously.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Entered closed session (unanimous)
• Reopened regular meeting (unanimous)
• Certified closed‑session resolution (unanimous roll‑call)
• Excluded volunteer fire and rescue from budget cuts (unanimous)
• Modified employee health insurance plan to Key 500, 80%/20% (motion carried)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors met on March 12, 2026 to consider several items. The agenda included a proposal to raise the FY25/26 budget by 1% and to amend Ordinance #1‑2009 to increase the partial property tax exemption for elderly and disabled from $200 to $300. Additional items were a public hearing on amending Ordinance #7‑1998 to raise the tire‑tipping fee, several resolutions (including support for the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority and opposition to House Bills 1374 and 1377), and budget amendment approvals. The board also confirmed appointments to various county boards.

• Amendment to Ordinance #1‑2009 – increase partial property tax exemption from $200 to $300 for elderly and disabled
• Proposed 1% increase to the FY25/26 budget
• Amendment to Ordinance #7‑1998 – increase tire‑tipping fee (public hearing set for 04/09/26)
• Resolution supporting letters of support for the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority
• Re‑appointment of Mark Thompson to the Community Policy and Management Board for a four‑year term

The Board unanimously amended Ordinance #1‑2009 to raise the partial property tax exemption from $200 to $300 for elderly and disabled residents. It also approved a 1% increase to the FY 25/26 budget and adopted the property tax rates for FY 26/27. Additional actions included adopting budget amendments, changing appropriations to monthly, and appointing Nancy Helbert to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board.

• Amended Ordinance #1‑2009: partial property tax exemption increased to $300 (unanimous)
• Approved 1% FY 25/26 budget increase (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution setting property tax rates for FY 26/27 (roll‑call vote, motion carried)
• Approved budget amendments #46‑#47 (unanimous)
• Changed appropriations from quarterly to monthly (unanimous)
• Approved PPTRA Budget Resolution (unanimous)
• Appointed Nancy Helbert to Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board (unanimous)
• Set public hearing for April 9, 2026 to consider increasing tire‑tipping fee (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will meet to adopt tax rates. The agenda also includes a closed session to discuss personnel, legal counsel, and the investing of public funds.

• Adoption of tax rates

The Board adopted a tax rate of $0.69, representing a $0.14 increase, after a roll‑call vote. The motion was carried. The Board also approved an immediate freeze on all non‑essential purchases and expenditures through June 30, 2026, and that motion also carried.

• Approve meeting agenda – unanimous approval
• Adopt $0.69 tax rate (0.14 increase) – motion carried
• Freeze non‑essential purchases through June 30, 2026 – motion carried
• Adjourn meeting at 6:50 p.m. – unanimous approval

Electoral Board

The Wise County Electoral Board will conduct standard meeting steps: call to order, approve the agenda, adopt the minutes, consider any new business, and hear announcements or comments before adjourning. No specific policy items or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Call to Order
• Approval of Agenda
• Adoption of Minutes
• New Business (unspecified)
• Announcements/Comments

The minutes only contain a notice that the Wise County Electoral Board will meet on March 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Justice Center conference room, complying with Section §24.2-107. No substantive actions, approvals, or votes were recorded.

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will meet to adopt tax rates. The agenda also includes a closed session to discuss public fund investments, legal counsel, and personnel.

• Adoption of tax rates

The Wise County Board of Supervisors approved its agenda and entered a closed session by unanimous vote. They certified the closed‑session resolution and unanimously adopted a resolution opposing HB1263 and SB378. The board also recessed the meeting, postponing the adoption of tax rates, and set a new meeting date for March 5 2026.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Entered closed session per Virginia Code (unanimous)
• Certified closed‑session resolution (unanimous)
• Approved resolution opposing HB1263 and SB378 (unanimous)
• Recessed meeting to later date, postponing tax‑rate adoption (unanimous)
• Recessed meeting to March 5 2026 at 6 p.m. (unanimous)
• Re‑convened regular meeting after closed session (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors met on February 12, 2026 to adopt the FY 26/27 tax rates. The board also approved budget amendments, revised zoning and subdivision ordinances, and a rezoning request for Parcel #036065 from B‑2 to A‑RR. Several members were appointed or reappointed to local commissions and boards. The meeting included public expressions on the recent real‑estate tax reassessment and the Second Amendment sanctuary.

• Adopt FY 26/27 tax rates (agenda pages 20‑22)
• Approve revised Wise County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance #1‑2026)
• Approve revised Wise County Subdivision Ordinance (Ordinance #2‑2026)
• Approve rezoning of Parcel #036065 from B‑2 to A‑RR (request by Jahmal Potter)
• Approve budget amendments #35‑36

The Board postponed the adoption of new tax rates and unanimously approved an increase in the real‑estate tax exemption for elderly and disabled owners from $200 to $300, scheduling a public hearing for March 12, 2026. It also approved letters of support for the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority, resolutions opposing House Bills 1374 and 1377, and budget amendments #37‑45. Several board members were re‑appointed to county and regional boards.

• Tabled adoption of tax rates (unanimous)
• Amended real‑estate tax exemption to $300; public hearing set for 3/12/26 (unanimous)
• Approved letters of support for VA Coalfields Expressway Authority (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution opposing House Bill 1374 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution opposing House Bill 1377 (unanimous)
• Approved budget amendments #37‑45 (unanimous)
• Re‑appointed Mark Thompson to Community Policy and Management Board (unanimous)
• Re‑appointed Bob Adkins to SWVA Regional Jail Authority Board (unanimous; Adkins abstained)

Electoral Board

The Wise County Electoral Board meeting will consider a reorganization of the board and the appointment of officers of election as required by §24.2-115 of the Code of Virginia. The board will also handle routine items such as calling the meeting to order, approving the agenda, and adopting minutes.

• Reorganization of the Electoral Board
• Appointment of Officers of Election in accordance with §24.2-115 of the Code of Virginia

The board approved its agenda and the minutes from the prior meeting. A substitute motion to name Juanita Quillen as Chairman, Ronald Shortt as Vice‑Chairman, and Christopher Barnette as Secretary passed 2‑1. The board also appointed Officers of Election for three‑year terms in accordance with Virginia law.

• Agenda approved as presented
• Previous meeting minutes approved
• Leadership appointments confirmed (2-1 vote): Juanita Quillen Chairman, Ronald Shortt Vice‑Chairman, Christopher Barnette Secretary
• Officers of Election appointed for three‑year terms

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors will discuss and set tax rates for fiscal year 2026‑27. They will also discuss the county budget. A closed session will address investing public funds, consulting legal counsel, and personnel matters.

• Discussion and setting tax rates for FY26/27
• Discussion on County budget
• Closed session: investing public funds
• Closed session: consultation with legal counsel
• Closed session: personnel matters

The Board approved a real estate tax rate of $0.69 per $100 assessed value after a roll‑call vote. It also approved keeping personal‑property tax rates consistent with a $0.14 increase. Additional actions included advertising a new county administrator, directing the CFO to report to the Board, and requiring board review of all pay supplements and local funding.

• Approved Supervisor Fred Luntsford to attend remotely via speakerphone (unanimous)
• Approved resolution certifying closed‑session matters (unanimous roll‑call)
• Set real estate tax rate at $0.69 per $100 assessed value (motion carried; Ayes: Steve Bates, Randy Carter, Bob Adkins, John Schoolcraft, Fred Luntsford; Nays: Clarence Peters, Jr., Tim Boardwine, Chairman Rivers)
• Kept personal‑property tax rates consistent with $0.14 increase (motion carried; same vote breakdown)
• Approved advertising for new county administrator position (unanimous)
• Amended agenda to add personnel items (unanimous)
• Directed Chief Financial Officer to report to the Board rather than the County Administrator (unanimous)
• Required department heads and constitutional officers to be notified that pay supplements and local funding will be reviewed by the Board (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors will hear a cash and investments update from the Treasurer. It will discuss and set property tax rates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and consider the overall county budget. The meeting also includes appointments to the MECC Advisory Board and a closed‑session segment on public‑fund investments, legal counsel, and personnel matters.

• Cash and Investments Update – Delores Smith, Treasurer
• Discussion and setting the tax rates for FY 26/27
• Discussion on the county budget
• Appointments to the MECC Advisory Board
• Closed session: investing of public funds, legal counsel consultation, personnel

The Board unanimously approved Supervisor Luntsford’s remote attendance via speakerphone. They also unanimously approved adding a presentation by David Rose to the agenda. The Board appointed Debra Wharton to the MECC Advisory Board and unanimously recessed the meeting to February 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

• Approved Supervisor Luntsford remote attendance (unanimous)
• Approved agenda amendment to add David Rose presentation (unanimous)
• Appointed Debra Wharton to MECC Advisory Board (unanimous)
• Recessed meeting to Feb 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will meet to discuss the county budget and the setting of the FY26/27 tax rate. The meeting includes a cash and investments update and appointments for the MECC Advisory Board.

• Discussion on FY26/27 tax rate
• Discussion on county budget
• Appointments to MECC Advisory Board
• Cash and Investments Update from Treasurer Delores Smith

The Board unanimously approved several motions: to table the MECC Advisory Board appointment, to enter and later exit a closed session, to certify the closed‑session resolution, and to recess the meeting until Jan 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Table MECC Advisory Board appointment (unanimously approved)
• Enter closed session per Virginia Code (unanimously approved)
• Re‑open regular session after closed session (unanimously approved)
• Approve resolution certifying closed‑session matters (unanimously approved by roll call)
• Recess meeting to Jan 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (unanimously approved)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors is holding an organizational meeting to elect a temporary chairman, a chairman, and a vice‑chairman, and to set their terms of office. The board will also adopt the county’s Roberts Rules of Order and related procedural rules. Additionally, the board will decide on the regular meeting schedule, location, and the method for resolving tie votes. No other policy or service items are on the agenda.

• Election of a temporary chairman
• Election of the chairman
• Election of the vice‑chairman
• Adoption of Roberts Rules of Order and Rules of Procedure
• Selection of time, date, place of board meetings and method for settling tie votes

The Wise County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Luntsford to attend remotely via Zoom. They appointed Karen T. Mullins as Temporary Chairman, elected J.H. Rivers as Chairman and John Schoolcraft as Vice‑Chairman by acclamation, and set their terms to one year. The Board adopted the Roberts Rules of Order, removed Item Q from the agenda, set regular meetings for 6:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the School Board Education Center, and defined a tie vote as a no vote.

• Approved Supervisor Fred Luntsford remote attendance via Zoom (unanimous)
• Appointed Karen T. Mullins as Temporary Chairman (unanimous)
• Elected J.H. Rivers as Chairman by acclamation (unanimous)
• Elected John Schoolcraft as Vice‑Chairman by acclamation (unanimous)
• Set Chairman and Vice‑Chairman term to one year (unanimous)
• Adopted Roberts Rules of Order and eliminated Item Q (unanimous)
• Scheduled board meetings for 6:00 p.m., second Thursday monthly at School Board Education Center (unanimous)
• Defined a tie vote as a no vote (unanimous)

Board of Supervisors

The Wise County Board of Supervisors will vote on the revised Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance posted on the county website. A public hearing will consider a rezoning request by Jahmal Potter to change Parcel #036065 from B‑2 to A‑RR. The meeting also includes budget amendment approvals and several board appointments.

• Amendments to Zoning Ordinance (public hearing and approval)
• Amendments to Subdivision Ordinance (public hearing and approval)
• Rezoning request for Parcel #036065 from B‑2 to A‑RR by Jahmal Potter
• Budget amendments #30‑#34 approved
• Appointment of Matt Jordan to the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority for a three‑year term

The Wise County Board of Supervisors approved amendments to the County Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision Ordinance. They also approved a rezoning request for Parcel #036065, set a public hearing for the FY26/27 tax rate, and adopted budget amendments #35‑36. Numerous board and commission appointments were confirmed.

• Approved amendments to the Wise County Zoning Ordinance (unanimously)
• Approved amendments to the Wise County Subdivision Ordinance (unanimously)
• Approved rezoning of Parcel #036065 from B‑2 to A‑RR (unanimously)
• Set public hearing for FY26/27 tax rate on February 12, 2026 (unanimously)
• Approved budget amendments #35‑36 as presented (unanimously)
• Reappointed John McCarroll to the Community Policy & Management Board (unanimously)
• Appointed Karen T. Mullins to multiple boards including the Planning Commission and Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority (unanimously)
• Approved Consent Agenda items including Resolutions #2‑2026, #3‑2026, #4‑2026, and #5‑2026 (unanimously)