The Shadow
WARM SPRINGS — The Bath County Board of Supervisors has approved the budget and tax rates for fiscal year 2019-20.
The $17,165,029 budget and accompanying appropriations were unanimously approved during Tuesday evening’s May supervisors meeting. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
The budget was approved as presented with several adjustments. The Lodger’s Tax Fund 15 includes changes to advertising and marketing initiatives, while a 10 percent increase in health insurance costs is reflected in the budget.
Tax rates will remain the same in 2019-20. The real estate tax rate will stay at 50 cents per $100 of assessed value, while personal property remains at 35 cents.
Supervisors also approved the 2019-20 budget for schools and its corresponding appropriations.
Both budgets and appropriations were approved by 5-0 votes.
Chairman Richard Byrd commended county staff, school officials and other stakeholders in the budget for their work during the budget preparation.
“It was well prepared by our county administration; it was well prepared by our school board,” Byrd said. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done.”
Also Tuesday night, supervisors ratified County Administrator Ashton Harrison’s decision to cancel a purchase agreement for the historic T.C. Walker School in Millboro.
At their regular meeting in April, supervisors authorized Harrison to execute a purchase agreement for the school. After inspecting the building, staff determined that the tentative offer of $50,000 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation would not cover the costs to restore or repurpose the building.
In order to save the earnest money, county administration cancelled the agreement. Since the authorization to purchase was an official action by the board, Harrison said he believed it prudent that the board ratify his decision to cancel the purchase agreement.
“It’s a wonderful building, wonderful history,” Harrison said. “I told the Virginia Outdoors Foundation we really appreciate their offer of financial assistance, but the tentative $50,000 to help renovate that school… it wouldn’t go very far.”
Harrison said some interest had been shown in the building from the private sector.
“I’m going to keep my eyes open,” he said. “If there was a chance for another grant — a bigger grant — then we could use the purchase of the building as leverage as our cash match to get another grant.”
Earlier, Bath County Historical Society President Rick Armstrong and several other citizens spoke on the benefits of preserving the historic structure.
Armstrong said the school could have a positive impact on the county’s tourism industry, and he envisioned it as a possible site for an eastern Bath County visitors center.
“There’s a chance to step up and make a difference,” Armstrong said.
The decision to ratify Harrison’s decision to cancel the purchase agreement was approved by a vote of 4-1 with Supervisor Eddy Hicklin dissenting.
“I’m still in agreement with buying it,” Hicklin said. “It would be something good for the county.”
Additionally Tuesday evening, supervisors entertained several comments from Millboro property owners who raised concerns regarding noise generated from Speyside.
Marty Plecker presented supervisors with several letters from neighbors who live near the stave mill expressing their concerns regarding the noise.
“We were misled,” Plecker said. “It looks like our previous EDA board handed them everything on a silver platter.”
Plecker asked county officials to work with Speyside on solutions to reduce the noise.
“This mill is too loud,” Plecker said. “They have stolen my peace and tranquility.”
Lynn Ellen Black also addressed the “constant noise” from Speyside and its debarker “that runs non-stop.”
“It’s quite relentless,” she said. “The noise has become difficult for some landowners to enjoy their property. Now the unintended troubles that have surfaced should be addressed.”
“At times the noise is so loud it sounds like an aircraft is landing near our place,” added Susan Plecker. “Speyside should be encouraged to be good neighbors.”
Former supervisor Bruce McWilliams offered a different perspective on the issue.
“I also have to point out for the benefit of the public that who we heard from tonight… the other speakers do not live near the mill. There are people who live much closer that we haven’t heard from tonight,” he said.
McWilliams questioned “the real issues” behind the complaints.
“We have a company that’s providing shift work and good jobs,” he said. “I’ve heard good jobs wanted for this county since I’ve been part of this conversation. If you care about this county and its future, you will support and promote good jobs.”
Hicklin said the comments from the public left him speechless.
“In the last 30 years, there have been crickets out there,” he said. “Now there is something there — and people have been wanting something there for years — and now people are complaining about it. I don’t know what to say.”
Supervisor Stuart Hall proposed a meeting between county officials and Speyside representatives to discuss these concerns. Hall said he hoped this issue would prompt the Bath County Economic Development Authority and supervisors to work closer in the future.
“I think if we had been working more closely with the EDA when this thing came in here, we would probably had the problem addressed,” Hall said.
Supervisor Bart Perdue said he would support the meeting if its tone was not confrontational.
“It will not be an attack,” Byrd said.
In other business Tuesday night, supervisors;
— following a public hearing, approved the Virginia Department of Transportation’s secondary six-year improvement plan for Bath County roads;
— entertained a Virginia Cooperative Extension up-date from Kari Sponaugle, unit coordinator and 4-H youth development agent;
— by a vote of 4-1 with Hall dissenting, approved an agreement between Bath County and the Rockbridge Regional Library System.
Hall expressed several reservations regarding the agreement and proposed adoption for one year;
— adopted the commonwealth of Virginia Voluntary Group Long Term Care Insurance Program as a benefit for eligible employees;
— approved the reappointment of Monroe Farmer from the Millboro District and Jason Miller from the Valley Springs District to the Bath County Planning Commission;
— resolved to recommend Lonnie Martin and Wayne Hiner to the State Health Commissioner for reappointment to the Warm Springs Sanitation Commission.
