Board Meeting Notes

>> View the entire Board of Supervisors Meeting.

At the top of its meeting, the Board of Supervisors received a briefing about the Roanoke County Public Schools proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. The schools’ budget totals $282.8 million, with 42% of its revenues based on Virginia State funds, 35% from Roanoke County, 19% from internal transfers and insurance funds, and 4% from federal sources. Learn more about the Roanoke County Schools’ Budget Process.

In new business, the Board approved the proposed Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) consists of four Member communities: the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, the County of Roanoke and the Town of Vinton.  Its mission is to provide environmentally sound disposal in the most cost-effective manner to its members, residents and commercial haulers. Residents and businesses generate approximately 1,000 tons of waste every day.

The Board of Supervisors went on to approve the fiscal year 2025-2026 Budget for the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission. The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, owner and operator of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, was created through an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1987. It is an independent subdivision of the state, financially independent and deriving none of its revenues from local taxes.

The Board of Supervisors also approved the Personal Property Tax Relief (PPTRA) in Roanoke County for the 2025 tax year at 44.69%. The Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA or the Act) of 1998 established a Statewide program to provide relief to owners of personal use motor vehicles. The Act provides State funds to localities to reduce local government taxation of personal property. In 2004 and 2005, additional legislation was passed to amend the original Act. This legislation capped PPTRA at $950 million for all Virginia localities for tax years 2006 and beyond. PPTRA funds are allocated to individual localities based on each government’s pro rata share of tax year 2004 payments from the Commonwealth. The County’s share of the $950 million is $12,229,857.

After a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors adopted the following tax rates for the 2025 calendar year, including a $.01 decrease in the local Real Estate Tax rate, per $100 of assessed value. The approved tax rates for the 2025 calendar year are:

1. Real Estate Tax at a rate of not more than $1.03 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation;
2. Personal Property Tax at a rate of not more than $3.40 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation;
3. Machinery and Tools Tax at a rate of not more than $2.80 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation.

In other business, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the discontinuance of a 0.19 mile portion of State Route 863, Dutch Oven Road, which is currently in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s secondary state highway system. The Dutch Oven Road bridge over Mason Creek, located 0.03 miles south of the Dutch Oven Road intersection with Route 311, was closed by VDOT in 2009 due to the deteriorating condition of the bridge and traffic safety issues. Closure of Dutch Oven Road will not affect the right-of-way and access to Hinchee Park.

Consent Agenda

Under The Board of Supervisors approved the following measures in the form of one resolution in its consent agenda.

• Approval of minutes – March 25, 2025;
• Proclamation declaring April 13-19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the County of Roanoke;
• Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 (Administration), Article V (County Board Organization and Procedure), Sections 2-110 (Roll Call) and 2-113 (Order of Business) of the Roanoke County Code. (Second Reading);
•  Ordinance Authorizing the granting of new public drainage easements on property owned by Gary Lee & Patricia H. St Clair located at 223 Langland Drive; and Jeffrey K., and Sharon B. Smith located at 225 Langland Drive for the purpose of constructing drainage improvements in Vinton Magisterial District. (First Reading and Request for Second Reading);
• Ordinance accepting the donation of four parcels located at 0 Poor Mountain Road, Salem, Virginia (Roanoke County Tax Map Numbers: 064.02-01-04.00-0000, 064.02-01-05.00-0000, 064.02-01-06.00-0000, 064.02-01-07.00-0000) Catawba Magisterial District. (First Reading and Request for Second Reading);
• The acceptance and allocation of $1,000 from Wal-Mart’s Spark Good Local Grant requested from Facility #1301;
• The acceptance and allocation of $1,500 from Wal-Mart’s Spark Good Local Grant requested from Facility #3243;
• The acceptance and allocation of $11,692 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Marcus Alert/Co-Response Team Grant;
• Observance and Proclamation of Friday, April 25, 2025, as National Arbor Day in Roanoke County;
• Resolution approving a Second Amendment to the Comprehensive Agreement between the County and G&H Contracting, Inc., regarding construction services for the Bonsack Fire Station;
• Resolution approving a Second Amendment to the Board of Supervisors’ 2019 Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Vinton.

Work Sessions

The Board of Supervisors also held a work session with staff to discuss revised revenue projections for the coming year. Due to a projected increase in local personal property tax receipts, County Administrator Richard Caywood will bring an amendment to his previously proposed budget for the Board’s consideration at the April 22 meeting. The amended budget proposal will include increasing the across-the-board salary increase to general employees to 3% and raising the anchor for public safety employees from 1% to 1.75%. The amendment will also provide an additional $741,456 for Roanoke County Public Schools and $400,000 for increased funding of the Children’s Services Act, a 1993 Virginia law that purchases services for high-risk youth and their families.

Closed Session

The Board of Supervisors held a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(5) of the Code of Virginia, for discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community. Specifically, the Board will discuss potential business location or expansion in the Catawba and Vinton Magisterial Districts.

For More Information

More information on each of these items, contact the Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors, or call 540-772-2005.