1. Coeburn Boy Scouts Troop 301- Certificates of Accomplishments
2. Transfer of funds from Jail Inmate Phone Commission
3. Proclamation - National PTA Appreciation Week
4. Proclamation - Virginia Correctional Officers Week
5. Financial Assistance for Pound H.S. STAR Team

IN RE:  RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYEE/HEATHER YATES

Heather Yates an employee of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office was presented with a Certificate of Achievement for outstanding work with the Geographical Information System.  The Wise County Chamber of Commerce recently presented the Distinguished Service Award to Ms. Yates who is the youngest person to receive this honor.

IN RE:  MOSQUITO CONTROL - HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Dr. Eleanor Cantrell, Director LENOWISCO Health District addressed the Board regarding mosquito control in Wise County. 

The health department is requesting the assistance of area residents in reporting dead birds that appear to have died of natural causes.  Examining birds for the presence of West Nile virus is the first phase of the West Nile surveillance program.  In 2001, there were 214 birds identified in Northern and Eastern Virginia that tested positive for West Nile Virus.  Individuals are cautioned not to handle the birds; the health department personnel will handle and transport the birds for testing.

In response to the possibility that infected birds could spread the virus further into Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health has developed a plan for surveillance for and response to West Nile.  The LENOWISCO Health District will take part in these activities in addition to the established surveillance for Lacrosse encephalitis, another mosquito transmitted illness which has been identified in Wise County since l998.

Dr. Cantrell invited area citizens to attend a seminar to be held on May 15 to further address the mosquito problem in our region.

IN RE:  SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER FUNDING

Marilyn Maxwell, Director MEOC, Joey Carico, Commonwealth Attorney, and Kristin Rudder, Director Children's Advocacy Center addressed the Board regarding possible funding for the Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center.

The CAC provides a safe place for interviews of child abuse victims by professionals from law enforcement, and child protective services.  This reduces repeat trauma on the child from having to retell the story of abuse several times.

The children's advocacy center is the only one in the state to offer a full child abuse continuum of care from prevention to intervention to treatment.  Healthy Families and KinCare are in-home child abuse prevention services of the center.

The components and benefits of the advocacy center were reviewed and discussed.

Mr. Carico asked the Board for a financial contribution of $10,000.  Since the CAC is a regional concept, requests for monetary assistance are being made to Scott and Lee Counties and the City of Norton.  

IN RE:  PROPOSED  SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET FY 2002-03

Dr. Michael Basham, Superintendent of Public Schools, reported that the School Board adopted its budget for FY 2002-03 on April 23.  Its goal is to obtain funding to provide educational programs and services to the students of Wise County, to provide the administrative unit to deliver those programs and services and to further secure a level of funding to carry out its mission.  The budget asked for an increase of $190,000 in school operations that represents less than a 2% increase and one of the smallest requests in several years.  A number of cut backs have been made to deal with State short falls and have included no new initiatives in this request.  The School Board is asking that the Board allow them to maintain its present pay scale.  The premiums to the health insurance will increase approximately 8% next year.  This additional cost of $271,500.00 has been included in this proposed budget to be paid by the School Board.  In Capital Outlay, a request is being made for local funds of $200,000 to allow the present plans to address the many facility needs in its schools.  These funds will replace state funds that have been eliminated for the next two (2) years. 

Greg Perry, Financial Manager, reviewed the proposed FY 2002-03 School Budget by line item.  He pointed out that the great majority of the budget increase proposed this year is for categorical programs that will not have an impact on the K-12 Day School Program.  He spoke briefly on the needed renovation projects in several schools, the lottery monies, and the loss of student enrollment.

IN RE: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA REGIONAL JAIL PHASE II INTERIM FINANCING 

David Rose made an informational presentation to the Board on Interim Financing Phase II of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail System, noting that the legislator approved the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority's request for 50% capital funding.  He briefly reviewed the financing strategy, the Interim Financing, the progress that has been made and the impact the jail will have on Wise County.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

A citizen living in the Appalachia area expressed her concern that St. Paul and Appalachia High Schools were not included in the upcoming school renovation projects.  She noted that no one has been able to give her a straight answer as to why these schools are being omitted.  The rumor has it that the Appalachia and St. Paul schools are being scheduled for consolidation.

Chairman Stallard stated that the Board could not dictate to the School Board as to how its money is spent.  He advised her to take these concerns to the School Board for possible answers.

Angela Honeycutt and Larry Bush voiced their concerns that no money has been allocated for renovations for the St. Paul and Appalachia High Schools.  They expressed the needs in these two schools.

Joe Bolling thanked the Board for cleaning up the dump site on Rocky Fork.  Even though this is only one of many dump sites in that area.  He asked that another revenue source be considered to pay for the landfill expansion rather than the proposed $30.00 per ton fee for C/D waste at the landfill.

Carl Stidham, a resident living on Day Town Road, asked for a status report on the R-O-W problem on Day Town Road.

Attorney Mullins reported that there has been a situation regarding one of the property owners living at the end of the roadway.  This individual blocked the road and would not allow the school bus access.  Ms. Mullins talked with the attorney for the School Board who is investigating the incident and reviewing the deeds as to the rights of those people living on this road.  A report will be forthcoming from the School Board attorney.

Walter Crouse voiced his appreciation for the work that the Clean County is doing.  To further clean up efforts, he suggested placing a deposit on glass bottles and have those individuals convicted of DWI 's pick up beer bottles as well as litter along the highway.

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Russell Sutherland, representing VDOT, gave an update on construction projects in Wise County.

IN RE:  OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED

1. Update on General Reassessment (Next meeting)
2. The Consent Agenda was reviewed
3. Proposed County Budget (Next meeting)          
4. Amendment to County Ordinance #3-1993 Assessment of Fee for Disposal of C/D Waste
5. Resolution Amending various sections of the Personnel Policies
6. Resolution Ending Declaration of State of Local Emergency
7. Resolution Recognizing Business Appreciation Week in Wise County
8. Resolution Establishing a Debt Management Policy
9. Resolution Approving Support Agreement for the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority
10. Appointments
11. Fiscal Status Report through April (Available May 9)
12. County Attorney's Report
13. County Administrator's Report
14. Board Comments

ADJOURN

There being no further comments, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

ATTEST:                  WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

____________________     _________________________

Clerk                               Chairman

Back to Top