Bonnie Cranmer
Contributing writer
The Craig County Board of Supervisors convened for their regular meeting on June 6 at 6 p.m. VDOT representative Brian Blevins addressed the board regarding current projects. Simmonsville’s Jason Matyas requested reduced speed limits in two specific areas on Rt 42: a dangerous curve and a location where a newly established Amish family will be using horse-drawn buggies for transportation. The board acknowledged the need for improved safety measures and will look for further information on this from VDOT.
Broadband concerns arose as Jordan Labiosa reported that TDS had sold its Craig County service area to Riverstreet Networks. Additionally, T-Mobile’s acquisition of US Cellular would impact some residents’ service. Labiosa emphasized the need for a review of the technology committee to assess how these developments affect Craig County’s internet access and explore potential solutions.
The Craig Valley Railbed Trail project received positive updates. Woody Lipes reported continued progress on researching the railbed’s history and construction.
The board unanimously approved a resolution officially appointing Stephanie Keith as the Parent Representative on the Community Policy and Management Team.
The supervisors reviewed and approved revisions to the budget. This included allocating funds for schools, approving an operations-to-salary transfer for the remaining fiscal year (2023-24) and establishing necessary budgetary adjustments for the upcoming year (2024-25). The board also approved the proposed holiday schedule for county employees.
A discussion took place regarding a proposed ordinance that would exempt food booths at fairs supporting political or charitable non-profit organizations from specific regulations. County Administrator Dan Collins explained the need for the county attorney to draft the ordinance formally before further action.
The public hearing segment of the meeting focused heavily on the proposed land use plan presented by the Craig County Farmers Committee. Angie Guthrie-Ponton introduced the plan and provided the board with a packet of detailed information. Rebecca Frango and Jim Joyce further elaborated on the potential benefits of implementing a land use policy in Craig County. Joyce provided a real-world example from neighboring Botetourt County, where a property with both a residence and farmland benefitted from a lower tax rate for the farmed portion. He explained the system for recovering “deferred” taxes in case of land-use changes within a certain timeframe. The committee continues to circulate a petition available at local businesses on Main Street, which garnered hundreds of signatures in support of the plan. The formal presentation of the petition to the board is expected at a future meeting.
This meeting addressed a variety of topics crucial to Craig County’s development. From ensuring resident safety on local roads to exploring solutions for improved internet access and fostering community initiatives, the board of supervisors tackled important issues. The land use plan, presented by the Craig County Farmers Committee, has the potential to significantly impact the county’s future and the board will delve deeper into the proposal in the coming weeks.
