Grayson County public meetings in 2024

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings on a draft Comprehensive Plan to replace the 2018 version. The meeting also includes proposed ordinance amendments regarding cemeteries and campgrounds/RV parks.

• Public hearing to repeal and replace the 2018 Comprehensive Plan
• Public hearing on Subdivision Ordinance text amendment regarding Cemeteries
• Public hearing on Zoning Ordinance text amendments for newly developed Campgrounds and RV Parks
• Resolution regarding Blue Ridge Rising along the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Discussion of Public Works Convenience Centers

The Grayson County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to close the Public Works Convenience Center effective January 1, 2025, citing a deficit and the Town of Independence's switch to GFL. The board also adopted ordinances allowing family cemeteries as a permitted single division and regulating new campgrounds and RV parks, both by 5-0 votes. The draft 2024 Comprehensive Plan was tabled to the next meeting, and a resolution supporting Blue Ridge Rising along the Blue Ridge Parkway was approved.

• Closed Public Works Convenience Center effective Jan 1, 2025 (5-0)
• Adopted ordinance allowing family cemeteries as a permitted single division (5-0)
• Adopted ordinance regulating campgrounds and RV parks (5-0)
• Tabled adoption of 2024 Comprehensive Plan to next meeting (5-0)
• Approved resolution for Blue Ridge Rising along Blue Ridge Parkway (5-0)
• Approved resolution adopting Internal Grievance Procedure for Section 504 (5-0)
• Reappointed Charlie Ward to Planning Commission (4-1, Tomlinson abstaining)

Emergency Services

The Grayson County Emergency Services Commission met with no quorum, so no formal votes were taken. Key updates included the operational launch of NextGen911 (with glitches being resolved), the start of an after-action process following Hurricane Helene, and construction progress on three communication towers on the west end of the county. Discussions also covered ambulance acquisition, new hydrants on Louisville Lane, and vehicle purchase approvals over $5,000.

• NextGen911 now operational; call-transfer glitches being worked on
• Three communication towers under construction on west end of county
• New hydrants at Fishers Gap intersection and end of Louisville Lane
• Vehicle purchases over $5,000 must be approved by Board of Supervisors if county-insured
• Commission account balance $4,576; new signers needed after previous signer's death

Board of Elections

The Grayson County Electoral Board met and unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the September minutes. No public comments were made. The General Registrar reported that ADA accessibility materials have arrived and will be installed at polling places, and that a portable toilet was ordered for the Rugby polling place due to a non-working restroom. The board discussed plans to visit polling places on election day to support poll workers.

• Approved meeting agenda unanimously
• Approved September minutes unanimously as read

Emergency Services

The commission will meet to receive updates on emergency services coordination and communications. Discussions include the acquisition of ambulances and agency vehicles, as well as updates on PulsePoint and Louisville Lane.

• Ambulance acquisition
• Agency vehicle acquisitions
• PulsePoint update
• Louisville Lane update
• Pre-Hospital EKG's

Public Service Authority Board

The Grayson County Public Service Authority Board will hold a regular meeting with old business including a discussion on the Fairview capacity violation. No new business is listed. Updates will be provided on the Lead Service Line Inventory, Louisville Lane, and the Galax-Grayson Water Agreement. The meeting includes a public comment period.

• Old Business: Fairview Capacity Violation
• Update: Lead Service Line Inventory
• Update: Louisville Lane
• Update: Galax-Grayson Water Agreement
• Public Comments period

The Grayson County Public Service Authority Board approved its agenda with an added Louisville Lane update. They discussed the Fairview capacity violation, lead service line inventory progress, and the Louisville Lane bid opening, but took no substantive votes on these items.

• Approved agenda with added Louisville Lane update (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors approved zoning amendments regulating Mountain Ridge Construction and adopted a new fee schedule increasing solid waste fees, including a new $120 annual fee for recreational river parcels. The fee schedule passed 3-2, while the ordinance change passed 5-0. The board also authorized the county administrator to sign a contract for Louisville Lane bids and renewed the Grant Computer Center lease.

• Approved zoning amendments for Mountain Ridge Construction (5-0)
• Adopted fee schedule with trash fee increases, including $240 residential and $120 recreational river parcels (3-2)
• Adopted Solid Waste Ordinance change to include Recreational River Parcels (5-0)
• Authorized County Administrator to sign Louisville Lane contract after bid review (5-0)
• Renewed Grant Computer Center lease (5-0)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding text amendments to the Grayson County Zoning Ordinance for the regulation of Mountain Ridge Construction. The body will also discuss optional text amendments for cemeteries and campgrounds and receive updates on the Comprehensive Plan revision.

• Public hearing: Regulation of Mountain Ridge Construction text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
• Discussion: Optional text amendment changes for campgrounds
• Discussion: Optional text amendment changes for cemeteries
• Staff updates regarding Comprehensive Plan Revision

Economic Development Authority Board

The board will review current financials and approve minutes from May 21, 2024. Agenda items include an EDA grant application and the GCHS Welding Lab. An executive session is scheduled to discuss real property acquisition or disposition.

• McAllister Mills, Inc. irrevocable letter of credit
• EDA Grant Application (Steve/Kit Marshall)
• GCHS Welding Lab discussion
• Executive session regarding real property acquisition or disposition

Public Service Authority Board

The board will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding a proposed increase to water rates. This follows a memo from the City of Galax concerning the purchase of the Fairview and Oldtown Water systems. The board will also consider an ordinance establishing user rates for these systems.

• Public hearing on proposed water rate increases
• Ordinance establishing user rates for Fairview and Oldtown Water Systems
• Approval of May 9, 2024 meeting minutes

Emergency Services

The Commission discussed updates to radio systems, NG911 training, and ambulance acquisitions. The body approved several reimbursement requests for fire and rescue departments and scheduled upcoming public safety training.

• Approval of $3 million from the legislature for new tower projects in the western end of the county
• Approval of $525.38 expense reimbursement for Elk Creek
• Approval of two invoices for Troutdale Fire new tires totaling $1,630.00 and $1,874.77
• Decision to move future meeting start times to 6:30 p.m.
• Scheduled Public Safety Camp for July 22 through July 26

Economic Development Authority Board

The Economic Development Authority will review financial reports and discuss the High School Welding Center and Chamber of Commerce dues. The board will also consider a grant application from Steve/Kit Marshall. An executive session is scheduled to discuss the acquisition or disposition of real property involving ARS.

• EDA Grant Application – Steve/Kit Marshall
• High School Welding Center
• Chamber of Commerce Dues
• Executive session regarding real property involving ARS

Board of Elections

This meeting has no published agenda. The agenda text states only that there is no agenda available and directs readers to review the minutes. As a result, there are no specific items to report on.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission discussed and modified the Renewable Energy Policy Addendum and Zoning Ordinance text to align with a Board of Supervisors resolution. The body focused on removing support for utility-scale wind and refining solar energy regulations.

• Voted 7-0 to prohibit utility-scale wind energy as an inappropriate land use
• Removed wind development language from General Land Use Strategies for Renewable Energy
• Added a new provision for Damaged Panels Storage for solar facility applications
• Maintained a solar acreage provision limiting facilities to 3% of land area within a 5-mile radius
• Scheduled work on the mountain overlay district map and ridgeline protection for the June meeting

Public Service Authority Board

The Grayson County Public Service Authority Board will hold its regular meeting on May 9, 2024, at 5:15 p.m. in the Executive Board Room of the Grayson County Courthouse. The board will consider a rate increase under new business and receive updates on the Louisville Lane project, a capacity violation, copper service line identification, and a proposed change to the disconnect policy. The agenda includes approval of the March 14, 2024 meeting minutes and no old business.

• Rate increase under new business
• Update on Louisville Lane
• Update on violation – over capacity
• PSA SOG 1-1 Led 7 Copper Service Line Identification
• Proposed change to disconnect policy

Board of Elections

This meeting has no published agenda; only minutes are referenced for review. The board is not listing any specific decisions or discussions for this session.

Economic Development Authority Board

The Economic Development Authority voted to pursue a partnership with ATIP to recruit businesses. The board also reviewed a request for $100,000 to renovate welding booths at Grayson County High School and discussed the Acquire, Renovate, Sell (ARS) project.

• Approved pursuing a partnership with ATIP Foundation for business recruitment
• Reviewed $100,000 funding request for Grayson County High School Welding Center
• Reported total available balance of $791,066.67
• Approved process for emergency meetings to decide on ARS project property acquisitions
• Presented 2022 Census of Agriculture data showing $76,013,000 market value of agricultural goods sold

Public Service Authority Board

This meeting of the Grayson County Public Service Authority Board has no agenda available. The agenda text states only that there is no agenda and directs readers to review the minutes.

Board of Elections

This meeting has no agenda available; the agenda text states only that there is no agenda and directs readers to review the minutes. As such, no specific decisions or discussions are listed for this meeting.

• No agenda items listed

Board of Elections

This meeting has no agenda available; only minutes are referenced for review. No decisions or discussions are listed.

Economic Development Authority Board

The Grayson County Economic Development Authority is holding a special called meeting to address administrative appointments and property transfers. The board will consider a deed of gift for the Sheriff's Office and a land transfer resolution.

• Appointment of a Secretary for the EDA
• Deed of Gift regarding Sheriff’s Office transfer to County
• EDA Land Transfer Resolution

Economic Development Authority Board

The Economic Development Authority will review reports on Grayson LandCare Grant Funds and a strategic plan. The board will also review current financial reports and approve previous meeting minutes.

• Presentation on Grayson LandCare Grant Funds by April Collins
• Presentation on Strategic Plan by Ashlynn Shrewsberry

Board of Elections

This meeting has no agenda available. The agenda text states only that there is no agenda and directs readers to review the minutes. No decisions or discussions are listed.

Economic Development Authority Board

The Economic Development Authority will meet to elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The board will also review current financials and discuss a matter regarding Angela Biram and Sip & Taste.

• Election of EDA Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
• Approval of December 19, 2024 meeting minutes
• Discussion regarding Angela Biram – Sip & Taste
• Informational item regarding ARS

Board of Elections

This meeting has no agenda available; it is likely procedural only. The agenda text states there is no agenda and directs readers to review the minutes.

• No agenda items listed