The County faces challenges in 2019

As 2019 unfolds, Botetourt County leaders will face a number of challenges.

While not the first issue, one of the foremost will be elections. Three members of the Board of Supervisors are up for election this year, though none of the incumbents has announced their intentions to run yet. Blue Ridge District Supervisor Billy Martin is already rumored to face at least one challenger. Fincastle District Supervisor Dick Bailey, who was appointed at the December meeting to fill the vacancy created by the unexpected death of Jack Leffel, could face opposition. Three other people had expressed interest to the supervisors in filling the Fincastle District seat, so a challenge for that position either at the primary level or during the November election seems likely. Valley District Supervisor Mac Scothorn is the only supervisor with no rumored challenger at present.

However, business must go on as usual. The budget looks to be similar to last year’s $96.9 million in expenditures. Of that amount, $58.2 million went to the school system. The supervisors learned in December that the county has a healthy undesignated fund balance and is in good shape financially even with projects such as the construction of a new elementary school in Blue Ridge, (financed through the Virginia Public School Authority), so raising taxes most likely will not be an option.

However, the county does have capital needs that must be addressed. The county administration is interested in new government facilities, an idea that was first offered by former County Administrator Gerald Burgess prior to the 2008 recession. The idea was dropped when economic growth nose-dived, but administration needs new space. Several of the county offices in Fincastle are in older structures which require significant renovation if new offices are not considered.

Additionally, the county is currently conducting an emergency services study and from all indications, the Daleville area needs a fire station and/or rescue squad building. New fire trucks, radios, and other equipment are also looming in the future. Replacement of emergency services radio equipment alone (fire, rescue, and police), could cost $4 million.

Lord Botetourt High School, which is over 50 years old, will need updating or replacing soon.

The county’s current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which though unfunded, serves as a guide to potential upcoming expenditures, includes new ball fields, soccer fields, and tennis courts at Greenfield.

Renovations to the Botetourt County Courthouse could climb as high as $3.5 million, and landfill capping could cost $1.5 million despite negotiations with County Waste to take over the county’s trash disposal.

The Gateway Crossing project at Exit 150 has an estimated cost of over $100 million in the CIP on the county’s website, with some of the money expected to come from private sources, but the amount of county tax dollars to be handed over for corporate enticements is unknown.

The county also is pursuing tourism initiatives in the form of a historical site at Greenfield, which was the subject of much controversy in recent years. Additionally, the supervisors and historic groups are involved in creating a Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail.

The county will soon celebrate its 250th anniversary, and while the supervisors appointed a committee to oversee this event, the supervisors must put their blessing on planned activities.

While most of the county’s tourism efforts now rest with Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the lack of a local liaison has hindered grass-roots efforts and once again given county citizens the impression that the supervisors and county administration have no engagement or concern for small businesses.

Additionally, the county is undergoing a major broadband initiative to bring better internet services not only to the industrial areas but to residential homes as well.

The supervisors also need to fill the empty shell building at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield and determine the fate of Greenfield Education and Training Center (GETC). The county will own GETC as of 2020, when the current lease with Virginia Western Community College System ends. At that time, parts of GETC likely will be used for county data storage. The supervisors expect Virginia Western to enter into a new lease in 2020 to continue its workforce training at the building.

The supervisors also are interested in seeking a new site for industrial/economic development, though Greenfield is not yet full. Additionally, long-term vision requires a look at Interstate 81 and not just Exit 150. Exits 156 and 162 are also growing and in need of oversight. Much of that rests with the federal government, though the supervisors have input into development at the interchanges in the county.

Overall, 2019 could be a time of major change in Botetourt if incumbents lose seats, if growth begins anew at Exit 150, and if the economy continues to expand.

Story and photos by Anita Firebaugh