Honorable Douglas Stallard - Chairman

Honorable Betty Cornett - Vice-Chair

Honorable Barry Nelson

Honorable Edgar Mullins

Honorable Robert Adkins

Honorable Jeffrey Salyers

Honorable Robert Robbins - members of said Board and

Edward L. Sealover - County Administrator

Shannon C. Scott - Assistant County Administrator

Karen Mullins - County Attorney

Annette Underwood - Executive Secretary

ABSENT

Honorable Virginia Meador

PRAYER

T.G. Branson led the Board in prayer.

PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

All led in the pledge.

IN RE:  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Barry Nelson asked that the closure of an alleyway be placed on next week's agenda for discussion.

IN RE:  PRESENTATION BY VIRTUAL IT, INC.

Beck Givens and Brian Vanderbilt, representing Virtual IT, Inc., presented the Board with an overview of their Network and Infrastructure Services, Planning and Design for the Wise County courthouse.

Virtual IT, Inc. was selected by Wise County to perform a technology assessment and to create a plan to aid the County in moving forward with their technology infrastructure.  The result of this effort will produce a Network and Infrastructure Services Design and Implementation Plan that will support the necessary infrastructure services to support inter-departmental communication and resource sharing into the future, and lay the foundation for the upcoming integrated software implementation to support future support services.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE PROVIDING DISCOUNT FOR EARLY PAYMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed ordinance implementing a discount for early payment of taxes.

Thelma Gilley, a resident of the Powell Valley area, spoke briefly regarding the fact that the proposed discount would not benefit the low-income families/citizens.

There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING ON TWENTY-TWO ADDITIONAL E-911 ROAD NAMES

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding 22 additional E-911 road names.

There being no one to speak for or against the proposed additional road names the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Thelma Gilley asked if the Board was considering a Tax Amnesty Program, which would allow businesses and individuals to pay overdue taxes without penalties.

Administrator Sealover stated that the state legislature would have to grant such authority to the County for a Tax Amnesty Program.  At the present time, the County does not have that authority.

Ms. Gilley said she was not in favor of such a program because in her opinion this would be rewarding those who do not pay their taxes.

There being no further comments the public expression period was closed.

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

T.G. Branson, Highway Resident Engineer, asked the Board to consider a request for Collins Drive in Tacoma to be added to the Rural Addition process.  He noted that a signed deed donating the needed R-O-W has been received.

If approved, Mr. Branson asked the Board to adopt a resolution taking said road into the system.

An update on construction throughout the County was given.

A general discussion was held on needs in each district and possible solutions to those needs.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

The consent agenda was reviewed as follows:

(1) Set public hearing September 4, 2003 at 6:00 PM on a proposed amendment to the Real Estate Tax Exemption for the Elderly and Disabled setting the due date for first time and hardship applicants who reside in manufactured homes and receive personal property tax ticket on October 15

(2) Resolution in support of Virginia's Students

(3) Resolution Designating County's Agent for the Base 2003 ODP Grant and the 2003 II ODP State Homeland Security Grant

(4) Authorize Treasurer to destroy paid personal property and real estate tax tickets for 1/95 thru 12/97

Budget Amendments

(1) No. 1:  Increase various line items in SWVA Community Corrections' budget by $1529 (DCJS grant funds)

(2) No. 2:  Increase community organizations/events budget by $5,000 (Commission for the Arts Grant); distribute to certain organizations

(3) No. 3:  Increase various line items in Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority's budget by $6286 (Tourism grant funds)

(4) No. 4:  Transfer $1200 from the RAID Special Fund to the Correction and Detention budget, salaries line item

(5) No. 5:  Transfer $17,500 from the Courthouse Security Special Fund to various line items in Sheriff Civil Papers and Security budget

(6) No. 6:  Increase various line items in Emergency Services Civil Defense budget by $8420 (Federal Emergency Management Program grant received in June)

(7) No. 7:  Deposit $2522 in capital outlay line item, VFDs budget (US DOJ Equipment Grant received in FY 2002-03)

IN RE: OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED

Resolution amending several sections of the County's Personnel Policies pertaining to the sick leave bank; compensatory time and group hospitalization (for retirees)

Appointments

Closed Session 
     Section 2.2-3711A.1 (Administrator Evaluation & Contract Renewal for County Attorney)  
     Section 2.2-3711A.6 (Bids for financing construction of new animal shelter)

Award of bid/proposal for financing construction of new animal shelter

Board Comments

IN RE:  RECOGNITION OF ZACK MOORE

Barry Nelson spoke briefly about UVA-Wise's Zack Moore for receiving national recognition for his many basketball accomplishments in the Sports Illustrated.  Mr. Moore's appearance in the national magazine is the first by an UVA-Wise athlete.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.

ATTEST:                WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

________________________        ______________________

Clerk                                         Chairman