Abby Whitt
Contributing writer
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved a number of assorted new business items at its July 14 meeting.
Many were unanimously approved, but not all, and a budget amendment public hearing is required for funding matters due to the total amount of expenditures.
The Memorandum of Agreement between the county and New River Community College for the Access to Community College Education program for fall 2025 and spring 2026 was unanimously approved. The county will provide up to $450,000 to support students who are eligible to participate.
To participate, students must reside in Montgomery County, have at least a 2.5 GPA, complete the FAFSA application, complete 80 hours of community service each year, maintain full-time college enrollment, among other criteria.
To learn more about the ACCE program and requirements visit www.nr.edu/acce.
The board also approved the county’s participation in the proposed settlement of claims related to the opioid epidemic against defendants Henry Schein Inc. General Injectables and Vaccines Inc., and Incsource Inc.
The resolution directs the county attorney and/or outside counsel to execute the documents necessary to continue the county’s participation in the settlements, and it states that “a settlement proposal has been negotiated that will cause defendants to pay over $450,000 to resolve opioid-related claims against it…”
Several funding matters were approved during the meetings, including fiscal year 2026 reconciliation for the Electoral Board and Director ($5,102), and the Compensation Board ($217,089), as well as appropriations for FY 25 donation balances ($93,576), general fund balances ($1,334,015) and general fund carryover ($897,531).
The Law Library carryover totaled $17,560, and the capital fund carryover totals $1,768,805. One project in the capital carryover fund was approved but not unanimously — the project at 305 Roanoke St. — with Supervisor Todd King voting against.
FY 25 year-end balances and carryover, which was unanimously approved, totals $5,255,795.
Carryover of American Rescue Plan funds total $3,495,533, including $2 million that is designated for the county Broadband project and $1,495,533 for water projects.
The Board of Supervisors approved an allocation of about $1.8 million to benefit the fire and rescue capital reserve for Elliston Fire Department, Longshop McCoy Fire Department, Riner Fire Department, Christiansburg Rescue and Christiansburg Fire Department, and appropriated a one-time funding request of $1,350,726 for general government administration ($368,800), public safety ($868,926), and general services ($113,000).
Funding totaling $197,000 was also approved for technology equipment upgrades in the general government administration and judicial administration sectors.
Additionally, the board approved reimbursing the New River Land Trust for real estate taxes it paid on property it donated to Blacksburg to be used as a nature park. The total reimbursement totaled $4,213.
