Residents packed public comment to oppose landfill plan and warn against steep tax increases
May 07, 2024 | Scott County, Virginia
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Dozens of residents used citizen comment time to press the Scott County Board of Supervisors on taxes, services and a proposed out‑of‑state landfill.
Amy Branson, introduced herself as a lifetime resident of Russell County and said the proposed Moss 3 landfill in Cleveland, Virginia, would accept up to 6,000 tons of trash per day by rail and truck and bring out‑of‑state waste to the Clinch River watershed. She asked the board to consider a letter of opposition and urged protection for the river’s biodiversity.
Multiple speakers — including Bobby Powers, Chad Culbertson and Ben Christian — said a proposed tax increase (speakers referenced a 23% figure) would be unaffordable for many farmers, retirees and working families. Bobby Powers told supervisors the county risks “a legal land grab” if property taxes climb sharply and urged officials to prioritize protecting generational landholdings.
Commenters also raised practical service concerns: Peggy Tyson asked supervisors to keep Snowflake Road on VDOT’s six‑year plan; several residents said they rarely see road, tree‑removal or other services in portions of the county while paying rising taxes; one business owner requested a public records response showing the county’s 79 vehicles and fuel expenses. Several speakers urged the board to pursue budget cuts and waste reductions before increasing rates.
Board members responded to procedural questions about packet availability and public records, and agreed to gather the DEQ notice link on the Moss 3 landfill and consider drafting a provisional letter of opposition for review. Supervisors emphasized some cost drivers (school funding and jail per‑inmate costs) come from state or judicial requirements.
The board closed public comment and moved on to agenda business; staff committed to providing requested budget/packet information and to reviewing next steps on the landfill hearing that was reported to be scheduled the following day.
Amy Branson, introduced herself as a lifetime resident of Russell County and said the proposed Moss 3 landfill in Cleveland, Virginia, would accept up to 6,000 tons of trash per day by rail and truck and bring out‑of‑state waste to the Clinch River watershed. She asked the board to consider a letter of opposition and urged protection for the river’s biodiversity.
Multiple speakers — including Bobby Powers, Chad Culbertson and Ben Christian — said a proposed tax increase (speakers referenced a 23% figure) would be unaffordable for many farmers, retirees and working families. Bobby Powers told supervisors the county risks “a legal land grab” if property taxes climb sharply and urged officials to prioritize protecting generational landholdings.
Commenters also raised practical service concerns: Peggy Tyson asked supervisors to keep Snowflake Road on VDOT’s six‑year plan; several residents said they rarely see road, tree‑removal or other services in portions of the county while paying rising taxes; one business owner requested a public records response showing the county’s 79 vehicles and fuel expenses. Several speakers urged the board to pursue budget cuts and waste reductions before increasing rates.
Board members responded to procedural questions about packet availability and public records, and agreed to gather the DEQ notice link on the Moss 3 landfill and consider drafting a provisional letter of opposition for review. Supervisors emphasized some cost drivers (school funding and jail per‑inmate costs) come from state or judicial requirements.
The board closed public comment and moved on to agenda business; staff committed to providing requested budget/packet information and to reviewing next steps on the landfill hearing that was reported to be scheduled the following day.
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