Roanoke County board approves RVTV funding, moves budget ordinances to second reading; public hearing records one comment

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors on May 14 approved the Roanoke Valley Television operating budget request and completed first readings of the county's FY24–25 appropriation ordinances, advancing them to a second reading scheduled for May 28.

Roanoke Valley Television Director Scott Ramsburg told the board the regional civic media operation provided a broad set of services to local government partners and ‘‘conservatively estimate[s] that RBTV provides about a $2,500,000 service value to our government partners each year.’’ Ramsburg said the county’s share of the proposed $620,000 annual operating budget is $282,991, or 45.63 percent, and that about 85 percent of RBTV’s expenses are personnel costs. He told members that remaining capital/reserve grant funds are roughly $600,000 and that capital spending has averaged about $75,000 a year.

After the presentation, a motion to approve RBTV’s FY24–25 operating budget was made, seconded and adopted by roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from all present board members.

Earlier in the afternoon, budget administrator Steve Elliott opened a public hearing required by state code to receive comment on the proposed FY24–25 operating budget and the FY25–34 capital improvement program. One speaker, Angie Tuning of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce, urged the board to provide $12,000 in grant support to continue downtown revitalization events and community programming in Vinton that she said draw hundreds to the town each year.

Following the public hearing, the board conducted the first reading of two ordinances to appropriate FY24–25 operating and capital funds and to approve the county classification and pay plan. Staff recommended approval and the board scheduled second readings of those ordinances for May 28. A motion to approve the first readings carried on a unanimous roll call vote.

The board also considered a consent agenda of routine items, including an update to building permit fees. Board members noted permit fees had not been increased in many years and said the updated fees are intended to cover personnel and technology costs; the consent agenda passed unanimously.

What happens next: The board will return on May 28 for second readings of the FY24–25 appropriation ordinances and the classification/pay plan; any final appropriations will follow the second-reading process.

Votes at a glance
- Roanoke Valley Television FY24–25 operating budget (county share $282,991 of $620,000): approved, unanimous roll call.
- First reading of FY24–25 operating and capital appropriation ordinances and classification/pay plan: approved for second reading on 05/28/2024, unanimous roll call.
- Consent agenda (including building permit fee adjustments): adopted, unanimous roll call.