Local funeral director asks board to help avert judicial sale of historic funeral home

During public comment at the Feb. 20 meeting, Stor Rowley, owner-operator of Cobalt Rowley Funeral & Cremation Services in Greenwood Bluff, told the board he had filed to intervene in a pending judicial-action matter and asked the county to support a payment plan that would preserve the century-old structure and business.

Rowley said he had satisfied some personal property delinquency balances and sought a private judicial sale or a court-approved 72-month payment plan under Va. Code 58.1-3965(c) to keep the business operating and preserve the historic building. He said the property was built in 1913 and served the community for many years.

County staff and the treasurer reported the case had been turned over to a collections contractor (TACS), which had added statutory fees; staff noted that once the case is with TACS the normal practice is to let collections proceed. Several supervisors asked whether the board could send a letter to the court supporting a payment plan; staff said the judge has discretion over any payment agreement and that the board could consider a statement encouraging the court to consider a payment plan, but the treasurer historically has allowed TACS to handle scheduled sales following statutory process.

Public discussion also raised title and estate complications (the underlying tax liability dates to an earlier ownership period; some coroners and estate actions remain unresolved). Staff said the parcels include one improved parcel valued in county records at about $186,000 and two smaller parcels with minor assessed values; the total delinquency cited in public comment was roughly $60,000. Supervisors asked staff to follow up with TACS and the treasurer and to brief the board on options before any sale was scheduled.

Next steps: Staff offered to contact TACS and the treasurer to determine whether the county can seek temporary pauses, consider taking the case back from collections, or otherwise advise the court; the applicant had filed a motion to intervene and planned to appear at the circuit court motions day.

Quote: "My plan keeps a local business open, keeps a landmark on tax rolls, and preserves a century of [Fluvanna] history," Rowley said.