Votes at a glance: Smyth County Board unanimous on minutes, invoices, strategic plan, TROF repayment, emergency declaration, fireworks and sanctuary reaffirm

The Smyth County Board of Supervisors recorded a series of unanimous votes at its Feb. 12, 2026 meeting. Key approved motions and outcomes are summarized below.

- Approval of Jan. 22, 2026 meeting minutes: Motion by Courtney Widener; seconded by Jason Parris. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Acceptance of payment of invoices for Jan. 1–31, 2026: Motion by Roscoe Call; seconded by Rick Billings. Outcome: approved unanimously. Assistant County Administrator—Operations Lisa Richardson reported a bank and CD balance of $18,970,163.6.

- Adoption of the 2026 Strategic Workplan (as amended to include suggested coverage and wording changes): Motion by Jason Parris; seconded by Mike Sturgill. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Approval of updated 2026 Smyth Machine TROF Agreement with clawback procedures and authorization for the County Administrator to execute: Motion by Roscoe Call; seconded by Courtney Widener. Outcome: approved unanimously. The Tobacco Commission requested repayment of $53,000; the agreement calls for Smyth Machine to repay the county in three payments.

- Acceptance of the February 2026 Declaration of Local Emergency for Winter Storm Fern (set to expire March 1): Motion by Mike Sturgill; seconded by Jason Parris. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Approval of the 2026 Fireworks Contract and authorization for the County Administrator to execute: Motion by Courtney Widener; seconded by Jason Parris. Outcome: approved unanimously. County funding proposed at $30,000 and Town of Marion proposed at $10,000 for a larger 250th-anniversary show.

- Reaffirmation of the Dec. 10, 2019 resolution establishing Smyth County as a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary County: Motion by Rick Billings; seconded by Roscoe Call. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Authorization for the County Administrator to draft a resolution urging state delegates and senators to retain Virginia Military Institute in the Virginia College System: Motion by Courtney Widener; seconded by Rick Billings. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Motion to enter closed session under Code of Virginia §2.2-3711(a)(7) (River Bottom Circle) and §2.2-3711(a)(3) (Main Street properties): Motion by Courtney Widener; seconded by Mike Sturgill. Outcome: approved on recorded roll call. The board later reentered open session and adopted the required certification resolution, voting unanimously to certify the closed session.