Sun Sep 15 02:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Montgomery County Supervisors Map Out Future Projects and Plans

**BLACKSBURG, VA** – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors held a five-hour planning session on Saturday to discuss long-term needs and projects for the county. The session covered a wide range of topics, from expansions of public facilities to the potential reorganization of county offices.

**Firehouse and Library Expansions on the Table**

One of the key topics was the planned expansion of the Elliston firehouse to accommodate both volunteer and paid fire crews, as well as emergency medical teams. Supervisors also discussed the need for a major expansion of the Christiansburg library, which was originally proposed in 2016 but never came to fruition.

**Government Center Reorganization Underway**

The county’s Government Center, located in a former garment factory, is in need of a reconfiguration. While not a major construction project, the plan involves realigning office space and potentially moving some staff off-site. The current setup has been deemed inefficient, with departments needing more or less space than initially allocated.

**Other Projects and Considerations**

Other projects discussed during the session include:

* Restrooms and a storage building at the Old Town Fields facility in Shawsville
* Development of a 2.4-acre site on Cinnabar Road, which could house a corral for animals and storage for parks and recreation equipment
* Adoption of the Virginia Property Maintenance Code to increase enforcement options for unsafe rental properties
* Adoption of the state Fire Protection Code, which could allow for more enforcement of open burning restrictions

**Supervisor Comments and Next Steps**

Supervisors expressed a range of opinions on the various projects. Supervisor Steve Fijalkowski voiced concerns about the potential impact of adopting the Virginia Property Maintenance Code on renters. Supervisor April DeMotts, who works in property management, highlighted the challenge of balancing upkeep with affordability.

The Board ultimately decided to consider dropping a $50 fee currently charged for rental property condition reviews.

Regarding the Fire Prevention Code, supervisors expressed uncertainty about the necessity of adding the expense of a county fire marshal.

The session concluded with the Board delegating the task of figuring out office location details to County Administrator Angie Hill. The Board will need to authorize any major expenditures, including property purchases or sales.

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