06-05-2017 Special MeetingJune 5, 2017
Special Meeting
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
Business Meeting
June 5, 2017
VIRGINIA: The Special Meeting of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors was
held on Monday, June 5, 2017 in the General District Courtroom of the Edwin R. Shields
Courthouse Addition in Chatham, Virginia. Chair Robert W. “Bob” Warren, called the meeting
to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Tim R. Barber Tunstall District
Joe B. Davis Dan River District
Ronald S. Scearce Westover District
Jessie L. Barksdale Banister District
Jerry A. Hagerman Callands-Gretna District
Elton W. Blackstock, Jr. Staunton River District
Robert W. Warren Chatham-Blairs District
Mr. David M. Smitherman, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board; Mr. J. Vaden
Hunt, County Attorney; and Ms. Rebecca Flippen, Deputy Clerk were also present.
Approval of Agenda
Motion was made by Mr. Blackstock, seconded by Mr. Hagerman, to approve the agenda
as presented, which was unanimously approved by the Board.
Public Hearings
A proposed amendment to Chapter 6-6.3, Property Exempt by Classification or
Designation, of the Pittsylvania County Code. In furtherance of the County’s Rural
Internet Project, said proposed amendment would establish tax exempt status for any and
all of Mid-Atlantic Broadband’ s utility and real property assets located in the County.
Mr. Warren opened the public hearing at 7:05pm. Mr. Hunt explained that Mid Atlantic
Broadband has submitted an application for tax exemption on property known as GPIN# 2520-
84-5984, consisting of miscellaneous equipment and cable at various locations with an assessed
value of $74,980 and with a levy value of $59,060.75. Mr. Hunt stated that Mid Atlantic
Broadband stated in their application the non-profit mission and purpose was to improve
community and economic development in Pittsylvania County through their network
infrastructure; and such activities warranted consideration to be granted tax exempt in
Pittsylvania County.
Mr. Warren opened the public hearing at 7:05pm. Mr. Tad Deriso, President & CEO of
Mid Atlantic Broadband Communities (MBC) Corporation, and Ted Hodges, Vice-Chairman of
its Board of Directors, were present to represent the application. Mr. Deriso and Mr. Hodges
asked the Board to consider the following (submitted in a written letter accompanying their
application) when determining whether or not to grant their request for tax exemption:
1) The County would not provide the services and financial support provided by MBC if the
requesting party did not do so.
2) MBC meets a general public need for which the benefits derived by the community at
large are equal to, or exceed the County’s loss in revenue from taxes on MBC’s property.
MBC provides the open-access fiber optic communications infrastructure that enables
high speed broadband access for 9 Pittsylvania County schools, 3 libraries, and the
County’s Transportation Department, in addition to the White Oak Mountain
communications tower.
3) MBC is exempt from taxation pursuant to §501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954
[501] (c) 4 tax ID 27-0076588].
4) MBC provides services for the common good of the public. MBC’s mission is promoting
economic development, lessening the burdens of government, and revitalizing
economicall y distressed rural areas by constructing and operating a publicly funded fiber
optic network for the benefit of the communities and citizens of southern Virginia
(including Pittsylvania County). Additionally, the corporation is bridging the digital
divide in rural areas where commercial providers have not found it economically feasible
to invest. The White Oak Mountain communications tower is an excellent example of
what MBC does to help to provide services for the common good of the public.
Board of Supervisors
Business Meeting
August 15, 2017
5) Construction of MBC’s fiber optic network infrastructure in Pittsylvania County has been
in large part supported by capital grants from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization
Commission and the US Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program. As a non -
profit organization, no individual person benefits from the net earnings of the
organization as 100% of those earnings are reinvested in the network and community
reinvestments. In fact, since 2012, MBC has donated over $68,000 from our net earnings
directly to Pittsylvania County beneficiaries, including Pittsylvania County high school
First Robotic Competition teams, community college scholarships, and the Pittsylvania
County Community Action Agency.
The only person signed up to speak was James Dehart of the Westover District.
Mr. Dehart state he was all for the broadband and thought it was a great thing for the County.
But, the tax exempt amount gives MBC another $59,060.75 in profit to distribute out to
whomever they choose, instead of giving the broadband customers breaks on their internet bill.
No one else signed up to speak and Mr. Warren closed the hearing at 7:07pm.
Motion was made by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Blackstock, to approve MBC’s
application for tax exemption on property known as GPIN# 2520-84-5984, consisting of
miscellaneous equipment and cable at various locations with an assessed value of $74,980 and
with a levy value exemption of $59,060.75. The following Roll Call Vote was recorded: Mr.
Barber-Yes; Mr. Hagerman-Yes; Mr. Blackstock-Yes; Mr. Scearce-Yes; Mr. Davis-Yes; Mr.
Barksdale-Yes; and Mr. Warren-Yes. Mr. Barber’s motion was unanimously approved by the
Board.
Potential leasing of publicly owned property located at 11880 U.S. Highway 29, Chatham,
Virginia 24531, for the provision of services to operate the public animal shelter in
accordance with §3.2-6546 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.
Mr. Smitherman introduced Makena Yarbrough, Director for the Lynchburg Humane
Society, Inc. (LHS). Ms. Makena gave a presentation on the timeline of the current Lynchburg
facility, and how they would like to incorporate the same for the soon -to-be completed
Pittsylvania County Animal Shelter.
Mr. Warren opened the public hearing at 7:44pm. James Dehart of the Westover District
asked how much effort was taken in to seeking someone to run the shelter since LHS has been
the only consideration mentioned.
The following person voiced full support of leasing the shelter to LHS: Jordan Kee,
Chatham/Blairs District; Jody Thompkins, Chatham/Blairs District; Terry Babbot, Bedford
resident (who volunteers at LHS); Cathryn and Steve East; Pittsylvania County SPCA; Jennifer
Foley, Tunstall District; Phyllis Roach, Staunton River District; Bill Fox, Chatham/Blairs
District; Cathy Spegiel, volunteer at LHS; and Charles Hawkins, Chatham/Blairs District. No
one else signed up to speak and Mr. Warren closed the hearing at 8:03pm.
Motion was made by Mr. Blackstock, seconded by Mr. Davis, to approve leasing the
publicly owned property located at 11880 U.S. Highway 29, Chatham, Virginia 24531, to
Lynchburg Humane Society, Inc., for the provision of services to operate the public animal
shelter, and the following Roll Call Vote was recorded: Mr. Barber-Yes; Mr. Hagerman-Yes;
Mr. Blackstock-Yes; Mr. Scearce-Yes; Mr. Davis-Yes; Mr. Barksdale-Yes; and Mr. Warren-Yes.
Mr. Blackstock’s motion was unanimously approved by the Board.
Adjournment
Mr. Warren adjourned the meeting at 8:05pm.
__________________________________________
Robert W. “Bob” Warren, Chair
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
__________________________________________
David M. Smitherman, Clerk
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors