Supervisors Appoint New County Library Board, Explain Appeal Process on Property Reassessments

The January 21st Warren County Board of Supervisor regular meeting evolved into a multi-layered exploration of coming financial commitments and revenue sources; how county homeowners can challenge real estate reassessment numbers impacting their tax rates; the development of Rockland Park in costs versus positive impacts on the County’s youth sports programs; and exactly who will be manning the newly created County Library Board appointed by the supervisors, among other variables like developments at the County airport.

WC DSS recognitions

The meeting opened with a recognition of two volunteer staffers of the County Department of Social Services by Director Jon Martz. Those volunteers were Nichole Johns and Michelle Smeltzer, who were acknoweldged for service above and beyond to this community. Martz noted that as of November 20, Johns and Smeltzer were recognized with a Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for a combined one-thousand hours plus of volunteer service to the community over the past year. Involved services included the Hope and Rest Temporary Shelter (HARTS), also known as the Thermal Shelter cold weather hosting housing and meals for homeless people December through April with the cooperation of 12 church groups; and the House of Hope.

County Director of Social Services Jon Martz, at podium, presents volunteer staffers Nichole Johns, left, and Michelle Smeltzer, recipients of Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award after contributing a combined 1-thousand hours-plus of volunteer service to the community’s homeless over the past year. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Library Board Appointments

The new County Library Board appointments were discussed at a 6 p.m. Closed Session in the wake of last week’s interviews with what is believed to have been six applicants for the board. Chairman Jay Butler introduced the final item on the agenda (1:18:36 video mark), added as “New Business” near the meeting’s outset.

And on a motion by Supervisor Vicky Cook (1:19:02 video mark), second by Jamieson, with no board discussion the following appointments and terms were approved by a 4-1 vote, Cheryl Cullers dissenting:

Frank Gresham for a 1-year term;

Dean Jaques, 2-year term;

“Myself, Vicky Cook,” 3-year term;

Eric Belk, 4-year term; and

Veronica Ranieri for 4-year term.

Royal Examiner later contacted County Administrator Ed Daley on Cook’s nomination of herself as a County Library Board member. Daley said that County Attorney Jason Ham had determined that State guidelines allowed for nominations of board members or County staff for seats. And in fact, were the supervisor to lose their seat after a year of service and had remaining time on the Library Board appointment, that remaining time would stand for continued service on the Library Board.

County Administrator Ed Daley acknowledged County Attorney Jason Ham’s research in determining that State guidelines allow a municipality’s elected officials to appoint themselves to Municipal Library Boards.

Reassessment Appeals

As to the property reassessment processes, County Administrator Daley presented a Power Point (34:37 Linked video mark) explaining how citizens can request a challenge of reassessments they believe are too high. To summarize, Reassessment Appeals to the contractor, Cowan Services LLC, must be filed by February 11th.

Citizens wishing to challenge a reassessment or get further detail on the basis for the reassessment can call Cowan Services at 540 391-0779 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Hearing on such appeals will be scheduled and heard between February 3 and February 14 at the Warren County Government Center. Information on appeals is also accessible on the County website, as explained on the below graphic.

Information for Reassessment Appeals was projected as County Administrator Daley explained citizen options on such appeals, and the time frame remaining to apply for a reassessment hearing.

Rockland Park contract approval was removed from Consent Agenda Item M-11, for presentation and discussion by Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows (1:02:37 video mark), with some backup by the county administrator (1:12:47 video mark). It was noted in the staff summary that: “The Finance Department received a request from the Deputy County Administrator to issue a Sole Source purchase order to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. of Charlottesville, VA for civil site consulting services for Rockland Athletic Parks.”

And after the detailed presentation and overview, Jamieson’s motion (1:16:17 video mark), seconded by Cook, approving $57,283 to the contractor for the Rockland Park project was approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Public Hearing Short-Term Tourist Rental

The board faced only one public hearing on its agenda, a Conditional Use Permit request for a Short-term Tourist Rental by Amber R. Jones for a 5-acre property at 151 Valley Road City in Front Royal in the Green Hill Forest subdivision. The staff summary noted that Jones had acquired the property “from her father” and would “like to make the property available for short-term lodging for visitors seeking to experience Warren County while she and her family are not using the property. The property will be managed by the applicant.” Jones was present and addressed the board on her acquisition of the property from her father.

She pointed out she and her husband were local to the area and that they eventually planned long-term to move into the home property themselves. But pending that personal change from their current living situation, they would like to utilize the property as a tourist rental for people to experience the county as a tourist destination. The staff report noted an area zoning of “Agricultural (A), Single Family Dwelling/ Woodlands.”

Already locally situated, Short-Term Rental CUP applicant Amber Jones explains her and husband’s short and long term plans for 5-acre property purchased from her father. Their application was approved with only one dissenting vote.

While staff noted two letters of concern having been received, it was observed that the closest impacted property was 172 feet west of the property, well beyond the minimum 100-foot guideline.

On a motion by Supervisor Vicky Cook, second by Richard Jamieson, the CUP application was approved by a 4-1 vote with the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission as presented by Town Planner Kelly Wahl. John Stanmeyer cast the dissenting vote.

The 16-item Consent Agenda minus the two removed items, the Rockland Park financing, and committee appointments for the coming year, was approved as amended by a unanimous vote.

In addition to the new Library Board appointments, discussed in Closed Session the hour prior to the opening of the regular meeting was: “… consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual litigation. The subject matter is Garnishment Summons CL24000943-01 and CL24000943-04 served upon Warren County regarding EDA debts.”

Click here to watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of January 21, 2025.