At Monday's Board of Supervisors meeting, citizens will hear about several issues that directly impact quality of life issues and get a better picture on how state or federal funding changes will affect local taxes. 

A phase of the decades old planned Peppers Ferry project is going out to bid this spring, but escalating costs have so far outstripped funding that only a small portion of the dangerous road can be improved via this one phase.  This project is now impacting development as well as resident's safety.

Add on another decades old project -- I-81 improvements -- and you see there are many worthy transportation projects languishing for want of construction funding.  But be encouraged neighbor, because the state does have money for planning even more unfunded projects and conducting statewide meetings about these concepts.   

VDoT is presenting information to the supervisors on Monday, March 10th on the study for a Route 460 Connector to Prices Fork Road.  Citizens can review and comment on the draft report on March 19th at the County Government Center as part of the final opportunity for citizen input on planning for that project.  There are several suggested routes, there are no suggested funding sources or project timelines.  First a study, then a plan, then lots of prayer for funding. 

VDoT is also holding other informal meetings about its bicycle and pedestrian programs, which is meant to "provide the same consideration" as motorized transportation needs.  Now that's encouraging.  A Christiansburg meeting will be held Thursday, March 13 in the County Government Center to study these needs.  

Seriously, having better access to linked bike or pedestrian routes throughout the town, county and region would be great -- but if we can't even get Peppers Ferry or its bridge over the New River fixed, how can we expect to ever see funding for non-motorized options?  By the time such bike and pedestrians routes are built, the motorized wheelchairs we'll need to enjoy them will be banned from being used on them.   

Also on the supervisors agenda for Monday's meeting is a review of the VDoT Revenue Sharing Funds for country roads for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.  That should be expected to make the "unmet needs" list grow longer.

Supervisors will begin their meeting with a closed session to discuss appointments to public committees, as well as a proposed boundary line adjustment with the Town of Christiansburg.  Applicants to committees and boards should be public, as well as why the supervisors chose one person over another.  It's doubtful the town is going to be a tough negotiator or file suit relative to the boundary adjustment, a process which has become rather common in the past 20 years or so relative to development and utility sharing.  The discussion of a possible Prices Fork Elementary school site probably does warrant a closed session for the development of a negotiating strategy, yet everyone has been waiting for this deal to go through for a couple of years now and suitable sites are limited enough to not provide any surprises.    

Another interesting item on the supervisors agenda is a requested special use permit from the Beliveau Development Corporation, allowing townhouses to be called a "country inn" and operated more like a traditional bed-and-breakfast instead of residential rental units.  Apparently the owners feel tapping into the college traveler and lodging markets will be more lucrative than operating this apartment complex as zoned and built.  How this provides a service to the community or will be received by the supervisors is uncertain.  Why not instead request a rezoning from residential to business use?

The suggested county budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 will be presented, and should include how much, if any, the real estate tax will increase as well as shifts in state and federal funding levels. 

Supervisors will also discuss the long-awaited and planned courthouse renovation project, which saw related bonds issued for that project back in 2004.  Citizens should expect significant sticker shock, as the project was initially expected to cost under $13 million but was last adjusted to approximately $21 million.

On Tuesday, March 11, the supervisors will have a joint meeting with the school board.  The published agendas of both these government bodies indicate work sessions will be held, allowing general discussion between its members, but no specific topic is listed.

The Board of Supervisors meet the second and fourth Monday of each month, beginning regular session at 7:15 pm, in the County Government Center, Roanoke Street, Christiansburg.