The Page County Board of Supervisors’ May 18, 2026 regular meeting included the following agenda items and actions:
CALL TO ORDER
Supervisors Jeremy Baldwin (District 1), Allen Louderback (District 2), Ryan Cubbage (District 3), Susan Kile (District 4), Jeff Vaughan (District 5) and Chairman Bucky Thomas (At-Large) were present.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Special Use Permit — Checkers LLC / Mark Harris Commercial Outdoor Recreation Area & Facility
Supervisors conducted a public hearing on a special use permit request by Checkers LLC/Downriver Adventure Company (represented by Mark Harris) to operate a commercial outdoor recreation area and facility consisting of guided rappelling trips at Golden Rock Campground on Route 340 in Rileyville.
According to the application, the trips would consist of scheduled guided rock rappel tours between April and October to individuals and small groups not exceeding 15 participants.
The hearing drew no speakers.
Supervisors approved the SUP request with the amended condition that the applicant shall provide photos and other documentation on an annual basis.
FY 2026 Budget Amendment
Supervisors conducted a public hearing on a fiscal year 2026 budget amendment for a one-time retention bonus of $1,500 to the Page County School Board’s Standards of Quality (SOQ) positions.
The hearing drew no speakers.
The General Assembly recently approved $311,135 for the bonuses, which require a local match of about $586,615 in order to provide $1,500 each to all full-time staff and $750 each to all part-time staff, according to a memo to supervisors.
Supervisors unanimously approved the appropriation of $311,135 in state funds and $586,615 from the general fund balance for the retention bonuses.
PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS
Update on VA250 Events
Chairman of the Page County VA250 Committee Rod Graves, and Communications and Marketing Coordinator for Page County Economic Development and Tourism Rebecca Armstrong, presented an update on the local VA250 committee and upcoming events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War and the independence of America in Virginia.
Events include a stopover by the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience at Luray Caverns’ Shenandoah Heritage Village from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23, as well as living history demonstrations, crafters, period dancers, Revolutionary War soldiers, live music and more at the Shenandoah Heritage Village between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22; Saturday, May 23; and Sunday, May 24.
The committee will additionally hold dedication ceremonies for VA250 commemorative markers at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Town of Shenandoah Museum and Welcome Center; 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Ed Good Park in Stanley; 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, along the North Loop of the Luray Hawksbill Greenway in Luray; and over Labor Day weekend at the Page County Courthouse.
Economic Development & Tourism Department Updates
Director of Page County Economic Development and Tourism Nina Fox presented a department update, highlighting economic milestones over the past five years including 264 new businesses, 363 new full-time jobs and $14.88 million in total revenue (including transient occupancy tax revenue and grants).
She underscored key achievements including the the creation of a new visitor website, visitor guide, inspiration guide that garnered two statewide awards and “Why Page County” video series that was recognized with a national award.
Other achievements include the issuance of three EDA micro-loans, the completion of a feasibility study that led to the creation of an $8 million meat processing facility, the department’s work with Blue Water Corp. and its investment in Page County totaling $46 million and the completion of a housing market assessment and transportation study.
Fox touted agriculture and tourism as top industries in the county, reporting that the latter offsets taxes by at least $1,200 a year per taxpayer.
She fielded questions from the board related to previous, ongoing and future economic development projects and efforts; department goals; challenges including housing and infrastructure; and refining economic goals for the county.
Chairman Thomas noted a need for a subcommittee to help carve out the county’s economic direction and goals and said that he would volunteer to serve on the subcommittee.
ACTION MATTERS
Board and Commission Appointments
Supervisors unanimously reappointed Hap Smith (District 2) and Cara Sottosanti (District 4) to the Page County Tourism council for a two-year term expiring June 30, 2028.
CONSENT AGENDA
Supervisors unanimously approved the consent agenda as follows: financial reports for the period of April 1 through April 30, 2026; accounts payable checks, payroll checks, payroll direct deposits and payroll tax-related electronic fund transfers totaling $3,272,412.96 for April 2026; and the meeting minutes of April 6, 2026, April 20, 2026 and April 27, 2026.
Supervisors requested that a summary overviewing information on rental agreements for equipment at the Battle Creek Landfill be presented at a future board meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion of Recreation & Wellness Center Site Work Cost Estimates
Supervisors discussed cost estimates collected by staff for site work related to the construction of a proposed recreation and wellness center, including plans to issue a request for quotes for the proposed center’s design build on the county-owned property off of Route 211 in Luray.
They discussed the property’s hilly terrain resulting in excavation costs projected to total at least $500,000, as well as the likelihood that a retaining wall would be required to mitigate future flooding and prevent erosion.
Supervisors noted a comprehensive facility study recently conducted by RRMM Architects on behalf of Page County Public Schools and a master planning document that is scheduled to be finalized in fall 2026.
The study considered as many as 15 building and/or renovation options for the school system, highlighting options for consideration.
Supervisors noted the possibility of utilizing an existing structure — such as a school facility — to create a recreation and wellness center and underscored the board’s commitment to prioritize making “a good decision” over a “rushed decision.”
Supervisors by consensus agreed to table issuing an RFQ for the design build of the proposed recreation and wellness center until the completion of the school system’s master planning document, noting that at that time they would work to determine the best site for the design build, with options including the county-owned property on Route 211 or an existing facility.
Discussion of Event / Festival Feasibility
Chairman Thomas noted discussions at previous board meetings regarding the possibility of launching a large scale event or music festival aimed at generating new revenue for the county.
He clarified that plans for an event were not underway but that an events subcommittee would work to assess the feasibility of organizing an event and determine if the event was projected to generate new revenue.
Chairman Thomas reported that he and Supervisor Kile recently met with the Page County Tourism Council and expressed his hope that they will work in cooperation to assess the feasibility of a new event.
NEW BUSINESS
Introduction of Special Use Permit — Cody Hoke Auto Repair Service Facility / Public Garage
Supervisors reviewed a special use permit request by Cody Hoke to operate an auto repair service facility/ public garage on Bixlers Ferry in Luray.
The 1.075-acre parcel is currently zoned as agriculture and includes a 40-by-50-foot accessory structure, which Hoke is proposing to use as the auto repair facility/ public garage.
Supervisors voted unanimously to hold a public hearing on the request during the board’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 15, at the Government Center in Luray.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Page County Administrator Amity Moler reported that an open house at the new Page County Fire/EMS building at 215 West Main Street, Suite B, in Stanley, was scheduled from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22.
She noted that the Government Center will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.
She reported that the board of equalization is hearing complaints and objections to real estate assessments from the taxpayer or their agent and that appointments can be made by calling the Government Center at 540-743-4142.
ADJOURN
View the agenda and attachments for this meeting HERE.
View minutes from previous meetings, and agendas for upcoming meetings at the Page County, Virginia Agenda Center.