CALL TO ORDER
Supervisors Keith Guzy (District 1), Allen Louderback (District 2), Ryan Cubbage (District 3), Susan Kile (District 4), Jeff Vaughan (District 5) and Chairman Keith Weakley (At-Large) were present.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance Amendment
Supervisors conducted a public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s transient occupancy tax ordinance that align with modifications recently made to Virginia Code related to the report and remittance of tax and confidentiality. The hearing drew one speaker. Supervisors unanimously approved the ordinance changes as presented.
ACTION MATTERS
Budget Changes
Supervisors approved appropriation requests totaling $333,546, including $40,000 in restricted Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue to the Page County VA250 Committee for historical markers set to be placed throughout the county next year to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War and the Independence of America in Virginia; $1,000 in restricted TOT revenue to the Page County Economic Development and Tourism Department to serve as a match for a regional grant-funded project by the Neighbors of the Shenandoah National Park to create a map of the park featuring gateway communities; $66,684 from the general fund balance to the Battle Creek Landfill to rent a foam-spraying machine to be used to apply an alternative daily cover in place of soil for a six-month trial period; $68,100 from the county’s CIP fund balance to purchase 215 West Page Street to expand parking at the Page County Government Center; $64,482 in state funds to the Office of the Page County Commonwealth’s Attorney for a new position’s salary and benefits, as well as $18,428 from the general fund balance to the office to hire an experienced attorney; $2,500 in state funds through the TRIAD grant program to the Page County Sheriff’s Office for trainings and training-related travel expenses and to purchase event and marketing supplies; and $72,352 in state funds through the Advancing Computer Science Education Grant program to purchase supplies and pay existing teacher stipends to participate in computer science training sessions.
Board and Commission Appointments
Supervisors heard an update about appointments needed for the Board of Equalization, which will need to be made prior to Jan. 1, 2026.
The board serves to hear appeals from taxpayers regarding assessments of real property as a result of the county’s general reassessment.
Supervisors will need to recommend individuals to the Page County Circuit Court for appointment. In order to be eligible for appointment, each prospective member of the Board of Equalization shall attend the basic course of instruction given by the Department of Taxation. Pursuant to the Code of Virginia, Section 58.1-3374, the Board of Equalization shall be composed of not less than three or more than five members.
Thirty percent of the members of the board shall be commercial or residential real estate appraisers, other real estate professionals, builders, developers or legal or financial professionals. One alternate member may be appointed in the case of a board with less than five members and two alternate members in the case of a board with five members. The term of the board shall expire one year after the effective date of the assessment for which they were appointed.
Volunteer Firefighter and Rescue Squad Incentives
Page County Administrator Amity Moler presented information about options to establish possible incentives for local volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members, following a discussion by supervisors at the board’s Nov. 3 work session.
Moler reported that a voluntary program through the Virginia Volunteer Firefighters’ and Rescue Squad Workers’ Service Award Program (VOLSAP) provides an optional retirement savings plan for eligible volunteer firefighters and rescue squad workers in Virginia.
Through the program, participants select one of three tiers as their required personal contribution amount per quarter to be invested alongside the Virginia Retirement System pension trust fund. Local departments, squads and/or local governments may make additional contributions to a member’s account.
Moler reported that the cost of a contribution by the county to the VOLSAP program would cost about the same as authorizing rebates for personal property taxes for one vehicle to eligible volunteer first responders.
Based on 196 volunteers in Page County who regularly respond to calls, she said, personal property tax rebates would total about $68,006 annually if 100% of volunteers qualified to receive the rebate on one personal vehicle.
Supervisors, by consensus, agreed to gather feedback from local volunteers during an upcoming meeting between county officials and volunteer fire and rescue agencies.
CONSENT AGENDA
Supervisors unanimously approved the consent agenda as follows: financial reports for the period of Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2025; accounts payable checks, payroll checks, payroll direct deposits and payroll tax-related electronic fund transfers totaling $2,573,821.52 for October 2025; the meeting minutes of Oct. 6, 2025 and Oct 20, 2025; and a coyote claim to Paul Kinser totaling $50.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion of Recreation/Wellness Center
Supervisor Guzy led a discussion about plans to establish a recreation and wellness center on 6.8 acres owned by the county located behind the Page County Technical Center, as discussed at the board’s Oct. 6 work session.
Guzy presented funding updated options for the facility consisting of carryover funds from restricted transient occupancy tax revenue, the county’s fund balance and potential grant sources.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Page County Administrator Amity Moler reported that the county recently welcomed Ashley Howell as manager at the Page County Animal Shelter and that she steps into the role as a certified animal control officer.
Moler reported that she recently reached out to the Virginia Department of Transportation about the possibility of conducting an engineering speed limit study for U.S. Route 340 Business between Mount Carmel Road and Stonyman Road, including its intersection with Lakewood Road, after a resolution was approved by supervisors at the board’s Nov. 3 work session.
She noted that the Page County Government Center will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1.
SUPERVISORS’ TIME
Supervisors thanked those in attendance. Following a discussion and noting concerns raised by local citizens, supervisors by consensus instructed staff to include a presentation about a planned short-term rental property in Page County on the board’s Dec. 1 agenda and to pause issuing a business license for the property until that meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
Supervisors entered closed session to consult with legal counsel pertaining to actual litigation, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia.
EXIT CLOSED SESSION / CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION
Supervisors exited and unanimously certified the closed session.
ADJOURN
View minutes from previous meetings and agendas for upcoming meetings at the Page County, Virginia Agenda Center.