Bedford supervisors eye future capital needs

During the recession, Bedford County’s Board of Supervisors did not lay off workers or raise taxes to generate revenue but the county’s capital needs plan endured drastic funding cuts as a result.

Five years ago, the county spent $26.6 million on capital improvement projects, a stark contrast to $2.7 million in the current budget. Many projects were halted as the county curtailed the plan to weather the storm of the sluggish economy. 

County Administrator Kathleen Guzi advised the board Monday the time is approaching to put a new five-year plan in place as needs pile up. The topic will lead to more discussions when the board starts reviewing the 2012-13 budget next month.

“I’m not asking you to spend one penny,” Guzi told supervisors. “But we do need a plan…we may be missing out on some opportunities by not having a capital improvement plan.”

Having a new plan does not commit money, she said, but ensures eligibility for potential grant funds. She and the supervisors reviewed an inventory of county buildings in need of repairs, and in some cases, replacement.

“Temporary fixes can’t go on indefinitely,” she said.

For example, the county’s fire and rescue department is currently housed in a trailer next to the animal shelter on Falling Creek Road. The facility will not last another 15 years, Guzi said.

Chief Jack Jones said the limited space makes it almost impossible to host meetings, conferences and training.

“It’s becoming fairly worn,” Jones said. “We make do the best we can.”

Another potential project is the old school building on U.S. 460 in Montvale, west of the city of Bedford that has a leaking roof and an array of issues.

Guzi said there is no overall plan for the school and other county-owned properties in the Montvale area. In a rare move, board agreed to visit the sites in that area as a body to discuss future needs.

The board will meet at 8 a.m. on Feb. 4 to tour the properties. Guzi said since the entire board is attending, the county would publicize the meeting in accordance with state law.

Chairman Chuck Neudorfer said similar board visits could be forthcoming to study capital needs.

“There’s some definite needs there,” Supervisor Annie Pollard said.

Also Monday, the board appointed Jerry Craig and Tommy Scott to the District 7 and District 5 seats on the county planning commission.

The board appointed Robert Sherman of Forest to the District 4 seat on the Bedford County Public Service Authority.