WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The Code of Virginia requires localities to reassess the value of real estate property. Beginning in the fall of last year, Pearson’s Appraisal Services Inc. began reappraising property values throughout the locality on behalf of Wythe County and their results have now been completed.

Reassessment notices will be mailed to Wythe County landowners in mid-November, informing them of any changes made to their assessed property values.

Landowners who may have questions or wish to dispute their new assessment are encouraged to contact the board of assessors and schedule an appointment in order to have their new assessment reviewed. The board of assessors will be meeting inside the Wythe County Court House and may be contacted between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following number 276-223-4155.

After the board of assessors has concluded its meetings, landowners who may still have unresolved issues or wish to dispute any decisions made by the board of assessors will have an opportunity to appear before the board of equalization.

The board of equalization will convene early next year.

The new tax assessments will go into effect for the 2017 tax year.

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The 2016 Presidential Election is fewer than four weeks away and Wythe County Registrar Carolyn King wants to ensure the county’s residents are familiar with the Commonwealth’s election laws and procedures.

County residents will see four separate items on their election ballots this year: choices for President & Vice President, US House of Representatives, and two proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.

The first proposed amendment would make Virginia’s present right to work law part of the Commonwealth’s constitution.  Additional information may be found at the following link: http://elections.virginia.gov/election-law/proposed-constitutional-amendment-2016/index.html

The second proposed amendment would provide localities an option “…to exempt from taxation the real property of the surviving spouse of any law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel who was killed in the line of duty…”

Election day is scheduled for November 8, 2016, and polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Individuals uncertain of where their local polling place is may contact the county registrar’s office (276-223-6038) or simply look on their voter ID card.

Under Virginia law, all voters must present one of the following forms of photo ID while at the polling place: valid Virginia driver’s license, DMV-issued photo ID card, valid US passport, valid employee photo identification card, other government-issued photo identification card, valid college or university student photo ID card (issuer must be an institution of higher education located in Virginia). Individuals who do not have an acceptable form of identification may contact Wythe County’s voter registration office (phone number listed in above paragraph) for a free ID.

In addition to overseeing the polls on November 8th, the county’s registrar’s office will also provide opportunities for absentee voting, either via US mail or in person at the county’s registrar’s office (245 S 4th St, Room #101, Wytheville, Virginia); however, under Virginia law, not everyone is permitted to participate in absentee voting – a full list of eligible reasons for absentee voting may be obtained by visiting: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting/

The county registrar’s office will be open to eligible absentee voters as well as citizens wishing to obtain more information Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday October 29th and November 5th between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

October 17th will mark the final day for individuals to register to vote, transfer registration or change their address. The deadline for voters to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them is 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2016. These requests must be received by the local registrar by 5 p.m. on November 5, 2016, will serve as the deadline to request an absentee ballot by appearing in-person at the registrar’s office.

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Jeremy T.K. Farley — October 4, 2016

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Thursday afternoon, Wythe County’s Emergency Management Team participated in a conference call with officials from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the National Weather Service (NWS) in preparation of Hurricane Matthew’s landfall in the continental United States.

Forecasters emphasized that at this time, it is impossible to definitely predict the storm’s path; however, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, National Weather Service models seemed to be showing the category 4 hurricane turning north and brushing the east coast.

Early forecasts show the storm’s eye making landfall at 8 a.m. on Saturday, near the North Carolina – South Carolina coastline.

Though Virginia emergency officials were quick to caution that the storm’s tracking remains “very fluid”, they stated that the area of greatest concern remains localities east of the Blue Ridge.

Jason Busick, Wythe County’s Emergency Manager, said that at this time emergency officials are not expecting Southwest Virginia to experience any significant danger from the storm, but warned that residents need to be prepared in the event that the storm was to shift its path.

“It’s always a good idea for citizens to be prepared and we simply want to take this opportunity to remind residents of the need to have an up to date emergency supply kit,” said Busick.

The Red Cross recommends that every family’s emergency supply include a 3-day supply of water, non-perishable food, flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, first aid kit and a seven-day supply of medication.

Wythe County emergency officials will continue to monitor the storm and will advise the public should any additional information come available.

Citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and to look after neighbors should the county be affected by the hurricane.

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Tuesday morning at their regularly scheduled meeting, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors voted to name Stephen Bear as the county’s new administrator.

Bear has served as assistant county administrator since November 2000 and will replace longtime administrator R. Cellell Dalton who will be retiring on Friday.

A graduate of Rural Retreat High School and Hampden–Sydney College, Bear says he is looking forward to meeting the challenges of the position.

“Wythe County is home to me, it’s the place that I have watched my children grow up. I appreciate being given this opportunity by the Board and look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Wythe County,” said Bear.

The incoming administrator also acknowledged the service of his predecessor.

“Mr. Dalton has worked tirelessly for Wythe County to expand water & wastewater services, to develop industrial parks, to provide increased funding for education, and many other endeavors in order to position Wythe County for continued growth and development. A great foundation has been laid and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Wythe County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tim Reeves said Bear is very knowledgeable of county administration and that the Board is looking forward to working with him in the days to come.

“The Board of Supervisors wishes to congratulate Mr. Bear on being named administrator. We’re excited for the opportunity to working alongside him as we continue to lead Wythe County into the future,” said Reeves.

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The Wythe County Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for a part-time program assistant to help oversee and organize various community events and programs at the Sheffey Community Gym.

An ideal candidate will possess the ability to plan and organize recreational events and programs for the public, as well as oversee “open gym” activities.

The part-time position will be responsible for working up to 20 hours each week and will be part of a new county initiative aimed at providing greater recreational opportunities to the citizens of eastern Wythe County.

Individuals interested in learning more about this job are encouraged to contact the Wythe County Department of Parks & Recreation at 276-223-4519.  Applications are available at the county office building located at 340 S. Sixth St., Wytheville, VA, or may be downloaded  at the following link: http://www.wytheco.org/index.php/employment.html

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The Joint Public Service Authority of Wythe and Bland Counties will be hosting its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day this month on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

The event, which is open to all Wythe and Bland residents, will be held at the Transfer Station located at 169 Kents Lane in Wytheville from 8 a.m. to noon.

Part of the counties’ initiative to keep Southwest Virginia litter-free, the hazardous waste collection day will provide local residents with an opportunity to dispose of unwanted items that typically are not accepted at local convenience centers – at no cost to the citizen.

Acceptable items include computers and monitors, copiers, TVs, ballasts, fluorescent lights, batteries, paints, poisons and corrosives.

Organizers of the two counties’ household hazardous waste day say the event plays a great role in reducing the risk of environmentally harmful materials from being improperly disposed.

Officials of the Joint Public Service Authority of Wythe and Bland Counties say that the event will be on a first come, first serve basis (no scheduling or appointments) and that the contractor will have sole discretion over the acceptance or denial of any substance brought to the collection event.

Prohibited items will include all waste from small businesses (commercial or industrial entities, including home-based businesses), as well as explosive, radiological, asbestos or biomedical waste. (Explosives include Dynamite, Nitro Glycerin, Blasting caps, Ammunition, Grenades, Fireworks, etc.)

Residents who have questions concerning the event are encouraged to contact the Joint Public Service Authority at 276-228-4907.

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