FY 2023-2024 Annual Report

Montgomery County, VA

McCoy Falls

Introduction


Awards & Recognitions

Montgomery County received a 2024 National Association of Counties (NACO) Achievement Award for the New River Valley Senior Games. The games are collaborative effort, including the county Parks and Recreation Department and Public Information Office, along with other localities in our region.

The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

Lauryn Marshall, Chief Deputy Clerk in the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office, received a Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 award. The Chamber reserves this particular award for the young talent in Montgomery County who live and work and contribute to the community.

The staff at the Animal Care and Adoption Center and the Public Information Office received national recognition over a long-term dog resident being adopted. Ice had been a resident at the ACAC for 638 days before being adopted.

Kelly Stanley of the Animal Care and Adoption Center was quoted in a  story by Newsweek . The video of Ice being adopted, which was linked in the Newsweek article, was captured by Becky Hertling and edited by Derley Aguilar, both of the Public Information Office.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded Montgomery County the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year 2023 annual comprehensive financial report.


Facts & Figures


General Administration

"With the County on sound financial footing, strategic initiatives underway that reflect our focus on the future, and growth projections that indicate we’re on the right track, now seemed to be the perfect time to pass on the leadership reins. Montgomery County is in a great position to continue to move forward with Angie as County Administrator."

Craig Meadows, County Administrator, Aug. 2009 through Oct. 2023

Angela Hill was named County Administrator on Nov. 1, 2023.  Read more on our website .

Chris Lawrence was named Deputy County Administrator on Oct. 16, 2023.  Read more on our website .

Scott Woodrum was named Assistant County Administrator on Apr. 16, 2024.  Read more on our website .

(L to R) Hill, Lawrence, Woodrum

In May 2024, the county launched a new mobile-friendly website with the goal of improving citizens' experience and online services.

The Board continues to be committed to the New River Valley Rail Project that was initiated in 2013 by the Blacksburg Partnership. NRV Rail 2024 is a broad-based community initiative to bring Amtrak passenger rail service to Virginia’s New River Valley.

Montgomery County continues to maintain an AA+ bond rating. The Board of Supervisors approved a tax rate of 75 cents per 100 valuation.

County employees celebrated Public Service Recognition Week, which took place May 6-10. Each day had a special “Spirit Week” theme developed by an employee committee. PSRW has been celebrated every May since 1985. It recognizes the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees.

Employees celebrate Public Service Recognition Week.


Public Safety

March 2024 marked the second anniversary of the Montgomery County Department of Fire and EMS. The department recognized several individuals for their life-saving efforts:

Outstanding Leadership Award: Brad St. Clair – Instrumental in the start of the agency and its continued success. Due to St. Clair's hard work and dedication, citizens across Montgomery County have access to high-quality, timely emergency medical services and countless lives have been saved.

Community Partnership Award: Deputy Casey Phillips – For unwavering commitment and support of the department and its mission to provide the citizens and visitors of Montgomery County high-quality, timely Emergency Medical and Fire Services.

Outstanding Progress Award: Ray Lawrence – For commitment to bettering himself and those around him every shift through training, education, and teamwork.

EMT of the Year: Zach Saunders

Paramedic of the Year: Taylor Fisher

Employee of the Year: Bradley Hancock

Part-Time Employee(s) of the Year: Sarah Guida and JD Martin

Volunteer of the Year: Mark Ebel

Close-up of Engine 42 at the Riner Volunteer Fire Department.

Life-Saving Awards

Bradley Hancock, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on July 4, 2023, August 10, 2023, and September 27, 2023.

Andrew Kessler, Advanced EMT, in recognition of life-saving actions on July 4, 2023.

Tyler Hall, EMT, in recognition of life-saving actions on February 12, 2023, July 4, 2023, July 7, 2023 and September 27, 2023.

Ashley Lewis, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on February 12, 2023, and September 27, 2023.

Taylor Fisher, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on February 12, 2023, August 27, 2023, and February 11, 2024.

Bailey Hager, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on September 25, 2023.

Cara Marshall, EMT, in recognition of life-saving actions on September 25, 2023.

Murjan Hammad, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on June 25, 2023, September 25, 2023, December 29, 2023, and February 11, 2024.

Rachel Rorrer, EMT, in recognition of life-saving actions on September 27, 2023.Rob McGhee, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on August 10, 2023.

Zach Saunders, EMT, in recognition of life-saving actions on August 10, 2023.

Geremy Huffman, Firefighter, in recognition of life-saving actions on August 10, 2023.

Sarah Guida, Advanced EMT, in recognition of life-saving actions on June 25, 2023.

Mark Ebel, Fire Chief, in recognition of life-saving actions on June 25, 2023.Callie Compton, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on July 7, 2023.

Hunter Odum, Paramedic, in recognition of life-saving actions on July 7, 2023.

Frank Treadway, EMT, in recognition of life-saving actions on August 27, 2023 and February 11, 2024.


Parks, Recreation, & Culture

The Montgomery-Floyd Regional Libraries welcomed nearly 341,300 visitors and checked out approximately 623,000 items. In addition, MRFL provided about 67,500 patron internet sessions and processed over 1,150 passport applications.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors continued to provide support to the Christiansburg Institute and the Montgomery Museum.

The Parks and Recreation Department facilitated 124 active adult programs with 1,324 participants. The department also hosted multiple programs and activities throughout the county:

1

Frog Pond Pool, Frog Hoppers

The Frog Pond hosted more than 27,000 visitors. Swim lessons were provided for 110 individuals. Over 250 children participated in eight Frog Hoppers Summer Camp Sessions.

2

Babe Ruth Softball Tournaments

Creed Fields Park hosted the Babe Ruth 10U and 12U softball tournaments.

3

Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating

More than 400 people participated in the Trick-or-Treat event at the Montgomery County Government Center.

4

Rowdy Dawg Mountain Bike Race

Hosted by Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, more than 100 racers made their way through the downhill and cross-country bike race.

5

Riner Park construction

Construction of Riner Park is underway. The future park, located off Route 8 in Riner, is approximately 35 acres. The park will have many features including four baseball/softball fields; two multipurpose fields; restroom facilities; picnic shelters; playgrounds; and walking trails. The estimated cost is $13 million. Learn more at  montva.com/riner-park 


Community Development

Montgomery County began working with stakeholders and community members to update its comprehensive community plan, Montgomery Matters. The new plan will shape county policies and guide local decision-making on land use regulations, economic development efforts, housing policies, environmental protection, community services, and most local government decisions over the next 20 years. Learn more at  montgomerymatters.com .

Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan Update Begins - 2024

Progress continues on two broadband projects underway as the County continues to work with Appalachian Power and Gigabeam. The goal is to provide the rural areas throughout Montgomery County access to affordable, highspeed broadband. These projects are made possible by VATI grants received, as well as matching funding from AEP, Gigabeam, and $6 million in ARPA funding received by Montgomery County. Residents and businesses in Montgomery Counties can now sign up for high-speed internet at  www.gigabeam.net . Residents who sign up on the website by checking for availability at their location will begin receiving email updates. Gigabeam and Appalachian Power are working to complete construction of phase one of the County’s overall broadband project in Eastern Montgomery, citizens and business in Eastern Montgomery should be able to access internet in December 2024. To learn more about the project, visit  montva.com/broadband .


Health & Welfare

The Children's Services Act (CSA) served more than 80 at-risk children and their families through foster homes, residential facilities, IEP Private Day School placements, and community-based services to include evaluations, in-home services, and life skills training. 

Human Services serves as the fiscal agent for facilitation of educational program for juveniles, as well as Home Electronic Monitoring of juveniles. In FY2024, 100 juveniles completed an online, evidence-based offender education program and received a certificate of completion. About 15 juveniles were monitored for a total of 742 days. 

Volunteer Montgomery participants provided more than 18,700 hours of service to 55 different non-profit organizations.

Volunteers raised nearly $19,000 (2023 calendar year) through fundraising programs, enabling the program to provide two $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing a degree in the Human Services or Medical Field, fund events for area military and veteran programs, and several other projects that benefit the non-profit organizations where volunteers serve.

Volunteer Montgomery in action.

Human Services collaborates with the New River Valley Agency on Aging, Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, and the Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program, to provide supplies to seniors and veterans. In 2024, 230 homebound seniors and veterans residing in Montgomery County and the City of Radford received one bag of basic household supplies and one bag of personal care items.

Human Services provides Medicare Part D Open Enrollment assistance to seniors and disabled individuals. In 2023, five volunteers met with approximately 600 seniors and disabled individuals throughout the New River Valley during the 2023 Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Period, saving more than $477,650 total for all clients. All five volunteers are trained and certified Virginia Insurance and Counseling Assistance Program counselors.


Public Works

For the 2024 Broomin’ and Bloomin’ cleanup event, about 30 private and public organizations and more than 180 volunteers removed 1.22 tons of debris from roadsides, parks, streams, school grounds and other public properties. Volunteer Montgomery participants also helped to weed and mulch the Huckleberry Trail/Coal Mining Heritage Park commemorative garden planted in 2023.

In August 2023, about 85 participants/335 total hours collected more than 30 tires, 1.35 tons (2,740) pounds of trash from the annual river clean up, ReNew the New.


Montgomery County Board of Supervisors

(Back Row, L to R) Derek Kitts, Sara Bohn, Anthony Grafsky, April DeMotts, Todd King (Front Row, L to R) Vice Chair Steve Fijalkowski, County Administrator Angela Hill, Chair Mary Biggs

(Back Row, L to R) Derek Kitts, Sara Bohn, Anthony Grafsky, April DeMotts, Todd King (Front Row, L to R) Vice Chair Steve Fijalkowski, County Administrator Angela Hill, Chair Mary Biggs