Franklin County Board of Supervisors Meeting 12/16/2025

The Franklin County, VA Board of Supervisors held a meeting on December 16, 2025, primarily focused on updates and discussions related to broadband infrastructure projects, including the completion status of the Chantel and River Street broadband expansions funded through state grants and ARPA funds. The board received detailed progress reports on fiber installation, permitting challenges, and anticipated service availability timelines, highlighting a total investment of approximately $32 million and service to nearly 7,000 homes and businesses. Additionally, the board addressed a special use permit application for a second dwelling on a residential property and deliberated on a contested utility-scale solar project, ultimately voting to overrule the planning commission and approve the solar project as substantially in accord with the comprehensive plan. The meeting also included budget and finance updates, noting a positive revenue outlook with some concerns about school budget deficits and upcoming capital improvement projects. Several appointments to county boards and commissions were made, and public comments addressed transparency issues and concerns about solar farm impacts. Motions were passed to approve funding for a regional motorsports project and to rescind a public hearing request related to a bridge replacement project. Overall, the meeting involved significant procurement-related discussions on broadband infrastructure contracts, capital projects, and utility-scale solar development, with votes taken on lease agreements, funding allocations, and project approvals.