Smyth County Meeting & Public Hearings July 9, 2026

The Smyth County Board of Supervisors held a meeting on July 9, 2026, which included several procurement and budget-related discussions. The board authorized the county administrator and economic development staff to collaborate with local counties and legal counsel to draft agreements for a Regional Industrial Facilities Authority (RIFA) to facilitate grant applications for site development and infrastructure projects. Additionally, the board approved a resolution to place a 1% local sales tax increase on the November 2026 ballot, with revenues dedicated solely to school construction and renovation capital projects, including bond repayment, signaling a significant potential funding source for future school infrastructure. The board also approved after-the-fact budget transfers totaling over $800,000 to accommodate expenditures for additional school buses and technology equipment. Other agenda items included the removal of the data processing facility definition from the zoning ordinance, effectively prohibiting data centers until further amendments are considered, and reappointments to local authorities. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of staff efforts and community programs, but no new contracts or vendor selections were reported.