Wampler Eanes Appraisal Group Says Bath Property Values Are All Over The Map

Warm Springs, VA – Work on the reassessment in Bath County is winding down. At Tuesday night’s Bath Board of Supervisors meeting Steven Wampler of Wampler Eanes Appraisal Group gave the board an update. Wampler reported that he’s finding property values are all over the place in Bath County. With some being up, some down and some stable.

He assured the board that values are not going to be anything like the ones in the reassessment that the board threw out two years ago. Notices will be mailed to property owners on October 22 and the Wampler Eanes staff will hold hearing beginning November 10.

School Superintendent Sue Hirsh reported on two quotes received to replace exterior doors at Bath County high School. She recommended going with the lower quote of $77, 758. The board approved her request to accept that bid and replace the doors. Board members felt that since the schools turned back in $128,000 at the end of last year, that money should be available for this project

Bath County Tourism director Maggie Anderson reported on a district wide Heritage Days Festival being planned for October 2011. Events are being planned in the immediate Hot Springs area and on that same weekend the Apple Days Festival will be going on at Douthat State Park. The Heritage Days Festival will feature historical interpreters, vendors, craftspeople and historical activities.

Anderson asked the board for approval so she could serve on the Heritage Days committee as a representative of the county. She had to have the board’s approval in order to apply for funding from the state. The board approved her request and gave her a blanket approval so she can serve as the representative for the county and the tourism department for all future events.

Also on Tuesday night, the board tabled action on a draft ordinance for a county exemption to some state regulations on food at fairs and athletic activities. The ordinance would allow Bath to put an exemption on temporary food permits for vendors at certain county festivals. County Attorney Mike Collins expressed concern about the county’s liability if something went wrong.

Collins said if the county created rules about food preparation in the ordinance then the county would be responsible for enforcing those rules. Supervisor Richard Byrd will do more research on the matter with the Health Department.

During public comment, Department of Social Services employee Mike Spurgeon asked the board about rumors about the Department of Social Services having to move from the courthouse. Spurgeon said clients are asking about it and that he’d heard the reason for the possible move was the need for more office space and parking at the courthouse. Spurgeon raised a number of concerns including his fear that if the Bath office is asked to move, the state may see that as a chance to consolidate the Bath office with another county.