CLINTWOOD, Va. — The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors took significant action during their meeting on Wednesday, officially establishing a new structure for the county’s Tourism Advisory Committee and approving a range of administrative appointments.

In a move aimed at streamlining tourism efforts, the board adopted new bylaws to reorganize the committee. The updated structure, designed to ensure broader representation, will now include members from the county’s three incorporated towns, Clinchco, Clintwood and Haysi; Breaks Interstate Park; local tourism attractions; and private-sector businesses, alongside at-large appointments.

Two board members were unable to physically be present at the meeting due to family members currently hospitalized. Kenady District Supervisor Shelbie Willis was able to attend remotely by phone after the board approved her attendance remotely.

During the session, the board also managed a high volume of committee appointments. Notably, the supervisors appointed representatives to the Industrial Development Authority, the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission, and the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority.

Key actions and approvals:

• Tourism Advisory Committee: The board officially established new by-laws and appointed 12 members to the restructured committee to ensure balanced representation across the county’s tourism assets and businesses.
• Employee Bonuses: The board adopted an ordinance to authorize a one-time 2 percent bonus for all full-time county employees, including those on the electoral board, funded in part by state legislation.
• Polling Location: Supervisors moved to establish the Haysi Russell Fork Trail Center as the new polling location for the Sandlick precinct, noting that the venue offers improved accessibility compared to the previous site.
• Infrastructure Grants: The board designated the county administrator as the certifying officer for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project aimed at installing permanent generators for key infrastructure sites following the February 2025 flooding events.
• Insurance Renewal: The board approved the fiscal year 2027 Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) insurance proposal, which came in at $249,418 — a reduction of approximately $22,876 compared to the previous year.

The board also scheduled public hearings for June 23 regarding a proposed solid waste ordinance and fiscal year 2026 budget amendments.

The meeting included a closed session regarding personnel matters before concluding with supervisor comments, during which board members expressed their commitment to community growth and extended well-wishes to colleagues and their families facing personal health challenges.