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"Bath County will work with all the residents to provide the necessary services and programs to diversify the local economy for the benefit of a vibrant community."
CLICK
HERE TO SEE THE ADOPTED BATH COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN ADOBE .PDF FORMAT (ADOBE READER)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ADOPTED
LAND USE REGULATIONS IN ADOBE .PDF FORMAT.
Bath County, Virginia has established itself as a frontier for good fortune. Located in the west-central portion of Virginia, Bath County has long been recognized as a major resort center in the scenic Allegheny Mountains of Virginia.
Tourism has played a major role in the development of Bath County. Since the construction of the resort hotel, The Homestead, in 1846, the community of Hot Springs has become a nationally recognized resort center. Warm Springs, located five miles north of Hot Springs, is the county seat and home of our local government. Bath County was originally formed in 1790 from parts of Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier Counties. Named for the English resort city of Bath, the County quickly became a national resort attraction. The soothing mineral waters that flow from our springs have attracted visitors for over 200 years. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee are among a few of the notable historical figures who have "taken the waters" at our famous springs. Today, two commercial baths are located at Hot Springs and Warm Springs.
Bath County encompasses 540 square miles of mostly mountainous terrain. There are five election districts within the county: Cedar Creek, Millboro, Warm Springs, Williamsville, and Valley Springs.
The County is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors, one from each of the five magisterial districts. Supervisors are elected for a four year term. The board is the legislative policy making body for the County. It considers and adopts policies regarding administration, budget, finance, economic development, health, planning, public safety, child care, recreation, sanitation and waste removal. The Board appropriates funds for all functions, including schools and operation of courts. The Board holds 12 regular meetings annually on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Room 115 of the Courthouse located in Warm Springs.
The day-to-day management of county affairs is the responsibility of the County Administrator (540-839-7221), a position appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The County Administrator must also advise the Board and record its action, and to execute county business in accordance with Board policy. Duties include and are not limited to: general administration, personnel management and supervision of all county departments, budget preparation, funds management, purchasing, property management, compliance with laws, regulations and ordinances, coordination with independent agencies and the community, representing the Board at meetings and functions, and any and all other duties imposed by the Board and by law to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of county government.
Bath County Animal Control (540-839-7210) is a state mandated department that employs a full-time animal control officer and assistant to operate and maintain the Animal Shelter located in Hot Springs and respond to animal control related issues and concerns.
The Building, Planning and Zoning (540-839-7236)
office
administers building permits and inspections, the Uniform Statewide Building
Code (USBC), the Land Use Regulations, and the Subdivision Ordinance. The office
works with the planning commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and the County
Administration to address all land use and zoning issues. The office is staffed
with a Code Official and Planner.
Solid Waste services are provided by a transfer station that handles all
municipal solid waste. The solid waste is transported to a landfill outside the
County. All commercial and industrial waste cross over the weigh scales and are
charged a $60 per ton tipping fee. There is no fee for household solid waste or
any recyclable materials. Recycling drop-off centers in Millboro on Rt. 42 and
at the Transfer Station, as well as trailers at the Ashwood and West Warm
Springs solid waste convenience sites and Bath County High School parking lot,
Mountain Grove Community Center and Williamsville area are offered. The
following materials are collected: aluminum, tin cans, PET and HDPE plastics,
brown and clear glass, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, computer paper, mixed
paper, magazines and catalogues. A greenbox system is maintained for the
convenience of residents.
The Bath County Department of Parks and Recreation (540-839-7211) plays a vital role in the quality of life enjoyed by everyone in Bath County. Their main objective is to expand and to provide the best recreational opportunities for the citizens to enjoy in their leisure hours. The department is involved in numerous activities and programs involving children, adult and senior citizens in the community.
The Building and Grounds Division (540-839-7299)
is
responsible for maintaining the internal and external physical appearance of the
Courthouse, jail, public library and other County-owned facilities.
Treasurer (540-839-7256) is an elected official directly responsible to the citizens of the county for the collection of County Revenue and the disbursement of funds. The office has full accreditation through the state. The Treasurer is responsible for the collection od State funds under the Code of Virginia. The Treasurer serves a four year term at the will of the voters. The Treasurer is required to deposit all funds received whether State or local in nature in a qualified depository "intact" on a daily basis, investment of all funds and accounting for these funds, providing local governments with reports of collections and uncollected local taxes, to determine what penalty and interest is due on delinquent taxes, to prepare computer tax billings, to send tax bills to taxpayers, to receive local levies as soon as copies of the books of the Commissioner of Revenue are received, to collect taxes, with whatever means the State Code provides, to receive pre-paid taxes, to maintain real estate tax liens, to collect taxes out-of-state, perform all bookkeeping duties, maintain and provide accounting records for the County. As an additional service to the citizens of Bath County, the Treasurer maintains the Agency for the Division of Motor Vehicles including ordering, storing, selling, and maintaining an inventory of all the various license plates.
Commissioner of Revenue (540-839-7231) The Commissioner of Revenue is a constitutional officer who is elected for a four-year term and serves at the pleasure of the voters. The Commissioner of the Revenue is the chief assessing officer of a locality. The responsibility of the office is to uphold the Constitution and the State Code of Virginia. The office in essence, is a "watchdog" and assessor for the revenue of the municipality and the state. The Office of the Commissioner of Revenue serves the County as well as the taxpayer, offers and provides the taxpayer with a multitude of public services. The Commissioner can be contacted via e-mail at norfleet@tds.net.
A Circuit Court (540-839-7226) judge presides over the Judicial Circuit which includes the counties of Bath, Alleghany, and Craig, and the city of Clifton Forge. The Circuit Court is on the second floor of the Courthouse and is in session for four terms each year in January, April, June, and September. The Bath County Circuit Court Clerk's office, located on the first floor of the Courthouse is the depository of numerous documents, records, and statistics which date back to the year 1791. The Clerk's record room is utilized by attorneys, title searchers, genealogists, and the general public.
The Bath County Combined Courts (540-839-7241)
The Bath County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the Bath County
General District Court are combined and staffed by a clerk. Each court has its
judge who is appointed by the General Assembly.
Cases involving civil matters, juvenile and domestic problems, traffic and
criminal offenses are heard in these courts.
The Commonwealth Attorney (540-839-5969) is an elected official for a four year term and is charged with the prosecution of criminal cases in both the Circuit Court and General District Court.
The County Attorney (540-839-3444) is the legal advisor to the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator on civil and legal matters of the County.
The Bath-Highland, Burnsville, Hot Springs, Millboro, and Mountain Grove fire departments provide protection and quick response throughout Bath County.
The Hot Springs Rescue Squad, Millboro Area Rescue Squad, Burnsville First Responders, and Mountain Grove First Responders provide prompt medical aid at accident, crash, and emergency scenes.
The Bath County Sheriff's Department (540-839-2375) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing emergency dispatch, 911 service, crime prevention and Class Action programs. The Sheriff's Department workers also enforce traffic laws, answer complaint and emergency calls, and patrol 24 hours each day checking businesses and residences.
The Bath County Public Schools (540-839-2722) serve approximately 800 students from kindergarten through grade 12 in two elementary schools, one high school, and one vocational center. Each school is fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education and is characterized with a low student to teacher ratio. More information on the school system can be accessed via the Bath County School web site. See the link page for address.
The Bath County Public Library (540-839-7286) is an automated facility with over 30,000 volumes and access to many more via interlibrary loans from the regional system and from public or college libraries all over the United States. The library is located in Warm Springs across from the Courthouse and is open six days per week.
Bath County is served by three medical doctors and two dentists. Many other medical professionals and specialists are accessible in other nearby cities including Clifton Forge, Covington, Lexington, Staunton, Roanoke, and in Alleghany County. The Bath County Community Hospital (540-839-7000) located in Hot Springs provides medical services to the County, including around-the-clock emergency care. The medical staff consists of three active physicians, a radiologist and 15 to 20 consulting physicians.
The Bath County Health Department (540-839-7246) is located in Warm Springs, next to the Courthouse. Employed full-time at the department are a Public Health Nurse, an Office Services Specialist, and an Environmental Health Specialist, who serves both Bath and Highland Counties. The office offers a wide range of public health services with eligibility based on income with charges determined on a sliding scale.
The mission of the Bath County Department of Social Services (540-839-7271) is to promote self-reliance and protection for our citizens through community-based services where possible. The Department administers Federal and State benefit and service programs as required by law and according to specific program policy. Also see www.dss.state.va.us
Other Phone Numbers of Interest:
Bath County Treasurer's
Office
(540-839-7256)
Voter Registration
Office
(540-839-7266)
Bath County Mental Health Services (540-839-7028)
Bath County and
SeniorNavigator--A
Partnership for Healthy Aging
Bath County and SeniorNavigator have formed a partnership to address the needs
of seniors and caregivers in our community. Here you will find local resources
and information on health and aging - everything from assisted living to
exercise classes, from adult day care to Alzheimer's support groups, from flu
shots to family education.
We know that support services and information may be difficult to find if you
don't know where to look. The partnership with SeniorNavigator is designed to
guide you through the process.
To access health and aging information, please visit SeniorNavigator.org
The Planning Commission (540-839-7236) is made up of five Bath County residents who are selected by the Board of Supervisors from each magisterial district. This group is responsible for formulating and making recommendations to the Board for adoption in the areas of Land Use Regulation, The Comprehensive Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan. The Commission hears and recommends action on applications for rezoning, conditional use permits and variances.
The Board of Zoning and Appeals (540-839-7236) consists of five circuit court appointed members who hear and decide appeals from the County Planner who serves as staff the the Board; considers requests for and grants conditional use permits; and reviews and decides on requests for variances.
The Bath County Service Authority (540-839-7251)
provides
water and wastewater to residents of Bath County. The Authority was created in
1975 by the Bath County Board of Supervisors. The Authority consists of one
member from each county district appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
The Authority provides water service to residents of Millboro, Bacova, Chimney
Run, West Warm Springs, Warm Springs to Mitchelltown along Route 220, Hot
Springs, Thomastown, Switchback, Crowdertown, Cedar Creek, and Carloover areas,
through a series of gravity and force main distribution water lines. The
Authority has two springs, four wells and water purchase agreements with Millboro
and Hot Springs water companies.
Wastewater services are provided to the residents of Mitchelltown, Hot Springs,
Ashwood, Thomastown, Switchback, Crowdertown, Bacova Junction, and Millboro. The
Authority operates two wastewater treatment plants and eight pump stations.
The Industrial Development Authority is
comprised of seven members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and meet on
a monthly basis to consider all economic development matters. The
Authority is prepared to assist financially stable and qualified businesses and
industries with expanding or locating to the County. The County is interested in
low-impact, environmentally sensitive, industries which want to relocate, or are
seeking a new location in Virginia. The
County offers an environment friendly to families and industry and is a unique
locality with a great tax base and social amenities.
The Voter Registration Office (540-839-7266), located on the first floor,
Room 103, of the Bath County Courthouse is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From
January 1 through July, it is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; August
through December, it is open Monday through Friday.
The five magisterial districts of Warm Springs, Cedar Creek, Williamsville,
Millboro, and Valley Springs have 3,306 registered voters who vote in seven
precincts: Warm Springs, Mountain Grove, Hot Springs, Fairview, Burnsville,
Millboro, and Healing Springs.
The Bath County Electoral Board consists of three members. You are encouraged to
be a good citizen by registering and voting.
The Bath-Highland Cooperative Extension Unit (540-839-7261) is an educational mission for family and home issues, youth development through 4H, agriculture, and community resource development. Offices are located on the second floor of the Courthouse in Warm Springs.
The Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District is composed of Alleghany, Bath, and Highland Counties, and the City of Covington. The District provides local leadership through a board of publicly elected Directors on issues, concerns, and services related to the conservation of natural resources.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is a USDA agency that provides assistance to landowners on soil and water and other resource conservation planning and applications.
Click HERE for a list of job opportunities currently available in County Government.