By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors has declined to enter into a proposed four-year partnership with Roanoke County that would have provided Botetourt residents with priority access to therapeutic recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities.
The board voted Sept. 22 to deny a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would have committed $15,000 annually to Roanoke County’s Therapeutic Recreation Services program. The proposed MOU would have run from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2030, with the possibility of annual renewals.
The existing Roanoke County program offers activities including summer camps, social and leisure programs, life-skills activities, cultural arts, health and wellness activities, outdoor recreation and community outings. Under the proposed agreement, eligible Botetourt residents would have received priority registration but would not have been guaranteed a spot in any particular program.
Parks & Recreation Director Victor Morales told the board that the $15,000 had already been included in Botetourt’s FY2026-27 Parks & Recreation budget. The proposed contribution was based on 99 Botetourt registrations in fiscal year 2025, with the agreement calling for the arrangement to be reevaluated after two years.
Morales said the regional partnership currently includes Roanoke County, Roanoke City and Salem. In fiscal year 2026, Roanoke County contributed $208,903 to the program, while Roanoke City contributed $58,000 and Salem contributed $20,000.
The proposed agreement came after changes in funding for Roanoke County’s program left Botetourt residents without priority registration. Eighteen letters submitted to the county supported either joining the regional partnership or developing a therapeutic recreation program in Botetourt County.
The letters came from parents, educators, professionals and other residents who described the importance of recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. Several writers said Botetourt residents had difficulty getting into popular programs because they had to wait until priority registration ended. Others raised concerns about young people losing access to structured activities after aging out of the public school system.
During the discussion, Buchanan District Supervisor Linda Rottman moved to deny the MOU. Rottman said she supported the goal of providing therapeutic recreation opportunities but questioned committing county funds to a program operated by another locality rather than developing a program within Botetourt County.
Rottman also raised questions about the long-term implications of entering into the agreement and whether Botetourt should pursue its own approach to therapeutic recreation rather than simply paying into Roanoke County’s existing program.
The motion to deny the MOU was seconded and approved by the board by a vote of 3-2.
Morales said the $15,000 remains available in the FY2026-27 Parks & Recreation budget following the board’s decision.
Botetourt residents will continue to have access to Roanoke County’s therapeutic recreation programs under the existing arrangement, Morales said when asked about last week’s denial of the MOU. Residents can register one week after priority registration for programs that still have available spaces.
“There are no guarantees this will stay the same, but we have no reason to believe it would change,” Morales added.
Morales also said Botetourt Parks & Recreation is researching ways to provide therapeutic and adaptive recreation opportunities through partnerships or outsourcing rather than immediately creating a county-operated program.
“We aim to enhance the quality of life for all our residents and will seek creative ways to make that happen,” Morales continued. “Due to the specialized nature of the work, we are researching ways to outsource/partner with other organizations.”
The county could revisit the MOU in the future if there are substantial changes to the agreement or if members of the Board of Supervisors decide to reconsider it, Morales said.
The proposed MOU specifically stated that Roanoke County would operate and manage the therapeutic recreation programs while Botetourt County would provide the annual $15,000 contribution. Botetourt residents would still have been responsible for applicable program fees.
The county’s decision does not create a new Botetourt therapeutic recreation program, but Morales’ comments indicate Parks & Recreation will continue exploring options for providing specialized recreation opportunities locally or through another partnership.
