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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 04, 1981 Budget Public Hearing3031 A Public Hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 1981 Budget was held on the 4th day of June, 1981 at 7:00 P.M. in the auditorium of the James Wood High School Amherst Campus. PRESENT S. Roger Koontz, Chairman; Will L. Owings, Vice- Chairman; William H. Baker; Rhoda W. Maddox; R. Thomas Malcolm and Kenneth Y. Stiles. RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ANNOUNCED The Chairman read the rules of procedure which he requested be followed for the public hearing on the proposed budget. PUBLIC HEARING - FISCAL YEAR 1982 BUDGET The Chairman asked for comments from the floor, and inasmuch as there was a Business, Professional and Occupational License Tax included in this year's budget, he would like to request that this matter be addressed first, as far as public comment was concerned. The following persons addressed the Board with regard to the proposed BPOL Tax: Mr. Charlie Boyd, of Stonewall District, appeared before the Board in support of the BPOL Tax stating that there were some businesses doing as much as $500,000 per year and paying no tax, and that he felt the Merchants Capital Tax that the County now has was a selective tax based on an individuals inventory. Mr. Ben Butler appeared before the Board, representing five oil distributors, in opposition to this tax stating that he felt there was a danger of including proposed tax in the budget inasmuch as no one seems to know what the rate would be. It is difficult to establish a basis of gross sales for study, and that the consultants doing a study for the County on this pro- posed tax would not have enough time to do an accurate study before the adoption of this budget. Dr. Bryan Brill, Periodontics, Stephens City, stated he was opposed to this proposed tax stating that he felt it would cause professionals interested in settling in the area to look elsewhere and that this tax would just be passed on to the consumer. Mr. C. J. McCormac, President, Reimer's Electra Steam, Clearbrook, stating that he was opposed to this proposd tax and 13®4 it would seem to him that it is always the business man that gets soaked when it comes to taxes. Dr. Max Mandel, Veternarian, Stephens City, opposed this proposed tax stating that it would just have to be passed on to the consumer. Mr. Russell Miller, Miller Tool Service, Stonewall District, stated that he was opposed to this tax in that this is the straw that breaks the camel's back. He felt that this tax reflects a lack of desire by the governing body to restrain themselves, and that you can shear sheep every year, but you can only skin them once. Mr. Tom Tramorris, Owner, Shenandoah Oil Company, stated that he was opposed to this tax and he could not understand how the Board arrived at this figure. Mr. John Toney, Manager, Toney's Supermarket, stated that he was opposed to this proposed tax and that he felt there were many problems with the budget. Mr. Raymond Sandy, Opequon District, appeared before the Board in opposition to this tax stating that he felt the home- owners are the liabilities in the County and not the businesses and that they were the ones who should be paying more taxes. The time has come for the ones that receive the services in the County to pay for them. Dr. Raymond Fish, Gainesboro District, appeared before the Board in opposition to this tax stating that he felt it was dis- criminatory because this tax would add an additional burden, devious inasmuch as it is a consumer tax which extracts more than it returns and regressive inasmuch as the harder you work the more it takes away. A Homeowner appeared before the Board stating that he felt he was paying his fair share. Mr. Bob Fulton, Owner of Fulton Trucking, Opequon District, stated that if you want the businesses to pay more taxes then let them grow as they would like to grow. Mr. Carl Fryling, Shenandoah Gas Company, stated that he was opposed to this tax inasmuch as it would hurt the homeowners and whenever a tax like this goes into effect it is passed on to 305 3 the consumer. He further stated that he felt the first thing that needed to be done was a good tightening of the budget. Mr. John Shaw, Apple Tractor Company, stated that he was a new business just located in the County and doesn't want to pay any more taxes. Mr. Al Chapman stated that he was a small businessman and that he was opposed to this tax and that he felt we need to evaluate our leadership. Mr. William Connor stated that he was concerned about the low income people of the County that were on fixed incomes and would not be able to pay more taxes. Mr. Julian Garber, Garber Ice Cream Company, stated that he felt the County needed to conserve and that this additional tax would run a lot of small businessmen out of the County. Mr. Koontz thanked everyone that spoke concerning the pro- posed BPOL Tax and that their comments would be studied by the Board of Supervisors. BUDGET i The following persons appeared before the Board with regard to the Budget: Mr. Edward Lord, Stonewall District, stated that he was opposed to any increase in taxes as he felt the County govern- ment should be cutting back as the Federal Government had done. Mrs. Elaine Gladwin, President, Frederick County Education Association, requested that the School Budget not be cut as these funds were needed in order that the students of Frederick County may receive the proper education. Mr. Claude Gore, Member of the Board of Assessors, appeared before the Board stating that he had been misinformed with regard to some of the information he has passed on to the citizens concerning their reassessment and that he was opposed to an increase in real estate tax as he felt this would place more of a burden on the County people. Mr. Earl Colvin stated that if the Board would take a vote of the County citizens assembled in this auditorium tonight with regard to this tax increase, you would not get it, and that the ! taxes have got to stop somewhere. 306 Dr. Karl Custer, Chiropractor, Stonewall District, appeared before the Board addressing the school budget with reference to two articles that had appeared in U. S. News & World Report. Mr. Charles Parrell, Truck Driver, Stonewall District, stated that he was opposed to the tax increase and if the County continued to increase taxes, people would not want to live here. A County resident, Opequon District, stated that both she and her husband worked and she was not against Parks, but extravagances were not necessary, but that everyone needed to tighten their belts, and that she was opposed to any increase in taxes, and also the business license. Mr. Charles Romaine appeared before the Board stating that he had retired to this County and that the taxes had increased, but that he was glad to be in Frederick County. Mr. T. J. Wakeman, retired citizen, stated that he could not understand the cost increase per student in the school system. He further stated that he felt taxes should come from places rather than property. Mr. Darrell Myers, Pipe Fitter, Stonewall District, stated that he was opposed to this tax increase and felt their was no need for an increase of this amount. He further stated that he was against an across - the -board increase, especially for those at the upper end of the scale. Mr. Bill Owens, Opequon District, stated that the County provided services to the County citizens such as Parks and Recreation and in order to have these services, then we must pay for them, and I for one don't mind paying. Dr. H. M. Brooks, Counseling Psychologist, requested that some provisions be made for the hiring of minorities in the County structure and he felt that minorities should also be represented on the different boards and commissions within the County. Mr. William Butler, Opequon District, stated that he felt the Board should try a little harder to make due, and learn to do without. 307 Mrs. Mae Wakeman, Opequon District, stated that she would like to know where the Board has been the last two years, at a time when the taxes should be lowered you want to raise them. She further stated that the taxes have been irresponsible, almost criminal, and the people of the county can bear no more, and that the Board should redraft the budget. Mr. Glenn Williamson, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, stated that he was speaking on behalf of the Deputies of the Sheriff's Department and requested that the Board supplement th salaries of these deputies, and further, that he felt the use o Public Use Vehicles by certain County employees needed to be addressed by the Board. Mr. Ralph Poe stated that he did not feel that our taxes are excessive but that the County should be more in keeping in touch with the Federal Government and cut back on spending, and that he felt it was the wrong time for a tax increase. Mr. Bob Wells, Opequon District, stated that he felt the seats of the Board members were not easy to fill, and that participation is always missing until a radical issue is pro- posed. Mr. Wells further stated that he as well as the people in attendance tonight had no idea as to what figures the Board had to work with, that he would urge the Board to take a close look at the budget and leave those items that we need. Jan Fadely, Housewife, Stonewall District, stated that she was in support of the County budget and further that she was amazed as to how low taxes were compared to other areas. She further stated that she appreciated what was available to her family in Frederick County and that she was willing to pay for it. Ray Duncan stated that he felt the Board was way out of f line with this much of an increase. Dave Smith, Shawnee District, stated that he felt this was a difficult time and it was a hard job setting priorities. He further stated that he had two children in school and he did no want the area of education cut. 303 Mr. Joe Hepner stated he was against all these taxes. He further stated that he felt the overrun in the school budget would cover the deficit in the Budget. Mr. Don Richardson, retired Government employee, Gainesbor< District, commented on what his opinion was as to why the young! i people of the county have lost respect for and no longer iden- tify with their County government, and further that a set of standards need to be set for the dispersal of money and preroga tives and responsibilities must be balanced. i Mr. John Pickeral, Opequon District, stated that he felt the Finance Committee needed to do more work on the budget as there were more cuts that need to be made. He further stated that he felt the use of the Public Use vehicles needed to be checked into. Mr. Jim Moyer, Frederick County Taxpayers Association, stated that he was in support of fixed amounts for cost of living salary adjustment. He further stated that he could not see the County Parks and Recreation Department costing more tha the City of Winchester. Ms. Brooke Walk, Gainesboro District, stated that she was very much in favor of tax increase as she felt everyone should consider the educational programs in our county schools and tha this should not be cut. Mr. Tom Hanish, Shawnee District, stated that perhaps Frederick County has not increased taxes the way they should have in the past and that he was willing to pay his share. p Mr. Jim Crouse stated that he was a small business owner and that he was opposed to the business tax. He further stated; s that he was concerned about the school budget and the perform- ance of the schools. 1 Ms. Catherine Monte, Opequon District, stated she was opposed to tax increase, and further that the Courthouse could be moved to the soon to be vacant Leggett or Penney's location.' Mr. Hershel Lovelace, Property Owner, Back Creek District, ! resident of Winchester, stated that he was speaking on behalf of the residents of Shawneeland and requested that the Board 300 consider what services they are rendering to the citizens of Shawneeland when they are collecting taxes. Dr. Raymond Fish presented petitions of estimated 2,061 County persons opposing the budget. Dr. Fish stated that the people of this country sent a message to Washington last November, and that message was that the spending must stop. We do not believe that the budget cannot be further cut, and further who do you want to please, the people who work for you or the people who put you in office. Dr. Brill spoke of the Boards' responsibility and the teachers' responsibility with regard to this budget. Mr. Perry Silva, President of the Frederick County Firemen and Rescue Association, requested that the Board reconsider their donations to the Fire Companies of the County as donations) were becoming harder to get and he felt the Boards' priorities need to be looked at. Mr. Bernie Swartzman, Stonewall District, stated that he was not surprised that there was an increase but he was appalled at the amount of the increase. He further stated that each department should be told to cut their budget and if they didn't then it should be cut for them. Mr. Ben Mathis, School Teacher in Frederick County, Shawnee District, stated that he was really concerned with what he had heard tonight and further, that you get what you pay for and if the teachers were expected to do a better job then the public should see they are funded. Mr. Mike Snapp, Farmer, Back Creek District, stated he was opposed to the budget as it had been presented and to any tax increase of the magnitude that has been proposed. Ms. Sara Mason, Kindergarten Teacher, stated she could tighten her belt, but felt this would harm the children. She further stated that the teachers in Frederick County are as good as teachers in surrounding areas if not better. Mr. Hugh Price, Shawnee District, stated that he felt those on disability and Social Security should be considered. 310 Mr. Ralph Ogle, Opequon District, stated that he felt the school system as well as the Board of Supervisors should be con- cerned about conserving energy. Ms. Jodi Cather, Secretary of Frederick County, spoke on behalf of the fire companies within the County and stated she was upset with the Board of Supervisors in not donating more to these companies. Ms. Jeannie Richards, Teacher in Frederick County, stated that she was very upset with what she had heard tonight regard- ing the teachers, they put in a lot of hours and did not receive excessive pay. Each year the lack of respect and self respect with the children is becoming a thing of the past. Mr. Sam Lehman, Vice President of the Frederick County Taxpayers Association, Back Creek District, stated that he would like to thank the Board for doing one of the hardest jobs in the County. He further stated that with the school budget being 16 million dollars this means it cost $2200 per pupil. He further stated that maybe too much was being spent in Recreation. Mr. Ralph Poe, stated that it concerned him to see the teachers distressed, and further that this is not the time to raise taxes with the economy being as it is. Mr. Eric Farrell, Teacher, Private School in the County, stated he was opposed to an increase in the budget. A citizen stated that he had a question as to whether the "facts" that are being presented are really facts. Further, that the Board has a definite commitment to the citizens to look at the problems that have been encountered by the County. Mr. Chester Rickard, Gainesboro District, stated that he was against the taxes, but wanted to stand up for the teachers. He further stated that some of the areas that are funded are unnecessary, and that he didn't feel salaries should be cut, but that frills should. f Mr. John Marker, Farmer, Back Creek District, stated he was opposed to the Budget as it is presently, and feels it should be reviewed and cut. A citizen stated that he felt the people could not keep on paying taxes and that cuts need to be made by everyone. 311 Mr. Koontz thanked everyone for attending and expressing their opinion and just so you won't think you live in the worse County, we ran a check on the closest 10 or 11 Counties and the only County with a lower tax rate is Shenandoah County. The public hearing was adjourned. "J fi I - o z. (iir an, d of Smrvis s 0, g,k6rk, Board of Supervisors