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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 16, 2008 Work Session191 A Worksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at 9:00 A.M., in the First Floor Conference Koom, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. PRESENT Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice-Chairman Gene E. Fisher; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Gary W. Dove; Bill M. Ewing; Philip A. Lemieux, and Gary A. Lofton. OTHERSPKESENT John R. Riley, Jr., County Administrator; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; Kris C. Tierney, Assistant County Administrator; Cheryl B. Shiffler, Finance Director; Sharon Kibler, Assistant to the Finance Director; Jennifer Place, Budget Analyst; C. William Orndoff, Jr., Treasurer; Ellen E. Murphy, Commissioner of the Revenue; Finance Committee members James R. Wilkins, III; Stephen Swiger; and Ron Hottle; Patricia Taylor, Superintendent of Schools; and Lisa Frye, Executive Director of Finance for Frederick County Public Schools. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Shickle called the Worksession to order. County Administrator John R. Riley, Jr. briefly reviewed the County's FY 2008-2009 budget. He advised there were $29 million in new requests, of which $21 million were capital requests. IIe stated that all submitted requests were cut based on there being no revenue growth. He directed the departments to categorize the requested increases as critical and non-critical and resubmit them for review. He went on to say that he would like to get the Board back together to focus on the critical requests. He informed the Board that the majority of operating increases were in public safety. He concluded by saying, at this time, there were no salary increases and no revenue growth projected for next year. Chairman Shickle stated the County had seen revenue growth of $6 million to $10 million over the past years. He advised that next year's budget would have to be predicated on what will happen year after year. He believed the Board needed to look at the bigger picture versus budget line items. He wanted to see a budget presentation by object code versus individual departments and he would like to sec revenue projections three to five years out. Supervisor Ewing agreed with looking at object codes and future years. He went on to say Minute Book Number 33 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 01/16/08 192 that the budget presentation should also stress mandated line items. Administrator Riley stated he thought there was still a need to look at the resubmittal of critical items from the various departments. Supervisor DeHaven agreed with Chairman Shickle's process, but he felt departments should have the opportunity to make their cases either in person or in writing. Chairman Shickle requested that staff prepare one, three, and five year revenue growth projections. The consensus of the Board was to review the requested revenue projections. Chairman Shickle stated that he would also like to know about the assessments and to see a hypothetical scenario of no increase in the assessment base for three years. Supervisor DeHaven stated the need to discuss the impact of the assessments that would take effect mid-year. Commissioner Murphy would compile some of the assessment information prior to the next budget work session. Chairman Shickle stated the Board needed to have certain answers in order to figure out what Administrator Riley should present in the way of a budget. Administrator Riley advised that staff would notify the Board when the requested information was ready. Supervisor Dove suggested that Administrator Riley do the departmental presentations for the critical budget items. He went on to say that he agreed with looking at the five year prof ections. Vice-Chairman Fisher agreed that the information requested by the Chairman would be helpful and he stated he would like for Administrator Riley to make the departmental presentations. Supervisor Ewing stated the County did not have a good budget situation this year. Administrator Riley shared the Superintendent's budget with the Board and reminded them of the joint budgetwork session to be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. in the School Board Office. Chairman Shickle stated that establishing a calendar of deadlines would be helpful. Administrator Riley advised that staff would put the information together and schedule the next budget worksession. Minute Book Number 33 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 01/16/08 193 Chairman Shickle encouraged staff and the Board to think about scenarios. Vice-Chairman Fisher stated he would like to know the impact to the County if there was no tax increase and no increase in revenues, a "worst case" scenario. Chairman Shickle stated he would like to get the economic status of Frederick County at this time (e.g. unemployment figures, average wage, foreclosures, etc.). Superintendent of Schools, Patricia Taylor, informed the Board that the School Board had a budget worksession that evening and they were cognizant of the issues impacting the entire county. There being no further discussion, the worksession was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. -~ i ~- s7 t7 --~__ Richard C. Shickle Chairman, Board of Supervisors J .Riley, Jr. rk, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ^ ~ `'~~',7,,~„ Jay .')~bbs Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 33 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 01/16/08