HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 12, 2008 Work Session215
A Worksession ofthe Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, February
12, 2008 at 12:00 P.M., in the First Floor Conference Room, 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.
OTHERS PRESENT
,Tohn 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 Orndolt; Jr.,
Treasurer; Ellen E. Murphy, Commissioner of the Revenue; Finance Committee member Stephen
Swiger; Patricia Taylor, Superintendent of Schools; Al Orndorff, Assistant Superintendent for
Administration; Peter Vernimb, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction; Steve Edwards, Clerk of
the School Board; and Kristen Anderson, Assistant Director of Finance for Frederick County Public
Schools.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Shickle called the Worksession to order.
Finance Director Shiffler began by reviewing the proposed budget calendar. She advised
the Board would need to have the budget process wrapped up by the end of February. Shc then
reviewed the five year history of projected and budgeted revenues. She noted that real estate tax
rates had shown 42% growth over the past five years and a $500,000 increase has been budgeted for
FY 2009. Permit fees have decreased 42% since FY 2007. She then turned the presentation over
to Commissioner Murphy to discuss real estate assessments.
Commissioner Murphy advised that assessments and tax collections were being impacted
by the local economy in that the County was not getting new construction revenue. She went onto
say that personal properly taxes were being impacted as well because less money was being spent
on personal property items. She stated there were no new industries coming into the county;
however, she has seen some growth in the retail sector. She concluded by saying she would expect
to see an increase in commercial assessments, but residential assessments would be similar to 2005.
Minute Book Number 33
Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/12/08
216
Administrator Riley reviewed his recommended funding priorities for the Board's
consideration. This amount totaled $2,795,122, which was a reduction from $6,083,647. He
advised there were new positions proposed for Fire and Rescue, which would be funded through Fee
for Service. Administrator Riley stated he felt all of the projects he reviewed deserved the Board's
attention. He concluded by saying there was no pay increase budgeted for employees.
Supervisor Dove agreed with funding the Volunteer Incentive Program, but he thought the
proposed amount could be a lot less. He also wanted to see the Revenue Recovery Specialist hired
in an effort to initiate the Fee for Service program with those monies collected being used to fund
the additional career positions.
Vice-Chairman Fisher felt the Gypsy Moth funding could be cut.
Chairman Shickle was in some agreement, but stated that the consequence of that cut is
people will complain and that will not affect the moths.
Supervisor DeHaven asked about the Maintenance Assistant position and where it would be
housed.
Assistant County Administrator Tierney responded that it would be housed at the Public
Safety Building. He went onto say that the Board's acceptance of the old Gainesboro School would
be the tipping point that would make the position necessary.
Supervisor DeHaven stated that Planning had requested a Transportation Planner, but he
noticed it was not on either request list. He stated the Board should not lose sight of this position
because it was important and would allow the Deputy Director/Transportation to focus on larger
issues.
Supervisor Dove disagreed with creating this new position as the work load and funding
were not there to support it.
Supervisor Ewing stated that he did not want to see Gainesboro fall into disarray as happened
to the Stephens City School.
Treasurer Orndoff asked about the volunteer incentive program.
Administrator Riley responded this was a new program, which differed from the length of
service program. The incentive program would be put in for younger volunteers and would pay
$10/month up to $300/month when full benefit was reached.
Minute Book Number 33
Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/12/08
217
Vice-Chairman Fisher again stated that he felt the Board should look at the Gypsy Moth
program.
Administrator Riley stated that he would like to hear from the Board regarding other areas
for reduction.
Treasurer Orndoff felt there was a need to address contributions to outside agencies at some
point.
Administrator Riley advised that existing requests from outside agencies were recognized
at current level. He went onto say that the County had received some new requests this year.
Supervisor Lemieux agreed with Vice-Chairman Fisher's suggestion to cut the Gypsy Moth
Program.
Supervisor lleHaven agreed.
The Board's consensus was to cut the gypsy moth funding from the upcoming budget.
Supervisor Lofton asked if Planning's vacant position was included in the proposed budget.
Administrator Riley responded no.
Supervisor DeHaven stated this position would be an opportunity for the Planning
Department to get ahead.
Supervisors Ewing and Dove did not agree with adding this position.
Supervisor Ewing stated that he did not want to add anything new to the budget.
The Board briefly discussed the contributions to outside agencies.
Vice-Chairman Fisher suggested reducing the Airport's contribution by $20,000 and put it
on capital.
Administrator Riley advised that the Health Department was proposing a fee for well and
septic inspections and this could offset their proposed increase. He advised that staff would continue
to receive input from the Board regarding these items.
Finance Director Shiffler reviewed various funding scenarios. She advised that the Board
would need to enact a 50% or $0.26 tax increase to fund this proposed budget and the request from
the School Board. The scenarios were as follows:
Scenario A -Present level, no fund balance = $6.5 million in additional cuts.
Scenario B -Present level funding, no tax increase, and $6.5 million from fund balance.
Minute Book Number 33
Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/12/08
218
Scenario C - $0.01 tax increase = $733,000 in additional funding and $6.5 million from fund
balance.
Scenario D - $0.03 tax increase = $2,199,000 in additional funding and $6.5 million from
fund balance.
Scenario E - $0.05 tax increase = $3,665,000 in additional funding and $6.5 million from
fund balance.
"fhe Board consensus was to see nothing further than a $0.05 tax increase.
Administrator Riley advised the rate would be adjusted mid-year based on tax values.
Vice-Chairman Fisher stated he was troubled by using $6.5 million in fund balance because
"we keep digging a hole".
Finance Director Shiffler advised fund balance was currently at $32 million.
Superintendent Taylor advised that she anticipated further cuts in revenue from the state,
which would require an increase in local contributions. The County will lose $1.6 million due to a
change in the Composite Index. She went onto say the school system was looking for 125 teachers
this year and that something had to be done to stop the drain of employees leaving.
Supervisor Ewing advised that he had talked with a number of citizens and they do not
to see a tax increase. He went on to say "we" need to do something, but he could not say in
direction the Board should go.
The Board set another worksession for Wednesday, February 20th following the 8:00 a.m.
Finance Committee meeting.
A tentative worksession was set for Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., prior to
Board's regular meeting.
ADJOURN
UPON A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SWING, SECONDED BY
DOVE, THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COMF. BEFORE THIS
THIS MEETING IS HEREBY ADJOURNED. (2:02 P.M.)
Minute Book Number 33
Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/12/08
21
Richard C. Shickle o r R. Riley, r.
Chairman, Board of Supervisors Jerk, Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By: ~.
Jay E T' bs
Deputy erk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book Number 33
Board of Supervisors Budget Worksessiou of 02/12/08