HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 20, 2008 Work Session240
A Worksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Wednesday,
February 20, 2007, at 8:10 A.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
John R. Riley, Jr., County Administrator; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy 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 Ron Hottle and Richie Wilkins, III; Patricia Taylor,
Superintendent of Schools; Al Orndorff, Assistant Superintendent for Administration; Steve)
Edwards, Clerk of the School Board; and Kristen Anderson, Assistant Director of Finance
Frederick County Public Schools.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Shickle called the workssession to order.
Finance Director Shiffler briefly reviewed the sheet of recommended funding priorities.
Administrator Riley advised that the State was proposing a 5.4% across the board cut in
Compensation Board funding. He also noted there were three versions of education funding pending)
in Richmond. Administrator Riley briefly discussed the Volunteer Incentive Program and noted thin
was a 10 year program instead of five and the funding should go down. He also noted there was no
salary increase in any of the proposed funding scenarios.
Treasurer Orndoff asked about the Sheriff's vehicles and the necessary equipment.
Budget Analyst Place advised this budget contained 17 marked vehicles, 4
vehicles, and 8 4x4 utility vehicles.
Administrator Riley stated there could be some capital items in the Sheriffs budget
could be funded out of fund balance. He stated this strategy could be used to pare down the
amount now.
Supervisor asked about the revenue figure shown in the various budget scenarios.
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Finance Director Shiffler responded the figure was kept "flat"; however, the proposed figure
is a little below flat. She also noted that fund balance and the interest rate numbers could affect the
realized amount.
Administrator Riley briefly reviewed the status of the state budget and noted most of the
state's strategy did not positively affect localities.
Chairman Shickle stated that he would like to have an estimate of what the 5.4%
Compensation Board funding cut would be for the various affected departments.
Commissioner Murphy estimated it would reduce her funding by about $20,000.
Administrator Riley stated "we are in for difficult times this year and next". He offered some
thoughts for the Board's consideration:
- There might be some exemptions in state funding cuts for public safety.
- The Board might want to think about a reduction in state funding.
- The rate could be adjusted in January 2009 on a short-term basis, following the
reassessment
- The Board could borrow more from Fund Balance.
The Board scheduled a budget worksession for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2008,
prior to the Board meeting.
Superintendent Taylor informed the Board that the school system's portion of state funding
is $1 million short of where it was five days ago.
Assistant Superintendent Orndorff noted the need to come up with $2.8 million in local
dollars to cover the debt service.
Superintendent Taylor advised that protecting staff was the highest priority and that a 1%
salary increase equated to $963,000.
Supervisor Dove stated that he knows we are in tough times, but he was opposed to raising
taxes, especially since citizens are losing their jobs and businesses. He went on to say that he was
opposed to taking more than $6.5 million out of fund balance.
Supervisor Lemieux echoed Supervisor Dove's concerns. He went on to say the construction
industry was hurting.
Vice-Chairman Fisher stated there needed to be some belt tightening.
Administrator Riley stated the County is currently providing services to 70,000+ citizens and
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Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/20/08
242
the 19th largest school district at a tax rate of $0.525. He said it was going to be difficult, but we
would continue to provide services.
Supervisor Ewing stated that Fund Balance is a good picture of how effective we have been
in the past, but we are currently in a bad situation.
Administrator Riley advised the Board that "we" are going to explore every strategy to save
money.
ADJOURN
UPON A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR EWING, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR
DOVE, THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORF. THIS BOARD,
THIS MEETING IS HEREBY ADJOURNED. (8:52 A.M.)
~~~
Richard C. Shickle
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
J n iley, Jr.
Cl ,Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By: ~ 1(~1, _„ ~ (~~.
Jay . T bs
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book Number 33
Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 0280/08