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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 04 2009 Work Session266 A Worksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 8:00 A.M., in the First Floor Conference Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. PRESENT Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice - Chairman Bill M. Ewing; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Gene E. Fisher; Philip A. Lemieux, and Gary A. Lofton ABSENT Gary W. Dove OTHERS PRESENT John R. Riley, Jr., County Administrator; Kris C. Tierney, Assistant County Administrator; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; Cheryl B. Shiffler, Finance Director; Sharon Kibler, Assistant to the Finance Director; Jennifer Place, Budget Analyst; Ellen E. Murphy, Commissioner of the Revenue; Finance Committee members Steve Swiger, Richie Wilkins, and Ron Hottle; Superintendent Patricia Taylor; Frederick County Schools Executive Director of Finance Lisa Frye; and School Board member Ben Waterman. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Shickle called the meeting to order. He then turned the meeting over to Administrator Riley. Administrator Riley advised that staff had provided the Board with: - The list of 3000 and higher codes for each department. - The numbers from the Commissioner of the Revenue regarding the personal property tax on aircraft. - Estimated revenue from a proposed increase in decal fees and additional fees for trailers, motorcycles, etc. He noted he was still waiting to hear from the Sheriff regarding the number of arrests for driving under the influence and the number of those arrests which resulted in property damage or accidents. Chairman Shickle noted there appeared to be funding in the budget for the Gypsy Moth Program. Administrator Riley responded it was staff's intention for all gypsy moth funding to be removed. There would be no spraying this year or next. He noted there would be some egg mass counts this year. Minute Book Number 34 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 03/04109 267 Vice - Chairman Ewing noted there was still a lot of travel in the budget and he asked staff to take a look at those figures. Finance Director Shiffler and Administrator Riley advised much of that travel was associated with training and certification for Sheriff's Department and Jail employees. Administrator Riley went on to say this was an issue that could be revisited. Vice - Chairman Ewing asked how much money would be saved by closing the convenience sites one day per week. Administrator Riley responded $51,000. He went on to say if this strategy was implemented, staff would look at closing on Thursday's since it is one of the lighter use days of the week. He concluded by saying the Greenwood convenience site was back in the budget. Administrator Riley noted that based on the proposed object codes that funding was back to almost 2007 levels and he was encouraged as to where we are. Chairman Shickle polled the Board and Finance Committee regarding their preference for a revenue neutral or level real estate tax rate. Chairman Shickle, Supervisors Lemieux and Ewing, and Finance Committee members Swiger and Wilkins supported a revenue neutral rate. Supervisors DeHaven, Fisher, and Lofton and Finance Committee member Hottle favored a level tax rate. Since the Board was split three to three, Chairman Shickle said there needed to be more discussion in order to get a consensus. Supervisor Fisher suggested advertising the tax rate at 52.5 cents; however, he said the rate might end up lower. Supervisor DeHaven stated he was concerned we do not know where the rate will go in FY 2010 because we do not know what might be coming at us. He went on to say he did not want to increase taxes, but he felt the responsible thing to do was hold the rate. Supervisor Lofton stated he would feel differently if we were growing the size of government with any tax increase; however, we are decreasing the size of government even with a level tax rate. He went on to say next year could be even worse. Chairman Shickle polled the Board regarding whether or not to pursue a revenue neutral tax rate, but to also collect up to 1% of the reassessment increase, which is permitted without a public hearing. Minute Book Number 34 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 03/04/09 IRS-61% All of the board members present agreed to pursue the revenue neutral tax rate plus 1 %. The Finance Committee members agreed with the Board's approach. Finance Director Shiffler stated she would not budget any additional revenue and any of the 1% collected would be put into the general fund as a contingency. Chairman Shickle then polled the Board and Finance Committee regarding whether or not to pursue a revenue neutral personal property tax rate, which would increase the rate from $4.20 per $100 to $4.90 per $100. Vice - Chairman Ewing supported some increase, but was not sure he could support the full amount. Supervisors DeHaven, Fisher, Lemieux, and Lofton supported a revenue neutral personal property tax rate. Finance Committee members Hottle, Wilkins, and Swiger also supported a revenue neutral rate. Supervisor Lofton felt the airplane rate should be looked at and changed. After some discussion, the majority consensus was not to pursue any increase in the airplane tax at this time. Vice - Chairman Ewing asked if there were any salary reductions proposed for employees, similar to what was being done by the school system. Administrator Riley responded that issue was given a lot of thought and staff is evaluating a number of options including public safety overtime, furloughs, salary reductions and reductions in workforce. Vice - Chairman Ewing stated he was interested in considering that option because of the impact on the personal property tax rate. Supervisors Fisher and DeHaven stated they did not want Administration to stop looking at this issue. Administrator Riley responded he hoped to have definitive information for the Board at the hearing on tax rates. There being no further business, the worksession was adjourned at 9:15 A.M. Minute Book Number 34 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 03/04/09 269 Richard C. Shickle Chairman, Board of Supervisors Jo R. Ri y, r. erk, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: Jay E. Tib�s Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 34 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 03/04/09