February 27, 2002 Work Session
633
A Budget Worksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and County Finance
Committee was held on February 27, 2002, at 5:30 P.M. in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia
PRESENT
Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice Chairman W. Harrington Smith, Jr., Robert M. Sager;
Margaret B. Douglas, Sidney A. Reyes; Gina A. Forrester, and Lynda 1. Tyler.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Members Ritchie Wilkins, Don Butler, and Ron Hottle.
STAFF
County Administrator, John R. Riley; Jr., Finance Director Cheryl B. Shiffler; Budget
Analyst Jennifer Place; Deputy Clerk Carol T. Bayliss.
Administrator Riley explained there were three exhibits - Budget Summary (Exhibit A);
Proposed County Administrator's Cuts (Exhibit B); Proposed Budgeted Adjustments - General Fund
(Exhibit C). He also presented a quick summary of remaining Gcncral Fund increases.
The Finance Committee has discussed several budget funding options and recommend to the
Board that they consider funding option l, 3, or 4. These options can be considered in whole or in
part.
Administrator Riley presented the following options, and in doing so, advised that he would
like to present one of his own:
Option 3 - Version 1
School Proffers (allocated to capital only)
Decals
Rainy Day Fund
Unreserved Fund Balance
$ 610,000
300,000
3,000,000
1.225.092
5,135,092
**Uses $4,835,092 of one-time funding sources
To balance proposed budget**
Option 3 - Version 2
School Proffers (allocated to capital only)
Decals
Rainy Day Fund
Unreserved Fund Balance
$ 610,000
- 0-
3,000,000
1.525.092
5,135,092
**Uses $5,135,092 of one-time funding
sources to balance proposed budget**
Minute Book Number 27
Board of Supervisors and County Finance Committee Budget Worksession of 02127/02
634
Option 4 - Version 1
School Proffers (allocated to capital only)
$0.03 Real Estate Tax Increase
Rainy Day Fund
Increase Decals
Unreserved Fund Balance
$ 610,000
1,074,000
3,000,000
300,000
151.092
5,135,092
**Uses $3,761,092 of one-time funding
sources to balance proposed budget**
Option 4 - JRR Version
School Proffers (allocated to capital only)
$0.11 Real Estate Tax Increase
Rainy Day Fund
Increase Decals
Unreserved Fund Balance
$ 610,000
3,938,000
- 0-
300,000
287.092
5,135,092
**Uses $897,000 of one-time funding sources
to balance proposed budget**
After a total of more than $13 million in cuts, only $176,000 in operating increases survived.
Over $4.5 million was cut in General Fund Fixed Assets requested by departments. Over $478,967
was cut in outside agency requested increases. $1.25 million was cut from construction costs for
Warrior Drive. Cut $1 million from Fire and Rescue Capital Loan Fund. Only 1 new position
survived. This position is for Millbrook High School.
Supervisor Sager asked what the school population - enrollment is for 2002-2003. Dr. Dean
replied 10,905.
Supervisor Forrester referred to figures she had from the State dealing with House Bill 30.
Discussion followed between Dr. Dean and Member Wilkins on the need for a new middle
school. Dr. Dean advised it is a very difficult job trying to get this figure. He referred to the
students enrolled in private, parochial and home bound schooling, and this makes it hard to know
how many students will be coming back into the public school system.
Member Wilkins stated that he would be interested in seeing these figures from past years
if they are available. He is interested in the history of these students that are enrolled elsewhere and
end up coming back into the public school system.
Discussion followed as to possible savings within the school system, and comparisons were
made between this year's figures and last year's. Member Butler felt certain information should
have been provided to the Board earlier by the school board. Had this been done, the Board and
Minute Book Number 27
Board of Supervisors and County Finance Committee Budget Worksession of 02/27/02
635
Finance Committee would have had more time to review these figures.
School Finance Director Frye explained there are 7,000 account plus and the amount oftime
that would be involved to provide this information.
Member Wilkins advised if the Board were to support fully what the school board is asking
for, it will mean a significant increase, one that he is not sure Frederick County is ready for.
Supervisor Tyler advised that she has spent a great deal of time with Dr. Dean and staff
concerning this budget, and she feels based on this year's budget, there will be a significant tax
increase next year with the opening of Millbrook High School.
Supervisor Smith stated that he felt the information provided has been very informative.
Member Hottle stated that he can feel the frustration the county is experiencing; however,
he feels this same frustration is being felt throughout the State. He does support the school budget.
Treasurer Orndoff asked again about the school's health insurance plan. He was interested
in comparing this year's figures to last year's.
Chairman Shickle advised Board members that the county is looking at 3 scenarios.
Dr. Dean stated that he would like to see figures start higher.
Supervisor Forrester asked what is the time limit.
Administrator Riley advised the public hearing on the county budget is scheduled for March
27.
Chairman Shickle asked the Board Members to indicate which option they favored at this
time, noting that none of the options would fully fund the schools.
Supervisor Smith advised that he wanted Stephens City Fire Company fully funded with 24
hour service.
Chairman Shickle stated that he was in favor ofthe retirement plan for county volunteer fire
fighters.
Supervisor Forrester advised that she felt more time was needed to digest the information that
had been presented and discussed at this meeting.
Chairman Shickle asked the Board and Finance Members to state which option they were
leaning toward at this time.
Hottle - Riley Option
Butler - Board decision
Wilkins - Board decision
Minute Book Number 27
Board of Supervisors and County Finance Committee Budget Worksession of 02/27/02
636
Sager Option 4 - Version 1
Forrester - Pass
Reyes - Pass
Tyler - Riley Option
Smith - Option #3 - Version 2
Douglas - Riley Option
Shickle - Option #3 - Version 2
Supervisor Forrester advised that she would go with Riley's option.
ADJOURNED.
....
Jo~-t(r-
Jo n R. Riley, Jr
Clerk, Board of Supervisors
\2---Q.......-. ~ ..lL-L.c...,;
Richard C. Shickle
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By:
/JnJ . t:\.1<n" ~
Carol T. Baylis~
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book Number 27
Board of Supervisors and County Finance Committee Budget Worksession of 02127/02