February 23 2011 Minutes -- Budget Work Session with Finance Committee21E
A Joint Work Session of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and the Frederick
County Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at 6:15 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 Bill M. Ewing; Christopher
E. Collins; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Gary W. Dove; Gene E. Fisher; and Gary A. Lofton
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;
Jennifer Place, Budget Analyst; Finance Committee members Ron Hottle and Stephen Swiger;
Ellen Murphy, Commissioner of the Revenue, and C. William Orndoff, Jr., Treasurer; School
Board members Stuart Wolk, Chairman; Dr. John Lamanna; Peggy Clark; and Melvin S. "Jim"
Harmon, Jr.; Patricia Taylor, Superintendent of Schools; Lisa Frye, Finance Director, Frederick
County Public Schools; Al Orndorff, Superintendent for Administration; and Peter Vernimb,
Superintendent for Instruction.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Shickle called the work session to order and turned the presentation over to
County Administrator John R. Riley, Jr.
Administrator Riley advised that staff wanted to keep the board informed with a history
of what has been done in past budget years, statistical information, and trend analysis of issues
impacting the budget, as well as other factors affecting the compilation of the FY 2012 budget.
He noted at the February 2, 2011 budget work session a majority of the board chose budget
scenario A, which permitted current level expenditures and fund balance funding along with a
revenue neutral real estate tax rate.
Administrator Riley reviewed some significant issues regarding past budgets:
- July 2011 will be three years since county employees have received a salary increase;
- Funding to outside agencies has been reduced 15% in FY 2010 and 10% in FY 2011;
- The total budgeted county workforce is down by 63 positions since FY 2009;
- The Sheriff's Department and Fire & Rescue Department are down by 4 positions
since FY 2009;
- General Fund transfers to schools are down by 6.7% since FY 2009;
- General Fund (excluding schools) is down by 7.9% since FY 2009;
Minute Book Number 36
Board of Supervisors and Frederick County Finance Committee Budget Work Session of 02/23/11
217
- The General Fund share to the Regional Jail has increased by $599,000 since FY
2009 even though the total Jail budget has not decreased;
- There have been no capital purchases budgeted in the General Fund since FY 2008;
and
- Budgeted real property and personal property tax revenue has remained constant
since FY 2009.
He then showed a real estate tax rate comparison of Frederick County to other localities of like
size and population. Frederick County had the second lowest real estate rate in the comparison
and its real estate tax burden was substantially lower than the majority of comparable localities.
The presentation also focused on population growth, unemployment rate comparison,
Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center, and Frederick County Sanitary Landfill. The
presentation then turned to the monthly monitoring of revenues. He noted sales tax revenues
continue to be positive for the county as does the meals tax collection.
Administrator Riley then reviewed the uncertain factors in the development of the FY
2011 -2012 budget. These included:
State funding — the impact of state funding and reductions are still unknown;
- VRS Rate Increases — the county is usually notified of the rate in August and the rate
is retroactive;
- Fuel and utility costs are unknown due to their dependence on a volatile and
unpredictable market;
- The filing of Machinery and Tools Tax and Business License Tax are not due until
March 15, 2011;
- Property tax relief costs are budgeted at $520,000; however, last fiscal year costs
were $430,000;
- The future funding and usage of the Detox Center remains unclear;
- Revenues continue to be budgeted at current level; however, if the economy
experiences another dip then those figures will have to be revisited;
- Line of Duty Costs, which are benefits paid to first responders who die or become
disabled in the line of duty are projected to cost Frederick County $102,910.35.
He went on to say there remains $357,085.13 in reductions needed to offset the General Fund.
Administrator Riley briefly touched on some outstanding issues that fall under
memorandum of understandings (i.e. tourism, museums, and Detox).
The Board discussed funding for the Old Courthouse Civil War Museum for the current
fiscal year. It was noted that the museum's funding had been reduced while the other three
museums maintained level funding.
Chairman Shickle stated he believed the Civil War Museum should receive level funding.
Minute Book Number 36
Board of Supervisors and Frederick County Finance Committee Budget Work Session of 02/23/11
21.8
Vice - Chairman Ewing asked if the county has a vested interest in the other museums like
it does in the Old Courthouse Museum. He went on to ask if the city had given any indication
about its intent regarding the Winchester- Frederick Economic Development Commission.
Administrator Riley responded he had not heard anything about next year.
Chairman Shickle stated the expenditure was budgeted based on each museum receiving
equal funding. He went on to say that Mr. Riley was asking if the board wanted to intervene in
this dialogue.
Vice - Chairman Ewing stated he would prefer to pay the money directly to the Frederick
County museum because he was not interested in contributing to the other museums.
Supervisor DeHaven supported making the Old Courthouse museum whole for this year
and then distribute the remainder "to the cause ". He went on to say that it should be re- evaluated
for FY 2012.
Administrator Riley advised the funds had been appropriated for this year.
Chairman Shickle polled the Board and Finance Committee to see if they wished to defer
further discussion of this item until the March 16, 2011 Finance Committee meeting.
All members present preferred deferring this item until the March 16, 2011.
The Board directed staff to circulate copies of the joint agreement regarding this issue for
the members to review prior to the meeting.
There being no further discussion regarding the budget, Administrator Riley introduced
Frederick County Schools' Assistant Superintendent Al Orndorff for a briefing on the new
transportation facility.
Assistant Superintendent Orndorff thanked the Board for the opportunity to show the
renderings for this facility. He then introduced Randy Jones, architect with OWPR, who would
review the site plan for the facility.
Mr. Jones advised the project would be located on Route 522 South behind Armel
Elementary School with the site entrance located on Route 522. The project would be phased
and would include:
- 9,000 square feet of office building, which would be LEED certified;
- 25- 26,000 square feet of garage /repair building;
- 7,000 square feet for the bus wash.
Mr. Jones noted the majority of the project would be site work.
Minute Book Number 36
Board of Supervisors and Frederick County Finance Committee Budget Work Session of 02/23/11
219
Assistant Superintendent Orndorff noted the projected cost of the facility is $14 million.
Supervisor Fisher stated he hated paying taxpayer dollars for LEED certified because that
increases the cost by about 5 %.
There being no further discussion, the work session adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
Richard C. Shickle Xlerk, y, Jr.
Chairman, Board of Supervisors of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By: C C -.-
Jay k Tibbs
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book Number 36
Board of Supervisors and Frederick County Finance Committee Budget Work Session of 02/23/11