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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 20, 2006 Work Session 330 A Worksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Wednesday, February 20, 2006, at 8:00 A.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice Chairman Bill M. Ewing; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Gary W. Dove; Gene E. Fisher; Philip A. Lemieux; and Barbara E. Van Osten. OTHERS PRESENT Treasurer C. William Orndoff, Jr.; Commissioner of the Revenue Ellen Murphy; County Administrator John R. Riley, Jr.; Deputy County Administrator Jay E. Tibbs; Finance Director Cheryl B. Shiffler; Budget Analyst Jennifer Place; Dr. William C. Dean, Superintendent Frederick County Public Schools; Lisa Frye, Finance Director, Frederick County Public Schools; and Fire & Rescue Director Gary DuBrueler. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Shickle called the meeting to order. Administrator Riley advised that the purpose of this meeting was to try to bring the budget process to closure. He then reviewed the summary of cuts and additions: Cuts: - Ambulance and Rescue Contributions - Firefighter positions and related equipment - Merit and COLA reductions - Fire Programs Funds - Virginia Two-for-Life Funds ( 20,000) (300,000) (500,000) ( 76,457) ( 32,198) Additions: - Reinstate NW Works full request - Reinstate Library full fund request Social Services request - local share - Debt Service for Courthouse Renovations - Commissioner of the Revenue changes 4,990 29,661 239,043 137,969 12,971 Administrator Riley advised that the question of a new copier for the Planning Department was raised, but was not included in the proposed budget. He went on to say that staff would try to address this need in the current budget through the Operational Contingencies line item. With regard to the request from the Public Works Director for a civil engineer, staff has looked at the amount offees collected by the Department of Planning & Development which amount Miuute Book Number 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksessiou of 02120106 331 to $900,000. The salaries for the Planning Department are $650,000. The Public Works Director's justification for this position states that there will be an estimated demand of 4,000 review hours. If this position is not funded then those review duties fall to the Public Works Director and Deputy Director, whieh will be in addition to their current duties. The consequence could be a turuaround time of 120 days versus the current 60 days. Administrator Riley also reviewed the number for Fire & Rescue overtime for 2005, 2006, and 2007. With the addition of the new personnel, Fire & Rescue overtime should decrease from $252,155 in 2006 to $145,000 in 2007. Supervisor Dove asked what the Board consensus was with regard to the Fire Program Funds and Two-for-Life Funds. Administrator Riley stated that those monies would go back into the Fire & Rescue budget and not to the Association's budget. Supervisor Dove advised that he would have a problem with cutting the Association more without talking to the members first. Chainnan Shickle asked what led staff in the direction of cutting those funds. Administrator Riley responded that was what staff took away from the Board's discussion at last week's work session. Vice Chairman Ewing asked if those monies would be spent on the same projects. Administrator Riley advised that the funds have to be spent in a certain manner. In the past, the Association has spent them on small capital projects. He went on to say that the treasurer for the Association requires the companies to submit all receipts to her before the monies are distributed. The same objective could be accomplished by having the funds pass through the Fire & Rescue budget. Supervisor Van Osten asked if the Fire & Rescue Department had statTto handle this. Fire & Rescue Director Gary DuBrueler responded that the department has to do it anyway. Vice Chairman Ewing asked ifthe money would still be distributed equally to the companies. Administrator Riley advised that is what has been occurring. Treasurer Orndoff advised that part of the reason for putting these monies in the Fire & Rescue budget was due to growth in the different areas of the county and this would be an Minute Book Nnmber 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/20/06 332 opportunity for the County to offset some of its costs. He went on to say that according to the Code a/Virginia, the County should have some oversight of these funds. He further stated that he was not sure the County needed to continue the same process as the numbers begin to grow. Supervisor Dove stated that he was opposed to changing the way things are currently being done without first having any discussion with the Association. Supervisor DeHaven stated that he was concerned when there was a duplication of efforts, but felt there should be some discussion. He believed the money should be added back into the budget in some way. Chairman Shickle requested Administrator Riley put the funds back into the budget and to seck a review by the Finance Committee for a disbursement method. Administrator Riley agreed to the request. Chairman Shickle asked Vice Chairn1an Ewing to make sure the Fire and Rescue Association was involved in the disbursement discussions held by the Finance Committee. He then asked Administrator Riley if the Board was meeting its commitment regarding raises. Administrator Riley responded yes. Finance Director Shiffler summarized the proposed budget: Scenario D with the County's $5.1 million reduced by about $400,000. School Debt fund to be $415, III with the extra to be transferred to the School Opcrating budget. Fund school capital budget through proffers. Advertise the full capital request. Finance Director Shiffler asked what the Board wanted to do with the General Fund savings. Supervisor Dove stated that he would like to see it used to reduce fund balance. Supervisor Van Osten stated that she would like to see those funds put towards the school's budget in order to keep the team planning period, additional teachers, etc. Supervisor DeHaven stated that he would prefer to return the money to Fund Balance, but would also like to see the Board add a transportation line item and possibly provide some additional funding to the schools. Vice-Chairman Ewing and Supervisor Lcmiuex stated that they would like to see some of the money put towards transportation. Minute Book Nnmber 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/20/06 333 After further discussion, the Board agreed to fund a transportation line item in the amount of $250,000 with the remainder, approximately $150,000, to go toward Fund Balance. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 A.M. ~ c 9.. 0'--.0 . I Richard C. Shickle Chairman, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: en D 1 [', '-t~/ Jay E. fij;j';{J Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 31 Board of Supervisors Budget W orksessiou of 02/20/06