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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 15 2015 Minutes of Budget Work Session with Finance Com282 A Budget Work Session of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 8:30 a.m., in the First Floor Conference Room, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. PUF V.UN r Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice - Chairman Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Gene E. Fisher; Robert A. Hess; Gary A. Lofton; and Robert W. Wells, ABSENT Jason E, Ransom. OTHERS PRESENT Finance Committee members Bill M. Ewing and Judith McCann - Slaughter; Roderick B. Williams, Interim- County Administrator; Kris C. Tierney, Assistant County Administrator; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; Commissioner of the Revenue Ellen Murphy; Treasurer C. William Orndoff, Jr.; Finance Director Cheryl Shiffler; Assistant Finance Director Sharon Kibler; Budget Analyst Jennifer Place; Fire Chief Dennis Linaburg; Sheriff Robert T. Williamson; HR Director Paula Nofsinger; and Ann White, Operations and Business Manager for Handley Regional Library. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Shickle called the work session to order. Finance Director Shiffler provided a brief recap of what had been done to date. She noted there was $8.8 million in new revenue with the General Fund's share of that amount being $3.7 million. Most of those funds were used to fund positions in Social Services and'Fire and Rescue after the FY15 budget process had closed. The remainder of those funds was used to implement the salary survey, pay debt service on the Round Hill Fire Station. She noted the Board approved the use of an additional $3 million in Fund Balance funding, with approximately $1,3 million representing the General Fund share. Those dollars were allocated for Sheriffs Department and Fire &. Rescue positions. She noted the School Board planned to give a division average increase of 5.5% to their employees. She advised that staff had met with representatives from the jail,,Social Services, and department heads and staff had located dollars to give a 4% to 5% salary increase. Some of this money became available through recognized savings in healthcare costs and salary savings following retirements. She advised that Handley Library was still in the budget, but their funding did not include a supplement to address the request for Minute Book lumber 40 Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with Finance Committee on 04/15/15 283. increased hours. She concluded by asking if there were any other changes that need to be reviewed in the budget. Supervisor Hess stated he would like to talk about funding for the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional. Commission. Supervisor Fisher stated that he thought $3,500 for BIue Ridge Legal Services was a small amount to pay for what that agency does. Ms. McCann - Slaughter stated she believed part of the reason this group's funding was cut last year was because the legal community did not contribute to the Services' operation. After a brief discussion about Blue Ridge Legal Services and their funding sources, Supervisor Fisher withdrew his request. Vice - Chairman DeHaven suggested a contribution be looked at in the future versus trying to back it into a budget request. Chairman Shickle asked staff to advise Blue Ridge Legal Services that there is interest in pursuing a conversation at a later date. The Board and committee discussed the request from Handley Library to reinstate Thursday hours. Supervisor Wells advised that it would tape approximately $79,000 to reinstate the Thursday hours at the library. Supervisor Hess did not disagree with considering this request, but thought it should be revisited at another time since the budget process was this far along. Supervisor Wells suggested considering it in the fall. He went on to say that he felt the money identified by the County for Thursday hours should be used to operate the library on Thursday. Chairman Shickle suggested Handley Regional Library go to a Joint Finance Committee in the early fall. He asked the Board to express its support or non - support of looking at the Thursday hours. Supervisor Lofton stated that if Frederick County gives its share of the Thursday hour's contribution and the other jurisdictions do not then "we didn't get there ". Vice - Chairman DeHaven supported Supervisors Wells' desire to address this issue; however, he was not comfortable directing Handley Regional Library on how to spend money coming to them. He concluded by saying that it seems we will be looking at this item in the fall. Minute Book Number 40 Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with Finance Committee on 04/15115 Chairman Shickle stated he was supportive of the library and he was not sure he disagreed with their strategy of reducing hours in order to meeting budget.. Supervisor Hess stated the Board would have to look at this request and what other items are out there and what funding is available. Mr. Ewing stated that looking at this request in the fall will allow us to know what other localities have done regarding funding. Supervisor Wells stated he had no problem waiting until the fall to look at this again. Chairman Shickle advised the library representative that there was reluctance to do anything as part of the budget process, but the door was not shut. He went on to say the Board would look at what the other jurisdictions do and would revisit this matter in the fall, if they do something. Supervisor Hess spoke regarding the funding of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission and stated that regional cooperation is important and a domino effect could start if we do not fund our share. Vice- Chairman DeHaven stated he had no objection to discussing, but he wished it had occurred earlier. Supervisor Lofton stated that reviewing these requests prior to the full -blown budget process would be optimal to him. Supervisor Hess stated his preference would be to fund it. He went on to say if the Board takes the approach of looking at funding requests in the fall then he would not have a problem with that. The take away items for further discussion were: - Planning and philosophical discussion regarding the budget; - Fund balance policy; - Handley Regional Library; and - Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission. Supervisor Fisher suggested staff look at what it costs the county to provide meeting space to outside groups and the need for a use of public facilities policy, because there is a cost associated with room set -up, clean -up, utilities, etc. Chairman Shickle asked Supervisor Fisher to begin this discussion with the Public Works Committee. Minute Book number 40 Board of supervisors Budget Work Session with Finance Committee on 04/15/15 i There being; no further business, the work session was adjourned at 9:25 A.M. Richard C. Shickle Roderick B. Williams Chairman, Board of Supervisors Interim Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: F- , . - I Jay E. 'ib s Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 40 Board of Supervisors Budget Work 'Session with Finance Committee on 04115/15