February 22 2016 Budget Work Session with FinanceCom Minutes�4s
A Budget Work Session of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and
Finance Committee was held on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 6:00 F.M., in the Board of
Supervisors' Meeting Room, 147 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT
Chairman Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Vice - Chairman Gene E. Fisher; Blaine F. Duna;
Robert A. Hess; Judith McCann - Slaughter; and Robert W. Wells.
ABSENT:
Gary A. Lofton (Arrived at 6:15 P.M.}
OTHERS PRESENT
Finance Committee members Angela Rudolph and Bill M. Ewing; County Administrator
Brenda G. Garton; Asslstant County Administrator Kris C. Tierney; Deputy County
Administrator Jay E. Tibbs; Commissioner of the Revenue Ellen Murphy; Treasurer
C. William Orndoff, Jr.; Finance Director Cheryl B. Sniffler; Assistant Finance Director
Sharon Kibler; Budget Analyst Jennifer Flace; County Attorney Rod Williams; Superintendent
of Schools Dr. David Sovine; School Board Members Mike Lake, Peggy Clark, and
Frank Wright; Executive Director of Finance for Frederick County Public Schools Lisa. Frye;
Handley Regional Library Director John Huddy; and Helen Lake.
CALL 'T`4 QRDER
Chairman. DeHaven called the work session to order.
Administrator Garton began by reviewing the materials that were distributed to include
revised tax rate scenarios, position allocation chart,. County capital requests, and outside agency
requests.
With regard to the revised tax rate scenarios, Administrator Garton advised that she had
added a column reflecting a $0.12 tax increase, which would increase the school's portion of the
tax. revenue. She advised that she would like to have some discussion on a proposal to increase
the personal property tax rate on airplanes. She stated it was suggested that the rate be increased
from $0.01 to $1.00, which would add about $75,040 in new revenue. With regard to the
transient occupancy tax rate, should the county's proposed legislation allowing the cap to be
raised pass, she recommended considering raising the rate from 2 °fo to 2.5 %, which would
generate approximately $130,400, which could he used to fund tourism.
Minute Book Number 4l
Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with
Finance Committee on 02122/lb
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Supervisor Hess asked staff to try to identify some other expenditures, which could be
categorized as tourism and then increase the rate to more than .5 °lo to pay for Them.
Administrator Garton advised the Board that unless she was directed otherwise she would
be proposing a budget with a tax increase.
Vice- Chairman Fisher stated he could not support an increase in the personal property tax
rate on airplanes. He went on to say the airport was an economic development tool and this
increase could have a negative effect.
Supervisor Wells expressed his support for the airport. as an economic development tool.
Commissioner Murphy advised that the reduction in the tax rate to $0.01 a few years ago
had not resulted in a change in the number of aircraft at the airport.
Chairman DeHaven stated he was opposed to a jump to $1.00 but he was open to
discussion.
Supervisor Lofton wanted a tax on pleasure aircraft that would make help to make the
airport viable. He went on to say that he felt that rate should be $1.00.
Vice - Chairman Fisher did not. support changing the rate.
Chairman DeHaven stated he would be okay with $0.50.
Mr. Ewing stated he could support $1.00 because pleasure aircraft needed to pay for
some use of the airport.. He acknowledged that $75,000 was not a lot of money, but was more of
a principle. He concluded by saying he would support $1.00 for advertising purposes.
Supervisor Wells supported $1,00.
Supervisor Dunn suggested going back to the prior rate of $0.42.
Supervisor Hess supported $1.00, but he understood the importance of the airport from an
economic development standpoint.
Supervisor Slaughter stated she would like to have more information regarding planes
and fuel sales. She went onto say that she was not disagreeing that this was a fairness issue.
Supervisor Lofton stated he would like to have the EDA see what affect having an airport
has on business location decisions. He concluded by saying chat compared to other personal
property and pleasure vehicles the tax rate seems out of balance.
Supervisor Dunn stated that he would like to see something put in this budget for debt
reduction and he would like to see that money put against the principle in order to bring down
costs,
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Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with
Finance Committee an 42/22/16
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Administrator Garton reviewed the position allocation chart, which was
for approval by the HR Committee.
Administrator Garton then reviewed the County's capital requests.
Supervisor Dunn expressed support for funding the school's critical needs of $4.1, but he
did not agree with funding the county side at this time.
The Board briefly reviewed the outside agency requests to include thane agencies with an
MOU or funding formula. They recommended not funding any new requests and no increases for
those without a formula ox MOU.
Chairman DeHaven opened the work session for Board comments.
Supervisor Dunn stated he might agree with a tax increase, but would like to see $5
million toward debt only.
Supervisor Hess hoped to advertise a higher rate than in the past as that would give time
for additional discussion,
There being no further discussion, the work session was adjourned at 7:27 P.M.
- -�
Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
renda G. Garton
Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minates Prepared By; '� �, `r
Jay E. ilk, s
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
MinuCe Book Number 41
Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with
1 <inance Committee on 02/22/16