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February 24 2016 Budget Work Session with FinanceCom Minutes2a4 A Budget Work Session of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 6:00 P.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. PRESENT Chairman Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Vice - Chairman Gene E. Fisher; Blaine P. Dunn; Robert A. Hess; Gary A. Lofton; and Judith McCann - Slaughter. ABSENT Robert W. Wells (Arrived at 6.10 P.1WI.). OTHERS PRESENT Finance Committee members Angela Rudolph and Bill M. Ewing; County Administrator Brenda G. +Garton; Assistant 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 Place; County Attorney Rod Williams; Public Information ©fficer Karen Vecchio; Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Bovine; Assistant Superintendent of Administration Dr. Al Orndorff; School Board Members Dr. John Lamanna and Mike Lake; and Executive Director of finance for Frederick County Public Schools Lisa Frye. CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeHaven called the work session to order. Administrator Garton gave a brief overview of her proposed FY2017 budget. The proposal contained a proposed $0.08 real estate tax increase and an increase in the transient occupancy tax. She reviewed the positions proposed to be funded under this plan and discussed the local dollars for schools. She advised that she was looking for direction regarding the personal property tax rate on airplanes. planes. Supervisor Dunn stated he would be comfortable with a rate that does not drive out Vice- Chairran Fisher recommended not changing the rate at this time. Supervisor Slaughter concurred with Vice - Chairman Fisher. She went on to say that if the Board were to increase the tax rate, but lose fuel sales then it could result in no gain or maybe lost revenue. Minnte Book Number 4l Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with Finance Committee on 0212411G �5a Supervisor Lofton noted the Board did not study the rate when they decided to decrease it. Lowering the rate has not shown any improvement and he wished we had taken the time to study it when it was reduced the last time. He concluded by saying that he would like to see some action on this going forward. The Board's consensus was to take this proposal off of the table for this year but look at is again next year. Supervisor Dunn stated there were some things in the budget that he really liked, but he was concerned that we have $120 million in debt coming along in the next five years. He was concerned about continuing tax increases. He went on to say if the Board could put $5 million in a fund over the next five years it would have $25 million to put towards the payment of the next school. He concluded by saying he would prefer that any extra money be used to pay down bonds, if possible. Supervisor Hess agreed with Supervisor Dunn's concern of possible debt down the road, but he would rather set aside money to reduce future borrowing costs. Supervisor Lofton noted that historically the County has mirrored Frederick County Schools regarding raises. With that in mind, he thought the proposed raise should be 2.6% instead of 3 %, He went an to say that, according to the State Compensation Board, Frederick County has double the amount of recommended road and court deputies. He noted the Comp Board was not carrying the costs of the approved positions. He went on to say he was not sure where the discrepancy was ox why there was a discrepancy. He concluded by saying he could not recommend funding any new deputy positions for the Sheriffls Department. Supervisor Dunn stated that after giving the matter -same additional thought he would recommend cutting the Sheriff's Department and Fire and Rescue position requests by half, based on the need. He suggested that they should have to come back next year to get the other positions created. With regard to school funding, Supervisor Dunn stated that if the schools have significant capital needs this year he thought the Board should mane away from the historic split of 57 %- 43% in order to address the school needs. Administrator Garton stated her final item was getting a consensus from the Board regarding the proposed increase in the transient occupancy tax rate. The Board's consensus was to go with a 0.05% increase. Minute Book Number 41 Board of Supervisors Budget W°rk Session with Finance Committee °n 62/24/16 ��� There being no further business, the work session v�ras adjourned at 6:50 P.M. �� Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. Chairman, Board of Supervisors renda G. Garton Clerk, Board of Supervisors ��7 Minutes Prepared By: � `` �° Jay E. ib �� Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 41 Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with Finance Committee on 02124116