February 29 2016 Budget Work Session with FinanceCom Minutes-zss�
A Budget Work Session of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and Finance
Committee was held an Wednesday, February 29, 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; BIaine P. Dunn;
Robert A. Hess; Judith McCann - Slaughter; and Robert W. Wells.
ABSENT
Gary A. Lofton.
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. Shiffler; Assistant Finance Director
Sharon Kibler; Budget Analyst Jennifer Place; County Attorney Rod Williams; Public
Information Officer Karen Vacchio; Superintendent of Schools Dx. David Bovine; Assistant
Superintendent of Administration Dr. Al Orndorff; School Board Members Dr. John Lamanna,
Mike Lake, and Frank Wright; 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 advised the first item far the meeting was a discussion wish the
Sheriff regarding staffing levels and Compensation Board support.
Sheriff Millholland advised that he has 65 Compensation Board positions that are paid by
the Compensation $oard; however, his total number of positions is 130. He noted the additional
65 positions had nothing to do with what the Compensation Board gives him. The non -
compensation Board positions were comprised of investigators, animal control officers, school
resource officers. He concluded by saying that answering calls for service was not theoretically
in the Compensation Board standards.
Supervisor Slaughter asked if the department was where it needed to be based on the
population criteria of one position per 1,500 people.
Minute Book Number 41
Sward of Supervisors Budget Work Session with
Finance Committee on 02/29/16
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Sheriff Millholland responded if the department was at the Compensation Board
standards then they would not be giving him seven more positions. He noted the seven positions
would be deputies.
The Board thanked Sheriff Millholland for the additional information.
Administrator Garton reviewed a new proposed budget scenario. She began by advising
the Governor signed the County's transient 'occupancy tax bill. She then reviewed the new
scenario which included an 8 cent real estate tax increase. She noted this scenario also included
an additional $28,000 in revenue from the Compensation Board for the Commonwealth's
Attorney's office. She noted there were two 8 cent scenarios. One scenario funded seven Fire &
Rescue positions and six Sheriffl s positions. The second scenario funded 11 Fire and Rescue
positions and reduced the Sheriff s positions to 4, Scenario B also provided an additional
$800,000 to Frederick County schools for new buses associated with the opening of the
replacement Fredexick County Middle School. She concluded by saying,she was seeking Board
direction on the Transient Occupancy Tax rate and a real estate tax rate to advertise.
The Board's consensus was to increase the transient occupancy tax. by 0.5 %.
The Board discussed the real estate tax rate to advertise.
Supervisor Hess stated the last two years the advertised tax rate had been low and that,
for purposes of discussion, he did not see any harm in advertising a $0.12 rate, but he wanted to
make it clear this was not the final rate.
Supervisor Fisher was not comfortable advertising a rate the Board would not adopt. He
stated he could not support advertising a higher number because it gives false expectations.
Chairman DeHaven advised that he had communicated with Supervisor Lofton, who was
ill and could not attend the meeting, and was told he had no concern advertising a rate up to
$0.10.
Mr, Ewing stated he supported Supervisor Fisher's comments. He noted that he did not
like to advertise a rate that would increase expectations. He stated he would support advertising
$0.08, but, if he had a vote, would vote for a lower rate.
Mrs. Rudolph stated she agreed with Administrator Gorton's comments about advertising
a higher rate because it would give some flexibility. She noted that even at $0.08 the budget was
still tight in addressing critical needs. She stated she would like to see the rate advertised at
$0.12, but she could go with $0.10.
Minute Baok Number 41
Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session with
Finance Committee on ®2/29116
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Supervisor Wells stated he would like to see the rate advertised at $0.10.
Supervisor Dunn stated he was inclined to agree with Supervisor Fisher's comments.
Supervisor Slaughter concurred with Supervisor Fisher. She did not agree with
advertising a "pie in the sky" rate that the Board was not going to adapt. She stated the most she
would advertise would be $0,06, She then offered a proposal fora $0.05 tax increase, which
would take $2 million from Fund Balance and would provide an additional $1.6 million in
revenue to be split between the schools ($912,000) and the county ($680,000 }.
Chairman DeHaven expressed support for advertising a slightly higher rate than the
Board would approve.
Supervisor Fisher stated he liked Supervisor Slaughter's proposal.
Treasurer Qrndoff presented a proposal fora $0,04 tax increase. He stated he could live
with an advertised rate of $0.06.
budget.
Mr. Ewing stated he had a proposal fora $0.045 tax increase to meet the $0.06 proposed
Chairman DeHaven palled the Board regarding a proposed tax rate.
Supervisors Fisher and Slaughter were okay with advertising a $0.06 increase..
Supervisor Dunn expressed support far a $0.03 increase, but would be willing to
advertise $0.06.
$0.10.
Chairman DeHaven and Supervisors Hess and Wells supported advertising. $0.08.
Chairman DeHaven stated that Supervisor Lofton was supportive of advertising up to
The Board's consensus was to advertise $0.08.
Chairman DeHaven suggested staff look at the calendar for possible dates for the Board
to get back together as soon as possible after March 23, 2016.
There being no further discussion, the work session was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
�x ----.
Charles S, DeHaven, Jr.
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
rends G, Garton
Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By: �.. `� �
Jay . Ti bs
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book Number 41
Board of Supervisors Budget Work session with
Finance Committee on 02/29/16