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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 23 2019 Board Budget Work Session MinutesMINUTES Frederick County Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session Wednesday, January 23, 2019 5:30 p.m. First Floor Conference Room, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA ATTENDEES Board of Supervisors: Chairman Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Vice Chairman Gary A. Lofton; Blaine P. Dunn; Judith McCann -Slaughter; J. Douglas McCarthy; Shannon G. Trout; and Robert W. Wells were present. Staff present: Kris C. Tierney, County Administrator; C. William Orndoff, Jr., Treasurer; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; Roderick B. Williams, County Attorney; Cheryl B. Shiffler, Finance Director; Jennifer Place, Budget Analyst; Sharon Kibler, Assistant Finance Director; Michael Marciano, Human Resources Director; Scott Varner, IT Director; Mike Ruddy, Planning Department Director; Karen Vacchio, Public Information Officer; Lenny Miilholland, Sheriff; Denny Linaburg, Fire & Rescue Chief; Jason Robertson, Director of Parks & Recreation; Seth Thatcher, Assessor; and Ann W. Phillips, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Finance Committee Members present: Jeffrey Boppe CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S BUDGET UPDATE Mr. Tierney reviewed the decision at the previous meeting to advertise the reassessment at the current tax rate and provided a brief listing of funding priorities for the Board's consideration. He highlighted various options using the current real estate tax rate of $0.61 per $100 of assessed value versus the revenue neutral tax rate of $0.58 per $100 of assessed value. He noted that if the reassessment is not used, the 55 new requested positions will not be funded. He also discussed the use of contingency funds to purchase replacement vehicles for those found eligible via the adopted Vehicle Replacement Matrix. He noted the potential additional revenue after the first tax billing if the reassessment is used, the possible use of unreserved fund balance, and the possible use of the Debt Reduction/Capital Fund. He asked the Board for their input on future discussion items. Mr. Tierney and the Board discussed the six Fire and Rescue positions funded in the current budget that have not been filled. Supervisor Trout requested clarification on the IT Switch request. Mr. Varner explained the necessary hardware upgrade for the County -wide network adding that this is the second year of a three-year upgrade. FIRE AND RESCUE BUDGET OVERVIEW Chief Linaburg outlined the dependence on volunteers, the decline in volunteers, increased call volume, and the need for increased staffing and infrastructure upgrades. He noted the recently completed Fire and Rescue Study calls for more staff and highlighted some of the new positions being requested including: Assistant Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Marshal, additional shift supervisors, Minute Book 44 Board of Supervisors Work Session of 1123119 County of Frederick, Virginia 170 EMS Captain, and additional firefighters. He noted a currently underway radio study. The Board and Chief Linaburg discussed the new Assistant Chief position. Supervisor Dunn noted the need to review radio needs for the fire departments. Mr. Tierney said the radio need has been a long-standing issue with various local safety departments not being able to communicate. He said a comprehensive communication study is on -going. He said that it would be preferable to wait for the study's completion, probably in February, before allocating funds for radios. Chief Linaburg agreed with Mr. Tierney that waiting for the study's results is preferred. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEW Sheriff Millholland reviewed his budget requests as nine School Resource Officers (allowing one in each school), nine patrol units, three civil deputies, and two investigators. He discussed the vehicles needing replacement as specified on the Vehicle Replacement Matrix, and the current availability to replace those from existing vehicle dealer stock. He highlighted increased call volume noting it is up 5.5% over last year. The Sheriff and the Board discussed the need for a School Resource Officer in each school. Supervisor Wells noted his preference for School Resource Officers rather than unarmed School Safety Officers in each school in today's society. Vice Chairman Lofton said the schools could contract with private security firms rather than using County deputies. Supervisor Trout said the School Resource Officers do much in the way of keeping students in check In addition to keeping students safe. The Sheriff highlighted the training, outfitting, and duty differences between School. Resource Officers and school sanctioned School Safety Officers. Vice Chairman Lofton said that for protection, contracted officers would suffice, CONTINGENCY FUNDS APPROVED FOR VEHICLE REPLACEMENT The Sheriff and the Board discussed the vehicles needing replacement. The Board agreed by consensus that contingency funds be used to purchase replacements for the vehicles identified on the Vehicle Replacement Matrix. At the Sheriff's request, the Board agreed to consider replacing an additional three Crown Victorias that are identified on the Matrix as "Qualifies for Replacement." DIRECTIVES FOR MORE INFORMATION Supervisor Trout asked how much from fund balance would be needed to fund the positions requested by the Sheriff and Fire Chief. Mr. Tierney noted that typically fund balance is used for one-time capital expenses rather than ongoing expenses. Supervisor Slaughter asked for a comparison of fund balance to the current capital request. Supervisor Dunn noted his concern about using fund balance, or rainy -day funds, for operations. Supervisor Trout noted the frequent use of a band -aid approach. She said with the continuing growth in the County, the only real option is to raise taxes in order to meet the citizens' needs. Minute Book 44 Board of Supervisors Work Session of 1123119 County of Frederick, Virginia 171 Supervisor Dunn said he is not in favor of a tax increase but would prefer proffer revisions or impact fees. Vice Chairman Lofton said that Loudoun County continues to grow even with taxes double that of Frederick County. Supervisor McCarthy said raising taxes is not a deterrent and that new residents still move in, but long-term residents are moving out to areas with a lower cost of living. Supervisor Dunn noted the ongoing attempt to increase the meals tax. ADJOURN There being no further business, the work session was adjourned at 6:51 p.m, Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. Chairman, Board of Supervisors ri C. ' n Clerk, Board o . ors Minutes Prepared By: L /Z �� Ann W. Phillips /v Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book 44 Board of Supervisors Work Session of 1/23119 County of Frederick, Virginia