June 20, 2000 Work Session
566
A Worksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and School Board was held
on June 20, 2000, 7:00 P.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, County Administration
Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT
Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice Chairman Charles W. Orndoff, Sr.; W. Harrington
Smith, Jr.; Robert M. Sager; Margaret B. Douglas; and Sidney A. Reyes.
School Board
Member-at-Large Cary W. Smith and Opequon District Representative Melanie Mullinax.
Staff
Frederick County Government Administration representatives County Administrator John
R. Riley, Jr.; Assistant County Administrator Lauren G. Carrier; Finance Director Cheryl B. Shiffler;
and Administrative Assistant Cathy L. Tanner. Frederick County School Administration
representatives School Superintendent Dr. William C. Dean; Assistant Superintendent of
Administration Robert W. Cleaver; Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Albert L.
Orndorff; and Finance Director Lisa K. Frye.
Chairman Shickle called the meeting to order and presented the agenda.
REQUEST FROM WINCHESTER REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO
EXTEND INDEPENDENT FISCAL AGENT STATUS - APPROVED
Supervisor Smith presented this request advising the board that the airport needed more time
to finalize procedures before becoming their own fiscal agent. The authority is aiming for a date
of October 1, 2000, to achieve fiscal independence and will be assisted by David Hughes with the
auditing firm of Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates to achieve transition of accounting and financial
functions and Phyliss Katz, human resources attorney with Sands, Anderson, Marks and Miller will
assist the airport in developing a complete personnel program.
Questions were raised regarding the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for the airport and
whether or not they will continue to be in the county's CIP. This will need to be addressed in the
plan that the airport presents for their fiscal independence. Population figures were also addressed
and ifthe Joint Finance Committee (JFC) had changed and/or reviewed funding percentages. Since
the fiscal agent discussions consumed most ofthe time allotted for the JFC meeting, this issue was
not addressed.
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Upon motion made by W. Harrington Smith, Jr., seconded by Robert M. Sager, the
Winchester Regional Airport Authority's request for Frederick County to continue as the fiscal agent
for the Winchester Regional Airport until further notice (aiming for a target date of October 1, 2000
to achieve fiscal independence) was approved by the following recorded vote:
Richard C. Shickle - Aye
Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye
W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye
Robert M. Sager - Aye
Margaret B. Douglas - Aye
Sidney A. Reyes - Aye
REQUEST TO INCLUDE JULY 3 IN ADDITION TO JULY 4 AS A COUNTY
HOLIDAY FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES - APPROVED
County Administrator Riley presented this request to the board. Notice was received from
the Governor that July 3 and 4 would be recognized as official holidays for state employees.
Upon motion made by W. Harrington Smith, Jr.; seconded by Robert M. Sager, this request
was approved by the following recorded vote:
Richard C. Shickle - Aye
Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye
W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye
Robert M. Sager - Aye
Margaret B. Douglas - Aye
Sidney A. Reyes - Aye
SUPERINTENDENT DR. WILLIAM DEAN PRESENTED THE FREDERICK
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SIX YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN
Dr. William Dean presented the Frederick County School Board's Six Year Capital
Improvements Plan dated June 2000. Also included with the CIP were reports summarizing cost
estimates for the capital improvements to include construction cost and debt service estimates;
projected membership in the elementary attendance zones to include practical capacity ranges; and
membership in the schools for the year 1999-2000 as of September 15, 1999 and May 31,2000.
Ten-year enrollment data was to be part ofthe package and will be provided to the board at a later
date. All the school facilities are running out of space due to the growth in population in Frederick
County. The school maintains approximately 22 facilities. The total cost of capital improvements
presented to the board equaled approximately $84 million (with debt service $136,265,129). The
first priorities include a third high school and the renovation of the vacant Robinson Elementary
School for a maintenance/warehouse and the second priority includes the renovation of James Wood
Middle School. Dr. Dean asked the board to accept the CIP, accept the order of priorities and
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schedule of construction, and move quickly to appropriate funds. Dr. Dean was asked to provide
hard copies of the slide presentation to the board as soon as possible.
As a result of the school's CIP, County Administrator Riley addressed the tax rate to fund
the additional debt service. To fund the complete CIP, assumptions were made by the director of
finance and do not include operating costs associated with the CIP and any unbudgeted windfalls.
The proposed tax increase for the FY 2002 year would be 8.5 cents; 12 cents for FY 2004; and 4
cents for FY 2006. These increases are based on no assessment changes and do not reflect growth.
The board was also reminded that the only revenue the board could rely on is the real estate tax and
population growth projections could not safely be determined at this time.
Discussions followed regarding the county administration CIP and the first priority on that
list. A public safety building in the amount of $4 million is needed and is important to the county
and construction plans need to begin soon for this project as well. A review of the projects that will
have to be constructed resulted in the board concentrating on a new public safety building and the
school's two top priorities, the high school and renovation of Robinson Elementary into a
warehouse/transportation facility. The total cost for these three buildings equals $69 million
(includes debt service on two school projects-$58 million for third high school and $7 million for
maintenance/warehouse renovation).
As a result of concentrating on these three facilities, funding options were then discussed.
County Administrator Riley presented information on Literary Loans (assumed at 4%), General
Obligation Bonds, and Virginia Public School Authority bonds (both assumed at 6%). Should the
board decide to ask the public to vote on General Obligation Bonds in November for the debt service
and it fails, there is a two-year waiting period before applying for the VPSA bonds. Concern was
addressed by Dr. Dean that November this year was not enough time to educate the public before
voting on the General Obligation Bonds and felt ifthis was the direction the board wished to take,
a special election in the spring would be more appropriate to present this issue to the voters of
Frederick County. The public safety building would not be eligible for VPSA or Literary Loans and
the board was advised that there are not sufficient funds in reserve to pay for this project. The board
could elect to have all items on the ballot as one question or separate questions to include each
project. Included in the question would be thc estimated tax increase to the citizens. Should the
board elect to go this November to the voters, action by the board will be necessary no later than
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their first meeting in August to get this issue to the circuit court for placement on the ballot. The
VPSA bonds do not require the aforementioned procedure.
Dr. Dean stated that the only way the county could discontinue the need for additional
schools is for the board to stop approving building permits. For every building permit issued, the
school projects .4 children as new school population for the county. Chairman Shickle asked that
the record show that the board of supervisors does not approve buildings permits. Building permits
include everything from an electrical upgrade to building additions. Residential housing starts are
created by a matter of right and are requested by zoning.
The board asked that the school's CIP plan be presented at the next regular meeting ofthe
board of supervisors (July 12).
As there was no further business to come before this board, the meeting adjourned at 8:51
P.M.
...
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Richard C. Shickle
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By: ~// cV~~---
Cath-;;r- Tanner
Administrative Assistant
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