March 3 2021 Board Budget Work Session Minutes 282
MINUTES
BUDGET WORK SESSION
FREDERICK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021
5:30 P.M.
BOARD ROOM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES
Board of Supervisors: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr,, Chairman; Blaine P. Dunn; Judith
McCann-Slaughter; J. Douglas McCarthy; David D, Stegmaier; and Robert W, Wells were present.
Shawn L. Graber was absent.
Finance Committee Citizen Members: Angela L. Rudolph-Wiseman; Jeffrey S. Boppe;
and Gary R. Oates
School Board and Staff Members present: Michael Lake, Board Member; Frank Wright,
Board Member; Dr. David Sovine, Superintendent; Dr. Al Orndorff, Assistant Superintendent; Dr,
James Angelo, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction; Patty Camery, Executive Director of
Finance; and Kristen Anderson, FCPS Budget Supervisor;
County Administration Staff present: Kris C. Tierney, County Administrator; Jay E.
Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; Erin Swisshelm; Assistant County Attorney; Cheryl Shiffler,
Director of Finance; Jennifer Place, Risk Manager/Budget Analyst; Sharon Kibler, Assistant
Director of Finance; Bill Omdoff, Treasurer; Seth Thatcher, Commissioner of the Revenue; Sheriff;
Steve Majchrzak, Fire Chief; Karen Vacchio, Public Information Officer; Scott Varner, Director of
Information Technology;Jason Robertson, Director of Parks and Recreation;Wayne Corbett, Chief
Deputy Treasurer; Candice Perkins,Assistant Planning Director; and Ann W. Phillips, Deputy Clerk
to the Board of Supervisors.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
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Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session of March 3, 2021
County of Frederick, Virginia
283
SCHOOL BUDGET DISCUSSION
Dr. Sovine reviewed his proposed budget noting that 85%, about $8.3 million, of the
proposed funds were intended for salary and benefits.
Vice Chairman Wells and Dr. Sovine discussed the proposed new positions of Equity
Diversity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator. Dr. Sovine explained the equity initiative.
Supervisor Stegmaier and Dr. Sovine discussed the tiered system of support under the
equity initiative and the County's graduation rates.
Supervisor McCarthy, Dr. Sovine, and Ms, Camery discussed possible state funds for a
5% salary increase for school staff, funding for pre-school programs, and the option to focus on
salaries instead of new programs.
Supervisor Dunn, Dr. Sovine, and Dr, Orndorff discussed the difference between School
Security Officers and School Resource officers
Supervisor Dunn and Dr, Sovine discussed funds spent on initial plans for a fourth high
school, the need for pre-school programs, the need for the Deep Equity program, and changes in
school building capacity rates.
Finance Committee Member Oates and Dr. Sovine discussed the growth of the student
population.
Commissioner of the Revenue Thatcher, Dr. Sovine, and Dr, Orndorff discussed the most
recent capacity review.
DISCUSSION OF MEALS TAX IMPLEMENTATION
Mr. Thatcher said after conferring with the Treasurer and the staff in the Commissioner's
office, he suggests allowing six months after notice of a meals tax increase before implementation.
Should an increase be approved, he suggested that January 1 would be the optimal start date,
Supervisor Dunn inquired if the tax increase could be implemented sooner than six months. I
Mr. Thatcher said it can be done but year-end would be more favorable to the affected businesses.
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Minute Book 46
Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session of March 3, 2021
County of Frederick, Virginia
284
REMARKS FROM THE TREASURER
Treasurer Orndoff offered remarks encouraging the Board to provide salary increases to
County employees in light of no increase being given the previous year, the staff's performance
during the pandemic, and the favorable state of both County revenues and the fund balance.
BUDGET SCENARIO OVERVIEW
Mr. Tierney reviewed the updated budget scenarios.
Vice Chairman Wells spoke in favor of Scenario D2.
Committee Member Oates spoke in favor of Scenario D2.
Supervisor McCarthy spoke in favor of the earlier implementation of the meals tax increase
and in support of Scenario D2.
Supervisor Slaughter spoke in favor of Scenario D2.
Supervisor Dunn spoke in favor of Scenario Al citing effect tax increases over the years.
He stated the need for a funding source besides the real estate tax rate.
The Board and staff discussed funding the reserve fire engines.
Supervisor Stegmaier spoke in favor of Scenario D2 adding that his constituents are
pleased with County services.
Chairman DeHaven relayed Supervisor Graber's remarks in favor of Scenario A and his
continued desire for a joint meeting with the School Board,
Chairman DeHaven spoke in favor of Scenario D2,
OTHER ITEMS
Supervisor Dunn stated his desire to assist the volunteer companies to aid in the County's
ability to respond.
Supervisor Dunn said that Supervisor Graber should be reimbursed for funds spent on his
FOIA requests to the Schools.
Mr. Thatcher confirmed that a meals tax increase could be implemented on October 1 if
the Board desires.
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Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session of March 3, 2021
County of Frederick, Virginia
285
The Board agreed by consensus to direct staff to advertise the tax rates as specified in
Scenario D2.
ADJOURN
At 7:35 p,m,, Chairman DeHaven adjourned the meeting.
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Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. Kris C. Tierney
Chairman, Board of Supervisors Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By:
Ann W. Phillips
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book 46
Board of Supervisors Budget Work Session of March 3, 2021
County of Frederick, Virginia