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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 26, 1997 Regular Meeting 230 A Regular Meeting of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on March 26, 1997, at 7:15 P.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. PRESENT: Chairman James L. Longerbeam; Vice Chairman Richard C. Shickle; W. Harrington Smith, Jr., Charles W. Orndoff, Sr., Robert M. Sager; and Margaret B. Douglas. CALL TO ORDER The Chairman called the meeting to order. INVOCATION In the absence of the scheduled minister, board member Robert M. Sager had the invocation. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Smith requested that the minutes of the meeting of February 26, 1997 be tabled. Upon motion by W. Hanington Smith, Jr., seconded by Charles W. Orndoff, Sr., the agenda was adopted as amended by the following recorded vote: James L. Longerbeam - Aye W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye Margaret B. Douglas - Aye Robert M. Sager - Aye Richard C. Shickle - Aye Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Riley suggested that the Resolution Accepting Bass-Hoover Surplus Property from the Frederick County School Board be approved under consent agenda. Upon motion made by Robert M. Sager, seconded by W. Hanington Smith, Jr., the following resolution was approved: WHEREAS, the Frederick County School Board adopted a resolution on February 18, 1997, declaring the property located adjacent to Bass-Hoover Elementary School to be surplus property; and WHEREAS, said property is that certain lot or parcel ofland containing 10.007 acres, more or less, more particularly described in that certain plat and survey of Douglas C. Legge, L.C., dated November 11, 1996, which plat and survey is attached hereto and made a part hereof, and being the same property conveyed to the County School Board of Frederick County by Deed dated November 24, 1972, which deed is of record in the Clerks Office of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia, in Deed Book 401, at Page 483; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Frederick County Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes Clerk of the Board of Supervisors John R. Riley, Jr., to accept a deed for the above described property adjacent to the Bass-Hoover Elementary School from the School Board on bebalfofthe county. 'I II 11231 PASSED this 26th day of March, 1997. The above motion was approved by the following recorded vote: James L. Longerbeam - Aye W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye Margaret B. Douglas - Aye Robert M. Sager - Aye Richard C. Shickle - Aye Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye Mr. Smith suggested that the Finance Committee Report be approved under consent agenda given the long list of speakers that had requested to address the Board concerning the 1997-98 budget. Upon motion made by W. Harrington Smith, Jr., seconded by Richard C. Shickle, the following Finance Committee Report was approved under consent agenda by the following recorded vote: James L. Longerbeam - Aye W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye Margaret B. Douglas - Aye Robert M. Sager - Aye Richard C. Shickle - Aye Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT - APPROVED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA The Finance Committee met in the County Administration conference area at 107 North Kent Street on Wednesday, March 19, 1997, at 8:00 a.m. Committee members Anita L. Shull and Nicholas 1. Nerangis were not present. The agenda items are as follows: 1. The Finance Director Reviewed the Monthlv Financial Reports for Month Endin2: January 31. 1997 See attached memo, p. 1-3. 2. The Sheriff ReQuests a General Fund Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $1.500 This amount represents grant monies to be received to purchase an additional radar unit. No additional local funds are needed. See attached memo, p. 4-5. The committee recommends approval. 3. The Fire and Rescue Director ReQuests a General Fund Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $1.022.94 This amount represents an insurance reimbursement for a vehicle accident that occurred on February 10, 1997. No additional local funds are needed. See attached copy, p. 6. The com:nittee recommends approval. 4. The Public Works Director ReQuests a General Fund Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $495 232 This amount is needed to pay for the removal and demolition of 11 abandoned vehicles in August 1995. Reimbursement was received in September 1995 for this expense but was not paid out. No additional local funds are needed. See attached memo, p. 7. The committee recommends approval. 5. The Public Works Director Reouests a Budeet Transfer in the Amount of $3.690 This amount is to come from the County Office Buildings department budget and is requested to be placed in the General Engineering department budget. Additional costs related to the renovation of the first and second floors of the county administration building were paid from the Engineering budget and need to be replenished so that requested survey work can be completed. No additional local funds are needed. See attached memo, p. 8. The committee recommends approval of moving the expenditure to the County Office Buildings department budget. This will give the Engineering budget credit and allow for proper reclassification of the expenditure. 6. The Economic Development Director ReQuests a General Fund Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $1.000 This amount represents a donation of$I,OOO from F & M Bank. The Finance Director will discuss whether additional local funds are required. See attached memo, p. 9. The committee recommends approval of giving EDC credit for the revenue but does not recommend any additional expenditure supplemental appropriation. 7. The Re2:ional Jail ReQuests a Ree:ional Jail Fund Bude:et Transfer in the Amount of$16.150 This amount is requested to be transferred from a vacant nursing position to cover additional extra help/overtime expenses and fringe benefits related to this extra help expense. No additional local funds are needed. See attached memo, p. 10. The committee recommends approval and requests information concerning how much of the transfer is related to the vacancy. 8. The School Board Finance Director ReQuests a School Operatine: Bude:et Adiustment in the Amount of $4.247 This amount is needed to cover an additional special education aide. This expense will be offset by excess ADM (Average Daily Membership). No additional local funds are needed. See attached memo, p. II-IS. The committee recommends approval. 9. The Finance Director ReQuests Direction on Funds Sent to the Countv from Trie:on Blue Cross Blue Shield See attached copy, p. 16. The committee recommends a supplemental appropriation to the revenue but did not recommend any additional expenditure appropriations. This will result as an increase in fund balance. 10. The Commonwealth Attornev's Office ReQuests a General Fund Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $207.198 This amount represents funds needed to hire a Clerk Typist, Investigator, and to finish office space in the County Administration building. Additional local funds are necessary. See attached memo, p. 17-26. The committee recommends that the Public Works Committee address the office space issue by doing a space study and any other necessary work; that the Commonwealth Attorney hire a part time Clerk Typist for the remainder ofFY 97 ifhe could absorb the additional costs in his current budget; and that the full time Clerk Typist and Investigator positions will be considered along with the Public Works recommendation as an FY 98 supplemental in the upcoming fiscal year. 11. The Commissioner of the Revenue Presented Current Revenue Estimates on the Reassessment 233 It is estimated that an additional $278,630 will be the potential change in revenue as a result of the reassessment. The committee expressed their intention in reducing the real estate rate to recognize an allowable increase defined by the Code of Virginia. They also expressed opposition on advertising the real estate rate at 60 cents. See attached worksheet, p. 27. The following items were submitted to the board for discussion only: 1. The County recently purchased a new vehicle for the Fire Marshal. The previous vehicle driven by the Fire Marshal, a 1991 Ford Explorer, is being requested from a County fire and rescue station. The options for the Board are: I) The vehicle can be refurbished and be available for use by other County departments. 2) The vehicle can be advertised and sold at the next surplus sale. 3) The value of the vehicle can be given as an appropriation to a charitable organization. 2. The committee recommends that the Fire and Rescue Director obtain engine repair estimates. Ifit is feasible, the repairs will be made and then the vehicle will go to the Commissioner of the Revenue. The following items were submitted for the boards information only: 1. Attached is a current County vehicle listing showing 1996 and total mileage for each vehicle. This information was requested by the Finance Committee. 2. At a prior Finance Committee meeting, Parks and Recreation was instructed to present a report on maintaining Frederick County school atWetic fields. The attached report is for your review and direction. PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997-1998 FOR FREDERICK COUNTY Chairman Longerbeam read the rules of order for the public hearing. Mr. Smith requested that only residents of Frederick County be allowed to speak to the county budget and made the motion noting same. Mr. Sager seconded the motion. The above motion was approved by the following recorded vote: James L. Longerbeam - Aye W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye Margaret B. Douglas - Aye Robert M. Sager - Aye Richard C. Shickle - Aye Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye Mr. Riley and Ms. Shiftler presented a slide presentation explaining the makeup of the county budget and what percentages come from each department. The following citizens appeared before the Board with regard to the budget: 234 Maxine Jacobin. county representative on the Handley Library Board, and resides in Opequon District. She thanked the Board for their commitment on behalf of the county to the Handley Library and briefly summarized the areas in which county residents use the Handley Library. Dave An2evine, Gainesboro District, is interested in quality education being provided in the county and ifit takes a tax increase to achieve this, then he feels a tax increase is in order. He asked the Board to approve the school budget as presented and if a tax increase was needed to do this, then a tax increase should be called for. Winona Arnold, Back Creek District and President of the Frederick County Education Association. Ms. Arnold feels the salaries of Frederick County teachers need to be competitive with neighboring jurisdictions, and that additional teachers are needed. She asked Board to fund the school board budget in it's entirety. Barbara VanOsten, Back Creek District, feels more resources are needed now. The board of supervisors need to return to the budget process, and they need to embrace the future and not the past, and to fund the entire school board budget as presented. Wes Williams, Gainesboro District, asked the Board to fund the school board budget as requested and does not feel the personal property tax should be lowered five cents as he does not feel this small amount will be of that much benefit to the taxpayers. Bob Camenter, Gainesboro District, questioned the board of supervisors as to why they felt they were in a position to judge what the school board needs, and he feels the Board knew from the very beginning exactly what they planned to budget for the schools. Joan Kirsch, Back Creek District, is a parent of student currently enrolled in Robinson Elementary School. She praised Tom Malcolm and his staff She asked that the school board budget be funded as presented and she is willing to pay more taxes in order to give the schools the funding they have requested. Micker Madden. Opequon District, is parent of twin daughters that are currently attending Middletown Elementary School and even though she and her husband teach in the city schools they are happy to have their daughters where they are, but they have concerns such as overcrowding in the classrooms and asked the Board to please give the necessary funding for the school budget. Wallv Kuchv!, Gainesboro District, has concerns about a number of things and five minutes 235 is not enough time to address every issue of concern that he has. He explained to the Board that there is a report, some thirty six pages, that deals with accreditation and the Frederick County '~ Schools that will go into effect in 2001 when twenty-seven credits will be required in order for a student to graduate from high school, and he asked that every board member read this publication. Dr. J. Fred Wal~ Shawnee District, has lived in Frederick County for twenty-nine years. He told the Board that he felt they have inherited some of the problems they are faced with today dealing with the county budget; however, he feels that the parents of the county school children want .. and expect a good education for their children and in order to achieve that the Board must pass the school budget in it's entirety. Kenneth Y. Stiles, Stonewall District, stated that he asked the Board last year to put the school board back on sound budget level and he feels this was done. He feels the proration that was enacted by the previous board of supervisors was wrong. He made the following statement. " 1. Why does Fire and Rescue need an additional full-time secretary 2. He stated that EDC can't manage what they have now, why would they want to be involved in opening a museum in the City of Winchester. 3. The schools have had a 9.5 million dollar increase in 2 years and he feels 37% is wrong and does not see how it can be said that the children are being short changed. 4. He feels the percentage slated to go to the schools is appropriate. Ed Plakosh, Stonewall District, addressed the current situation with the school system and the twenty-three credit cards being used by the school system and he does not feel this is being fiscally responsible. He does not understand the lack of accountability on the part of the schools. Melinda Aleayer-Goita, Stonewall District, feels the entire school board budget should be funded. Pam Ganse, Back Creek District, asked that the school board budget be funded and if taxes needed to be raised in order that this be accomplished, then raise the taxes. Ann Gro~&. Gainesboro District, representing the gifted and talented students. She spoke about the current six periods that are currently being offered and what the school system will have to do in order for the schools to be accredited, and the fact there is not a lot of time left to get this done. Asked that the school board budget be funded as requested. Tom Witt, Back Creek District, he endorses the school board budget as presented. <! 236 Eric E. Wri&ht. Stonewall District, does not feel a 5 cent reduction in personal property tax ~ will really benefit him. He feels he is paying sufficient taxes; however, he also realizes that the school board has their needs. Dick Crane, Stonewall District, feels the personal property is very high and should be lowered twenty-five cents this year and an additional twenty-five cents for the next two years. Did not like the attitude of the Chairman of the School Board about the issue dealing with credit cards. Linda Calev, Back Creek District, feels it is very important for the schools to be accredited and asked that the E~~.C 01 board budget be fully funded. Ron Overstreet, Stonewall District, has two children in the school system, with one being in special education. He asked that the Board fully fund the school budget. Bill Pifer, Gainesboro District, employee of the county Sheriff's Department Find and Research Team. He explained the team involvement in various emergency situations over the last several years and how important funding from the county was in order that the necessary equipment be in place when the team was called to an emergency situation. Debbie LeHew, Shawnee District, has three children attending county schools. She does not feel that throwing money at a situation is always the answer; however, she is concerned about non accredited schools and asked that the 1.6 million be funded, as the funds are available in fund balance and this could be done without a tax increase. Rick Racey. Shawnee District, addressed the issue dealing with the recent credit card issue and the school system. He feels the school board should have had a policy in place and perhaps this latest issue could have been prevented. He is not in favor of a tax increase; however this does not mean he is not in favor of education. Scott Gre2orv, Back Creek District, has two children in school at Robinson Elementary School and would like to see them moved to a modem school. Allen Taylor, Back Creek District, endorses full funding of school board budget. Bruce Armstrone, Back Creek District, has two children in school system. He is tired of having his taxes raised and feels that the developers that have come into the county over the years should have been proffering for the benefit of the schools. David Kirsch, Back Creek District, wants full school board budget funded as he feels the I II II ,\ 'I I I schools need to be fully accredited. Paul Breeden, President of James Wood Middle School PTO, representing approximately 2200 parents and teachers. He asked the Board to fully fund the school board budget. Perry Silva, Opequon District, President County Fire and Rescue representing the volunteers of the county fire and rescue and asked that their budget be funded as requested. Donald W. Luttrell, Opequon District, stated that he appeared before the Board last year and requested that the taxes not be raised, but the Board raised them anyway. He feels the building in this county is out of control as is EDC and referred to Jouan, Inc. and how it was put on the "fast track" by the Board. He feels the personal property tax should be reduced by no less than fifty cents this year. Addressed all the public use vehicles that are housed at the school administration parking lot. Kendra Sours, Gainesboro District, has daughter that is freshman and is concerned about the schools and feels that they should be accredited. Ro~er Koontz, Gainesboro District, stated that considerable funds can be saved by leaving the school administration offices at their present location. He emphasized the importance of keeping the classroom size small, and he feels that real estate taxes could be lowered. Steve Jennin2s, resident of Stephens City and teaches at Sherando High School along with conducting the choir. He does not understand why the school board budget might not be fully funded. Todd Shenk, Gainesboro District, he referred to the new county administration building and how nice it is. He doesn't feel there is much that can be cut in the school board budget. He does feel that EDC needs to be reduced, and that the Board needs to get a handle on what the county has. This concluded the speakers for the public hearing on the proposed budget. Chairman Longerbeam thanked all those who spoke and informed them that all their comments would be taken under advisement by the Board. The final vote on the county budget is scheduled for the board of supervisors' meeting on April 9, 1997. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS BOARD, THIS MEETING IS HEREBY ADJOURNED. I I~ !I 1237 , 238 ames L. Longerbeam Chairman, Board of Supervisors