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March 24, 1993 Regular Meeting 252 A Regular Meeting of the Frederick County Board of Supervi- /'1'15 sors was held on March 24/\ 6:45 P.M., in the Board of supervi- sorts Meeting Room, Frederick County courthouse, Loudoun street Mall, Winchester, Virginia. PRESENT: Richard G. Dick, Chairman; W. Harrington Smith, Jr., Vice-Chairman; James L. Longerbeam; Beverly J. Sherwood. Robert M. Sager and Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. were not present at the start of the meeting. CALL TO ORDER The Chairman called the meeting to order. INVOCATIOH The invocation was delivered by Reverend Ruth Crum Stotler of the Zion Christian Fellowship Church. Mr. Orndoff arrived at this time. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Riley, county administrator, requested the following amendments to the agenda. 1. Grant request from Sheriff Robert Williamson. 2. Approval of Proclamation from the Knights of Columbus. 3. Treasurer's report on delinquent taxes. Upon motion made by W. Harrington Smith, Jr., seconded by James L. Longerbeam, the above motion was approved. Richard G. Dick - Aye W. Harrington smith, Jr. - Aye James L. Longerbeam - Aye Beverly J. Sherwood - Aye Robert M. Sager - Not present at this time Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVED Mr. Riley suggested that the proclamation request presented by Knight of Columbus, proclaiming Kovar Tootsie Roll Weekend, along with Tab B, the Activity Report for March 12-15, 1993, be approved under the consent agenda. Upon motion made by W. Harrington Smith, Jr., seconded by Charles W. Orndoff, Sr., the following was approved under the Consent Agenda: 1. Proclamation request from Knights of Columbus. 2. Activity Report for March 12-15, 1993 - Tab B. Richard G. Dick - Aye 253 W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye James L. Longerbeam - Aye Beverly J. Sherwood - Aye Robert M. Sager - Not present at this time. Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye CITIZEN COMMENT No one appeared to address the board. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS PEGGY PERDUE APPOINTED TO THE SANITATION AU'l'HORITY FROIl GAIHESBORO DISTRICT Upon motion made by Beverly J. Sherwood, seconded by W. Harrington Smith, Jr., Ms. Peggy Perdue was appointed to the Sanitation Authority from Gainesboro District, said term to commence April 15, 1993 and expire April 15, 1997. Ms. Sherwood noted that Dr. Cleland had moved from Gainesboro District, therefore he could no longer serve in this capacity. RiChard G. Dick - Aye W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye James L. Longerbeam - Aye Beverly J. Sherwood - Aye Robert M. Sager - Not present at this time Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye SHERIFF REOUEST AU'l'HORIZATION TO APPLY FOR GRANT - ENT)"'I'T.1m CRDIE ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCE- KENT AGENCIES - APPROVED Major J. Al Johnson, of the sheriff's department appeared before the board and explained that at this time the sheriff was only requesting authorization to apply for the grant and that no monies were involved. He explained to the board that this is something that the sheriff has been working on with the City of winchester for sometime, and if these monies are received it will be for the 1993-94 budget year. Mr. Sager arrived in at this time. Mr. Dick asked if some of these monies could come from 911. Mr. Johnson replied that this would not be known until July. Mr. Longerbeam asked if the City of Winchester had signed off on this. Mr. Johnson replied yes, with it being 12 1/2 city and 12 1/2 county, and the state would be 75%. 254 Upon motion made by James L. Longerbeam, seconded by W. Harrington smith, Jr., the request of the sheriff to apply (only) for this grant was approved. Richard G. Dick - Aye W. Harrington smith, Jr. - Aye James L. Longerbeam - Aye Beverly J. Sherwood - Aye Robert M. Sager - Aye Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye Mr. Riley informed the board that a second vote would be needed if the grant is received. PROCLAMATION FOR KOVAR TOOTSIE ROLL WEEKEND - APPROVED WHEREAS, some of our most valued citizens, our retarded brothers and sisters, are in need of help from their fellow citizens; and WHEREAS, the 10,000 Knights of Columbus in virginia, in their charitable and patriotic role as sponsors of KOVAR (The Knights of virginia Assistance for the Retarded) have donated more than $3,000,000 since 1972 for allocation to 100 ongoing organizations effectively assisting the retarded; and WHEREAS, the efforts of the Knights of Columbus have resulted in more than $60,000 in grants to local organizations, including Northwestern Workshop, Grafton School, Baker House and the Association for Retarded citizens of Winchester/Frederick County; and WHEREAS, in last years Tootsie Roll Weekend, virginia Knights and their families raised over $400,000 and set their 1993 goal at $400,000. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, as Chairman of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, I do proclaim April 15 - April 18, 1993 as KOVAR TOOTSIE ROLL WEEKEND in Frederick County and urge all citizens of the county to support this worthy cause. C.WILLIAK ORNDOFF. JR. ADDRESSED BOARD RE: COLLECTION OF DELINOUENT TAXES Mr. C. William Orndoff, Jr. appeared before the board and explained that as a last resort in collecting delinquent taxes the property in question would be sold. He further explained that Mr. Ambrogi, county attorney, would be the office handling this aspect of the collection. Mr. Orndoff at this time asked the board to approve this procedure as outlined by him as the final means of collecting these taxes. Upon motion made by W. Harrington Smith, Jr. seconded by Beverly J. Sherwood, the request made by Treasurer, C. William Orndoff, Jr., to proceed as outlined to collect delinquent real estate taxes was approved. \ \ -I II 255 Richard G. Dick - Aye W. Harrington Smith, Jr. - Aye James L. Longerbeam - Aye Beverly J. Sherwood - Aye Robert M. Sager - Aye Charles W. Orndoff, Sr. - Aye BOARD MOVES TO OLD J.C. PENNY BUILDING FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET FOR 1993-1994 Mr. DiCk stated that at this time the board members, along with staff, would move to the Old J.C. Penny Building for the public hearing on the proposed county budget for 1993-1994. Mr. Dick explained the Rules of Order for the public hearing and asked that any citizen present that planned to address the board to please observe the rules when speaking to the budget. Mr. Riley gave a breakdown of the budget figures for the county departments along with their revenue and expenditures. The following county citizens appeared before the board to express their opinion on the proposed budget: Mr. Bill Wright, Shawnee District, stated that over the past five years there has been a 44% increase in real estate taxes and if this trend continues it will be very difficult for a lot of businesses to continue to operate. County managers need to be told the same thing that they are told in the private sector, cuts have to be made and spending has got to be reduced. Mr. Bill Shepley, Gore, moved to this area from Frederick, Maryland. One reason he moved was because of the high taxes, and now he feels Frederick County, Virginia is trying to over tax their citizens the same way. He feels older, retired citizens cannot continue to pay for these type of tax increases, and something has to be done. Ms. Vickie Michaels, Stonewall District, moved to this area eight years ago. She feels adequate impact fees need to be put in place, then the developer would be helping to pay for these expenses rather than them being passed on to the county taxpay- er. Mr. Don Mort, Stonewall District, retired and does not see how the board feels retired citizens can continue to live here and be asked to pay these type of taxes. 256 Mrs. Annie Carbaugh, Gainesboro District, explained that she only received her social security check as income and it did not increase enough to help her pay for this type of tax in- crease. She felt the board should be collecting taxes from everyone, not just the property owners. Mr. Carroll Brown, Shawnee District, stated that he felt this budget increase was completely out of the question. That county government needs to operate like that of private indus- try. He stated that he has had to layoff quite a few of the men working for his company, and a lot have not had raises in four years. The county needs to keep these facts in mind when approving this budget. Mr. Paul Anderson, Back Creek District, was present on behalf of the Farm Bureau, and he requested that the board leave the personal property at the current $4.25 per hundred rather than reducing it as has been discussed. Mr. John M. stryker, Back Creek District, referred to the cost involved in the recent helicopter ride taken by the board members to view the proposed route for the 37 East project. He feels the board can go back and cut the proposed budget by at least 10%. Mr. Harano Childs, Shawnee District, opposed to this increase as he is retired. Does not feel the personal property tax should be lowered. Feels that all the growth in the county has affected the tax structure. Mr. Les Wells, Gainesboro District, referred to all the bonds that are outstanding with reference to schools, and he feels this increase during the past four years is completely out of control. Mr. Kenneth Stiles, stonewall District and also represent- ing the Republican Committee. Spelled out how this budget could be reduced which would call for only a minimal tax increase or no tax increase at all. Spoke against the proration of taxes noting that in his view it was a tax increase regardless of what some of the board members said. II 257 Kr. Georqe Snarr, Shawnee District, representing the Handley Library Board, requested the board to please reconsider the library's request as they very much need the funds they requested. Ms. Cathy Eckersley, Opequon District, stated that she felt the funds that have been requested by the schools are indeed needed for the schools and education. Kr. Donald Luttrell, Gainesboro District, feels that real estate taxes, as well as personal property, need to be reduced. He referred to the retired citizens of the county and how they will be affected by this type of tax increase. He also asked the board to take a long look at the airport budget as he did not feel this county could afford the airport. Ms. Patricia Liqhtner, Back Creek District, teacher in county school system, asked the board to please reconsider this budget in the area of schools and education. Feels a great injustice is being done to the children of the county as they are being deprived of what they need, simply because the board will not fund the amount that has been requested by the school board. Kr. Bob Groqq, Gainesboro District, President of PTO, feels that a small tax increase over the years should have been implemented. The bill has now come due and feels the board has no choice but to pay it. Kr. Mike Webber, Stonewall District, feels the biggest problem is with growth and development in this county. He is concerned that the largest budget increase is in the department of Economic Development. Feels developers should fund any airport expansion. Industry should be paying proffers. Schools need to be consolidated in order to cut back on expenses. Kr. Bob carter, Back Creek District, feels that the tax rate is low, and he supports this tax increase. Kr. Robbie Rhodes, Back Creek District, feels decisions have to be based on good judgement. Does not feel that money should be spent on administration rather than classrooms. Feels the cost of government is way out of hand. Feels the school 238 budget has always been a mystery to the board of supervisors, mainly because of the way it is presented. Mrs. Barbara Van Osten, Back Creek District, addressed the school board budget and lack of adequate staffing for the classrooms. Feels the board needs to engage in long range planning for the schools. Mr. Greq Hewitt, Gainesboro District, is opposed to this tax increase. Ms. Sy1via Birchenouqh, Gainesboro District, has lived in the county for fourteen years, and is concerned that the school buses are not adequate as they are not all equipped with two way radios. Feels a lot of the buses are not safe. Feels that the staffing above the principal level is over paid. Mr. John W. Foster, Shawnee District, feels the board needs to make cuts. Schools are built too expensively. The staff in the Treasurer's office needs to be more responsive to the public when they are there to be waited on. Feels taxes are outra- geous. Mr. G1en Martin, Middletown, is opposed to how taxes are levied on personal property. Feels the county government needs to conduct their business more like private industry has to. Feels the county needs to implement a user tax, homeowner being penalized is not fair. Feels this county is still in a reces- sion and that a 44% increase in taxes is absurd. Mr. Car1in Brumback, Back Creek District, was very con- cerned about the expense of Ridge School as well as Sherando High School. Feels that they both were built too expensively, with a lot of extras that were not needed. Mr. Jeff Wi1kins, Shawnee District, feels that there is a lot of reckless spending within the county government and that this should not be the case when they are proposing a tax increase of this magnitude. Mr. Ken Sibert, Back Creek District, feels the county needs to stop spending foolishly, as enough is enough. 259 Mr. Don DeHaven, Gainesboro District, feels that those citizens using either one of the county parks should be paying for them, not the entire citizenry Mr. Henry Cider, Stephens City, stated that he will not continue to live in Frederick county if the taxes continue to go up as they have during the past five years. His wages have not increased and a lot of citizens are making less money than they were three years ago. Mr. T. G. Adams, Back Creek District, feels county needs to tighten their belts. Everyone is in the same boat, we all need to make cuts as well as freezes. Mrs. Debbie Overstreet, stonewall District, stated that the school board budget is not "pie in the sky", and citizens need to realize that the schools today are not what they were twenty years ago. She referred to what is required in order to be able to accommodate the handicapped student, which is not something that was in place twenty years ago. Mr. Dennis Bagnel1, stonewall District, feels personal property tax needs to remain at the current $4.25. Feels that 19 cents is too high. Mr. Dick thanked all the citizens for attending the public hearing on the budget and for all their comments. He stated that all of these comments would be reviewed by the board of supervisors, and that all departments would be reviewed. UPON MOTION MADE BY W. BARRINGTON SMITH, JR., SECOHDED BY JAMES L. LONGERBEAM, THERE BEING NO FUR'l'IIER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS BOARD, THIS MEETING IS HEREBY ADJOURNED. Cl&~~i~