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05-04-2011 Called MeetingCALLED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD THE FOURTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND ELEVEN PRESENT: Thomas J. Wright, III, Chairman Stan D. Clark, Vice-Chairman Al Casteen Jo Ann W. Hall Kenneth M. Bunch Also Attending: A. Paul Burton, Interim County Attorney W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator Carey Mills Storm, Clerk Chairman Wright called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the following: Proposed Budget for the School Board Portion of the County of Isle of Wight for Fiscal Year July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 Chairman Wright called for persons to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed budget. Phillip A. Bradshaw, Chief Financial Officer, Isle of Wight County Public Schools, requested the Board to support the School's proposed budget which has been reduced by $1.6 million dollars. Michelle MacManus, PTA President, Windsor Middle School, reiterated the need for a new Windsor Middle School facility. Volte Boykin of Carrsville spoke in opposition to a new Windsor School facility citing a downturn in the economy as the reason for his opposition. Delphia Marie Talton Bailey of the Newport District spoke in opposition to increased taxes and the County's purchase of property at the entrance to the James River Bridge. Herb DeGroft of 15411 Mill Swamp Road and a School Board member thanked the Board for its past financial support. He stated closure of the Windsor Middle School and moving the Alternative School back to Smithfield High School would provide a savings of one (1) million dollars annually. He stated adding onto the Windsor High School facility would make it a bigger, more convenient school. He stated he believes that the number of students in 2017 will not indicate that a new Windsor Middle School needs to be built. 11 Chairman Wright closed the public hearing and called for comments from the Board. No action was taken as the Board must wait seven days following a public hearing on the budget before taking any action. Chairman Wright called for a public hearing on the following: Proposed Budget for the County of Isle of Wight for Fiscal Year July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 Chairman Wright called for persons to speak in favor or in opposition to the proposed budget. Delphia Marie Talton Bailey of 12462 Rocky Road distributed copies of a plan she developed to reconstruct the County. She advised that she will run for the Newport District Supervisor's seat on the Board of Supervisors in 2012. She stated her grandchildren will be the recipients of the County's debt and for that reason she was opposed to the proposed budget. Caroline Martin, President Elect, Western Tidewater Free Clinic, thanked the Board for its past financial support. She advised that since the clinic's opening in June of 2007, 1,862 patients have received care, of which 449 patients were from the County. She advised that 24% of active patients that visit the Clinic reside in the County. She advised that dental and OGYN services have been added at the Clinic. She advised that the Clinic is requesting support from all municipalities and she invited the Board to take a tour of the new facility located on Meade Parkway in the City of Suffolk. Paul Coneo, President, Paul D. Camp Community College, advised that student enrollment has increased by 13% this past year. He requested the Board to approve the College's budget request which is based on student enrollment, population and property values in its service region. Joe Joyner, 31334 Walters Highway, advised that he had filed the necessary documents for the Carrsville District seat on the Board of Supervisors. He asked the Board to keep in mind that there are homeowners on the edge of losing their homes who can not afford a tax increase. He stated that instead the County is building a million dollar animal control facility. He stated that the downturn in the economy is out of the control of the Board. He recommended that businesses located in the County be contacted to see if any assistance can be provided to them so that they can remain in the County. He asked the Board to be cost efficient before giving consideration to raising taxes. Bruce Powell, Blackwater Regional Library volunteer, spoke regarding the Library's budget request which is six (6) percent less than the previous year. He advised that the computers located in the County libraries provide 2 an essential service to County residents so that they can do their taxes and search for jobs. He requested that the Board not further reduce the Library's budget. Donna Powell of 317 Smithfield Boulevard and a Blackwater Regional Library volunteer addressed the services provided by the Library which include books, audio books, DVD's and computers. She stated that the most valuable programs offered by the Library are the reading programs for children. She stated that the Library is one (1) place in which a taxpayer gets his money's worth. She requested the Board to fund the Library's budget as requested. Albert Burckhart, President of the Carrollton Civic League, spoke in support of the budget submitted by the Blackwater Regional Library. He stated that individuals visit the library to make sure of free materials available, to attend program, use the computer to study and residents are taking on-line training to learn new job skills, filling out resumes and doing homework. Rebecca Lewis, 23197 Owens Farm Road, requested the Board to fully fund the Library's budget in the requested amount. Brian Carroll, Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad, inquired how the $408,000 in a public safety fund will be distributed. Chairman Wright directed Mr. Carroll to contact Mr. Terry in the Budget and Finance office to discuss public safety funding. Elizabeth Du lo, Endependence Center, advised that 44 Isle of Wight residents with disabilities have been served. She requested that funding for that organization be continued at the same level so that information and services can be provided to Isle of Wight residents with disabilities and their families. Herb DeGroft of 1541 Mill Swamp Road spoke on behalf of the Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia organization requesting the Board to consider this very venerable group of County citizens and to do what can be done to minimize the negative impact on them. Henry Morgan, Newport District, applauded the Board and past Boards for their work on behalf of County citizens in keeping the County at the lowest tax rate in the Hampton Roads area. He urged the Board to fund the requests of the Blackwater Regional Library, the School system and the Western Tidewater Free Health Clinic. Volte Boykins, Carrsville District, recommended that the personal property tax be increased which removes the burden from being placed solely on County homeowners. 3 Chairman Wright closed the public hearing and advised that the Board must wait seven (7) days following the public hearing before taking any action on it. 7 1 At 7:50 p.m., Supervisor Hall moved that the Board adjourn its meeting. The motion was adopted by a vote of (5-0) with Supervisors Bunch, Clark, Casteen, Hall and Wright voting in fa v of the motion and no Supervisors voting against the motion. Thomas Wright, Chairman 4