05-04-2016 Budget Work SessionBUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS HELD IN THE ROBERT C. CLAUD, SR. BOARD
ROOM OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON
WEDNESDAY, THE FOURTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR TWO
THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN AT 2:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Rex W. Alphin, Chairman
Rudolph Jefferson, Vice -Chairman
Joel C. Acree
Richard L. Grice
William M. McCarty
Also Attending: Mark C. Popovich, County Attorney
Sanford B. Wanner, Interim County Administrator
Michael W. Terry, Director of Budget & Finance
Donald T. Robertson, Director of Information
Resources and Legislative Affairs
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
The budget work session was called to order at 2:00 p.m. and Donald T.
Robertson, Director of Information Resources and Legislative Affairs
provided a recap of staff's proposed balanced budget in the amount of $71.8
million which focuses on core services and includes a three -cent increase in
the real estate tax rate to fund education and replace the County's public
safety radio system.
The Board directed staff to eliminate a 2% COLA for staff and to review the
further cost of covering the health insurance premium increase. It was the
Board's desire to retain $350,000 for the school system with the implied
understanding any unused school funds are to be placed in a "rainy day"
fund.
At the suggestion of Supervisor Grice for a separate fund for the Heritage
Park concert, Michael W. Terry, Director of Budget and Finance, offered to
investigate if a special revenue fund could be established.
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The Board discussed Chairman Alphin's request of $1,500 for the
RiverKeeper Program and $15,000 for Smart Beginnings. Following
discussion on the need to fund areas related to public safety first, it was the
consensus of the Board that these requests for funding be further discussed
following a more finalized budget.
Supervisor Jefferson presented a request from the Rushmere Volunteer Fire
Department for an increase in its operating budget in the amount of
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$100,000. Following discussion regarding the need for all volunteer
departments to follow proper protocol with respect to funding requests,
Supervisor Acree offered to discuss the Rushmere Volunteer Fire
Department's funding request and that it might not have an appropriate
operating budget for the services provided with the Chairman of the Fire &
Rescue Association.
Following a discussion with Sheriff Mark Marshall regarding the issue of
public safety, it was the concensus of the Board that safety is of paramount
concern and is at a place of criticality. Understanding of current fiscal budget
constraints was noted and the Board was advised that areas of reduction
within the Sheriff's Department by his staff are being investigated.
The Board discussed a suggestion for reductions in Public Utilities/Non-
Departmental of $100,000; Comprehensive Services of $100,000; stormwater
capital of $200,000; and, stormwater retro -fit projects of $100,000 and Don
Jennings, County Engineer, advised that the majority of his budget is funded
by the stormwater fee and no draw on the General Fund is required. The
Board was further advised that Comprehensive Services is a mandated
program.
Following a break, a recommendation to re-examine the number of high-
ranking officials in Fire & Rescue and utilization of a third party collection
agency within the Department of Emergency Services was discussed, as well
as the possibility of doing so could potentially open up citizens to harsh
collection methods and the Board discussed considering a subscription in the
future based on validation of income.
Following a suggestion for a reduction of $220,000 in the Parks and
Recreation Department, the Board tasked Interim County Administrator
Wanner with providing to the Board at its next meeting two options for a
decreased Operating and Capital Budget. One option is to include no
increase in the real estate tax rate, but both should include funding for two
deputies this year, all cuts recommended by the Board today, possible
funding for two non-profit organizations; and, fund $750,000 to the School
Division while ensuring that services to the community will not be
compromised.
Chairman Alphin adjourned the budget work session at 4:00 p.m.
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
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