04-13-2017 Work SessionWORK 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 THURSDAY,
THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND
AND SEVENTEEN AT 9:00 A.M.
PRESENT: Rex W. Alphin, Chairman
William M. McCarty, Vice -Chairman
Rudolph Jefferson
Joel C. Acree
Richard L. Grice
Also Attending: Mark C. Popovich, County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County
Administrator
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
At 9:00 a.m., the work session was called to order by Chairman Alphin who
delivered the invocation.
County Administrator Keaton briefed the Board on the proposed FY2017-18
Budget which incorporates the Board's recommendations from its work
session of April 5, 2017 and consists of no change in the real estate tax rate
of $.85 or the Personal Property tax rate of $4.50 and has a proposed
Machinery & Tools tax rate of $4.24 for one year only to offset refunds
issued in 2016 as part of the assessment correction. The proposed General
Fund budget totals $72,418,200 with the largest source of funds from
property taxes representing 73% of the budget and largest use of funds for
County education representing 35% of the budget; public safety at 16% of
the budget; and, debt service at 12% of the budget. The budget contains a
proposed 25% reduction in the storm water fee for residential and
commercial properties; a proposed 5% increase in water and sewer rates; and,
no proposed increase in the school budget. There is funding included under
Public Safety for two additional deputies to provide for an additional patrol
district in the Carrollton area; the elimination of an Assistant County
Attorney position; a $179,000 reduction in capital outlay for voter
registration; an $85,000 decrease in professional services in financial
administration; a $50,000 increase in assessment; funding for two additional
employees in the Commonwealth Attorney's office; funding for veterinarian
costs and overtime and two new vans for Animal Control; a $106,000
increase in fire and rescue response to cover part-time salary costs and
address the holiday pay issue; a $75,000 decrease in funding for public works
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due to landfill tipping fees and the elimination of the existing custodial
contract; a $1.8 million increase in debt service payments; a $1.6 million
decrease in transfer from the General Fund to the Utilities Fund; the
elimination of several unused line items representing a savings of $410,000;
a $1.1 million proposal related to future capital projects; a $338,000 savings
related to SPSA; a 2% general wage increase for employees with a 1%
increase for performance; a proposed $300,000 increase in contingency
funds; a 6.5% increase in the health plan and increase in the employee's share
of their health care budget of 5%.
Supervisor Grice recommended that additional revenues be set aside to pay
for future debt service; that a 1 % COLA and 20/0' merit be given to
employees; and, that the 6.5% increase on the County's side for insurance be
passed on to the employees. He requested a briefing by the Director of Parks
& Recreation on that Department's budget.
Supervisor McCarty requested a briefing on the funding increase proposed
for the Department of Parks & Recreation and that the Director be prepared
to advise his vision for that Department. He further requested a briefing on
the status of two proposed additional Sheriff deputies and the proposed
secondary hub in Carrollton.
Supervisor Acree requested that the $46,000 holiday pay for the Department
of Emergency Services be further discussed; that justification be shown for
the budget line item that addresses the cleanliness around the SPSA transfer
station; that what is best for the County and its employees be done about
compensation; and, justification and job descriptions be provided for all new
positions.
Tony Wilson addressed the utilization of inmate labor for cleanup of debris
along Route 620 at the SPSA transfer station site and options for emergency
power through Tidewater Energies were discussed.
Supervisor Grice recommended that a portion of savings realized each year
from the generator maintenance line item be identified and set aside and that
the maintenance employee hired live in the County.
Chairman Alphin requested reports from Parks & Recreation and the
Sheriff's Department be provided to the Board and that the Board provide
County Administrator Keaton with direction on compensation for staff.
Mary Beth Johnson, the Director of Human Resources, responded to
questions posed by Supervisor Acree with respect to compensation for
emergency services employees who progress with their education in order
that the County remain competitive with surrounding localities and not
become a training ground.
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ADJOURNMENT
At 11:00 a.m., the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.
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. Alphin!Chairman