04-01-2021 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 LOCATED AT 17090 MONUMENT CIRCLE, ISLE OF WIGHT, VIRGINIA
ON THURSDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND
TWENTY ONE
PRESENT:
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District, Chairman
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District, Vice -Chairman
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District
William M. McCarty, Newport District
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Robert W. Jones, Jr., County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Grice called the Board's work session to order at 6:00 p.m.
INVOCATION
Stephanie Humphries, Director of Budget & Finance, delivered the invocation and
led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion of Supervisor McCarty, the agenda was approved unanimously (5-
0) as presented with Supervisors Rosie, Acree, McCarty, Jefferson and Grice
voting in favor of the motion and no Supervisor voting against the motion.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Pat Humphries, Chief of Emergency Services, introduced Will Drewery, the
new Emergency Management Coordinator, to the Board.
William Saunders, Windsor Town Manager and Windsor Mayor Glyn Willis
appeared before the Board requesting that the Town and County share in the
cost of repairs to the Windsor Town Center roof which is estimated to be
$358,663.
The Town of Windsor is to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding and
define what is considered to be capital improvements and what the
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operational costs are and the matter returned to the Board for its
consideration at its April 15, 2021 meeting.
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Stephanie Humphries, Director of Budget & Finance, recommended that the
Board hire the firm of Robinson, Farmer & Cox at a cost of $73,800 to
perform professional audit services.
Supervisor McCarty motioned to authorize execution of the contract for
professional audit services which was approved unanimously (5-0) as
presented with Supervisors Rosie, Acree, McCarty, Jefferson and Grice
voting in favor of the motion and no Supervisor voting against the motion.
County Attorney Jones reported on his research of the process associated
with a County -wide redistricting and noted that the next election in all
likelihood will not be subject to redistricting as the census data is not
expected to be released until September of 2021. He further reported that the
Governor returned Senate Bill 1395 to the General Assembly which will
adopt many new requirements to avoid discrimination against race, language
barriers, or any change to districts, polling places or precincts because of the
census and that he believes the General Assembly will adopt the Governor's
changes as they were not substantive. He advised that the new law will
require a 45 -day publication for any change made by the Board, a public
hearing and another 30 -day waiting period beyond the public hearing before
any item would take effect. He advised that there is a process to submit a
plan to the Attorney General's office for clearance; however, the Attorney
General has a 60 -day window in which to respond.
The consensus of the Board was that it needs to decide in the near future how
it wishes to proceed and advise County Attorney Jones accordingly.
Following a short break, Assistant County Administrator Robertson guided
the Board through a tutorial for persons desiring to apply to serve on boards,
committees/commissions.
Supervisor Acree suggested a generic survey be developed for individuals
interested in serving on a County board/committee/commission advising of
how often a board/committee/commission meets; how long the meetings last;
how much time a person should anticipate investing in serving; and, the term
of the board/committee/commission.
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A COVID-19 vaccine update was provided by Assistant County
Administrator Robertson showing the overall COVID-19 count for the
County, which highlighted the following: A seven-day rolling average;
vaccine doses administered by locality of residence; vaccine rollout — 1 C;
Executive Order amendments; CDC guidelines; and, the Statewide Pre-
registration system.
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Assistant County Administrator Robertson notified the Board that the County
was unsuccessful in obtaining funds for the Virginia Technology Initiative
Grant Program for the expansion of broadband in the County. He advised
that to ensure that the County is selected for funding in the future, he will be
requesting a debriefing from the State and scheduling a meeting in the next
couple of weeks with the Planning District Commission, the State, the City of
Suffolk and Southampton County to discuss the possibility of a regional grant
application which is viewed more favorably by the State.
County Administrator Keaton provided highlights of the proposed FY2021-
22 Operating and Capital budgets and Capital Improvements Plan, which
provides for a General Fund budget in the amount of $85,857,900; a $6.3
million increase over the FY2021 General Fund budget which includes a
$963,000 transfer to Capital projects and 15 new proposed positions. He
advised that the proposed Real Estate Tax rate is $0.89, of which $0.04 of
that is to fund debt service. General property taxes equal $63.7 million with
other taxes remaining unchanged, to include water and sewer rates.
Under General Fund Revenues, there are proposed increases in real property
taxes, personal property taxes, sales & use taxes, a transfer from Debt Service
Reserve; County tax on recordation/wills; and, building permits.
Under General Fund Revenues, there are proposed decreases in Machinery &
Tools Taxes; State tax on recordation/wills; and, EMS Revenue Recovery.
Under Senior Programs, there is a $126,000 increase for Senior Services of
Southeastern Virginia and a $76,000 increase for Parks & Recreation.
There are 15 new positions proposed; compensation/benefits; and, debt
service.
The Board was requested to email any questions to him in the areas of
interest.
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County Attorney Jones provided an overview of a draft cigarette tax
ordinance pursuant to the Board's directive.
The consensus of the Board was to set the matter for public hearing at the
Board's April 15, 2021 meeting at the maximum tax allowed by law.
County Attorney Jones reviewed the various proposed amendments in the
Concealed Handgun Ordinance; the Late Payment Penalty and Interest
Ordinance; and, the Motor Vehicle Volunteer Exemption Ordinance.
It was the consensus of the Board that the amendments be set for public
hearing at the Board's April 15, 2021 meeting.
CLOSED MEETING
County Attorney Jones requested a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-
3711.A.7 of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of consultation with legal
counsel regarding actual litigation regarding insurance coverage claims
where such consultation would adversely affect the negotiation or litigation
posture of this public body.
Upon motion of Supervisor McCarty and all voting in favor (5-0), the Board
entered the closed meeting for the reasons stated by County Attorney Jones.
Upon motion of Supervisor McCarty and all voting in favor (5-0), the Board
reconvened into open meeting.
County Attorney Jones reminded the Board that in accordance with Section 2-10(G)
of the Board's Rules & Procedure, all those who participated in the closed meeting
are reminded that all matters discussed in closed meeting are to remain
confidential, as provided under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and that
such matters as were discussed in closed meeting should not be acted upon or
discussed in public by any participant unless and until a public, formal action of the
Board of Supervisors is taken on that particular subject matter.
Upon motion of Supervisor Jefferson and all voting in favor (5-0), the following
Resolution was adopted:
CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has convened a closed meeting on this date
pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of
the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and,
WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this
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Board of Supervisors that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with
Virginia law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors hereby certifies
that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters
lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed
in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such
public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed
meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors.
VOTE
AYES: Acree, Grice, Jefferson, McCarty. Rosie
NAYS: 0
ABSENT DURING VOTE: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING: 0
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:00 p.m., Chairman Grice declared the meeting adjourned.
Las llzm
Care M' Is Sirm, Clerk
Richard L. airman