01-11-2011 Joint MeetingJOINT MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS HELD THE ELEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE
YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND ELEVEN
PRESENT: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thomas J. Wright, III
Stan D. Clark
Kenneth M. Bunch
Al Casteen
JoAnn W. Hall
Also Attending: A. Paul Burton, Interim County Attorney
W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Director of Information
Resources and Legislative Affairs
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
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SCHOOL BOARD
David Goodrich, Chairman, Smithfield District
Robert Eley, Carrsville District
Herbert DeGroft, Hardy District
T. Hayes Griffin, Windsor District
George Bradby, Newport District
Chairman Bradshaw called the joint meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Robert C. Claud, Sr. Board Room.
Supervisor Casteen delivered the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.
Gerald H. Gwaltney, Commissioner of the Revenue, addressed the
Board regarding his FY2011 forecast in the categories of Real Estate,
Personal Property and Public Service. He advised that a trend has not yet
been established for foreclosures in 2010; however, the fourth quarter depicts
the lowest rate in the last five (5) quarters. He advised that reductions are
anticipated in the FY12 Machinery & Tools tax due to the closure of
International Paper in the amount of $5.1 million; Smithfield Packing in the
amount of $464,000; and, Specialty Minerals, Inc. in the amount of $78,000,
representing a total estimated reduction of $5.7 million. He advised that in
the current year, International Paper Power Plant generates $602,000 and is
assessed by the State Corporation Commission; however, the authority to
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assess the power plant will be transferred to the Commissioner of Revenue in
FY12. He advised that shortly, businesses will be reporting their December
2010 Meals Tax payments to the County, which look promising according to
the preliminary numbers. He advised that the Lodging Tax is also up and
that housing starts appear level. He advised that the Commissioner of
Revenue's office has located $234,000 from audits and new initiatives. He
advised that the County is exceeding tax revenue targets; there are fewer
foreclosures; there are positive signs of activity; and, he is cautiously
optimistic that recovery trends are developing.
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Judy C. Wells, Treasurer, advised that the County's collection rates for
Real Estate and Personal Property are the highest in Hampton Roads. She
further advised that pre -pay coupon booklets for the coming year have been
mailed for Personal Property and Real Estate and that last year $1.2 million
had been collected in that regard.
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Responsive to Chairman Wright's recommendation, Supervisor Clark
moved to approve the formation of a Committee to formalize the Capital
Improvements Plan. The motion was adopted by a vote of (5 -0) with
Supervisors Bunch, Casteen, Clark, Hall and Wright voting in favor of the
motion and no Supervisors voting against the motion.
School Board Chairman Goodrich informed the Board that the school
system is running behind schedule in formulating its proposed budget due to
transitions in personnel which have occurred in the School's Finance
Department.
Chairman Wright commented that he had addressed the concept of
combining certain positions between the County and the School Division
with School Board Chairman Goodrich, specifically the position of a
Purchasing Agent.
School Board Chairman Goodrich recommended that the combining of
payroll and benefits also be explored between the two (2) entities.
Supervisor Hall recommended fleet maintenance and sharing of the bus
garage also be explored.
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With respect to the audit, Chairman Wright advised that the County
would like to have the School's portion of the audit by the end of January
2011. He offered the County's assistance in order to facilitate the
forthcoming of this information.
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School Board Chairman Goodrich assured that the Board that the
School's Finance Department is working diligently to pull together the
information that is lacking in the audit. He advised that the main hold up has
been the transition between the former Finance Director and the current Chief
Financial Officer.
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Supervisor Clark inquired when the surveillance system had become
inoperable at the Windsor Middle School and did the School Board know
that it was inoperable. He stated it is a priority for the School Resource
Officer to have a functioning surveillance system. He stated that the school
has not been maintained over the years and even if a new school is built,
there will be items that need to be done to order to make the school safe for
students and staff for the next several years. He inquired if the showers at
Smithfield High School are operable.
School Board member Griffin advised that the hot water heater at
Smithfield High School has been replaced. He offered to check if the
showers are operable at Smithfield High School and report back to
Supervisor Clark accordingly. He advised that until Smithfield Middle
School was built, there were no cameras in the middle schools and that most
likely the cameras in the Windsor Middle School were as old as the school
itself. He advised that when Windsor Middle School reopened, none of
cameras were functioning.
Chairman Wright commented that the Board had been apprised that
there is no hot water at the Windsor Middle School.
School Board member Griffin advised that it is not a requirement other
than in the cafeterias to have hot water in the schools unless there are
showers in use. He advised that Windsor Middle School has never had hot
water in the bathrooms and that it would cost a small fortune to provide such
hot water.
Supervisor Casteen inquired if security cameras are installed in all
County school facilities.
School Board Chairman Goodrich replied that functioning security
cameras are installed in the high schools and Smithfield Middle School, but
not in any of the elementary schools.
Chairman Wright inquired how authorities are informed about children
with mental health issues who might pose a risk to others.
Michael W. McPherson, Superintendent, advised that school staff
works with parents of children with disciplinary problems; however, it is the
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responsibility of parents to seek assistance for their children who have mental
health issues. He advised that if the school system begins requiring a parent
to seek mental health assistance for their children, there could be legal
implications which could result in the school system having to pay the bill for
those services.
Supervisor Bunch commented that School Resource Officers are a
tremendous asset to the school system.
Supervisor Clark advised that the Board for the last several years has
funded many of the School Resource Officer positions and the Sheriff is
currently experiencing personnel and budget issues. He advised that the
Board may be allocating additional funds to the Sheriff so that he can fill
additional positions.
School Board Chairman Goodrich commented that he believes there is
a sufficient safety net currently in the school system to deal with students
who may potentially have mental health issues.
Supervisor Clark requested that a scenario to improve the existing
Windsor Middle School be developed and submitted to the Board in case the
no- interest loan that the Schools applied for is not approved and funding for a
new school can not be provided at this point in time. He commented that
either a new school needs to be built or money invested to improve and
correct certain issues with the existing school.
School Board Chairman Goodrich advised that the School Board will
either propose closing the Windsor Middle School which will involve
relocating those students to another school or the School Board will be
requesting significant funding from the Board in order to bring the existing
Windsor Middle School up to par. He advised that the proposal last year was
to move the Windsor Middle School sixth grade students to an elementary
school and relocate the 7 and 8 graders to Windsor High School.
Supervisor Clark stated that he would be interested in knowing what
effect that scenario will have on those three (3) age groups when the School
Board returns to the Board with the scenarios.
School Board member DeGroft suggested that the 2008 demographic
study be updated as it was developed prior to the economic downturn and the
closure of International Paper, which has had an impact on the growth in the
County.
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Chairman Wright requested that a joint Town Hall meeting be
scheduled with the two (2) boards in April 2011.
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School Board Chairman Goodrich advised that the School Board would
discuss a potential date at its next meeting and advise the Board accordingly.
At 6:50 p.m., Supervisor Hall moved that the Board adjourn its joint
meeting with the School Board. The motion was adopted by a vote of (5 -0)
with Supervisors Bunch, Clark, Casteen, Hall and Wright voting in favor of
the motion and no Supervisors voting against the motion.
Carey 11'Iills
S m, Clerk
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Thomas J. Wright, III, Chairman