Loading...
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 1 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. 2 ADJOURNMENT At 11:00 a.m., the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. 3 . Alphin!Chairman