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04-24-2017 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 MONDAY, THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND SEVENTEEN AT 9:00 A.M. PRESENT: Rex W. Alphin, Chairman, Carrsville District William M. McCarty, Vice -Chairman, Newport District Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District Joel C. Acree, Windsor District Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: 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. 11 Don Robertson, Assistant County Administrator, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the County's Business License tax. He explained the County's current tax structure and briefed the Board relative to the option of increasing the flat rate from a ceiling of $50,000 to $100,000 and the option of a graduated rate based on gross receipts. He presented staff's recommendation that gross receipts below $100,000 pay a flat fee of $50. Supervisor Acree disclosed for the record that he is a small business owner in the County. Supervisor Grice disclosed for the record that he has two businesses in the County. He recommended businesses operating in the County with gross receipts of $1,000 or more be required to obtain a business license. The Board's consensus was a fee of $50 for gross receipts up to $100,000; that as gross receipts increase, it will be at whatever the rate is and will not kick back to $1 again; and, that it not be retroactive. Mr. Robertson was requested to return to the Board with the impact of the Board's direction versus staff's recommendation. Under compensation for employees, Supervisors Acree and McCarty recommended 1.5% and 1.5%; Supervisor Jefferson recommended a 2%; Supervisor Grice recommended 1.3% and 1.7% going into a merit bucket; and, Chairman Alphin recommended 2% and 1%. The following recommendations were provided regarding funding for non -profits: $12,500 for the Chamber of Commerce by Supervisors Acree, Grice and McCarty; $8,000 for Christian Outreach by Chairman Alphin and Supervisors McCarty and Acree; $7,500 for Smart Beginnings by Chairman Alphin and Supervisors Acree and McCarty; remove $79 from Opportunity, Inc. by Supervisor Grice; $12,000 for Paul D. Camp Community College by Supervisor Grice; and, a reduction of $4,000 for the Endependence Center by Supervisor Grice. Justification for the increase by the Blackwater Regional Library is to be requested. 11 Following discussion on health insurance offered to County employees, Supervisor Grice requested County Administrator Keaton to poll other localities to compare what is offered by other localities. Following a break, the Board discussed funding of the County's volunteer fire and rescue organizations. It was the Board's consensus that this matter be discussed further at its May 4, 2017 work session. 11 At 11:15 a.m., Chairman Alphin declared the meeting adjourned. R W. Alphin, Ch man