Loading...
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 1 operational costs are and the matter returned to the Board for its consideration at its April 15, 2021 meeting. // 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. 2 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. // 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. N 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 11 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