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06-06-2024 Work Session WORK SESSION OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY GENERAL DISTRICT COURT LOCATED AT 17000 JOSIAH PARKER CIRCLE, ISLE OF WIGHT, VIRGINIA ON THURSDAY, THE SIXTH DAY OF JUNE IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY-FOUR BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Joel C. Acree, District 4, Chairman Don G. Rosie, II, District 5, Vice-Chairman Rudolph Jefferson, District 3 William M. McCarty, Sr., District 2 Renee Rountree, District 1 STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator Robert W. Jones, Jr., County Attorney Carey Mills Storm, Clerk CALL TO ORDER Chairman Acree called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Supervisor McCarty moved that the agenda be adopted with the inclusion of discussion under New Business regarding school funding levels. The motion passed unanimously (5-0) with Supervisors Acree, Rosie, McCarty, Jefferson and Rountree voting in favor of the motion and no Supervisor voting against the motion. INVOCATION Vice-Chairman Rosie delivered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 1 COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Uwe Weindel, Director of Public Utilities, provided an update on needed repairs to the County's sewer pump stations. The Board was reminded that two million dollars was transferred from the Fund Balance to address certain needed repairs. Supervisor McCarty remarked that transparency between the Board and County citizens in all regards is of the utmost importance. Copies of information related to the formation of an Audit Committee as authorized by the Code of Virginia were distributed by County Administrator Keaton. Following discussion by the Board in terms of who should serve on the Audit Committee, it was the consensus of the Board that County Administrator Keaton be directed to contact the School Superintendent to determine how he feels about serving on the Audit Committee. He added that, in the meantime, the Director of Budget & Finance has reviewed the document and offered to obtain feedback from other localities. Supervisor McCarty moved that the Board adopt the following resolution recognizing the month of June as Dravet Syndrome Awareness month: RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF JUNE AS DRAVET SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, Dravet syndrome, previously known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare disease, with seizures usually beginning during the first 2- 15 months of life; and, WHEREAS, Dravet syndrome is classified as a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (also known as a DEE), which is part of a group of severe epilepsies with frequent and difficult to treat seizures and significant developmental delays; and, 2 WHEREAS, the characteristics of Dravet syndrome often change in adulthood often requiring a different therapeutic approach; and, WHEREAS, current treatment options are limited, and the constant care required for someone suffering from Dravet syndrome can severely impact the patient's and the family's quality of life. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Isle of Wight, Virginia recognize and designate the month of June as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month. The motion was unanimously adopted (5-0). NEW BUSINESS Responsive to recent questions posed to Board members inquiring why the Board has not fully funded the School Division, Supervisor McCarty opened the floor for discussion. He advised that this year, the Board has funded the School Division on a lump sum basis and, in doing so, has removed certain restrictions and thus will allow the School Board to prioritize the School Division's spending. He advised that since 2018, this Board has increased funding for the School Division by approximately $7,000,000. County Administrator Keaton commented that during Covid, the School Division had actually requested a decrease and, that also during that time period, had returned a substantial amount of funding. He advised that since 2018, the School Division has reverted approximately $6.5 million of the $7 million received in additional funding back to the County. Supervisor Rountree remarked that she values the County's teachers and educational system and she is in favor of the creation of an Audit Committee. She asked the citizens to have patience and not make accusations. Chairman Acree noted the importance of keeping in mind that senior citizens live on fixed incomes. 3 Supervisor Rosie remarked that accountability, responsibility and management are key words and our children, citizens, and staff are impacted. He does feel good about the decisions made by the Board and it is up to the School Division to decide how they are going to spend the money funded to them by the County. Supervisor Jefferson remarked that children remain a priority of the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. He spoke in favor of the boards meeting jointly early so that they can prepare for the upcoming budget. CLOSED MEETING Pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia, Supervisor McCarty moved that the Board enter a closed meeting for the limited purpose of a discussion regarding the compensation of the County Administrator, County Attorney, and Clerk, as well as the County's Constitutional officers, and appointees to County boards pursuant to subsection 1. The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0). Supervisor McCarty moved that the Board return to open session. The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0). 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 McCarty, 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, 4 WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this 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, Rountree, Jefferson, McCarty, Rosie NAYS: 0 ABSENT DURING VOTE: ABSENT DURING MEETING: 0 ADJOURNMENT At 9:00 p.m., the work session was declared adjourned by Chairman Acree. Joe . , airma eolLey,tc..!kpCarey irm, Clerk 5