12-18-2003 Continued MeetingBOOK. ~~ 'Mr~~~?
CONTINUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS HELD THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN
THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND THREE
PRESENT: Richard K. MacManus, Chairman
Stan D. Clark, .Vice-Chairman
Phillip A. Bradshaw
Henry H. Bradby
Robert C. Claud, Sr.
Also Attending: Senator L. Louise Lucas
Delegate William K. Barlow
Delegate J. Paul Councill, Jr.
Jacob P. Stroman, IV, County Attorney
W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant
County Administrator
Carey Mills Storm, Recording Secretary
Chairman MacManus called the continued meeting to order at 4:00
p.m. for the purpose of meeting with the County's Legislative Delegation.
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Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator, noted that the
Board has designated the Local Cigarette Tax in Counties as the County's
top priority for the upcoming legislative session. He stated Funding .for
Public Education, Adequate Public Facilities, Preservation of Local Zoning
Powers, Authority to Cut High Grass, and Compensation for Livestock and
Poultry Killed by Wild Dogs follow as the County's priorities. He stated
there are also Social Services and School issues included in the County's
packet of issues.
Delegate Barlow advised that he has requested legislative to be drafted
with respect to giving all counties the authority to impose a cigarette tax.
He noted that his proposal includes a maximum of $.50 per pack of
cigarettes which can be changed should the Board desire a different amount.
Chairman MacManus noted his concurrence with $.50 per pack and
stated the Board would be formally advising him of the amount they would
like included in his proposal.
Mr. Robertson noted it is a good idea for the County to have back-up
legislation as the fate of the Governor's package is unclear.
Mr. Robertson addressed .the issue of funding for public education,
also an important issue to the. County.
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Delegate Councill stated the chances are good for additional funding
for education. He noted. this is the Governor's highest priority and it will
help the County take some of the burden off of the real estate tax. He did,
however, note a concern with the Governor's proposal to reduce funding in
the literary fund.
Chairman MacManus inquired if there was anything the Board could
do to assist with securing funding for education.
Delegate Councill noted there is a public hearing on January S, 200
j at Christopher Newport, and he encouraged the Board members to attend.
Mr. Robertson introduced the issue of Adequate Public Facilities. He
advised that. Senator Quayle has drafted legislation to address this issue that
would be specific to schools and the provision of adequate public facilities.
Delegate Barlow expressed his support and offered to co-patron an
Adequate Public Facilities bill.
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Mr. Robertson stated the County has struggled with the issue of
Preservation of Local Zoning Powers over the years. County Attorney
Strornan requested the delegation's assistance in killing anticipated
legislation from the Virginia Manufacturer Housing Association which
would dilute the ability of localities to make appropriate land use decisions.
Mr. Robertson stated with respect to the issue of Authority to Cut
High Grass, this issue pertains to unoccupied. structures.
Delegate Barlow advised that he has requested legislation on this issue
and when he receives his draft, he will forward it to the County Attorney for
his review.
Mr. Robertson addressed the issue of Compensation for Livestock and
Poultry Killed by Wild Dogs.
Delegate Councill noted the County stands a better chance of having
the law repealed, than having the issue funded.
Senator Lucas stated. the County is most likely going to run into
substantial opposition even to having the iaw repealed.
Supervisor Bradshaw suggested amending the Bill to state that the
property owner must file a claim first with insurance before filing with the
County.
Delegate Barlow stated he is inclined to believe it may be too late this
year, as this may be an issue that should first be run by VACo and then the
Farm Bureau.
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Mr. C. John Catron, Director of .Social Services, advised that the
Department of Social Services would like the Temporary Assistance to
Needy Families (TANF) Program remain with .the Department of Social
Services and not be transferred, as proposed by the Governor to a Workforce
Development Group. He noted that the Department of Social Services has
been successful in past years in getting TANF recipients pff welfare and into
the employment sector. He stated the Department of Social Services would
like to see legislation. (Kinship Care) .passed. that would allow family
members who have an interest and .capability to care for children, but lack
the financial means to do so, to receive the same amount of financial
assistance as unrelated foster parents.
Delegate Barlow inquired if there was legislation introduced or was
there a patron for the Bill.
Chairman MacManus noted that staff would find out who the patron is
and advise Senator Lucas and Delegates Barlow and Councill.
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Supervisor Claud mentioned that the telecommunications bill being
proposed this year is supposed to be revenue neutral and, if approved, will
become a reality in 2005. He advised that E-911 funds come to the County,
of which the County currently receives $3 per month; however, under the
proposal, the County would receive $.75 per month. The County is
concerned that the legislation may not be revenue neutral and the County
uses the $3 to run its dispatch center. He noted if the amount is reduced to
$.75, the County will be forced to take funds from the utility tax and others
to supplement the dispatch centers. He recommended that localities
maintain, at a minimum, their current rate, which would allow the County to
continue to operate its dispatch centers.
'~ Supervisor Bradshaw noted that additional revenue-funding is a major
issue that will be highly debated because there is not a consensus throughout
the State on how the money will be disbursed to localities.
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Noting a conflict in her schedule, Senator Lucas left the meeting at
5:00 p.m. and did not return.
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Supervisor Clark stated Virginians recognize that the State is reducing
its funding to localities and they would support a tax increase, if necessary,
to maintain good schools and roads throughout the Commonwealth.
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County Attorney Stroman noted with respect to the County being able
to levy a cigarette tax, he is investigating whether or not the County would
be allowed to levy such a tax if it pursued a Charter with that power
included.
Delegate Barlow clarified that he is supportive of a local option for
instant run-off voting that localities could do to ensure that a candidate wins
by a majority vote. He stated that while he has not yet decided whether to
introduce the Bill, it would provide an opportunity, and not be a mandate.
He stated he also may introduce a Bill .authorizing any locality to have
photo-red cameras at intersections. He stated he is also considering the
possibility with .respect to private water. systems having some type of
requirement that there be a back-up generators.. He requested the Board's
input on whether or not he should put in a request to allow localities. to have
a severance tax on sand, marl and gravel
Chairman MacManus noted he is supportive of Delegate Barlow
putting in the request, although he is not optimistic the Bill will pass.
Chairman MacManus advised that the Small Business Association has
been cut $300,000 that they are requesting localities make up the shortfall.
SEVAMP has been cut $300,000; DEQ is now charging fees that before
were State funded; and, SPSA has been cut $200,000. He noted the County
is seeing a .stream of cuts from the State that the localities are having to
make up for, which impacts the County on a regular basis.
Supervisor Bradshaw stated the Board is supportive of having the
proposed Workforce Development Center .for Paul D. Camp Community
College located in the northern end of the County. He noted the Board
would be seeking the support of its legislators in the near future for this
effort.
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Supervisor Claud moved that the .Board adjourn its continued meeting
at 5:15 p.m. The motion was adopted by a vote of (4-0) with Supervisor
Clark absent for the vote.
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Stan D. Clark, Chairman
a
W. Dougla as ey, Cle
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