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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. // 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. 1 4; go~~ 22 .~ 113. 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. } 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. 2 eoeK. 22 .p.:-1~.4 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. // 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. // Noting a conflict in her schedule, Senator Lucas left the meeting at 5:00 p.m. and did not return. // 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. 3 ,: eo~K 22 _ ~~ ~.~~ ii 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. // 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. ~~-~~ Stan D. Clark, Chairman a W. Dougla as ey, Cle 4