Regular Meeting – April 24, 2013

Regular Meeting, Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.

PRESENT: Jeffrey A. Moore, Chairman
Larry J. Wills, Vice-Chairman
David R. Beyeler
David A. Karaffa
Marshall W. Pattie
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr.
Michael L. Shull
Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development
Jennifer M. Whetzel, Director of Finance
Patrick J. Morgan, County Attorney
Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator
Rita R. Austin, CMC, Executive Secretary

VIRGINIA: At a regular meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 7:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 237th year of the Commonwealth….

Chairman Moore welcomed the citizens present.

Karan Deengar, a senior at Wilson Memorial High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Karan is the SCA President and Captain of the Debate Team. He noted that they recently won State at Liberty. He hopes to become a Pharmacist and possibly become a Board of Supervisor member in the future.

David A. Karaffa, Beverley Manor District, delivered invocation.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC

There were approximately 300 people present at tonight’s meeting, with 39 speakers.

Chairman Moore asked that speakers limit themselves to three minutes and for the audience to respect the speakers and refrain from applause or verbal comments.

Those who spoke in support of an increase of taxes were as follows: Faye West; Barbara Sullivan; Cindy Campbell; Forrest Burgdorf, Principal for Riverheads Elementary School; Steve Campbell; Tina Kiracofe (and daughter, Kayley); Sierra Thompson and Jordan Chilico, freshmen at Fort Defiance High School; Chad Shomo; Odile Heisel, Riverheads Elementary School Librarian; Wilda Barnes, Cafeteria Manager; Beverly Harmon; Leonard Klein, Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School Teacher; Jill Martin; Cheryl Tutwiler; Nicki Hendrickson, SOS Committee; James Bisbee; Dr. Chuck Bishop, Augusta County Schools Superintendent; Ann McMillan, High School Guidance Counselor; Steve Kyle, Health and Physical Education Teacher at Stuarts Draft Middle School; Nick Collins, School Board member since 2000; Becky Hipes; Brenda Walton, Principal at Stewart Middle School; Thomas Verga, Fort Defiance High School Technology Teacher; Sarah Kiracofe; Mike Baxter, Stuarts Draft High School Teacher; Sarah Straley; Molly Brady, Clarence Adams, Bus Driver; Bryan Pugh, Stuarts Draft High School student; Emily Wilson, Stuarts Draft High School student; Kathryn Arehart, Stuarts Draft Elementary School Teacher; Donald Biggs, Wilson Memorial High School and Wilson Memorial Middle School Spanish Teacher; Jessie Stemple, Riverheads High School student; Bailie Singleton and Stephanie Long, Wilson Memorial High School students; Douglas Shifflett, Principal for Wilson Memorial High School; and Dan Smith.

Ms. West is a grandmother who expressed great respect for teachers, bus drivers and cafeteria workers and expressed concerns of the students not receiving what was needed. Ms. Sullivan mentioned repairs needed in the schools, needed cleaning supplies and mold and mildew in some of the schools. It was mentioned that bus drivers were more than “bus drivers”. They were baby-sitters and, sometimes, therapists. They saw that the children got to and from schools safely and felt that they deserved fair pay and full health coverage. Ms. Burgdorf chose to come to Augusta County after sixteen years in a neighboring school division as both a teacher and administrator. She mentioned that during her exit interview, she was told that she would be “sorely frustrated with the limitations in Augusta County” and was cautioned not to become discouraged. She said that she has lost instructional coaches, after-school programs, summer school, technology and support funding for professional development, stipends, fieldtrips, etc. She further stated, “The only thing that has not been cut is the expectations of teachers and students; and that is frustrating!” She noted the need of renovation of Riverheads Elementary School and that the current condition affects the use of the Internet. Mr. Campbell agreed with the Tea Party and felt that the issues started in Washington and believed in less government spending and less taxes; however, he mentioned that he had eight grandchildren and wanted the best for them and that probably meant an increase in taxes to provide them the needs. Ms. Kiracofe expressed the need of the replacement of textbooks. Ms. Thompson and Chilico expressed concerns of their school where the bathrooms did not have locked doors, inadequate air-conditioning; and they also felt that behind-the-wheel training was important. Mr. Shomo supported a higher rate than 53¢. He felt that it should, at least be brought back up to 58¢. He added that if schools were not going to be taken care of, then they needed to be closed. Ms. Heisel expressed the need of “converting technology from the 20th Century during the 21st Century learning”. Ms. Barnes expressed the need of technology upgrades in the Cafeteria. Ms. Harmon asked, “Don’t our students deserve the best education possible? Don’t our elders deserve the finest first responders as well as protection by a really highly qualified and trained Sheriff’s Department? Don’t we all deserve that? It’s simple; raise our taxes to provide for all.

Stop this yearly political game.” Many speakers felt that their children would not return to Augusta County after graduation. Ms. Martin, Elementary Instruction Supervisor for Reading, Title I and the Instructional Aide Apprenticeship Program, advised that every aspect of her job “promotes and supports quality instruction in Augusta County Schools”. She did not see the difference in the purposes of either the School Board or the Board of Supervisors as to “serve all students every day, whether they have special needs, whether they are wealthy, whether they are struggling, whether they are healthy, or whether they are young or old. I see that this Board serves the same population.” She mentioned that the Board had previously stated that they could not support raising taxes, ‘while standing on the broken porches of our citizens’. She responded, “Well, the broken porches are going to remain broken if we don’t stop the cycle. The fix for this situation is funding a quality education.” Dr. Bishop noted that he represents 10,600 students and 1,500 employees and felt that he has “done due diligence for those folks.

Tonight, anything that you decide, we will put it to good use.”. Dr. Bishop thanked the Board for its support. Ms. McMillan stated that more teachers were needed, not fewer teachers. “Good enough is not good enough.” Mr. Kyle suggested that the Schools receive 70% of a 5¢ tax increase. Mr. Collins, speaking as an individual, said that he was not representing the School Board tonight. He noted that the School Board had complied with a balanced budget by dealing with Health Insurance increases; increases with the State which were partially funded mandates. The School Board had identified three areas that were critical for additional consideration: 1) $434,000 to continue full health care benefits for part-time employees for one additional year; 2) $1.4 million additional funds to make adjustment to salary scales; and 3) $500,000 to purchase new computers to update technology. He noted that it had been expressed that the School Board reduce the capital account; however, the Board felt that they were already behind and if improvements are to be made to the elementary schools, that account should not be reduced. Mr. Collins added that it was the consensus of the Board that they would be willing to, for the next three years, to pull $500,000 out of the capital account to purchase the computers and not ask the Board of Supervisors for that burden. He noted if this was done, that could delay renovations of elementary schools. Mr. Collins further stated, “When you wrap it all up, we need about $1.8 to $1.9 million in new reoccurring funds. The School Board’s request for these additional funds is reasonable. The request is justifiable; and the request is backed up by data related to salary scale comparisons in per pupil spending.” Mr. Collins suggested a 4¢ tax increase to be split 70/30 because the Schools represent approximately 70% of the County budget. Ms. Kiracofe urged the Board of Supervisors to create a plan ‘that looks at either a 5 or 10-year term that takes into account the shortfalls being faced with now and prepare Augusta County, its schools, and its residents for the future. Help get our schools back on track and become just as competitive as our neighboring counties.’ She shared a quote by Cole Reid, (quote came from a former Superintendent of New York City Schools), who spoke at the April 17th public hearing, and was unable to be here, tonight: ‘Educational failure puts the United States’ future economic prosperity, global position, and physical safety at risk.’ Ms. Kiracofe further stated, ‘We will be faced with a large number of teachers exiting the system due to retirement within the next decade. Let’s plan now to be prepared. Let’s plan now to have the funds in place and have the means necessary and get Augusta County schools back on track.’ Mr. Adams, a bus driver, said that he was both a bus driver and a “therapist” for the students, and stated that he needed to consecrate on the children and not where he is going to get his health care. Ms. Wilson brought in a laptop computer with two missing keys to demonstrate the need of new computers. Ms. Arehart expressed the need to be comparable with other areas. Mr. Biggs was against higher taxes, but realized that higher taxes would help meet the needs and stated, ‘We spend our money according to our values, not according to what we have in our budget’, and asked ‘What do we value?’ Ms. Stemple stated that she had lived in Loudoun County and expressed her concern that her younger brother was not receiving the same educational benefits that she had. Mr. Shifflett stated that in the last seven years, he has had to replace six custodians. In this present year, he has already written seven reference letters to teachers who are looking to leave for a better opportunity somewhere else. He asked the Board to help him “retain the teachers and custodians so that I don’t have to continue training them over and over and over, again”.

Those who spoke in opposition of an increase of taxes were as follows: Kenneth Cunningham;Thomas Ewing and Yolanda Tillman.

Mr. Cunningham supported education but felt that an increase in tax would make it difficult for those who are already struggling. Mr. Ewing is a new resident and relocated because of the low real estate tax rate. He asked that the School Board look at the school program in more of a business sense. He noted that he has sat in New Kent County meetings and heard the very same issues when the tax rate was 81¢ with the same outcomes. He further stated, “We don’t need additional taxes on real estate; we do need to fix the problem.” Ms. Tillman stated that she planned on being married in the near future and did not feel that they could afford to live in Augusta County with the rising taxes.

BUDGET SURVEY SUMMARY

Jennifer M. Whetzel, Director of Finance, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Budget Survey Summary, with the following highlights:

Survey Results Comparison 2012 2013 2014 February 429 723 736 March 603 789 945 Final 604 801 989 Ms. Whetzel noted that this was a 23% increase of response over the prior year.

* * * Survey Results TO DATE • 989 responses • 80.2% are County residents • 50.9% have lived in County over 20 years • 59.4% have children in school • 80.5% pay RE and PP tax * * * One question asked was “How would you rate the quality of life in Augusta County?” Ms. Whetzel advised 62% rated good; 25% rated excellent.

* * * A list in the survey provided “Highest Priority Ranking.” Ms. Whetzel stated that Education was rated first, followed by Fire Services, Rescue Services, and then the Sheriff’s Office – meaning Education and Public Safety was highest ranking.

* * * In terms of Economic Development, what types of jobs would you like to see in the community?

Ms. Whetzel noted that there was a large focus on Technology Based, followed by Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Agriculture. In reality, there was about a 15- 16% spread (meaning that they were almost equally important).

* * * School Priority Ranking: The Schools had a separate budget survey that had a list of items ranked within their survey as importance. Employee compensation was number 1, followed by the Teacher Ratios and Technology Upgrades.

* * * The County will face a 2014 budget shortfall if all current programs are continued at current levels. Which of the options would be the best way to approach a 2014 budget shortfall?

The largest response, at 36%, was to add new revenues (or increase revenues). It went down from a 75/25% reduction in services all the way down to 100% reduction at 11%.

* * * What new revenues would you support?

Real Estate Tax increase was 74%; Increase User Fees at 70%; Personal Property Tax increase at 58%.

BUDGET ITEMS

Ms. Whetzel reiterated that on March 25th and 27th, the Board met and reviewed the revenues and expenditures that were presented by the County Administrator. During that meeting, there was a list of revisions totaling $283,500. Most of this was related to Public Safety. On April 4th, it was decided what the advertised tax rates would be as follows:

Real Estate 53¢(5¢ inc.) Vehicles and Motorcycles Tangible Personal Property $2.50 (no change) Machinery and Tools and all other Tangible Personal Property $1.90 (no change) * * * Budget Advertisement Summary FY2014:

Original budget $168,903,217 Work session revisions 283,500 County capital 1,354,000 School funding 1,637,500 Total Advertised budget $172,178,217 School Funding:

FY13 County funding $ 32,989,395 Formula funding-growth 522,233 Formula funding-advertised rate 1,637,500 Other funding above growth 1,296,421 Total School funding $ 36,445,549 (included in advertised budget total) Other funding from Schools is from a reduction in the transfer that would have been made to County CIP Fund in FY13 and FY14. This is from reoccurring revenues.

* * * Appropriations before the Board tonight:

FY13 Revised, as advertised:

Expenditures $176,749,483 Transfers 49,430,334

TOTAL $226,179,817

FY14 Proposed, as advertised:

Expenditures $172,178,217 Transfers 50,410,602

TOTAL $222,588,819

Ms. Whetzel noted these include transfers between the funds.

2013 TAX RATES

The Board considered adoption of real and personal tax rates for 2013, as proposed at a public hearing held on April 17, 2013.

The Board had directed staff to advertise the draft budget with the following tax rates:

Real Estate $ .53 (current 48¢) Personal Property – auto & motorcycle $2.50 (current $2.50) Personal Property – other, machinery & tools $1.90 (current $1.90) Mr. Shull moved, seconded by Mr. Beyeler, that the Board approve a Real Estate tax rate of 51¢.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Shull, Wills, Moore and Beyeler Nays: Karaffa, Pattie and Pyles Motion carried.

Mr. Pattie made the following comment:

One of the things that all of these people have come here is they want to fund schools. The few people have talked about the 50/50 split. What I propose is that 2/3 of that increase goes to Schools.

Chairman Moore stated that would be part of the proposed budget for FY2013-2014.

REVISED BUDGET FOR FY2012-2013

The Board considered revised budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013.

Mr. Beyeler moved, seconded by Mr. Karaffa, that the revised budget and appropriations for the fiscal year 2012-13, as presented at the public hearing held on April 17, 2013, and as revised, be approved.

APPROPRIATIONS

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Augusta, Virginia, that the following appropriation be made for the fiscal year 2012-2013 from the funds and for the functions or purposes indicated:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Treasurer be, and is hereby authorized to transfer to other funds from the GENERAL OPERATING FUND from time to time as money becomes available, sums equal to, but not in excess of the appropriations made to these funds from GENERAL OPERATING FUND for the period covered by the appropriation.

BE IT STILL RESOLVED that the County Administrator is authorized, pursuant to a resolution adopted by this Board of Supervisors on November, 11, 1959, to pay all normal and routine claims, when presented for which appropriations are hereinafter made, with his own warrant.

GENERAL OPERATING FUND

11010 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 145,205

12010 COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 560,065

12030 PERSONNEL 182,140

12040 LEGAL SERVICES 249,510

12090 COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE 804,990

12100 REASSESSMENT 463,800

12130 TREASURER 533,225

12150 CENTRAL ACCOUNTING 356,020

12200 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 616,250

13010 BOARD OF ELECTIONS 281,825

21010 CIRCUIT COURT 97,975

21020 GENERAL DISTRICT COURT 6,100

21030 MAGISTRATE 3,975

21060 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT 763,840

22010 COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY 937,525

31020 SHERIFF 5,514,135

31040 EMERGENCY SERVICES OPERATIONS 1,540,940

32010 FIRE DEPARTMENT 4,162,655

32020 EMERGENCY SERVICES – VOLUNTEERS 1,901,366

32030 FIRE TRAINING CENTER 277,505

32040 SAFER 782,095

33030 J&D COURT 14,435

33040 COURT SERVICES 3,120

33050 JUVENILE & PROBATION 1,645,704

34010 BUILDING INSPECTIONS 384,175

35010 ANIMAL CONTROL 373,920

41020 HIGHWAYS & ROADS 19,980

41040 STREET LIGHTS 120,000

42010 SANITATION & WASTE 1,803,750

42020 RECYCLING 148,750

43010 BUILDING & GROUNDS 1,278,210

51010 HEALTH DEPARTMENT 517,600

51020 TAX RELIEF FOR THE ELDERLY 250,000

71010 PARKS & REC 1,299,465

71020 NATURAL CHIMNEYS 187,235

73010 LIBRARY-FISHERSVILLE 1,135,480

73020 LIBRARY-CHURCHVILLE 109,685

81010 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 948,540

81020 TOURISM 195,995

81050 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 228,219

82010 ENVIRONMENTAL MGMT. SYSTEMS 42,365

83010 EXTENSION OFFICE 94,660

83050 COUNTY FARM 13,000

92020 OTHER OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS 704,325

92030 CONTRIBUTIONS 316,542

92040 CONTINGENCIES 91,239

94000 TRANSFERS TO OTHER FUNDS 46,783,272

GRAND TOTAL – GENERAL OPERATING FUND (11) 78,890,807

FROM: Fire Revolving Loan Fund (12) TO: Fire Revolving Loan Fund (12) 50000 Disbursement of Loans 405,000 Grand Total – Fire Revolving Loan Fund (12) 405,000 FROM: Drug Enforcement Fund (13) TO: Drug Enforcement Fund (13) 31030 – Operations 103,350 Grand Total – Drug Enforcement Fund (13) 103,350 FROM: Economic Development Fund (14) TO: Economic Development Fund (14) 53000 – Payments to E.D.A. 74,000 Grand Total – Industrial Development Fund (14) 74,000 FROM: Revenue Recovery Fund (15) TO: Revenue Recovery Fund (15) 32020 – Payments to Agencies 578,545 94000 – Transfers to Other Funds 164,000 Grand Total – Revenue Recovery Fund (15) 742,545 FROM: Virginia Public Assistance Fund (23) TO: Virginia Public Assistance Fund (23) For the operation of the Augusta County Department of Public Welfare, Virginia Public Assistance Fund and to be expended only on order of the Board of Welfare for the functions and objects as outlined in the budget requests as presented to the Board of Supervisors for informative and fiscal purposes only:

53010 – Administration 7,422,022 53020 – Public Assistance 2,924,000 53070 – Family Resource Center 205,000 Grand Total – Virginia Public Assistance Fund (23) 10,551,022 FROM: Comprehensive Services Act Fund (24) TO: Comprehensive Services Act Fund (24) 53060 – Comprehensive Services 3,200,000 Grand Total – Comprehensive Services Act Fund (24) 3,200,000 FROM: School Operating Fund (41) TO: School Operating Fund (41) For the operation of the Public Schools of the School Operating Fund (41) and to be expended only on order of the Augusta County School Board of Augusta County, Virginia, for the functions and objects a contained in their budget requests as presented to the Board of Supervisors for financial and fiscal purposes:

11000 – Instruction 75,767,694 20000 – Admin/Attend/Health 3,255,474 30000 – Pupil Transportation 5,563,868 40000 – Operation/Maintenance 9,366,055 Grand Total – School Operating Fund (41) 93,953,091 FROM: School Cafeteria Fund (43) TO: School Cafeteria Fund (43) To be expended on order of the Augusta County School Board for the operation of the School Cafeteria Fund:

50000 – School Food Services 4,595,496 Grand Total – School Cafeteria Fund (43) 4,595,496 FROM: School Capital Improvement Fund (44) TO: School Capital Improvement Fund (44) 12100 – Student Data Base Software 150,000 13800 – Computer Replacements 345,000 34000 – Transportation 85,000 62320 – Wilson Elementary 6,760,918 62380 – Churchville Elementary 2,800 62500 – Special Capital Projects (High Schools) 5,517 62560 – Central Office Relocation 256,500 Grand Total – School Capital Improvement Fund (44) 7,605,735 FROM: School Debt Fund (45) TO: School Debt Fund (45) 92050 – Debt Service 8,314,817 Grand Total – School Debt Service (45) 8,314,817 FROM: Head Start Fund (47) TO: Head Start Fund (47) 10000 – Instruction 1,852,515 20000 – Admin/Attend/Health 337,415 30000 – Pupil Transportation 61,653 40000 – Maintenance Services 59,164 Grand Total – Head Start Fund ( 47) 2,310,747 FROM: Governor's School Fund (48) TO: Governor's School Fund (48) 11000 – Instruction 1,238,692 40000 – Operations/Maintenance 31,200 Grand Total – Governor's School Fund (48) 1,269,892 FROM: County Capital Improvement Fund (70) TO: County Capital Improvement Fund (70) 8012 – Infrastructure – Middle River 33,065 8013 – Infrastructure – North River 43,454 8014 – Infrastructure – Pastures 20,530 8016 – Infrastructure – South River 16,800 8017 – Infrastructure – Wayne 5,000 8057 – Fire Apparatus & Equipment 118,350 8058 – Emergency Communications 1,278,050 8060 – Sheriff Equipment/K-9 252,000 8070 – Scholastic Way 25,000 8073 – Greenville Sewer 2,082,000 8134 – County Schools 176,224 8135 – Regional Correction Center 450,000 8136 – Juvenile Detention Center 100,000 8139 – Tourist Information Center 10,000 8141 – Geographical Information System 9,000 8144 – Information Technology 260,685 8145 – Economic Development 1,173,259 8146 – Firing Range 16,800 8149 – Water & Sewer Projects Contribution 6,130 8152 – Fire & Rescue Equipment 200,000 8153 – Haz Mat Grant 22,000 8157 – SAFER Reserve 150,000 8161 – Blue Ridge Community College 85,000 8162 – Secondary Roads – Revenue Sharing 3,105,000 8165 – Government Center Security 52,920 8166 – Vehicle Sinking Fund 546,000 8198 – Building Sinking Fund 842,986 94000 – Transfers To Other Funds 1,883,062 Grand Total – Capital Improvement Fund (70) 12,963,315 GRAND TOTAL – APPROPRIATIONS (All Funds) 224,979,817 Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FY2013-2014

The Board considered proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2013-2014, as presented at a public hearing held on April 17, 2013.

Mr. Pattie moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, that out of the 3¢ increase, 2/3 go to the School funding into the Operations Account and 1/3 would be allocated to the County and that the proposed budget and appropriations for the fiscal year 2013-14, as presented at the public hearing held on April 17, 2013, and as revised, be approved.

APPROPRIATIONS

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Augusta, Virginia, that the following appropriation be made for the fiscal year 2013-2014 from the funds and for the functions or purposes indicated:

GENERAL OPERATING FUND

11010 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 148,045

12010 COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 536,155

12030 PERSONNEL 181,520

12040 LEGAL SERVICES 203,095

12090 COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE 804,165

12100 REASSESSMENT 180,100

12110 BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 4,500

12130 TREASURER 530,925

12150 CENTRAL ACCOUNTING 362,550

12200 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 620,830

13010 BOARD OF ELECTIONS 220,640

21010 CIRCUIT COURT 97,990

21020 GENERAL DISTRICT COURT 5,700

21030 MAGISTRATE 3,855

21060 CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT 763,330

22010 COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY 938,445

31020 SHERIFF 5,496,765

31040 EMERGENCY SERVICES OPERATIONS 1,565,780

32010 FIRE DEPARTMENT 4,367,205

32020 EMERGENCY SERVICES – VOLUNTEERS 2,067,338

32030 FIRE TRAINING CENTER 274,875

32040 SAFER 1,054,765

33030 J&D COURT 17,920

33040 COURT SERVICES 2,850

33050 JUVENILE & PROBATION 1,568,006

34010 BUILDING INSPECTIONS 362,665

35010 ANIMAL CONTROL 375,405

41020 HIGHWAYS & ROADS 17,000

41040 STREET LIGHTS 116,000

42010 SANITATION & WASTE 1,852,875

42020 RECYCLING 150,750

43010 BUILDING & GROUNDS 1,309,735

51010 HEALTH DEPARTMENT 529,240

51020 TAX RELIEF FOR THE ELDERLY 260,000

71010 PARKS & REC 1,305,625

71020 NATURAL CHIMNEYS 197,445

73010 LIBRARY-FISHERSVILLE 1,101,935

73020 LIBRARY-CHURCHVILLE 105,105

81010 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 940,415

81020 TOURISM 178,995

81050 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 273,154

82010 ENVIRONMENTAL MGMT. SYSTEMS 38,275

83010 EXTENSION OFFICE 94,660

83050 COUNTY FARM 13,000

92020 OTHER OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS 778,305

92030 CONTRIBUTIONS 351,458

92040 CONTINGENCIES 456,500

94000 TRANSFERS TO OTHER FUNDS 46,815,229

GRAND TOTAL – GENERAL OPERATING FUND (11) 79,641,120

FROM: Fire Revolving Loan Fund (12) TO: Fire Revolving Loan Fund (12) 50000 Disbursement of Loans 405,000 Grand Total – Fire Revolving Loan Fund (12) 405,000 FROM: Drug Enforcement Fund (13) TO: Drug Enforcement Fund (13) 31030 – Operations 98,785 Grand Total – Drug Enforcement Fund (13) 98,785 FROM: Economic Development Fund (14) TO: Economic Development Fund (14) 53000 – Payments to E.D.A. 74,000 Grand Total – Industrial Development Fund (14) 74,000 FROM: Revenue Recovery Fund (15) TO: Revenue Recovery Fund (15) 32020 – Payments to Agencies 655,215 94000 – Transfers to Other Funds 560,000 Grand Total – Revenue Recovery Fund (15) 1,215,215 FROM: Virginia Public Assistance Fund (23) TO: Virginia Public Assistance Fund (23) For the operation of the Augusta County Department of Public Welfare, Virginia Public Assistance Fund and to be expended only on order of the Board of Welfare for the functions and objects as outlined in the budget requests as presented to the Board of Supervisors for informative and fiscal purposes only:

53010 – Administration 7,689,750 53020 – Public Assistance 3,199,000 53070 – Family Resource Center 235,000 Grand Total – Virginia Public Assistance Fund (23) 11,123,750 FROM: Comprehensive Services Act Fund (24) TO: Comprehensive Services Act Fund (24) 53060 – Comprehensive Services 3,300,000 Grand Total – Comprehensive Services Act Fund (24) 3,300,000 FROM: School Operating Fund (41) TO: School Operating Fund (41) For the operation of the Public Schools of the School Operating Fund (41) and to be expended only on order of the Augusta County School Board of Augusta County, Virginia, for the functions and objects a contained in their budget requests as presented to the Board of Supervisors for financial and fiscal purposes:

11000 – Instruction 76,123,402 20000 – Admin/Attend/Health 3,269,246 30000 – Pupil Transportation 5,222,414 40000 – Operation/Maintenance 9,101,921 Grand Total – School Operating Fund (41) 93,716,983 FROM: School Cafeteria Fund (43) TO: School Cafeteria Fund (43) To be expended on order of the Augusta County School Board for the operation of the School Cafeteria Fund:

50000 – School Food Services 4,667,034 Grand Total – School Cafeteria Fund (43) 4,667,034 FROM: School Debt Fund (45) TO: School Debt Fund (45) 92050 – Debt Service 8,704,461 Grand Total – School Debt Service (45) 8,704,461 FROM: Head Start Fund (47) TO: Head Start Fund (47) 10000 – Instruction 1,707,971 20000 – Admin/Attend/Health 321,975 30000 – Pupil Transportation 62,095 40000 – Maintenance Services 30,994 Grand Total – Head Start Fund ( 47) 2,123,035 FROM: Governor's School Fund (48) TO: Governor's School Fund (48) 11000 – Instruction 1,289,209 40000 – Operations/Maintenance 31,200 Grand Total – Governor's School Fund (48) 1,320,409 FROM: County Capital Improvement Fund (70) TO: County Capital Improvement Fund (70) 8013 – Infrastructure – North River 10,389 8014 – Infrastructure – Pastures 25,935 8057 – Fire Apparatus & Equipment 170,570 8058 – Emergency Communications 475,000 8070 – Scholastic Way 125,000 8073 – Greenville Sewer 2,136,000 8139 – Tourist Information Center 10,000 8146 – Firing Range 16,800 8152 – Fire & Rescue Equipment 200,000 8153 – Haz Mat Grant 10,000 8157 – SAFER Reserve 546,000 8161 – Blue Ridge Community College 85,000 8162 – Secondary Roads – Revenue Sharing 7,845,000 8198 – Building Sinking Fund 257,960 94000 – Transfers To Other Funds 1,393,873 Grand Total – Capital Improvement Fund (70) 13,307,527 GRAND TOTAL – APPROPRIATIONS (All Funds) 219,697,319 Mr. Wills noted that this would bring the School Budget within approximately $200,000 of what the 5¢ increase would have done.

Mr. Beyeler asked to amend the motion to reflect the following from County share:

1. OMD proposal – $10,000 2. Riverheads Fire Department – $22,640 (Increase from 25% to 75% of base) 3. Economic Development Account #8145 – Remainder of County allocation Mr. Shull seconded the motion.

Mr. Beyeler added the following statement:

Having said that, let me point out one other thing, this Board, working with the Sheriff’s Department, has included one additional Resource Officer for the schools. Rather than having four Resource Officers, there will be five. It is up to the Sheriff’s Department to decide where that employee goes and how they shift employees. We have funded an additional Resource Officer.

It is not in the School Budget; it’s in the Sheriff’s Budget.

Mr. Karaffa made the following comment:

We have held on to a 50/50 split between the revenues on the County side and on the School side. My first question is . . . is this 2/3 split a one-year only deal? Because if it’s a one-year only deal, next year, those funds will see a decrease in the School system.

Mr. Pattie stated:

It would be a split on that tax rate for one year.

Mr. Karaffa stated:

For one year! Next year, we’re going to take in revenues and let’s say we are not going to have a tax increase next year, my question is how are we going to calculate the 2/3?

Mr. Pattie replied:

This is for this tax year.

Mr. Karaffa’s response:

The problem with that is that we cannot promise, then, to the School Board that that will be a reoccurring yearly amount of money. If the 50% is what they’re going to use as a reoccurring yearly amount of money unless this Board is prepared to say, ‘From now on, that, with our tax rate, 2/3 of it goes to the Schools.’ Mr. Wills stated:

This is just like when you had reassessments in the past and a certain amount goes to the Schools that may not be at the 50/50 level, or if you have something last year, we did not fund a 50%, but they received that reoccurring revenue every year. They would receive this reoccurring revenue every year and the growth money, that would occur, will, after this, would be at the 50/50.

Mr. Karaffa’s response:

So, basically . . . I’m just trying to make sure I’m following correctly. That means what we’ll do for the future is 48¢, we will calculate 50/50. Whatever the tax increase is off of that, 2/3 will go to the Schools and 1/3 will go to the County.

Mr. Wills’ response:

No; you have a certain amount going to the Schools right now. This 2¢ generates just under $1.4 million. That is new revenue for the Schools at that point. That stays in their budget line and then you would add to it on growth in the future.

Chairman Moore added:

That would be reoccurring.

Mr. Karaffa’s response:

Then my second part of the question is, currently, we have an agreement with the School Board that we were going to make up the $1.2 million that they were going to lose from the FY12-14 Composite Index. My question is we have a Composite Index that is going to be recalculated and this Board’s agreement with the School Board, as it stands rightnow, is that that $1.2 million will no longer be promised and that their funding will be based on the new Composite Index. Have we taken that into the account in how you’re going to split up this 2/3 tax increase? My problem is that, with the 2/3 tax increase . . .

we’re doing a 2/3 split, taking into account the other agreements, Schools, I don’t see how they’re going to be able to pen what their reoccurring funds are going to be and what the funds that they can’t count on the next year are going to be. We have to be clear.

Chairman Moore’s response:

With the 2/3, 1/3, that would generate a base dollar amount that will be reoccurring revenue for the Schools.

Ms. Whetzel’s response:

What it will do is we have the base funding for the Schools and then the growth, for this current year, would be the 2/3 to go into the Schools. Next year, we would take the ending base for this year and add in the 50/50 growth. That is my understanding. It is always going to be reoccurring.

Mr. Beyeler’s comments:

What we’re doing is making the decision this year. Next year, we will make another decision. You can’t guarantee anything one year to the next. Now, yes, we want to fund Schools next year, but, what we’re doing tonight will not affect next year’s Budget.

Mr. Karaffa’s response:

I heartily disagree, but it seems I am going to be voted down on that.

Mr. Pyles’ comments:

This really doesn’t fix anything. I know what people think what my positions are, but my positions have always trying to get you more money. There were different ways. I did send to every School Board member my pledge that I would vote for a 5¢ tax increase if they would redirect money from the Capital Account. We have spent like drunken sailors on many things we don’t need. If you want to look up there, when you saw what the people’s priorities were, they talked about compensation for employees or teachers; way down the list is athletics. At Wilson Memorial High School, we have $1 million field house. If you go to Riverheads, and you drive around, things look wonderful. Who knew that the Elementary School was rotting? That was never brought up. What was always brought up from the School Board is we need a new soccer field. What did it cost for the new lights at the Girls’ Soccer Field and the Boys’ Soccer Field at Riverheads? Would it have been better spent to go towards education instead of what they’ve done? I know your rumble. You’ve been very disrespectful to anybody who doesn’t agree with you.

We have a farm at Buffalo Gap that cost $790,000. It gives absolutely no value to education. It is being used by a school employee for that person’s personal grazing of cattle. When you talked about, well, we should give more of our stuff to the kids; was there ever a thought to say to those kids, who can’t have a calf, put it out here on our farm? Then you could show it at the Animal Show that we have in May. You talk about not having staplers and we have a farm. They don’t have farms in Staunton or anything like that. It was supposed to be sold off, parts of it–$790,000. I was at Buffalo Gap last night and I marveled how nice everything looks out there. There’s a great big new fence on the baseball field. We’ve got all kinds of stuff. And we supported it from this Board.

Mr. Pyles (cont’d):

But, you know, Mr. Shomo is telling us about the problems that they have at Riverheads, but he was all about all the athletic things that we had to do. We bought a $100,000 lot at Stuarts Draft to put a tennis court. I voted against that one. I heard the comment about Buffalo Gap having wiring that is 51 years old from the day it opened and I was there. You know, we just had a big renovation done at Gap. Guess what; we didn’t add any classrooms. We’ve got trailers out there, now. We got a heck of a big gym there; we’ve got two really nice gyms; we’ve done all kinds of other stuff, but we didn’t prepare for education. But when they did Stuarts Draft and Wilson, my Lord, you would have thought that there was no money that wasn’t available to get everything fixed up. They didn’t replace the doors at Gap, but they replaced everything at Stuarts Draft. Go and look at the two and compare them. The difference was we had a lot of money and so we spent it. The only way I know to turn that spigot off is to reduce it. I asked the School Board to wiggle it down from a $7.2 million to $5.6 million over a 7-year period. For that, I would have offered my vote of 5¢. What it would have meant to you this year would have been $200,000 more than you’re going to get, plus $480,000 more into your Operating Budget, which would have moved from the Capital. And it would grow if you would have talked about planning for the future; if you’re going to have a fund that, apart from what we get from the State, or what comes from assessment would go from $480,000 for three years to $1 million more for three years and then $1.6 million forevermore. That is starting to be the planning for it. That’s how you make a difference out there. If we’ve got to do this new building. We have the farm that we could sell; we have the Ladd that we’re going to be able to sell; we have $580,000 that we’ve put in the budget for technology and buses last year that, when we got these budgets, it hadn’t been spent. They had other surplus that they could have used in this budget. A compromise was made and, so, there you are. However, the Board decides, they decide it and that will be it, but my offer was to do 5¢ and to redirect Capital money to you guys and I only had one response and it was, ‘I’ll do $500,000 for three years.’ You’re not going to get a lot and you will be back here next year.

Chairman Moore stated that at this point, the amended motion needed to be voted on.

Mr. Wills stated that if there is a percentage increase that the School Board uses for salaries at this point, he would like to authorize the County Administrator to give the same salary increases to the County employees. He thought that the School Board planned on working on scales, rather than a percentage across the Board.

Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator, explained that it would still be a percentage of the payroll and that he would match that.

Mr. Wills confirmed that 2% is in the current budget and he thought that their commitment was putting amounts over and above the $400,000+ that is needed for bus drivers and others is supposed to go towards salary.

Chairman Moore asked if Mr. Beyeler was acceptable to amend his motion.

Mr. Beyeler clarified the amendment to be $22,640 for Riverheads Fire Department; $10,000 for OMD services.

Mr. Pattie asked that there be separate motions. Mr. Pattie and Mr. Karaffa expressed concern for not being aware of the Riverheads request.

Chairman Moore asked if Mr. Beyeler would be able to withdraw his amended motion and handle each item separately after the original motion is voted on. He clarified that the original motion is that 2/3 will go to Schools and 1/3 would go back to the County.

Mr. Beyeler agreed to withdraw the amended motion.

Mr. Karaffa’s comment:

We actually discussed in our Budget Work Session that we are down a number of Sheriff’s deputies. If we are going to raise taxes, and we’re going to provide better services, I say that we continue the 50/50 split. The people put up there that they wanted to see it in Education and they want to see it in Public Safety. Our population and the Mr. Karaffa (cont’d):

number of deputies on the road show that we are 4 down. Let’s do something about that with the 50/50 split.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: Karaffa Motion carried.

* * * OMD proposal Mr. Beyeler reiterated that this proposal was discussed at Monday’s Staff Briefing that $10,000 is needed for OMD.

Mr. Beyeler moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Budget be amended to reflect $10,000 to be added to the Budget.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

* * *

RIVERHEADS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Beyeler’s comment:

In the Budget, we have in ¼ of the base. We own the building. They operate totally by Volunteers – $11,320. Riverheads is sort of a hybrid because we knew we were in trouble with Preston Yancey. The County owns the building; Volunteers man it. I don’t like to compare, but I’m going to have to do it so you understand where I’m coming from.

At Company 10, which is in Staunton, Augusta County, we provide 25% base for that Company. They are not required to provide any equipment out of that base. They are not required to do anything except to volunteer. They buy things that they think would help the fire company. When it comes to Riverheads, we own the building; we only have in the budget 25%, but they provide 100% of the manpower for the company. In the agreement that the County has with Riverheads, is they are supposed to fundraise and also try to provide fire equipment for that station. If the Volunteers ever quit, then all that equipment becomes County property. That’s the agreement we have with them. When we were dealing with Fishersville, we weren’t sure if we could get the Fishersville building; we weren’t sure what was going to happen to the equipment, and that was why it was put up as a hybrid.

Chairman Moore asked if the Emergency Services Committee was prepared to make a recommendation.

Mr. Shull’s comment:

If you remember last year, I cut approximately $22,000 out of their funding. As the year’s service went on, they are one of our high volume companies. They are using their equipment. It is deteriorating. They are going to have to buy equipment. I recommend that we put this back in on the 75% as the formula is being funded. That is my recommendation.

Mr. Wills’ comment:

The Riverheads station is so different from anything else. I have no objection of it being there if they are doing the fundraising and if they are trying to work in buying new equipment. I understand it is their turn this year to come to us for a loan. I’m waiting to see whether they are going to do that or not. I have to admit that I have some reservations on this, but, again, if they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing and are actually saving toward new equipment and are answering calls, then I have no problem with it.

Mr. Beyeler moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board approve additional funding in the amount of $22,640 for Riverheads Fire Department.

Mr. Karaffa’s comments:

First of all, there are a couple of inaccuracies with some statements that have been made. One, Company 10 does furnish equipment. They furnish the brush truck; they raise the funds for it; they work for those funds; they maintain the truck. They also have the RV that is able to do search and rescue that they bought and maintain. This Board has forbade them from purchasing a truck. We don’t allow them to do it. We own Riverheads; we own Company 10. We do not allow them the opportunity to buy a truck.

Let me ask this; is this Board prepared . . . We’re going to move forward on this; is this Board prepared to let the volunteers at Company 10 buy and pay for it through their revenues that they are generating a fire truck that then we will change the scales on how we’re going to reimburse them inside of Company 10. Is that something that we are prepared to do? That would be a gross injustice.

Mr. Wills’ comments:

We have a proposal that is presented to you all in regard to total funding for our Fire- Rescue. It included some increases for this year and it included some possible changes for the way that the funding was going to go to departments. We’re still working to get that back into position that the Committee can recommend.

Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Pattie, that the Board table this item until the Emergency Services Committee can provide recommendations.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Wills, Moore and Pyles Nays: Shull and Beyeler Motion carried.

Chairman Moore suggested that Mr. Karaffa’s questions be reviewed by the Emergency Services Committee.

Mr. Karaffa’s comments:

We’re waiting for funding formula for stations. We’re waiting for Volunteer incentive package.

We’re waiting for a number of things. I think we need to have, at a Monday’s Staff Briefing, a comprehensive overview of how we’re going to move forward if we’re going to change the reimbursement formula for our stations and if we’re going to change the way we’re reimbursing Volunteers and make it a comprehensive universal package. We cannot keep incentivising and fighting between stations because they are being treated differently.

Chairman Moore suggested that Mr. Karaffa meet with the Emergency Services Committee to voice his concerns.

Mr. Beyeler moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board approve that the remaining balance of the funds would go into the Economic Development Account #8145 ($381,500).

Mr. Coffield restated his suggestion to reserve a portion of that to match the School Board’s increase in its payroll for County employees. The remainder could go into the Economic Development CIP Account #8145.

Mr. Pyles suggested, that since these funds have been discussed for the first time tonight, that they be placed in the Budget Contingency and be determined at a future meeting how best to allocate.

Mr. Pyles moved, seconded by Mr. Pattie, that the Board authorize placing all funds in the General Fund Contingency for later disposition.

Mr. Karaffa’s comments:

I have to say I’m disappointed. Last year, we had a PowerPoint that we put up here a number of things that we wanted to spend money on. We introduced and showed those things. We properly vented them and spoke about them. Here at this meeting, I have to agree with Mr. Pyles, some people came prepared to spend and knew where they wanted to put the money. Some of us were kept in the dark. That concerns me.

Mr. Beyeler’s comments:

As all of us know, we’ve been pulling funds out of other reserves. My thing was, let’s put it in Economic Development and quit robbing Peter to pay Paul. You don’t spend it if you don’t need it. I’ll go along with Mr. Pyles.

Mr. Pattie’s comments:

I would like to point out that we’ve added 21 firefighters and that grant is going to expire.

We’ve all talked about what we are going to do at the end of that. Now, the way we deployed them is very smart. We’re probably making $500,000 or $600,000 and the difference will be $300,000 or $400,000 and we said that at the end of it we would have to make a decision whether we’re going to keep them or not. Here’s an opportunity to set aside reoccurring funds so we don’t have to cut our Fire and Rescue. That just demonstrates how well we used that grant because $300,000 or $400,000 for 21 extra firefighters in Augusta County is a good value.

Mr. Beyeler’s comments:

Hopefully, we’ll give some incentives to Volunteers so we won’t need as many paid when we get there.

Mr. Beyeler withdrew his motion and agreed with Mr. Pyles moving forward with his motion. Mr. Pyles clarified the motion that the remaining County funds be placed in the General Fund Contingency for a later disposition. Mr. Karaffa asked that it be placed on the next Monday Staff Briefing (May 20th).

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

Mr. Wills’ comments:

One of the things that the School Board had noted a willingness to do, and I would like to give them the authorization in the next year’s budget, to utilize up to $480,000 from their CIP account for Technology issues that they have. I think they are working on a Technology Plan. I have asked, once they get that complete, to bring that to this Board, but I would like to be able to authorize it so that they would know they have those funds available for Technology.

Mr. Pattie’s comments:

I would like to make an amendment to that. As long as they take care of the bus drivers and the cafeteria workers.

Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Beyeler, that the Board authorize the School Board to utilize up to $480,000 from their CIP Account for Technology issues that they may have next year.

Mr. Karaffa asked if that meant that part of the tax increase, that was identified as Operating, cannot be used for Technology.

Chairman Moore explained that the CIP is their Capital Account.

Mr. Karaffa did not disagree with that, but asked, by making this decision about the Capital Account, is the Board of Supervisors instilling any restrictions on the new operating dollars.

Chairman Moore said the CIP Account is money that is accumulated, similar to a “reserve account”, and is being used to abridge capital programs and the year-end fund balance typically goes into that account. He noted that the School Board is required to get approval from the Board of Supervisors to spend out of that CIP Account.

Mr. Karaffa asked, from what Mr. Pattie stated, if the Board of Supervisors is requiring the Schools to fund the insurance for the bus drivers and cafeteria workers. He further stated:

That is two separate pieces to the motion. We are encumbering their funds and placing restrictions on their ability to use their funds. I’m just trying to make sure that I understand what is going on.

Mr. Beyeler’s comments:

I think everybody up here expects that to cover insurance for school bus drivers and others. It is the School Board’s decision what they do, but I would be very disappointed if that did not happen.

Chairman Moore clarified the motion to allow the Schools to pull up the $480,000 out of their CIP Account for Technology improvements.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

A 5-minute recess was taken at 9:25 p.m.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Consider the following staff requests:

A) Funding of Engineering Services for Mill Place Commerce Park BMP #3 Funding Source: CIP Economic Development Account #80000-8145 $4,500 B) Funding of Engineering Services for Mill Place Commerce Park Lot 13 Mass Grading Plan.

Funding Source: CIP Economic Development Account #80000-8145 $8,400 Jessica Staples, Economic Development Assistant, advised that the first request is for funding for Engineering Services for Mill Place Commerce Park BMP #3. A proposal from Balzer and Associates was given to the Board at Monday’s Staff Briefing. The County has assumed responsibility for stormwater quantity at Mill Place.

Mr. Karaffa moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, that the Board approve the request with the allocation coming from the CIP Economic Development Account #80000-8145 in an amount not to exceed $4,500.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

* * * Ms. Staples reported that the second request is for Engineering Services for Mill Place Commerce Park, Lot 13. As explained at Monday’s Staff Briefing, Lots 9 and 10 were closed on Friday (April 19th). That property has been sold; therefore, they had inquired with Balzer and Associates the possibility of Engineering Services for a Mass Grading Plan for Lot 13 in the amount of $8,400. A copy of this proposal had been distributed to the Board on Monday.

Mr. Karaffa moved, seconded by Mr. Pattie, that the Board approve the request with the allocation coming from the CIP Economic Development Account #80000-8145 in an amount not to exceed $8,400.

Chairman Moore noted that the agenda reflected that this amount would come out of the Beverley Manor Infrastructure Account and asked if the money was available from the Economic Development Account. Mr. Karaffa stated that funds were available in the Economic Development Account.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

SHERANDO COMPACTOR SITE PAVING

The Board considered award of bid for the paving project for the Sherando Compactor Site (South River District).

Funding Source: South River Infrastructure Account #80000-8011-66 $52,000 Mr. Coffield advised that this had been discussed at Monday’s Staff Briefing. He noted that the contract was less than $52,000.

Mr. Beyeler moved, seconded by Mr. Pattie, that the Board approve the request.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

WAIVERS/VARIANCES – NONE

CONSENT AGENDA

Mr. Karaffa moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, that the Board approve the consent agenda as follows:

MINUTES

Considered minutes of the following meetings:

• Regular Meeting, Wednesday, April 10, 2013

BUFFALO GAP MUSIC BOOSTERS REQUEST – RABIES CLINIC

Considered request to hold a rabies clinic for the purpose of rabies vaccination for cats and dogs at Buffalo Gap High School on Saturday, May 25, 2013 (Pastures District).

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Beyeler and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

(END OF CONSENT AGENDA)

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD

The Board discussed the following issues:

Mr. Pyles: Budget Process – At the beginning, he had asked Mr. Coffield to request that the School Board provide the cost of operations for each school. Mr. Pyles referred to some of tonight’s speakers and asked for this report, again, to back up what was said.

Mr. Pattie: Strategic Plan – He noted that this was the second year of a similar situation. He noted that he has been pushing for a long-term Strategic Plan that the School Board and Board of Supervisors can work on together. “As long as they are going to have increases; as long as we’re going to recover from these last five years of cuts, we need to strategically put those back. We need to put back programs that are necessary. There needs to be an agreement. If they are going to have spending plans, we need to have revenue plans.” He would like this addressed now. He suggested either a joint meeting with the School Board.

Mr. Pyles suggested that Mr. Pattie outline, in greater detail, what he wants provided. Mr. Pattie suggested a Sub-Committee be created. Mr. Beyeler suggested that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman discuss this issue with the School Board Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Mr. Wills asked that any Board member who has concerns with the School Board, or its spending, that he would be happy to provide those concerns directly to the School Board. “If it comes through me, I will guarantee that I will get you an answer. It may not be the answer you want. I don’t want to have this thing that we ask a question and we don’t get it back.” Mr. Beyeler: Asked that the Board needs to cut back the rhetoric. “A lot of problems that these people are feeling, we’re creating.” He expressed concern of “having a division between the two boards. With going through the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman on things, hopefully, we can solve that.

I’m not against what Mr. Pyles or Mr. Pattie is asking for, but there is a method you need to through to get that kind of information without trying to stir the people up. Shame on us!” Mr. Shull: Hope to get back to normal. “In communication with the School Board, we need to continue looking for savings. That is something that needs to be ongoing.” Mr. Karaffa: He was disappointed with few people speaking against raising taxes and felt that was because of people in the meeting being disrespectful to those speakers who were in opposition. He also expressed concerns that a “fix- it plan” was not mentioned in regards to the Riverheads Elementary School problems and asked that this be included in the Strategic Plan.

Mr. Beyeler: School Board/Augusta County Service Authority/Augusta County – Suggested that a committee be reactivated to consolidate services. Mr. Karaffa said that was discussed by the Property Committee. Mr. Pattie offered to serve on that committee if needed. Chairman Moore felt that copier issues (and other leases) should be considered jointly. Mr. Wills felt that only one Purchasing Agent is needed. Mr. Pyles was asked by the Board to provide a “perspective report” for a Purchasing Agent to have a creative way to save money. He was asked to provide a report that would cover a 5 to 10-year period. Chairman Moore asked that this report be considered as a countywide use – County, Schools, Sheriff’s Department, Service Authority, Fire and Rescue, etc.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF

Staff discussed the following issues:

1. Tax Book Changes will be made by May 9th and Tax Tickets will be mailed out in compliance with the State Code.

2. Virginia Department of Taxation – “Sales and Use Tax Rate Change Information” – distributed to the Board.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business to come before the Board, Mr. Karaffa moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, the Board adjourned subject to call of the Chairman.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Moore, Beyeler, Wills and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.

Chairman County Administrator H4-24min.13