Budget Work Session Meeting – March 26, 2014
Budget Work Session Meeting, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.
PRESENT: Larry J. Wills, Chairman
Michael L. Shull, Vice-Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg
David A. Karaffa
Jeffrey A. Moore
Marshall W. Pattie
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr.
Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development
Jennifer M. Whetzel, Director of Finance
Melissa Meyerhoeffer, Assistant Director of Finance
Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator
VIRGINIA: At a Budget Work Session of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at 8:30 a.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 238th year of the Commonwealth….
FY2014-15 BUDGET
The County Administrator and Finance Director continued from Monday their presentation of the FY2014-15 Budget.
Board Members General Comments:
Marketing and Recruitment – Make sure Volunteer Coordinator has the resources available to do job/assist agencies. Since this will be the first year of real focus on Volunteer Coordinator position, begin with use of funds as recommended in the budget. If additional funding is needed, it may be requested during FY15 from contingency or budget revision through the County Administrator and/or the Finance Director.
Fire Station Contributions – Review contribution policy for hybrid agencies. Bring formula to Board of Supervisors at later date for review/approval.
Fuel Benefit/PP Tax Reimbursement – Prepare analysis on use of PP Tax Reimbursement funds for Fuel reimbursement. This would expand the benefit for out-of-county volunteers who volunteer at County stations. Board of Supervisors reevaluate formula at later date. Also requested a review of outcomes/performance be prepared annually.
Caretakers – Candy Hensley reviewed caretaker study and noted that Option 4 is included in the proposed FY15 budget. Board consensus to proceed as proposed.
Afton TIC – Board received update on Afton TIC from Economic Development Director. Board consensus to review alternative use of funds.
Advertising/Marketing – Board priority to ensure that Economic Development Director can establish website. Noted use of capital, adjustment to site visit funding (use of contingency if activity warrants) and additional funding in tourism available if needed.
Contributions – County Administrator reviewed status of VCSB and VPAS regional funding formula changes. Board to consider “donation” for Craigsville Fire Department to offset taxes contingent upon building being used for “public” purpose.
Pay and Classification – Discussion on 3% COLA/Merit as of 9/1/14 Infrastructure – Consensus to fund $25,000 per district ($175,000 total) Capital – Noted future projects that will need to be funded from capital or debt service.
CLOSED SESSION
On motion of Mr. Pattie, seconded by Mr. Karaffa, the Board went into closed session pursuant to provisions of Section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia:
(1) Discussion of prospective candidates for assignment, appointment and evaluation as permitted under subsection (A) (1); A) County Administrator B) County Attorney C) Economic Development Director D) Fire and Rescue Chief E) Succession Planning Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
On motion of Mr. Shull, seconded by Mr. Karaffa, the Board came out of Closed Session and adjourned subject to the call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
The Chairman advised that each member is required to certify that to the best of their knowledge during the closed session only the following was discussed:
1. Public business matters lawfully exempted from statutory open meeting requirements, and 2. Only such public business matters identified in the motion to convene the closed session.
The Chairman asked if there is any Board member who cannot so certify.
Hearing none, the Chairman called upon the County Administrator/ Clerk of the Board to call the roll noting members of the Board who approve the certification shall answer AYE and those who cannot shall answer NAY.
Roll Call Vote was as follows:
AYE: Shull, Moore, Bragg, Karaffa, Pattie, Pyles and Wills NAY: None The Chairman authorized the County Administrator/Clerk of the Board to record this certification in the minutes.
Board of Supervisors recessed for lunch at 12:00 noon.
FY2014-15 SCHOOL BUDGET
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors met with representatives of the Augusta County School Board including School Board Chairman Nicholas T. Collins; Dr. Chuck Bishop, School Superintendent; Mark Lotts, Finance Director, who presented an overview of their FY2014-15 Budget, as well as supplemental Budget requests.
School Board requested priorities:
1. Additional compensation adjustment: $1,908,943 2. Additional positions: 386,391 3. IT Initiative: 416,000 4. Priority maintenance projects: 262,900 $2,974,234 5. Composite Index funding made permanent: $1,296,421 Board of Supervisors proposed:
1. $1,296,421 added to “base” for schools going forward (Composite Index funding).
2. Use of $1 million per year advance from Ladd sale (maximum $3 million) for IT (non-base).
3. Advertise 2¢ of 5¢ real estate tax increase for schools $1,394,000 (base).
FY2014-15 FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors met with Chief Carson Holloway and members of his staff to review his FY2014-15 Budget and supplemental budget and capital requests.
Fire and Rescue requested priorities:
1. Frozen training position (Vo-Tech): $ 78,287 2. 3 floaters: 177,728 3. 3 floaters – Riverheads: 177,728 4. 3 floaters – PLY: 177,728 5. 3 floaters – Co. 10: 177,728 6. Training position – due to more career staff: 78,287 7. Ladder truck replacement: 1,200,000 8. Fire Inspector (if County adopts fire code one position may not be enough to cover): 93,130 $2,160,616 Board of Supervisors proposed:
1. Advertise .5¢ of real estate tax rate increase for Operating 2. Advertise .5¢ of real estate tax rate increase for Capital
FY2014-15 SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT BUDGET
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors met with Sheriff Randy Fisher and Chief Deputy Glenn Hanger to review his FY2014-15 Budget and supplemental budget requests.
Sheriff’s Department requested priorities:
Frozen Positions: $269,269 Professional Services: 1,800 Travel & Training: 15,500 Crime Prevention Supplies: 850 Police Supplies: 29,924 Radar Equipment: 9,000 Ammo Range Supplies: 4,000 Tactical Unit Expenses: 10,400 Equipment-Computer 41,950 $382,693 Sheriff discussed importance of active shooter training and use of technology by department.
Board discussion on reduction in positions due to retirements, transition to Comp Board.
Board of Supervisors proposed:
A) Added 4 positions for consideration ($46,101 x 4 = $184,404) B) Miscellaneous line items: $65,596
FY2014-15 BUILDING INSPECTIONS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUDGET
Presentation by Community Development Director on recommended fees. Board of Supervisors requested a recalculation based on 1¢ per square foot increase and $75 minimum (woodstoves at $50). Board will review at later date with a separate public hearing. No adjustment to the budget at this time. It was noted that increased fees may assist with MS4 requirements.
The Board of Supervisors endorsed the following revisions to the County Administrator’s budget at their Wednesday, March 26, 2014, work session:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FY14-15 Budget The Board of Supervisors endorsed the following revisions to County Administrator’s budget:
Expenditures FY15 Budget:
11010-2300 BOS Hospitalization <$ 6,765> 12200-3200 IT – Maint. Srv. Contract <$ 3,000> 31020-MISC Sheriff’s Department $ 250,000 32010-MISC F&R Operating $ 348,500 80000-8057 F&R Capital $ 348,500 80000-MISC CIP Projects $ 987,171 92020-9995 COLA/Merit (Comp Board) $ 54,000 92020-9997 COLA/Merit (County) $ 110,000 92030-5753 CVFD-Tax Exemption $ 2,594 94000-0041 School Salary Initiative $1,394,000 $3,485,000 Revenues Real Estate Tax 5 cents (applied collection rate/growth formula):
County (3¢) $2,091,000 School (2¢) $1,394,000 $3,485,000 Board Notes:
1) Board consensus to advertise a 5¢ tax increase 2) Add Composite Index contribution to School Board’s base ($1,296,421 equal to additional 1.86¢ on tax rate) 3) Ladd School Advance – $1 million for three years from County CIP to fund School IT initiative (non-base) 4) Craigsville Fire Department Tax Exemption for as long as property is not used for private use (rental) 5) Sheriff’s Department 4 deputies @ $46,101 = $184,404 Misc. Line items 65,596 $250,000 6) F&R Operating – Funding for positions 7) F&R Capital – Funding to be used for fire apparatus (CIP) until need to offset SAFER funding shortfall (FY18 or later) 8) COLA/Merit moved from January 1st to September 1st Chairman County Administrator H3-26bgtws.14
