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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-17 adj M.B. 43, Pg. 275 March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 1) An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on March 17, 1993, at 1:00 P.M., Meeting Room 7, County Office Building, McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, said meeting being adjourned from March 13, 1993. PRESENT: Mr. Edward H. Bain, Jr., Mr. David P. Bowerman, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Messrs. Forrest R. Marshall, Jr., Charles S. Martin and Walter F. Perkins. ABSENT: None. OFFICERS PRESENT: County Executive, Robert W. Tucker, Jr., Deputy County Executive, Richard E. Huff, II, and Executive Assistant, Roxanne W. White. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 1:03 P.M. by the Chairman, Mr. Bowerman. Agenda Item No. 2. Work Session: 1993-94 County Budqet. Mr. Marshall said before the Board begin this work session he has a statement to make. Many of the people living in his district are lower income and have difficulty'paying their taxes. He has been receiving three to five telephone calls every night and as many letters each day. He cannot support the current 72 cents tax rate. He has been looking for ways to cut this budget. He feels that if the tax rate remains the same, it will cause some of his constituents to move out of Albemarle County. He intends to start making recommendations for cuts in the budget today. School Division, Dr. Robert Paskel, Superintendent, Present. Mrs. Patricia L. Moore, Chairperson of the School Board, said she is here today to present to the Board the 1993-94 school budget. This is a balanced budget and it contains no new debt. The School Board voted six to one to bring forward a balanced budget because the Board of Supervisors placed them in the position to be fiscally responsible for school division funds; however, that does not mean all seven members agree the proposed budget is adequate to fund the needs. Continuous state reductions since 1991, coupled with the growth rate, have left the school division able to only maintain the current level of instruction. The School Board has learned, in the last ten years, how to be creative and viable. The School Board has had a reduction in force, shifted central office personnel into the schools, amended the replacement schedules for buses, postponed and/or reduced needs, and required a 15 percent holdback from the schools for the last two years to absorb state cuts. Through all of this she is pleased to say that the schools have continued to maintain their current level of service. The school division received additional revenues this year. which wenb to support 63 percent of the growth. The School Board took a proactive approach to maintain its current level of class size; 15 percent of additional revenue was absorbed by rising health care costs, which left 22 percent flexibility for competitive salaries, merit pools and instruc- tional programs. The unfunded list the Board has before it is not a "wish" list; it is a list which includes approximately $1.2 million in instructional programs to assist in meeting community expectations, division-level goals and the needs to provide students in this county with a quality education. Should the Board approve the School Board's request to retain $290,000 in carryover monies, those funds would go towards funding the list of unfunded priorities. The School Board decided to wait until after this Board's budget process to prioritize the list of unfunded items. The School Board felt its position on certain initiatives could change based on the amount of funding received. Mrs. Moore reiterated the importance of how the School Board got to this point. First, it is important to note that in the last six years the school system has moved to site based financial management. This new approach allows the school communities to determine financial and instructional needs. Secondly, the School Board works towards a set of objectives each year. She then discussed the list of unfunded priorities. In the grouping of arts, music, technology and foreign language, the school can decide which program it wants to focus the most on. Under the concept of site-based school alloca- tions these initiatives serve three purposes; they let the schools address teacher and student needs along with community expectations are; they provide incentives to further develop programs and they require accountability. Mrs. Moore concluded by saying the school budget is no longer developed on borrowed money. The School Board is attempting to provide stable policy statements for this county and instruction needs to be addressed to complete a sound well- managed school system. March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adj°ur~'d~'ee~f~g) (Page 2) M.B. 43, Pg. 276 Dr. Paskel then highlighted the FY 1993-94 proposed school budget. PRIORITIES ADDRESSED * NO NEW DEBT * TEACHER SALARY SCALE TEACHER SCALE ADJUSTMENT TEACHER SCALE MOVEMENT * CLASSIFIED/ADMINISTRATIVE SALARY SCALE 1.3% SCALE INCREASE CLASSIFIED & ADMINISTRATIVE VESTING * EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH CARE * 4% MERIT POOL (CLASSIFIED & ADMINISTRATIVE) * GROWTH BUDGET REQUESTS 21.9 TEACHING POSITIONS 1 SPECIAL ED. TEACHING POSITION SUBSTITUTE TEACHER WAGES 3 CONVENTIONAL BUSES 7 BUS DRIVERS/FUEL/SUPPLIES/INSURANCE SCHOOL-BASED ALLOCATIONS ELEMENTARY FURNISHINGS BROADUS WOOD EXPANSION MIDDLE SCHOOL START-UP $765.205 $ 34.220 $ 7 535 $121 500 $137.405 $ 47.227 $ 15 000 $ 15 940 $ 50 000 * SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFFING GUIDELINES - 4 POSITIONS * SMALL SCHOOL STOP LOSS PROVISION * 2% INCREASE IN COST CENTER BUDGETS INCLUDING CATEC $551,377 $350,477 $160,232 $297,088 $309,150 $ 63,186 $140,169 $105,219 $179,914 UNFUNDED TOP PRIORITIES (NOT IN PRIORITY ORDER) * COMPRESSION (TO STEP E) $305,299 * INSTRUCTIONAL INITIATIVE PACKAGE (COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING) GIFTED $243,226 ELEM. MUSIC REMEDIAL EDUCATION $262,500 TECHNOLOGY VISUAL ARTS $157,500 FOREIGN LANG * SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFFING GUIDELINES - 4 POSITIONS * LOWER STUDENT ADULT RATIO BY .25 11.38 POSITIONS * HUMANITIES.TEACHER SCHOLAR GRANT $157,500 $231,000 $157,500 $140,264 $398,300 $ 13,268 Mr. Bain asked about the gifted and talented program in relationship to state mandates. Dr. Paskel said the gifted and talented program that the school system developed has not been implemented in the classrooms. The school system has the ACE Program (Albemarle County Enrichment Program) which is basically an enrichment program for all children. The new state guidelines mandated for FY 1994 requires the school system to develop a program to serve either the intellectually gifted, the artistically gifted or the academic. A program has been formulated to serve the intellectually gifted students. That program will meet the guidelines. The program has a lot of flexibility built into it. Mr. Bain asked about the justification for making art and music a part of site-based management. He feels that art and music should be offered system-wide. Dr. Paskel said that was a decision which involved the teachers, principals and communities. Mr. Bowerman asked how that decision integrates with parity in terms of what is being offered at each of the elementary schools. Dr. Paskel said parity comes under the concept that everyone has a program, i.e., an art program, music program, etc., and they can decide to implement the programs in a different delivery system which they (the faculty, principals, parents) think is best for that school as long as the youngsters are being exposed to the program. It does create an opportunity for variances in the degree of program offered in each of the schools. Dr. Paskel said as the schools get into this process, the School Board will the evaluate the issues and set standards of expectations for each school. Dr. Paskel said he anticipates recommending that the minimal level exceed the state standards. Mr. Bain said he has a problem with site-based management when there are principals who cannot agree that a gifted and talented program is necessary. Likewise, physical education is not a part of the daily curriculum at the elementary schools. Mr. Bain asked how is growth being funded, why is there still a need for mobile classrooms and where are the mobile classrooms being located. Dr. Paskel said the Director of Building Services is working with the principals M.B. 43, Pg. 277 March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 3) to assess the use of space that is currently available. For example, when Cale Elementary School was designed, the plan was to locate the music program on the stage. Cale elected to not use that space for anything and asked for a mobile classroom. The process was used for all 22 schools and it was decided to add nine mobile classrooms. Mr. Marshall said his constituents in southern Albemarle are telling him they cannot afford this budget. As their elected representative, he feels compelled to find some way to cut it. He totaled the proposed step increases and the across-the-board three percent raises, and arrived at compensation for the employees to be in excess of five percent. Ms. Tracy Holt, Director of~ Fiscal Services, said the state requires that teacher salaries be increased by 1.7 percent on an annualized basis or three percent effective December 1. The budget provides for approximately a 2.3 percent increase in total teacher salaries. That does not mean all teachers would get 2.3 percent; the increas- es range from 1.6 percent to 2.8 percent. For the administrative and classi- fied salary scale, a 1.3 percent increase in the salary scale, a four percent merit pool and vesting of prior year's bonuses are proposed. On an individual basis that would equate to approximately a 3.8 percent increase per employee. Mr. Marshall asked what is the total net increase over last year's payroll. Ms. Holt said she would estimate the total increase to be about 3.8 percent for classified and administrative employees. The figures shown in this budget also include 21 new teaching positions which would inflate administration. Mr. Marshall asked if the increase in teaching positions is an attempt to lower the pupil/teacher ratio. Ms. Holt said the budget proposes 21.9 growth related teaching positions in anticipation of 357 new students. The budget also proposes one special education teacher to fund the new staff program for special education teachers, and three additional teaching positions for the smaller schools. Mr. Marshall asked why the number of pupils in the classrooms were not increased as opposed to hiring additional teachers. Dr. Paskel said adding students to the classroom instead of teachers would be counterproductive to the School Board's top priority to lower the adult/pupil ratio. Mr. Marshall said he received a phone call from a taxpayer who said that teachers are asking for more pay and less work. This is what is being done when pupil/ teacher ratios are lowered. In addition, to lowering those ratios in the classes, it translates into additional classrooms and additional buildings at taxpayers expense. He is not convinced that smaller numbers in the classes make the children learn more; certainly the test scores are not showing that it is working. He is also hearing that the County is continuously throwing money into education, but is not getting results. On the other hand, these taxpayers are being faced into situations where they are being forced to move out of the County. He would prefer the School Board to look at the number of children in the classrooms as opposed to hiring additional teachers. The other issue he has is the increase in cost centers. Mr. Marshall asked what happens if the cost centers increase was reduced from two perdent to one and one-half percent. Dr. Paskel said this is the first year in three years the School Division has asked for an increase for the schools and departments. If this Board provides the direction that the increase has to be less than two percent, then adjustments will be made accordingly. The schools and depart- ments needed five percent to take care of the build-up of needs just to meet the increase in costs. There is exceptional quality in the school buildings but that cannot continue without a budget. This budget does not propose a reduction in pupil/teacher ratio. The budget proposes maintaining what the School Board and Board were able to fund last year. The salaries for the personnel addresses their personal needs in facing their costs on an individu- al basis. The school system is not going to attract quality people without a competitive salary scale. In addition to a competitive salary scale, a commitment to pupil/teacher ratio and the quality of school buildings attract potential employees. Mr. Marshall said with the economy base the way it is, the private sector is being inundated with applications for employment. In Albemarle County not only are a lot of people unemployed, but also a large number of people are underemployed. Employment is one area in which government and private enterprise can be compared. The County does not have to offer the kind of salaries that it offers to get a decent individual because the law of supply and demand affect the county the same way it affects private enter- prise. Dr. Paskel said if the school system is going to maintain the quality of personnel that it has been able to attract, and continue to attract the brightest minds in the classrooms or the most competent maintenance workers in the schools, it cannot lose any more ground. The county is really not that competitive at the present. The school system is struggling to hold its own with the competition in a bad economy. The school system is fortunate to have many teacher assistants who are fully certified teachers and that being the only job they can find. This school budget is not proposing anything other than an attempt to tread water and meet growth. Mr. Marshall said he has constituents who have not had increases in their salaries for three years and they cannot understand why government is March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 4) M.B. 43, Pg. 278 always getting cost of living increases. In the last three years, the state has cut its funding drastically. His goal is to eliminate one cent of the 72 cent tax rate, which is around $500,000. Mr. Bowerman asked Mr. Marshall where, in the school budget, are the areas he would like to see reductions. Mr. Marshall said he would like to see five teaching positions cut, the cost centers decreased from two percent to one and one-half percent and $300,000 cut from compensation. Mr. Marshall then offered motion that the school budget be reduced by $500,000. Mr. Perkins seconded the motion. Roll was called and the motion failed by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Marshall and Mr. Perkins. NAYS: Mrs. Humphris, Messrs. Martin, Bain and Bowerman. Mr. Perkins said the problems in funding the schools go a whole lot deeper than this budget. There are state mandates that are not funded by the state. There are Chapter I programs and other federal programs that are offered, the county buys into them, the state then stops providing funding and then the county has to pay the costs. He is hearing the same thing from his constituents. The citizens are wondering what the school system is doing in the classrooms when children are graduating children who cannot hold a job or know how to do a job. He feels for the school system because it has been asked to do everything that society has never been able to do. Until some basic changes are made at the state level the problems are going to get even worse. Mr. Bowerman said he thinks that is an unfair characterization of the school system. There are people who graduate who do not have the skills to do a job. That will always be the case. The system has to get the best product out of all the kids that it can. There are always going to be some kids that will slip through the cracks. Mr. Perkins said there are reasons the children are coming out of the schools like they are and those reasons need to be looked at, identified and changed. In addition, there is no support from the state. Mrs. Humphris said she thinks one of the problems is that the system is not getting any support from the home. She was a teacher for a while but would not want to be in a classroom today. She sympathize with teachers having to deal with the lack of respect and preparedness of children. She personally looks at education as a lifetime of work and is sorry that not more parents feel the same way. Mr. Martin said he thinks people have to realize that more than just reading, writing and arithmetic needs to be done, in dealing with children in the school system in order for them to graduate. Mrs. Humphris said the whole scene of public eduction is different now from what it was 15 years ago and that has to be recognized. She does not think that all of the problems can be dealt with using less money. Mr. Bain said at last week's budget public hearing Pam Starling, a parent, made a presentation. He does not agree with everything in the statement but that is the direction he wants to move in. He thinks the percentage of County general fund going into the school budget has decreased in the last several years. He thinks there are things the school system is not funding where they are trying to scrimp by on and are taking chances with. He is not willing to take chances with what is happening in the classroom. He is not proposing any specifics today in terms of what he would like to see added to the funding for the school system. He will, before the Board is finished with the entire budget, have some suggestions. He will be inclined to put conditions on any additional funds. He wants to see an increase generated for instruction, some of the initiatives, the remedial, the gifted and talented, and particularly art and music. He does not want to see students sue the school system to get what he thinks they should be getting. Mr. Martin then offered motion to move the unfunded growth, instruction- al, staffing/benefits and operational items (set out on pages A8 and A9) of the school system to the Board's list of items for further discussion. Mr. Marshall said he cannot support that motion. He is trying to find ways to save money, not spend more money. This Board cannot continue to solve all the social ills of society through our school system. The school system is here to educate the children. Mr. Bowerman said he can support the motion. Mr. Martin said it is not his intent to put the Board in a situation where it is trying to fund all of the initiatives. He made the motion so the Board can move forward and the items can be added to the list for further discussion. Mr. Bain said there are certain unfunded items on the lists that he is not interested in funding so he does not want to include them on the list. March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 5) M.B. 43, Pg. 279 Mr. Martin said he does not think the Board can sit here now and pick out the unfunded needs that it wants to support. He does not think this is the time to vote on each item individually. He thinks the Board needs to go over the entire list and then decide what additional items for fund. His motion is to carry these items over to a time when it is more convenient to discuss them. For lack of a second, the motion died. Mr. Bain said he would be willing to put a dollar figure on the addi- tional funding considered for the school system and then try to work within that figure. He cannot agree to look at a total of more. than $4.0 million in requests. That sends the wrong message and he will not consider it. Mr. Marshall said he does not understand the whole need for this. The School Board brought this budget to this Board. He does not agree with the budget that was presented and he will certainly not agree to increase it. The public is not going to agree to a tax increase. Mr. Martin again said he thinks the school system should get additional funds, but he does not think this is the time to discuss the use of those funds for individual items. Mr. Bain said he would support a motion that the Board consider adding up to an additional $1 million to the School budget for discussion at the March 24 work session. Mr. Martin seconded the motion. Mr. Marshall said he will not be present at the work session on March 24 and he wants to go on record as being adamantly opposed to the increase in the School budget. Roll was then called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mrs. Humphris, Messrs. Martin, Bain and Bowerman. NAYS: Mr. Marshall and Mr. Perkins. At 2:21 p.m., the Board recessed. The Board reconvened at 2:45 p.m. Thomas Jefferson Health District, Dr. Susan McLeod, absent. Requested, $542,000; recon~ended $542,000. Mr. Huff said the requested County contribution to the Health Department is $542,000, an increase of $31,120 (six percent) over FY 1992-93. Albe- marle's share of the total budget is approximately 45 percent. The reflected increase reflects a two percent state salary increase in both FY 1992-93 and FY 1993-94, a seven percent increase in health benefits, a four percent overall increase in operations and a reduction of $20,000 in federal funds for a health education/risk reduction program. Full funding is recommended for the Health Department. There were no 'changes recommended. Region Ten Community Services, Jim Peterson, present. Requested $211,240; recommended $211,240. Ms. White said Region Ten's requested FY 1994 total operating budget of $7,521,275 increases by 1.3 percent, an increase of $99,924 over FY 1993. Albemarle's share of $211,239 increases by five percent of $10,059 over FY 1993. Full funding is recommended for Region Ten. There were no changes recommended. Social Services, Karen Morris, present. Requested $3,299,206; recom- mended $3,068,432. Mr. Huff said the total budget of the Department of Social Services increases by $117,862 (3.9 percent) which reflects a 6.4 percent increase in compensation, a 9.7 percent increase in benefits and a 1.55 percent increase in operations. When revenues are accounted, the increase in local dollars is 2.76 percent. Mr. Huff said the unfunded initiative for the Comprehensive Services Act is relatively important to the County. The state has made funds available to Albemarle County over the base allocation for the Comprehensive Services Act. These monies, which must be matched at 45 percent will be used to pay for services for at-risk youth and their families, and may include residential treatment, outpatient and family counseling, and other services in the community. Ms. Morris provided an overview of the Comprehensive Services Act. She said this is another state mandate, although Social Services has a broad range M.B. 43, Pg. 280 March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 6) of flexibility. Social Services can set up its system the way it wants to, can decide on the services it wants to provide the children, how it plans deal with some of the social problems, etc. As part of this Act, court service units, education, public health, mental health, social services and parents are in partnership to deal with the particular problems of each child. Hopefully this money will Social Services to enhance the services it now have and provide additional services to meet some the needs of individual children. The 45 percent match is needed to bring down the new money. Mr. Martin offered motion, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add $81,320 for the local match for the Comprehensive Services Act to the Board's list of items for further discussion. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mrs. Humphris, Messrs. Martin, Perkins, Bain and Bowerman. NAYS: Mr. Marshall. Ms. Kathy Ralston, Deputy Director of Social Services, said the Economic Independence Initiative, an expanded employment program, targets applicants for the Federal JOBS Program, and with expanded staff and resources gets them training programs and employment. The initiative was funded by the federal government. The General Assembly, partly due to the recession, was not able to fully fund the match to pull down the federal bonds, so it only matched about 60 percent. Currently the JOBS Program has a waiting list of between 65 and 80 people. Mr. Bain asked why this was listed as deferrable in the priorities. Mr. Huff said the Program Review Committee felt the Comprehensive Services Act was an expansion of something Social Services was already doing, although on a more focused and efficient manner than what is presently being done. This program would be a new initiative. There were no other recommended changes. AIDS Support Group, Emily Dreyfus, present. Requested $8,500; recom- mended $0. MS. White said the AIDS Support Group is requesting $8500 for a Preven- tion Initiative Program that will direct education and outreach activities to the fastest growing HIV-infected populations in the County, i.e., African- Americans, women, gay and bi-sexual men, young people, migrant workers and inmates at the Joint Security Complex. Based on the recommendation of the Program Review Committee, funding was not recommended for the new initiative. The County Executive's recommendation was consistent in not recommending funding for any new initiatives. Ms. Dreyfus said this is a change in activities although it is the same agency and same overall objective. Many Albemarle residents, particularly in poor rural areas, are in the dark about how HIV is transmitted. The Group proposes to develop contacts and set up workshops with community groups, i.e., schools, social clubs and youth groups, as well as church outreach. To reach Albemarle residents or inmates, AIDS Support Group would like to work in cooperation with the Health Department and Offender Aid and Restoration to provide workshops, and to investigate the need and feasibility for a one-to- one counseling relationship. The Group also propose to distribute literature through social clubs and community newsletters, utilize volunteers and collaborated with other agencies. These programs are needed because the targeted population is hard to reach through their current programs. Current- ly the only thing available is the information line. People who are most at risk for HIV in the County are those who may not know of their services or who do not take the initiative. Statistics from the Health Department show that 23 people have tested positive, in the last five years, from the County. The Group currently serves approximately 15 County residents. Although these numbers are iow, they show almost a 66 percent increase between the full 1992 year and the first three months of 1993. She asked for the Board's support. In response to comments made by the Program Review Committee concerning the Peer Hy-pe Outreach Program, that program was designed to accomplish a tremendously difficult task. The youth that were targeted were primarily considered high risk, many had difficulty in schools, with their families and problems with the law. Breaking through those barriers and being able to talk with them about their health decisions and being able to help support them in protecting their futures takes a tremendous amount of ability and skill. The peer education coordinator was tremendously successful at that task. The skills needed to go hand-in-hand with the efforts of the coordinator were administrative, recording and evaluation, which were not available and affected the program. She thinks that the education that was done and the number of youth that were reached was beneficial to the County. Mr. Martin said some of his clients had contact with Peer Hy-pe and felt it was a beneficial program. Ms. Dreyfus said Peer Hy-pe was not a school-based program. Everything took place off school grounds. Without continued support by the County, the March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 7) M.B. 43, Pg. 281 only services for HIV education the Group would be able to continue is the speaker's bureau and the information line. Mr. Bowerman asked if the Board wanted to fund this new initiative, but had doubts about the administration and control, could the program be moni- tored on a three month basis. Ms. White said the Program Review Committee was not only concerned about administration, but also the new program. Another concern was the Group should look at refocusing its speaker's bureau, and using its current personnel to be more proactive rather than having a speak- er's bureau that just responds to requests. Ms. Dreyfus asked the persons present in support of the AIDS Support Group to stand (five people stood). Mr. Bowerman said he thinks any aids prevention program is worthwhile if it is effective. Mrs. Humphris said she was a supporter of Peer Hy-pe and she was disappointed to get the news that it did not turn out the way expected. She is concerned about whether the Group is attempting something it realis- tically can or cannot do. Mr. Martin thought maybe the Board could do something on a trial basis for maybe three month, and if it is not working, bring it back to the atten- tion of the Board. Mr. Bowerman thought Ms. White could work with the Group to put together a viable program that had merit that could do some good. If that could not work then the program would be stopped. Mr. Bain said he would also rather an attempt be made to put together a program. Mr. Marshall asked if the group has any fundraising projects. Ms. Dreyfus said the Group does a great deal of "grassroots" fundraising and hold special events every year. People have been supportive of client services because it has a personal impact. Mr. Bowerman said his feeling is that the Board wants to see some sort of a result before making another commitment. That being the case, Ms. Dreyfus could work with County staff and develop a program and come back to the Board with some 'interim funding if the program deemed worthwhile. Mr. Martin then offered motion to add $8500 for the AIDS Support Group to the Board's list of items for further discussion. The motion died for lack of a second. There were no changes recommended. Children & Youth Commission, Rory Carpenter, present. Requested $21,805; reconm%ended $21,805. Ms. White said the County's share of the Children and Youth Commission increases by $5289 (32 percent) over the FY 1992-93 appropriation. The increase reflects the County's share (50 percent) of a FY 1992-93 salary increase that was not included in last year's appropriation, as well as a projected three percent salary increase for FY 1993-94. Funding is recommend- ed for the county's share of the request. There were no changes recommended. Charlottesville Free Clinic, Betty Newell, present. Request $4600; recon=~ended $0. Ms. White said the Program Review Committee felt the Charlottesville Free Clinic was addressing a specific need in the community for health care and did have wide community support, and recommended full funding. Although the County Executive supports the recommendation of the Program Review Committee to fund the Charlottesville Free Clinic, funding is not included due to funding limitations. Motion was offered by Mr. Bain, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add $4600 for the Charlottesville Free Clinic to the Board's list of unfunded items for further discussion. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mrs. Humphris, Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Bain and Bowerman. NAYS: None. Sexual Assault Resource Agency, Annette Grimm, absent. Requested $25,000; recommended $25,000. Ms. White said there has been some confusion about SARA's request and what is being recommended for funding. SARA requested a total of $25,000 from general government which was to fund approximately $18,000 for client services M.B. 43, Pg. 282 March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 8) and $6350 for their community education program. SARA did not request funding from general government this year for their Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program. SARA directed a request to the school system for $41,542 for the CAP program in the elementary school and $18,010 for a Teen-CAP program in county high and middle schools. When the Program Review Committee was discussing SARA's request, it did not fund the increase in the Client Services Program. Since SARA did not request funds for the CAP program from general government, they are requesting that those funds ($6350) be used to fund additional staff, increased rent and increased operating expenses in the Client Services Program. The Committee did not feel the request for an additional $6350 (51 percent) for the Client Services Program was justified based on a projected 18 percent increase in services to County residents. Additionally, the City was not asked to participate in the costs of the expanded program. The County Executive's recommendation adds an additional $5790 to partially fund the CAP program that was not funded in the School Division's budget which increased the total funding to $25,000 to make it consistent with last year's funding. Therefore, from the CAP program is still an unfunded initiative because it was not funded at all by the school division. The Program Review Committee considered it a priority initiative to continue with the program that SARA is already doing. The Committee also felt the Teen-CAP was deferrable because it felt the dollars needed to fund the program in the elementary schools Was more of a priority. Mot£on was offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add $37,750 for the Child Assault Prevention program to the Board's list of unfunded items for further consideration. The Board also wanted to make sure that the $25,000 recommended for funding is allocated to the programs the funds were requested, and also requested staff to find out if the City intends to fund SARA's request. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mrs. Humphris, Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Bain and Bowerman. NAYS: None. District Home, Robert Tucker, Jr. Requested $33,000; recommended $33,000. Mr. Tucker said full funding is recommended for the requested amount of $33,000 for the District Home. There were no changes recommended. JAUNT, Linda Wilson, present. Requested $264,920; recommended $230,335. Ms. White said JAUNT's budget has a significant increase of $114,145 (75 percent) over the FY 1992-93 appropriation. This increased is based on several factors. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that the County provide transportation to the disabled at a rate no more than twice the CTS fare in the urban area. JAUNT's fare in the urban area is currently $2.00, which must be lowered to $1.50 or twice the CTS fare of $.75. That option would be to fully fund the reduction. Option II would allow the ability to reduce the fare to $1.75 in the first year and $1.50 in the next year for a savings in the current year of $34,588. ADA full compliance is not required until January 1995. This would require an appropriation of $230,335 or an increase of $79,560 (52 percent). Other reasons for the increasing costs in the urban area are an increase of 20 new passengers per month, 16 of whom reside in nursing or retirement homes. Funding is recommended for JAUNT in the amount of $230,335 which funds a $.25 reduction in the urban fare to comply with ADA regulations. JAUNT anticipates FY 1993 carry-over funds in the amount of $53,000, which makes the net cost of the FY 1993-94 appropriation $177,335, an increase of $26,560 or 17 percent over the FY 1992-93 appropriation. That carry-over will be returned as revenue to the County. Mrs. Humphris asked about the relationship of JAUNT and some of the new retirement homes that have their own transportation services. Ms. White said the JAUNT Board has been looking at what is the responsibility of the nursing or retirement home. Right now most of the facilities do not provide transpor- tation on a daily basis; they provide transportation on certain days. JAUNT is called on the days the facilities do not provide the services. Ms. Wilson said this is an issue she thinks the County needs to discuss with the nursing homes. From its inception, the Colonnades have used JAUNT heavily, but Westminster Canterbury did not use JAUNT for a long time and then just this week she received a stack of applications. Mr. Bain asked what are the regulations on who JAUNT has to serve. Ms. Wilson said an application is made to Charlottesville Transit and the person has to be physically unable to use the bus service. A doctor has to fill out March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 9) M.B. 43, Pg. 283 a medical form. be served. If the person meets the medical requirements, then JAUNT must Mr. Bowerman asked if payment can be required, if the person has the ability to pay. Ms. Wilson said JAUNT is funded by the Department of Trans- portation and is not allowed to charge fees. Ms. Wilson said she held a meeting with a group of the residents from the Colonnades and the nearest bus stop is at the traffic light on Georgetown Road. Those people are too old to walk along the highway that distance. Mr. Bowerman asked is there is some other'alternative to getting the residents to the CTS bus stops. Ms. Wilson said maybe JAUNT could pick up the residents and taken them to the bus stop. She knows that some of the residents of the Colonnades are physically able to use the CTS buses if they were able to get to the bus stop. Mr. Bowerman suggested that JAUNT work with Charlottesville Transit Service to come up with alternative whereby JAUNT could eliminate some of its bus trips to retirement facilities. Ms. Wilson said another issue the County needs to deal with is why these facilities are not using their own transportation vehicles. There were no changes recommended. Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), Gordon Walker, present. Request- ed $145,685; recommended $97,140. Ms. White said JABA requested a total of $145,685 which is $51,375 (54.47 percent) over FY 1992-93, which reflects a baseline increase of $4,715 (five percent) plus expanded initiatives. The initiatives were for a three day/week scholarship for the adult day care center ($5460); increased day care transportation ($6240); case management for the increasing number of elderly in the urban area ($6432); congregate meal sites at Crozet and Free Union (($7722-staff, $16,146-transportation) and respite care program for families of Alzheimer's patients ($5000). The County Executive recommended funding in the amount of $97,140, which is a three percent increase for their baseline programs. None of the initiatives were recommended for funding. Ms. White said the Program Review Committee was concerned about the equity issue of funding a lot of services for elderly who may be able to pay for those services.. JABA is forced by its funding sources to serve everybody, but the issue comes up as to whether the County taxpayers should fund some of the programs for elderly citizens who may be able to pay for the services. Mr. Bowerman asked if JABA is involved in any voluntary recovery programs. He asked if JABA is allowed to solicit from its more well-to-do users. Mr. Walker said JABA can direct the money it receives from the federal government to people with special social and economic needs. Consequently 90 percent of the people JABA serves have incomes below $10,000. Services JABA provide to other people are on a sliding scale basis, such as day care servic- es. A person below the poverty level income of $6800 pays nothing. People with an income of up to $17,000 will pay something; people with income in excess of $17,000 pay the full cost of services. JABA's request was made in that vain. Mr. Walker said he thinks the Committee is off base in suggesting that the money it receives from the County is going to pay for the well-to-do elderly. JABA's position always has been that its services are directed towards the poor. JABA does ask for contributions and has been creative in its methods for receiving funds. JABA receives about $89,000 from the County and spends in excess of $500,000 on County services. He has problems with the thought that JABA is asking for county funds to subsidize the wealthy. Mr. Bain asked how many people would be served at the Meadows. Mr. Walker said he hopes 30 people per day. Motion was offered by Mr. Bain, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add $47,825 to the Board's list of items for further discussion. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mrs. Humphris, Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Bain and Bowerman. NAYS: None. (At 3:49 p.m., the Chairman called a recessed. The Board reconvened at 4:03 p.m.) Madison House, Cindy Frederick, present. Request $4040; recommendation $4040. Ms. White said the FY 1993-94 budget requests a 3.5 percent increase to continue current programs. Madison House does not request funding based on a true local share formula, but asks that the City and the County together contribute approximately five percent of their budget. Albemarle's share represents 2.9 percent of their total budget of $137,874. Full funding is March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 10) recommended. There were no changes recommended. M.B. 43, Pg. 284 Focus-Teensight, Alicia Lugo, present. Request $19,230; recommendation $19,230. MS. White said Teensight's request for $19,230 reflects level funding over FY 1992-93. This amount will continue to fund a ten-hour per week position which serves all three County high schools. It also provides funding for a child care stipend to participating students throughout the school year. Full funding is recommended. There were no changes recommended. Shelter for Help in Emergency, Carti Lominack, present. Request $43,400; recommendation $52,475. Ms. White said Shelter's FY 1993-94 request for $53,400 reflects an increase of $2455 (4.8 percent) over the FY 1992-93 appropriation. The local share formula has been based on a two-year percentage of shelter facility usage by residents of each locality, as well as the percentage of non-resident services provided to each locality. Albemarle's share rose from 31 percent to 33 percent in FY 1993-94. Due to additional dollars funded for SHE in FY 1992-93, Albemarle's share of the local funding dollars is 39 percent. Funding is recommended for SHE at a baseline increase of three percent. Ms. Lominack asked that the Board consider full funding of SHE's request. Mr. Bain asked what support has been received from outlying jurisdic- tions. Ms. Lominack said she has not heard anything yet. She is inclined to think that SHE will not get any other support. Motion was offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to add $925, to fully fund SHE's request, to the Board's list of items for further consideration. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mrs. Humphris, Messrs. Marshall, Martin, Perkins, Bain and Bowerman. NAYS: None. Outreach Counseling, Alan Segar, absent. Request $25,580; recommenda- tion $25,580. Ms. White said the $25,580 requested by Outreach is a 15.8 percent increase in funds over FY 1992-93. The majority of this increase is a consequence of Outreach's merger with Region Ten Community Services Board and was precipitated by increased one-time salary and fringe costs, only partially offset by lower overhead costs. Based on the recommendation of the Program Review Committee, full funding is recommended. There were no changes recommended. Charlottesville/Albemarle Legal Aid Society, Ed Wayland, absent. Request $12,775; recommendation $12,775. Ms. White said CALAS requested a total increase of $135 (one percent) from Albemarle County, which maintains Albemarle's share at 34 percent. The total budget increase of one percent is due to increased health insurance costs. Full funding is recommended for CALAS There were no changes recommended. United Way, Jewel King, absent. Requested $31,200; recommendation $31,200. Ms. White said United Way is requesting $31,200, a 33 percent increase, to maintain the current level of ten scholarships for Albemarle County families. The requested increase is due to an increase in the average weekly scholarship from $41 to $51 per week and an increase in the percentage of the daycare award from 70 percent to 80 percent. The cost of ten scholarships is approximately $41 per week x 52 = $26,520. Administrative costs of 15 percent are $4680. Full funding is recommended for United Way's Child Care Scholar- ship Program. There were no changes recommended. M.B. 43, Pg. 285 March 17, 1993 (Afternoon Adjourned Meeting) (Page 11) Central Virginia Child Development Association, Ilene Railton, absent. Requested $7940; recommendation $9000. Ms. White said CVCD's request for $7940 reflects a base increase of five percent over the current year. CVCDA does not use a local share formula. The additional funding was recommended by the Albemarle Department of Social Services (DSS) to increase efficiency and decrease the administrative burden on the DSS to certify daycare providers. There were no changes recommended. Northwestern Virginia Health Systems Agency. Requested $4082; recommen- dation $0. Ms. White said funding is not recommended for NWVHSA. The need for greater health care planning in Albemarle County has not been shown. If the need for health planning services became evident, the County would contract directly with NWVHSA for those needed planning and analysis services. There were no changes recommended. Agenda Item No. 3. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the BOARD. Mr. Perkins said he has received several phone calls from people complaining about getting flat tires at the landfill. Mr. Marshall restated that he would not be present next week for the budget work sessions. He hopes that as the Board goes over its "wish list", if it wants to include some of these items in the budget, it find other items where cuts can be made. He cannot suppOrt any inCrease in the tax rate and he is looking for a way to reduce the current tax rate. Mr. Tucker said an additional item on Monday's agenda is a request to adopt a resolution of intent to amend the County Code to require haulers to be licensed. He has asked the County Engineer to make the haulers aware of the proposed discussion.' Also on that same agenda, the Board will be discussing a report on constitutional officers. Mr. Bain commented that he is totally opposed to supplementing salaries of the constitutional officers. They are state positions and everything possible should be done to get the state to provide full funding. Agenda Item No. 4. Adjourn. At 4:45 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. .... CFJrZRM~N