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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-03-20 adjMarch 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 1) 178 An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on March 20, 1991, at 1:00 P.M., Room 7, County Office Building, McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. The meeting was adjourned from March 18, 1991. PRESENT: Messrs. Edward H. Bain, Jr., David P. Bowerman, F. R. Bowie, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Mr. Walter F. Perkins and Mr. Peter T. Way. ABSENT: None. OFFICERS PRESENT: County Executive, Robert W. Tucker, Jr.; Deputy County Executive, Ray B. Jones; Assistant County Executive, Robert B. Brandenburger; and Executive Assistant, Roxanne W. White. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 1:06 P.M. by the Chairman, Mr. Bowie. Agenda Item No. 2. Work Session: 1991-92 County Budget. Mr. Bowie said last week the Board decided that the County Executive's staff would present the budgets for the various departments and that comments from Department Heads were not necessary unless specific questions were raised. The work session today is on requests from various agencies so the Board will receive brief comments from a representative of each agency. Jefferson Area Board of Aging. Since the Executive Director, Gordon Walker was not present, Mr. Bowie suggested that the Board discuss the JABA request later in the meeting. JAUNT. LindaWilson, Executive Director, Present. Requested $160,910; Recommended $140,340. Ms. White said JAUNT's request includes a $156,170 subsidy for projected increases in County ridership and $4740 in capital. Increases in JAUNT's funding request are due to four factors: increased demand-response ridership in the urban and rural zones; decrease in Federal funds (these have been frozen in the past, but will actually decrease in the rural area for the first time); decrease in State funding; and increased fuel costs. JAUNT has experienced a 32 percent increase in trips taken and service hours from FY 90-91 in the urban area. A 35 percent increase is projected for FY '92. Funding is recommended by the Program Review Committee at the base- line level of $89,425, a three percent increase, plus a subsidy increment of $40,915 for a total FY 91-92 allocation of $140,340, leaving $20,000 of their request unfunded. It is recommended that the $20,000 be made up by a slight increase in fares. This subsidy will require fare increases of 50 cents in the urban zone, 35 cents in Zone B, 50 cents in Zone C, and 25 cents in Zone D to maintain the 20 percent ratio of fare revenue to the total cost of a trip. Ms. White said although no dollar amount was recommended, this was a discretionary funding recommendation from the Program Review Committee. The Committee recommended that the Board increase the subsidy, but felt it was a policy decision the Board needed to make. Mr. Bowie asked if City Council had made a recommendation. Ms. White replied "no", City Council had recommended only a three percent increase for JAUNT which would raise their fare from 75 cents to $1.85. City Council is in the process of negotiating with JAUNT. Mr. Way commented that this Board sets the fares for JAUNT in Albemarle County which will have no effect on what City Council does. Ms. Wilson said JAUNT appreciates the Board's support and thinks the recommendation is a reasonable solution to the problem. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Madison House. Liz Courain, Director, Present. Requested $3,785; Recom- mended $3,785. Ms. White said Madison House is a non-profit corporation which organizes and implements volunteer services in the Albemarle/Charlottesville communities. Its" primary focus is to recruit student volunteers from the March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 2) 179 University of Virginia and channel their time and skills toward those indi- viduals and community groups/organizations needing volunteer assistance. Funding is recommended at the requested level to continue current programs, which reflects level funding over FY 90-91. Ms. Courain thanked the Board for its support of Madison House. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Shelter for Help in Emergency (SBE). Carti Lomim~ck, Director, Absent. Requested $34,435; Recommended $32,135. Ms. White said SHE is requests a funding increase of $3536, an 11.4 percent increase, which comes almost entirely in its general administrative budget. The staff of SHE analyzed more closely their activities this past year to accurately account for the time and resources spent on programs versus administrative responsibilities. This year SHE expects to house approximately 84 residents. Funding is recommended at the baseline level of $32,135, a four percent increase, which reflects a high level funding recommendation from the Program Review Committee. Mrs. Humphris asked about the statement of the Program Review Committee: "As more emphasis is being placed on out of shelter services, consideration should be given to making these a part of the formula, not only on facility usage." She asked the effect on the funding recommendation, if this were done. Ms. White said one of the goals of SHE is to increase education, awareness, and to only, as a last result, house people at the shelter. SHE does a lot of outreach, outside counseling and the Committee thinks that should somehow be .taken into consideration during review. The Committee does not know, at this time, how that would affect the local share formula. Mr. Bowie asked what happened with SHE's attempts to get payment based on a person's ability to pay and to get support from other localities. Ms. White said SHE continues to solicit funds from other localities, but has not been successful. Some of the other localities have increased funding, but the increase does not cover the services provided. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Outreach Counseling. Alan Segar, Director, Present. Requested $21,172; Recommended $21,430. Ms. White said the requested amount reflects a four percent increase in funds over a 1.2 percent reduction in the FY 90-91 appro- priation. This amount will help to fund a 1.8 percent fee increase and a 2.5 percent cost-of-living salary increase, enabling at least level services to Albemarle County funded clients. Funding is recommended at the baseline level of $21,430, a four percent increase, which reflects a high level funding recommendation from the Program Review Committee. Mr. Segar thanked the staff for its recommendation and informed the Board that Outreach is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Mrs. Humphris commented that the Program Review Committee made several recommendations and asked if anyone from staff will follow up on them. Mr. Segar said all of the recommendations made by the Committee have either been implemented or are about to be put into place. During the past year Outreach has made an effort to diversify its services, and the structure of services is more complex. In addition, Outreach services are becoming more popular and there are five organizations throughout Charlottesville providing similar services. These organizations are participating in the formation of a home base services network of providers who will meet on a regular basis to imple- ment such things as a mechanism for sharing review of referrals. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Charlottesvtlle/Al~ma~le ~esal Ai4 S~ztety (CAEA~). Ed Wayla~xl, F~ecu- rive Director, Absent. Requested 11,945; Recommended $10,405, Ms. White said CALAS has requested $1939, or a 19 percent increase for FY 91-92, which reflects a five percent step increase for staff, eight percent increase for FICA, six percent increase for health insurance and funding to bring Albm~arle March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 3) 180 into line with the local share formula. Funding is recommended at the base- line level of $10,405, or four percent, which reflects a high level funding recommendation from the Program Review Committee. Ms. Kathleen Irving, Administrator at CALAS, thanked staff for its recommendation of a four percent increase. The request of CALAS is based on the average salary for a staff attorney. The CALAS Board adopted a new salary plan in April, 1990. The figure in this request reflects the change in the plan. The average salary is computed on experience levels for an attorney, i.e., four, seven and ten years experience which amounts to $29,791. CALAS has not found a health insurance plan it can afford, but it still is committed to reducing the insurance by June 1. Although the percentage increase appears to be high, the total dollar amount is quite low. The percentage increase is more dramatized this year because the County did not fully fund CALAS's request last year which was based on their fair share of the attorney's position. If the County does not increase its share and City Council recom- mends flat funding, that is $3100 less than what they need. CALAS's costs are increasing even if the funding is not. In order for them to balance their budget, it is necessary for every contributor to give a small increase. CALAS is currently being funded at a deficit level. The only place they can make cuts is at staff level. CALAS has 115 local attorneys who volunteer every year which is how they have been able to maintain an increase in services. They have also gotten cash and book donations from the University of Virginia Law Library, and local attorneys and local bar associations to fund their law library. They are using the Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credits to offset many of their costs, including rental space and to pay private attorneys to handle custody and divorce cases. They feel that they have made a somewhat successful effort in finding alternative ways of providing services that do not result in them paying out cash. They staff consists of eight persons, four attorneys, one paralegal, one secretary, one receptionist and herself; ten years ago there were 15 staff persons. The requests for service have increased. In 1989, they served 40 percent more clients than in 1988; in 1990 they served seven to ten percent more clients. The volume is continuing to increase. In fact, this past Monday and Tuesday they processed over 100 new requests for service. They need to at least maintain current staffing levels. She again thanked the staff for its recommendation and asked that the Board fully fund their request. There were no changes recommended by the Board. In response to Ms. Irving, Mr. Bowie said he understands her comments, but everybody is facing these same problems and is having to cut back staff. He noted that there are three counties that do not contribute at all to CALAS and the City of Charlottesville is recommending level funding. He thinks it is unfair to ask Albemarle to underwrite these other localities. Jefferson Area Board foraging (JABA). Gordon Walker, Executive Direc- tor, Absent. Requested $93,570; Recommended $89,350. Ms. White said JABA requests an increase of $7600, or an 8.9 percent over FY 90-91, which reflects an inflation rate of five percent on their overall budget and an additional request for $3356 to fund the County's share of the Ombudsman Program. Funding is recommended for JABA in the amount of $89,350, which reflects a high funding level, four percent, recommendation from the Program Review Committee. Not recommended for funding was the $3356 to fund the Ombudsman Program. The Committee did not recommend funding of the Program because the Department of Social Services is mandated to respond to all cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly. JABA must report all of these cases to that Department. In addition, the Department has not seen any significant increase in these complaints. The Committee felt that many of the elderly in the new retirement and nursing homes, which was used to justify the funding request, are not low income and, therefore, have the means to meet their needs without the use of public funds. There were no changes recommended by the Board. United Way Child Care Scholarship Program. Zakira Beasley, Director, Present. Requested $60,500; Recorded $40,250. Ms. White said United Way is requesting $60,500 from Albemarle County. Of this total, $40,500 is March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 4) 181 requested to fund 20 Child Care Scholarships and $20,000 is requested to fund the Teen Program. This request represents a 78.7 percent increase over FY 90-91 funding. Funding is recommended at the baseline level of $34,870, or a three percent increase, which reflects a medium funding level recommendation from the Program Review Committee, plus an increment of $5380 to fully fund ten scholarships for Albemarle County families. This was a discretionary funding recommendation from the Program Review Committee. Mr. Wade Tremblay, Chairman of the United Way Child Care Scholarship Committee, said they are happy with the recommended increase. This is the first increase day care providers will receive in two years. This program is aimed at a narrow group of people, those one step above the public support level, primarily single parent households. In most cases, this support allows these parents to continue working. The increased support that the Board has shown in the last year has had a great impact. Albemarle County's waiting list has dropped from ten or more families to one family on the waiting list which is a remarkable change. Ms. Beasley thanked the staff for its support. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Central Virginia ChildDevelopment Association (CVCDA). Louise Mitchell, Director, Absent. Requested $7340; Recommended $7340. Ms. White said CVCDA is requesting a total of $7340 which is a four percent increase over their current funding level. C¥CDA will continue to serve as an information clear- inghouse and resource center to assist low income parents in finding appropri- ate child care in order for them to improve their education and job skills. Funding is recommended at the requested level of $7340, a 3.9 percent in- crease. Ms. Eileen Railton, Director of the Child Care Programs at CVCDA, thanked the County for its continued support. There was no changes recommended by the Board. Family Services, Cathy Bodkin, Executive Director, Absent. Requested $5100; Reco,,~ended $5100. Ms. White said this is Family Services' first request for an appropriation. The request represents the local share for 20 Albemarle County participants in its parenting groups program. The parent education program is a ten week series of intensive group educational and counseling services. The goal of the group is to decrease child abuse and to increase parent knowledge of child development, skills in parenting and the ability to cope with life's stresses. Albemarle County residents who use this service will be referred by the Department of Social Services, which reported 72 cases of child abuse in 1988-89. Funding is recommended in the amount of $5100 for the Family Services Parent Support Program, based on the Program Review Committee's discretionary funding recommendation that this program serves an identified and unserved need for Albemarle County families. Mr. Bain asked if Social Services can deal with abuse as it is reported. Ms. White replied not at this time. There is nothing available directly and nowhere to refer abusive parents. Criminal activity is handled by the Police Department. Mr. Bain asked if any other agency provides this service. Ms. White replied "no". Mr. Bowie asked where they get their funding. Ms. White replied people pay for their services and they have several contracts with employers to do counseling programs. Mr. Bowie asked if the City has acted on its request for $4700. Mr. Tucker replied "no". Mr. Bain asked how much Family Services can leverage with these funds. Ms. White said there are no specific amounts, but when they go out to other funding sources for grants, they use this as a leveraging device. Mr. Bain asked if the Children and Youth Commission would be reviewing this agency. Mr. Tucker replied "yes". Mrs. Humphris said she thinks the County is going to see the results of this program revealed in increasing numbers. It is being brought out in the open more now. March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 5) 182 Ms. White said the Children and Youth Task Force and the United Way Priorities Committee have identified a strong need for parentingprograms in the cox~unity; these services are not available and are something that have been discussed in the needs assessments. Mr. Way said this is a new program and he will offer motion that the Family Services request be deleted from the budget. He does not think this is the year for the County to start into new programs. Mr. Perkins seconded the motion. Mr. Bowerman asked what happens if the motion fails. Mr. Way responded that the program would remain in the budget. He added that he does not think the contingency fund should already be budgeted. He is not opposed to the program, but thinks it is the principle of it. Mr. Bowie said he agrees with Mr. Way that any discretionary funding should have been left up to the Board and not be in the basic budget. Ms. Humphris said she thinks there is such a need in this area and nobody knows of any other agency that is dealing with this program. She thinks this is a long overdue service that is necessary right now. The County should have been providing this service a long time ago. Roll was called and the motion was defeated by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Bowie, Perkins and Mr. Way. NAYS: Mr. Bain, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. Mr. Bain said he thinks that the Family Services Program should be reviewed by the Children and Youth Commission for next year and to determine whether another organization is providing these services. Mr. Bowie agreed. There were no further motions by the Board. Children amd Youth Co~ission. Rory Carpenter, Program Director, Pre- sent. Requested $15,215; Recom~emded $15,215. Ms. White said the Commission has requested $15,215 for FY 91-92 which reflects Albemarle County's share of the baseline budget of $84,428, with an increment of $4650 to add a half-time planner position. Using a graduate intern for the planner position, the County's share of the total operating budget would be $10,566. The City and the County contribute equally to the local share with approximately 65 percent of the total budget funded by the State Department of Youth and Family Ser- vices. Funding is recommended for the baseline request of $10,565, plus an increment of $4650 to fund Albemarle's share of the additional part-time planner. Funding for the part-time planner is conditional upon the City also providing funds for the position. Mr. Bowie asked why the graduate intern was not recommended. Ms. White said there is little continuity with an intern, each year there would probably be a different person. It would be difficult to establish a relationship with the community on that basis. Also, a part-time person would not have to be trained every year, as an intern would. Mr. Carpenter said he was present to answer any questions and he would prefer the planner position as opposed to the intern. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Virginia Discovery M~se~m. Peppy G. Linden, Director, Present. Reques- ted $20,000; Recommended $20,000. Mr. Jones said the Virginia Discovery Museum's overall budget of $264,000 decreases by $49,258, or 16 percent, over FY 90-91, with Albemarle's share of the operating budget decreasing by $5000, 11 percent. In response to a matching grant from the Perry Foundation for $250,000, the Board in December, 1989, committed to funding the museum at the requested level for three years. Funding is recommended as requested in the amount of $20,000. Mr. Bowie asked if there is a matching grant this year. Ms. White said the Perry Foundation gave the Museum a five year grant which is matched every year. March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 6) 183 Ms. Linden said she appreciated the County's support. She said this has been a busy year. They had over 25,000 visitors which is a 67 percent in- crease, 39 percent of the groups that have come to the Museum in the first six months of this year have come from the County; there have been two representa- tives from the County on an Exhibit Planning Committee for a new environmental exhibit; and 50 percent of their volunteers live in the County. Next Tuesday they are having the first meeting of their Teacher Liaison Committee in which a representative from all City, County and private schools meet on a twice yearly basis to share their concerns. Eleven percent of the people who have visited the museum in the first eight months of this year have come on their free days or utilized a free pass, none of which is subsidized; one-quarter of the membership is on scholarships. They want the Museum to be enjoyed and accessible to everyone in the community. In reference to matching funds from the City, the City purchased the building which they are using at $1 a year rent which would actually be $2000 a month rent, so part of the City's match comes in direct funds and what would be equal to $24,000 a year in rent. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Piedmont Council of the Arts. Maria Rice-Evans, Director, Present. Requested $5000; Recommended $5000. Ms. White said Piedmont Council of the Arts is requesting $5000 which reflects level funding over their current appropriation. The total budget for the Council is $77,868, a 16 percent increase over FY 90-91 which reflects the expansion of the Arts Alive Program. The basic operating budget for the Council has been reduced by 7.1 percent. Funding is recommended at the requested level of $5000. Ms. Elsie Thompson, a Volunteer, and Ms. Evans, the Executive Director, were present. Ms. Thompson thanked the County for its past support and said they are concerned that services be delivered with efficiency and in line with the economy. The Council serves community artists, art organizations and the community at-large. In the past few years, the Council has focused on improv- ing art opportunities for those residents who have been traditionally under- served by the arts. With their Arts Alive Programs for the elderly and disadvantaged children and youth and now with their task force on improved accessibility to the arts for the disabled, they continue to develop effective ways to help these groups share in the arts resources in the community. This summer the Arts Alive Program for young people will have a special focus on serving community disadvantaged youth. In addition they have secured the help of many arts organizations and artists in reaching these groups. Through their Chapter of Virginia Alliance for Arts Education, particularly the Arts-in-Schools Program, which has 150 volunteers, they have helped enhance arts programs in nearly all of the County elementary schools. They are worried about funding, but have taken constructive steps to deal with State cutbacks. They will be receiving only about 33 percent of last year's level of funding from the State. They are the only arts information center in this area and every day they field questions from citizens, teachers, etc. To avoid duplication and fragmentation of efforts in the arts field, they help artist volunteers and organizations get together and work together. The result of this work is more arts opportunities for all citizens and a better living for the professional artists who live and reside in the County and general area. There were no changes recommended by the Board. WV~T l%~blic Television. Requested $4500; Recommended $-0-. Mr. Jones said the WVPT signal is on the cable systems serving communities in Albemarle County, and a new translator on Carter's Mountain operating on Channel 19 provides off-air reception throughout the County. WVPT is requesting $4500 which is based on a per capita assessment of ten cents using 1980 census figures. Funding is not recommended for WVPT. Mrs. Humphris asked for more information on this request. Mr. Jones said WVPT asks every county and city in its reception area for a blanket donation based on ten cents per capita. The staff feels that as long as WVPT is being funded by private donations and business enterprises, the County should not participate. Mrs. Humphris said she understands the recommendation, but thinks WVPT is a positive outlet to have available to the people in the County. March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 7) There was no change recommended by the Board. 184 Thomas Jefferson Visitor's Bureau. Bobbye Cochran, Acting Director, Absent. Requested $75,922; Recommended $75,922. Mr. Tucker said based on the contract formula, the County's share is $75,922. In a new contract negotia- tion between the County, the City and the Chamber of Commerce in April, 1989, the County's share of the total budget was based upon a ratio of sales tax and lodging tax collections. The Center's total budget request is $224,587, which is down $4243, 1.8 percent, from FY 90-91. Full funding in the amount of $75,922 is recommended. There was no change recommended by the Board. Charlottesville/Alb-mmrle Literary Vol~teers. Requested $10,742; Recommended $9200. Ms. White said Literary Volunteers requests $10,740, a 20 percent increase over FY 90-91. The requested increase is to provide Albe- marle's full share of a full-time staff person who oversees the program, and to fund an increase in retirement and health benefits. An increase in private funding is also expected in FY '92. Funding is recommended for the Literary Volunteers at $9200, a four percent increase, which reflects a high level funding recommendation from the Program Review Committee. There was no change recommended by the Board. Senior Center. Elizabeth Seabrooke, Executive Director, Present. Requested $9676; Recommended $-0-. Ms. White said this is the first time the Senior Center has made a request to the County. The request is for $9676 to help support the coordination and organization of their Health and Nutrition Program. With a total program budget of $28,275, Albemarle's share would be 34 percent of program costs. Funding is not being requested from any of the other localities to support this program. Funding is not recommended for the Senior Center, because the need for public funds has not been documented. The Health and Nutrition Program's lectures, discussions and Health Awareness Day are currently supported by the volunteer efforts of health professionals in the community, with staff coordination for these programs currently funded by United Way and membership dues. Funds for this program are also not being requested equitably from other jurisdictions in Planning District Ten. Ms. Elizabeth Gleason, President of the Senior Center, said this is the first time in 31 years of operation that the Senior Center has come to the County requesting a donation. The City of Charlottesville is currently subsidizing the Center's rent, and provides insurance and maintenance of their present facility in the Old McIntire Library Building. Their circumstances have now changed. In the late summer, they will be occupying a new facility on Greenbrier Drive in the County. The 1991 operating budget is $214,572 based on three months occupancy in the new facility. Due to reorganization of United Way, they are providing the Center with $12,000 less for operating expenses. As they go into larger facilities, they expect to expand programs and need an increase, not a decrease in donations. The remainder of the income includes dues which are now $20 per member. The Center waives those dues by giving scholarships when necessary, and they have fund-raising events throughout the year. They request financial support from the County to assist in serving 1055 senior citizens from Albemarle County and in recruiting other County citizens who are eligible. The Senior Center provides the opportunity for seniors to maintain a high quality of life as they continue to enjoy the company of their peers while participating in the education, health, and nutrition, volunteer and recreational programs. The Center k~ows that it curtails the expenditure of public funds on the custodial and health care of the elderly. The Center's service is unique and targeted toward members of the community over the age of 55, who have given a lifetime of service to us and who know deserve our attention. There were no changes recommended by the Board. March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 8) 185 Thomas Jefferson Planning District Co--ission. Nancy O'Brien, ~xecutive Director, Present. Requested $45,486; Recommended $45,486. Mr. Brandenburger said that based on a total baseline budget of $338,901, Albemarle County's share for FY 91-92 is $45,486, a $1418, or 3.2 percent, increase over FY 90-91. The increase reflects a level per capita allocation of $0.52 and a five percent increase for the legislative liaison program (total cost of legislative program is $11,764). The Planning District's FY 91-92 request also includes $20,037, a four percent increase, for the Housing Resource developer contract. This amount is shown as a line item request in the Planning Department's budget. Albemarle's share is calculated on a 1989 population estimate of 64,850 assessed at $0.52 per capita. Funding is recommended at the baseline budget level of $45,486. Mr. Bowie asked if the other counties in the Planning District are contributing their fair share. Ms. O'Brien said this year, based on estimates of what it would have cost Albemarle to do its solid waste planning, the Planning District is saving the County $60,000 which is more than the County is providing, all of which the Planning~District is doing out of its current contribution. A report will be presented to the Board in May. The Planning District is working on three other ongoing regional plans on environmental, housing and human resources. There were no changes recommended by the Board. The Board recessed at 2:22 p.m. and reconvened at 2:42 p.m. Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AMIP). Theresa Tapscott, Exec~- rive Director, Absent. Requested $275,905; Recommended $275,430. Ms. White said AHIP is requesting $275,905 from Albemarle County for FY 91-92. Of the total amount, $247,294 is to support the Housing Rehabilitation Program, $14,614 for the Emergency Repair Program, and $13,997 for the Home Ownership Program. This is a 4.2 percent increase over FY 90-91, when current year funding of the Home Ownership Program ($13,570) is included. This increase reflects an increase in medical insurance, workman's compensation, and a cost of living/inflation increase. Funding is recommended at the baseline level of $275,430, which reflects a high level of funding, four percent, recommendation from the Program Review Committee. The funding recommendation includes the County's share, 50 percent, of the new Home Ownership Program. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Monticello Area Comm~mityActionAgency (MACAA). KemAcker~m., Director, Present. Requested $36,820; Recommemded $36,085. Ms. White said MACAA is requesting $36,820 in FY 91-92, a 23 percent increase in County funding over FY 90-91. Additional funding is requested primarily to: provide for infla- tionary costs (five percent), salary increases (6.5 percent to 7.5 percent), and to increase the County's share of Project Discovery from $6425 to $11,564 (80 percent increase). Funding is recommended at the baseline level of $31,200, which reflects a high level of funding, four percent, recommendation from the Program Review Committee, plus an increment of $4885 to fully fund Albemarle's share of Project Discovery. The total funding recommendation for MACAA is $36,085. This was a discretionary program recommendation from the Program Review Committee. Mr. Bain asked what comments were received from the schools. Ms. White said Mr. Barry Chlebnikow, Director of Student Services, served on the Commit- tee and he reviewed this application and information and talked to guidance counselors at the Schools and reported back favorable impressions of what MACAA is doing with regard to Project Discovery. Ms. Humphris asked if a banquet for Project Discovery is still included in the budget. Mr. Ackerman said "no", they plan to have a picnic which is a time they use to recognize the students. Mr. Way asked why the change was made to have Head Start at Yancey Elementary School. Mr. Ackerman said the facility the program previously used was an old dilapidated building. The condition of the facility is no where March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 9) 186 near as good as Yancey. Use at Yancey enabled the program to save some costs by sharing some services, which then enabled them to put more support into the program through the other costs. Also, since the schools are helping them with the speech therapy on-site, they are able to use the library facilities, the gym, the playground and basically it is a better facility and provides better coordination. Also, having the parents come to the school with pre- schoolers helps them feel more comfortable. Coordination with the families is much better. Mr. Way said he has a problem with this request. His objection is that the School system does not have a policy for taking care of under school-aged children within the school buildings and someone decided to go ahead with this kind of project evidently with the idea that it is now part of the school system and can be expanded. He has some serious problems because it is an example of things being done without policy decisions being made first. It concerns him that now all of the schools will be having physical demands for preschool children. Ms. White said Project Discovery was at Albemarle High School, Western Albemarle High School, Walton Middle School and it is now a beginning program at Jack Jouett Middle School. Mr. Ackerman said he does not think that MACAA will be able to afford its normal anniversary salary increases for staff this year. At this point, they are looking at a four percent cost of living increase. Last year 15 seniors participated in Project Discovery of which nine went on to college. Of the other six, one enlisted in the military and the other five obtained jobs. They have some campus visits coming up in the near future if any of the Board members would like to be chaperons to see how the program operates. They have received some expansion money for Head Start for the Charlottesville urban area which allowed them to include some Albemarle children in that expansion; about ten are expected from Albemarle. In regard to MACAA's request for support of the Henry D. Mitchell Hope House Program, in the past they asked for consideration based on the number of residents from each of the jurisdic- tions that they serve. They have tried to limit the request to the property taxes they are paying on the building which amounts to approximately $1700. At the beginning of the program there were no Albemarle residents partici- pating, but, for the past year, six of the 19 families came from Albemarle and that prorated share for the County is the request for $664. He thinks that is a small amount. Over half of the $90,000 budget is made up in fund-raising moneys. They have people from local churches constantly raising money. With this great amount of volunteer involvement and community support, (they have asked Charlottesville for their share based on the residents) it shows the people who are contributing private money that they are not using their money to pay the property taxes. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Charlottesville Transit Service (Route 29 North Bus Service). Helen Poore, Director, Absent. Requested $31,491; Receded $31,491. Mr. Branden- burger said the proposed County contribution of $31,491 represents a $10,404, 49.3 percent, increase over FY 90-91 due to reduced state funding for transpor- tation services. Full funding for the baseline operations of the CTS 29- corridor contract is recommended. Mr. Bain said the County is contracting for this service and if the State stops funding the County must pick up the costs. Mr. Tucker said "yes", the County does subsidize what the State does not fund. This is to continue providing the current service to Route 29 North and there is no expansion of service proposed to the Pantops area. Mr. Way commented that there is legislation pending on the Federal level that could provide some additional funding. Ms. White said there is new legislation proposed to use some money from the Federal Transportation Fund to help mostly small transit systems. It is geared primarily to rural transit systems. There were no changes recommended by the Board. March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 10) 187 City/County N~venue Sharing Agreement. Recoimended $3,277,350. Mr. Tucker said the FY 91-92 City/County Revenue Sharing appropriation is $3,277,350, an increase of $474,990 over FY 90-91, or a 16.95 percent increase. Without the cap in the formula, the payment would be $3,644,347. A cap in the formula limits the payment to one-tenth of one percent of the taxable real property base. That percentage translates to $0.10 per $100 of the assessed value of taxable real property, which is the $0.10 added to the County tax rate to fund the agreement. Funding is recommended at the contract level. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Debt Service. Requested $4,629,518; Recommended $4,629,518. Mr. Tucker said the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) has authorized a $3.0 million bond issue for the Spring which is less than what the County had requested. As previously indicated to the Board, the County does have several other options, one of which is a "Stand-Alone Bond Issue". In that instance, the County would have to get its own bond counsel, financial adviser and bond rating. Although VPSA would still act as agent, the County would have to pay the costs. Mr. Tucker said another option is to watch the revenue stream and cash- flow and if possible wait until the Fall to apply for another bond issue, but the money for that issue would not be available until November. There is no guarantee that the County would get that bond issue, but indications are positive because usually preference is given to any locality which did not get its total request in the Spring. The third option is a $500 million bond issue through the Literary Fund by VPSA that will be available in the Summer. Mr. Tucker said he will be able to make a recox~endation to the Board after seeing the projections in June or early July. He is currently thinking about a stand-alone issue. The money for this issue would become available in late September or early October. Currently, the County has a better bond rating than VPSA and the County could probably get a better issue at a lower rating. The question is the cost of a stand-alone bond issue in July. Right now the estimates that have been received from VPSA would range anywhere from $90,000 to $100,000. With the $3.0 million bond issue, the County would have a net savings in Debt Service that could be used for that purpose. In Debt Service, $1.4 million has been budgeted for FY 91-92 on the assumption that the County will get its total needs through a bond issue. There will be a net savings of about $400,000 from which the County could take the $100,000 to pay the fees associated with a stand-alone issue. That would leave approximately $300,000 that could either be applied to the Capital Improvements Program, put in a reserve account, or put in the Undesignated Fund Balance. Mr. Bowie asked about the possibility of temporary borrowing for a short period until the money from a stand-alone issue became available or until revenues are received in late Fall. Mr. Tucker said it used to be simple to go to the bank and borrow money just by showing that cash would be coming in from taxes. The rules have changed and borrowing can no longer be used while applying to a long term debt. Mr. Bain said he is concerned that the County may not get its total request in the Fall from VPSA. Mr. Tucker said by July he should know in which direction the Board needs to go. Mr. Bain asked why the Board should not just proceed with the stand-alone issue now. Mr. Tucker said since VPSA is the agent, the Board has to use their schedule and the earliest the process can begin is July 1, which is about the same time to apply for the regular Fall issue. Mr. Bowie reiterated his previous statements that for anything beyond this bond issue, he thinks the Board should go to referendum for a general bond issue. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Capital Improvements Transfer. Recommended $1,000,000. Mr. Tucker said the staff recommends a $1.0 million transfer to the Capital Improvements Program which is what has generally been done in the past. This current year March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) ~_88 (Page 11) there was $6,075,200 which was the $1.0 million, plus the $5,075,200 received through the split collection of the property tax. There were no changes recommended by the Board. Bistrict Home. Requested $31,200; Recommended $31,200. Mr. Tucker said the District Home is located in Waynesboro and which provides ambulatory and nursing home services to indigent persons. It is jointly operated by the County, the City and five other jurisdictions in the Shenandoah Valley. Projected funding for the District Home increases this year by $1200, four percent, for a total request of $31,200. Full funding of the requested amount of $31,200 is recommended. Mrs. Humphris asked how many people the County supports. Mr. Tucker said he is not sure, but the people are referred to this facility by the Social Services Department There were no changes recommended by the Board. Mr. Tucker said there is a list of items which the Board wanted to discuss again at the next work session. His staff had a productive meeting with School staff yesterday and has one more meeting scheduled. They used Mr. Bowerman's proposal as a base and are working from that with some ideas and suggestions that the executive staff has developed. Mr. Tucker said during the work session on the School budget it was suggested that staff look at reducing the mileage reimbursement to employees for use of their personal cars. The staff has reviewed the costs, and in the School Division, there would be a cost savings of about $14,000, and in General Government the savings would be approximately $1300. The State continues to reimburse mileage at 24 cents and the Federal government reimbur- ses at 26 cents. Also, last year, the Board made a policy change to encourage staff to use their personal cars rather than using a County-owned car. Mr. Bowerman asked if there is a chance that the Virginia Public School Authority will not fund a portion of the road construction for the new Agnor- Hurt Elementary School in the bond issue. Mr. Tucker said the staff included the cost of the road as part of the VPSA loan and it has not been deleted at this time. Mr. Bowerman asked if road construction could be included in a stand-alone bond issue if it were taken out of the current bond issue. Mr. Tucker replied "no", because VPSA would still be the bond agent. Mr. Bain asked the cost of that road. Mr. Tucker said he does not know at this time. The County Engineer is still working on the plans. There are several issues that need to be resolved, a septic tank within the road right- of-way, a mobile home park in the area, and the extension of a public sewer line. If the plans are ready to go to bid in January, 1992 that allows plenty of time to bid and start work in the Spring and still have the school comple- ted by September, 1992. The problem will be finding the money elsewhere in the CIP if the road cannot be funded through VPSA. Mr. Bowie said in seven years he has been on the Board, this is the tightest budget the Board has had. He feels the entire budget is well done, but this is a "tight" year. He is concerned about further budget cuts by the State and the fact that a lot of assumptions are being based on revenues that the County does not have. He thinks that there should be some further cuts and suggests the following: reduce the mileage reimbursement for use of personal cars from 24 cents to 17 cents; allow no out-of-state travel; impose a 25 percent mandated reduction on certain office items such as postage, telephone, etc; require a reduction in the use of utilities, such as fuel oil, heating oil, electricity, etc. He thinks that creating a reserve is good budget management tool. Agenda Item No. 3. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the Public and Board. March 20, 1991 (Adjourned Afternoon Meeting) (Page 12) 189 Mr, Bowie said following a discussion with the Clerk, he thinks the Board should reverse its vote of March 18 concerning May meeting dates and just cancel its meeting of May 1. Motion was offered by Mr. Bain, seconded by Mr. Bowerman, to reverse its vote of March 18 and cancel the meeting it scheduled for May 22 and to cancel its regularly scheduled meeting for May 1, keeping May 8 for the day meeting and May 15 for a night meeting. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. WaY. NAYS: None. Mr. Bowie announced that the invitation the Board received to the lunch and dedication of the Old ScOttsville School does include spouses, the Clerk's staff, and the County ExeCutive's staff. Agenda Item No. 4. Adjourn. With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.