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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-03-04 adjMarch 4~ 1981 (Adjourned from?~March 2~ 1981) A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County was held on March 4, 1981, at 2:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the County Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia; said meeting being adjourned from March 2, 1981. Present: Messrs. Gerald E. Fisher, J. T. He~ley, Jr., F. Anthony Iachetta, C. Timothy Lindstrom (arrived at 2:28 P.M.), Layton R. McCann and Miss Ellen V. Nash. Officer Present: County Executive, Guy B. Agnor, Jr. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 2:05 P.M. Agenda Item No. 2a. Office on Youth-Family Services. - Requested - $6,061; recommended - $6,061. Ms. Amy Melville was present and gave the ~following as the purposes of the Youth Service Center. 1-To assume the provision of information and referral services to youth and their families, 2-To provide public education and information, 3-To maintain up-to-date data on the needs of youth and available resources, 4-To prepare annual delinquency prevention action plan, 5-To make recommendations to local decision-makers and serve as a public advocate, 6-To establish working agreements among agencies, and 7-To manage, support and evaluate the system of youth services. Ms. Melville said the staff of the Center will be reorganized in the FY 81-82 year to include a director, a community educator and a half-time secretary. She then listed numerous services which the Center hopes to provide in the coming year. Mr. Fisher then questioned Ms. Melville on such things as bookkeeping procedures, purchasing and payroll procedures and auditing. He felt there were an incredible amount of administrative overhead costs included for 2 1/2 employees. There were no recommendations for changes. (Mr. Lindstrom arrived at 2:28 P.M.) Agenda Item No. 2b. Bicentennial Center - Requested - $10,890; recommended - $10,890. Mr. Agnor noted that this State program will expire on December 3'0, 1983 and next year, the Board will have to decide whether the Center will continue to function as it has or whether it will be merged with the Visitor's Bureau. There were no recommendations for changes. Agenda Item No. 2c. Planning District Commission. Requested - $18,103; recommended - $16,715. Last year, the County funded this category at 305 per capita, and this was based on the other localities doing the same, but the other localities funded only 255 per capita. This year, Mr. Agnor said he is recommending that this be funded at 27.55 per capita even though several of the other localities have indicated that they intend to remain at the 255 per capita. Mr. Francis Fife was present in support of the request for 305 per capita. Mrs. Wayne Harbaugh was also present and said several of the counties have indicated to her that they will fund the 305 request; the big problem is with the City of Charlottesville. Dr. Iachetta noted that he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Planning District Commission and there have been efforts this last year to pare down the staff to what the money could support. This request represents the lowest limit where the staff can still function effectively. Dr. Iachetta felt the Board should support the $16,653 requested plus the $250.00 needed for salary of the citizen member, or a total of $16,903 and offered motion to that effect. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lindstrom and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. None. Agenda Item No. 2d. Magistrate. were no recommendations for changes. Requested - $2,095; recommended - $2,095. There Agenda Item No. 2e. Extension Service. Requested - $64,373; recommended - $61,332. Mr. Agnor noted that the difference in the recommended amount was due to loWering salaries to the 7 1/2% increase calculated for all general government employees. Also included was a salary supplement for the unit chairman, which was also deleted in his recommendation. Mrs. Elizabeth Payne was present. She said that the Extension Service office recently reorganized. Many administrative decisions that were made on the~State or District levels will now be made on the local level, therefore, the recommendation for a salary supplement was an effort to equalize the responsibility .placed on the unit chairman. There were no recommendations for changes. Agenda Item No. 2f. Regional Jail. Requested - $76,828; recommended - $43,182. M~Agnor said there have been changes in this budget since it was first reviewed by the staff and he would now recommend that the figure be adjusted to $46,400. This figure is a product of the usage of the Jail by Albemarle County based on usage in previous years. Agenda Item 2g. Outreach Counseling. Requested - $2?,500; recommended - $-0-. Mr. Tom DeMaio was present to appeal the recommendation of the County Executive. This program is for juvenile delinquents and is an alternative to residential placement. Most children are referred from the Welfare Department or the Courts. He then introduced Dr. Craft who is a member of the Board of Directors. She said the program is small and for the number of years it has been operating, they have struggled to develop a high quality program and a program which is stable financially. It has been difficult to maintain a good staff and continue services to people who need same. The Outreach Board felt it must go to the community and request funds if the program is to continue. Dr. Craft said she believes that the client group served by Outreach .Counseling is a group that is not being served by other agencies. There were no recommendations for changes. March 4, 1981 (Adjourned from March 2, 1981) At 3:33 P.M., the Board recessed and reconvened at 3:38 P.M. Agenda Item No. 2h. Revenues. Mr. Agnor then presented the following charts for the Board's consideration in finalizing the budget: Revenue adjustments as of March 4: BUDGET SUMMARY From To Change School Fund 8,964,733 9,033,759 + 69,026 General Fund 25,136,329 25,207,635 + 71,306 Total 34,101,062 34,241,394 + 140,332 Appropriation adjustments approved through March 2: 1201-1001 County Executive-Salaries 1201-2006 Life Insurance 1201-2011 Workmen's Compensation 9103.3-5634 9103.3-5654 3400-5413 3400-7002 Juvenile Detention Home Emergency Medical Services Inspections-Operating Expense Inspections - Furniture From To Change 77,410 80,187 + 2,777 857 887 + 30 714 759 + 45 Sub Total + 2,852 22,119 19,855 (2,264) -0- 226 + 226 600 450 (150) 350 -0- (350) Total Approved Adjustments 314 Appropriations recommended for March 4 work session: 1101-3002 County/City Negotiations 3302-6001 Regional Jail From To Change -0- 62,500 62,500 4'3,182 46,400 + 3,218 66,220 1001 Salaries 2001 FICA 200~/3Retirement 2005 2006 2011 3004 5101 5201 5203 5401 5411 5501 5503 5504 5520 5801 7002 8002 Hospital Insurance Group Life Insurance Workmen's Compensation Repairs-Maintenance Electrical Service Postage Telephone Office Supplies Books-Subscriptions Travel-Mileage Travel-Subsistance & Lodging Travel-Conventions/Education Travel-Witnesses Dues Furniture-Fixture Rent Insurance, Burglary Other Expenses Advertising COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY BUDGET RECONCILIATION 80-81 81-82 81-82 ~pprop. Request Recommend 81-82 Comp. Board Req. Local Costs 81,260 98,720 87,031 100,250 -0- 9,125 11,619 11,619 6,666 4,953 7,131 7,752 7,752 8,308 -0- 960 1,880 1,880 1,880 -0- 877 968 968 1,008 -0- 4,901 4,577 4,577 -0- 4,577 1,500 1,700 1,000 800 200 120 300 300 -0- 300 1,000 1,500 750 750 -0- 2,000 2,500 3,000 1,500 1,500 1,000 1,000 1,000 750 250 1,236 1,760 1,500 275 1,225 500 750 750 -0- 750 250 500 500 -0- 500 1,705 2,000 1,700 -0- 1,700 -0- 1,000 1,000 500 500 750 1,000 750 1,000 (250) 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,500 (3.00) 3,600 3,600 3,600 -0- 3,600 - - - 150 -0- - - - 750 -0- - - - 50 -0- TOTAL 119,115 144,326 130,877 126,137 19,505 ~ch 4, 1981 (Adjourned from March 2, 1981) Health Department Mental Health JAUNT Shelter For Help In Emergency Teen Involvement Tourism Bureau Emergency Medical Services Offender Aid & Restoration Education Library Home Care Task Force Community Action Agency Outreach Counseling Sub-total Capital Fund BUDGET RECONSIDERATIONS 80-81 81-82 81-82 Approp. Request Recommended Shortfall 262,810 64,133 6,194 7,896 --0-- 12,500 5,462 13,200 19,008,280 354,881 --0-- 16,162 695 19,752,213 1,000,000 316,393 93.236 15~077 231687 8.006 15.000 5.734 19.559 21,662~454 441~289 26~068 35~463 27~500 22,689.416 1,250~000 289,090 27,303 73,753 19,483 6,813 8,264 -0- 23,687 -0- 8,006 15,000 -0- 226 5,508 14,520 5,039 21,366,058 296,396 388,785 52,454 -0- 26,068 17,778 17,685 22,172,023 27,500 22,172,023 517,393 1,000,000 250,000 TOTAL 20,752,213 23,939,416 23,172,023 767,393 Mr. Fisher said there are a number of ways the Board can proceed to finalize this budget. He, personally, is very concerned about the shortfall shown for the capital fund. Mr. Lindstrom said if a majority of the Board is unwilling to adjust the tax rate to fund some of the items shown in the "shortfall" column, there is no reason to sit here and agonize, because there will be no money in this budget to do anything. Mr. Henley said he will not vote for an increase in taxes. Mr. McCann said he felt the County should "pull in" and keep the same tax rates since the reassessment is causing a 22% increase in the taxes of some people. Miss Nash felt the cost of living raises are raising the budget too high. She felt a lot of money could be saved if the increase were limited to 5%. Miss Nash said she also was not willing to increase taxes. Mr. Fisher said he is more concerned about the capital fund and what monies the County will have to borrow in future years to meet its needs. Mr. Fisher said he would be willing to support a 15 increase on the tax rate for public hearing purposes, to raise one-half of the shortfall in the capital fund, although he might not support that increase a~fter the public hearing. Mr. Fisher said he would not support any increase in the tax rates for operations. Mr. Henley said he might agree with Mr. Fisher if the reassessment had not caused such an increase, and if he agreed with all the things that are in the capital program. Dr. Iachetta said he also was concerned about some of the projects listed in the capital program as to whether they are really "needs". Mr. Fisher said there did not seem to be much support for his idea. Mr. Lindstrom said there are some major items that he could support a tax increase for, but maybe after hearing from the public he would not want to support that increase. He felt the Board would receive the most public comment by advertising for an increase. Mr. Lindstrom said he disagreed with Miss Nash about salaries, he does support the school budget, and he would be willing to go to public hearing with a tax increase to support those two items. Mr. McCann said he would support the school budget if the $69,026 shown under the "budget summary" were applied toward the Shortfall and if the school Board did not add any new positions or programs he would support adding another $Y25,000, but not the $227,370 difference. Mr. Henley said he felt the $69,026 should go to the schools, but he would not support giving any additional amount. Mr. McCann said if the School Board can cut programs and not salaries, he will support them this year, but in future years he will not vote to support a raise for school employees that is higher than that for all other county employees. Dr. Iachetta said the short£all on the school budget is close to 25 on the tax rate. Mr. Agnor noted that the items listed on the "budget reconsiderations" sheet are those items which the Board asked to look at the second item; there were many other items which were not funded. Mr. McCann said he does not want a tax increase. Agenda Item No. 2n. Tourism Bureau. Mr. Lindstrom offered motion to change the allocation for this item from $15,000 $o $13,500. The motion was seconded by Mr. Henley and carried by the following recorded ~ote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom and McCann. Miss Nash. Agenda Item No. 2o. Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Iachetta said if the Board is not going to consider funding the EMS operation, then it should' rethink the amount of money that goes to the rescue squads relative to this item. He said that on Monday he heard that there are three groups, each wanting to go its own way and two of them are not able to support themselves, and the other is not willing to support either of the other two. For two.~years in a row, the two new squads have been unable to raise sufficient funds. Dr. Edlich seems to think that the EMS might be able to act as referee and provide an overview~from a medical standpoint as to what those squads need. Dr. Iachetta said, if the County is going to fund these squads, it needs some agency to provide that information. He felt the requested amount of $5,508 should be restored by.reducing allocations to the various rescue squads. Mr. McCann did not think the rescue squads lend their support to this agency. Mr. Agnor said he had received a letter today from the Charlottesville- Albemarle Rescue Squad who state that they do not believe the taxpayers of Albemarle County should support this state agency. Mr. Fisher said that for a number of years the Emergency Medical Council brought a good deal of money into the community for communication and other equipment needs of the rescue squads, but now those sources of funds are drying up. Br. Iachetta asked what the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad intends to do with the land the County purhcased for them on Berkmar Drive. Mr. Agnor said they have requested a meeting with Dr. Iachetta, Mr. Fisher and himself for the near future. Evidently they are ready to start, but cannot get assurance from the City that the McIntire Road design will not be changed again. Mr. Fisher asked Dr. Iachetta if he had a motion. Dr. Iachetta said he knew what would happen, but he would offer motion to restore the $5,508 request to the Emergency Medical Services category, the money'to be taken from the overall monies ~ allocated to each of the rescue squ~ds. The motion was seconded by Mr Lindstrom, but ' failed by the following recorded vote: ' March 4, 1981 (Adjourned from March 2, 1981) AYES: NAYS: Dr. Iachetta. Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. Mr. Lindstrom said three members of the Board are not in favor of any tax increase, so that answers his question. Dr. Iachetta said it seems that an increase of 25 is needed just to break even, without adding any of the other things requested. Mr. Henley suggested the Board go with the "recommended" column of the "budget reconsideration" sheet and forget the shOrtfall column. He said he could support Mr. Fisher's idea and put $70,000 in the capital budget if it weren't generated for the schools. Mr.. Fisher Said he still did not hear any consensus. Dr. IaChetta said Mr. Lindstrom proposed that 25 be added on the tax rate for public hearing purposes. Mr. Henley said he would not support that idea because there are too many people in his district asking why the rate is not being cut. Mr. Lindstrom then offered motion to go to public hearing with a 35 increase on the tax rate with.the additional revenues being.allocated first to the schools for operations and the balance to the capital fund. Mr. Henley said he felt the County had done well with its copital improvements program the last two years. He has talked with his representatiw on the School Board and was told that he would not support the total school board request. Mr. Fisher said if the $69,026 in additional sales tax revenues are subtracted from the $296,396 school budget deficit, that leaves $227,370, which represents 1.85 on the tax rate, which would leave 1.25 for capital projects. Mr. Lindstrom said he could break his motion into two parts. Dr. Iachetta seconded the motion. Mr. Lindstrom then said for .clarification he would offer motion to put the $69,026 into the school budget. The motion was seconded by Mr. Henley. Mr. Fisher said in November estimates of expected revenues for the 81'82 year were given the School Board. He asked Mr. Agnor if the County has not come up with enough revenues out of local sources to more than meet that estimate. Mr. Agnor said yes, in fact, the local revenues shown in this budget exceed that estimate by $100,000. Mr. Fisher said he feels that is an ample increase and he will not support the motion. Mr. Lindstrom said he feels that it is important to give the School Board some projection of revenues for budget preparation, but he never thought the figure given last November would be the decision maker for him. Roll was called at this point, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom and McCann. Mr~~ Fisher and Miss Nash. Mr. Lindstrom then Offered motion to increase the real estate tax rate by 35 with the balance of the School budget being funded first, and with any remaining revenues going to the Capital Fund. The motion was seconded by Dr. Iachetta, but failed by the recorded vote which follows: AYES{ NAYS: Dr. Iachetta and Mr. Lindstrom. Messrs. Fisher, Henley, McCann and Miss Nash. Mr] Fisher said there is $6,586 of the adjusted revenues still available. He asked Mr. Agnor what the Board should do. Mr. Agnor suggested that this amount be used to reduce the Carry-Over BalanCe. Motion to this effect was offered by Mr. Lindstrom, seconded by Mr. Henley, and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. Dr. Iachetta. Mr. Agnor then handed to the Board a copy of the sheets pertaining ~o the "Self-Sustaining Funds. Agenda Item No. 4. Motion was. offered by Dr. Iachetta to advertise for a public hearing on the 19.81-82 County budget, for April 1, 1981, at Jack Jouett Middle School. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lindstrom and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. NAYS: None. A new section of the State Code (58-785.1(b))requires that the Board advertise for a public hearing when the biennial assessment ~would result in an increase of one per centum or more in the total real property tax levied. Thirty days notice is also required before the hearing. After a brief discussion, motion was offered by Dr. Iachetta, seconded by Mr. Henley, to set the matter on the Board's agenda for April 8, 1981, at 2:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the County Office Building. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. None. Agenda Item No. 3. Set Tax Rates. Motion was then offered by Mr. Lindstrom to advertise tax rates for the public hearing as follows: $0.67Z$100 for real estate and mobile homes; $5.00Z$100 for personal 'property; $5~.00/$100 for machinery and tools, $0.67/$100 for equal assessments of public service corporations; and $4.80/$100 on unequal assessments of public service corporations. The motion was seconded by Dr. Iachetta and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom, McCann and Nash. None. March 4, 1981 (Adjourned from March 2, 1981) Agenda Item No. 5. Executive Session: Legal Matters. At 5:18 P.M., motion was offered by Miss Nash, seconded by Mr. Lindstrom, to adjourn into executive session for the stated purpose. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. None. The Board reconvened into open session at 7:30 P.M. and immediately adjourned. Chairma~