1995-03-15 adjMarch 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
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000179
An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County,
Virginia, was held on March 15, 1995, at 1:00 P.M., Room 7, County Office
Building, McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. This meeting was ad-
journed from March 13, 1995.
PRESENT: Mr. David P. Bowerman, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Messrs.
Forrest R. Marshall, Jr., Charles S. Martin, Walter F. Perkins and Mrs.
Sally H. Thomas.
ABSENT: None.
OFFICERS PRESENT: County Executive, Robert W. Tucker, Jr., and County
Attorney, Larry W. Davis. Also present were: Deputy County Executive,
Richard E. Huff, II, and Assistant County Executive, Roxanne W. White.
Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 1:07 ?.M., by the
Chairman, Mr. Walter F. Perkins.
Agenda Item No. 2. Budqet Work Session: 1995-96 County Budqet.
School Division, Mr. William W. Finley, Chairperson, and Dr. Kevin C.
Castner, Division Superintendent, were present.
It was noted in the staff's report that the School Board submitted a
balanced budget of $69.4 million, which is based on allocated revenues of
$63.5 million in the School Fund and $5.9 million in Self-Sustaining Funds.
This is a 4.4 percent increase in the School Fund and a 13.1 percent increase
in Self-Sustaining Funds. Based on the September 30th enrollment figures, per
pupil expenditures are $5710. A synopsis of the School Division's budget
objectives and strategies was provided to each Board member along with a list
of the School Board's funded initiatives and unfunded priorities. The General
Fund transfer to the School Division is $38,833,182, an increase of $2,028,237
(5.5%) over the FY 94-95 appropriation.
Mr. Perkins asked Mr. Finley to speak first. Mr. Finley said this was
his seventh budget and procedures were so smooth that it was almost "boring".
One of the primary reasons is that it was extremely well organized, and he
expressed his appreciation to Dr. Carole Hastings and her staff; second, the
review committees of the County and the School Division got together three
times during the work. Also, there was the meeting between the School Board
and the Board of Supervisors where the bonus percentage and scale increase
were set. The remainder of the process after that was routine.
Mr. Finley said the School Board took a vote at the beginning of the
process where it decided that the budget submitted would be a balanced budget
and the budget presented today is balanced against projected revenues. Built
into the budget is a debt pay-off to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) of
about $2.2 million. This payment (the equivalent of ten teachers salaries and
it goes on for the next nine years) is for the early retirement program which
involved 32 employees. The School Board learned a lesson with this program.
If it ever decides to do the same thing again, it should have some plan in
effect in advance of approval.
Mr. Finley said there is a reserve in the School budget for a bus fund
which they hope to be able to hold anticipating a large expenditure in the
next three years coinciding with the opening of the new high school. At the
end of the next fiscal year, the School Board will decide if it is more
financially feasible to hold this money as a bus reserve or use it to pay down
the VRS debt.
As to teacher's salaries, having scaled the bonus back from 2.5 percent
to two percent, it freed up money that was then added to the top of the scale
for teacher increases. It could amount to 2.8 percent for some teachers, and
some could get an even higher percentage. One of the goals of the strategic
plan is that the teachers be in the upper quartile of the State, and he
believes they will be well within that figure if this proposed budget is
adopted.
Mr. Finley said the County has one of the finest instructional teams in
the region, perhaps in the State, and having begun implementation of the new
curriculum, and with the emphasis the School Board and the new administration
are placing on instruction, he believes the real issue in the future, and the
top priority in the schools, will be instruction, including textbooks and
resource materials, classrooms and assessment. He said that future budgets
will scrutinize more closely any proposal that does not enhance instruction or
improve student performance. The priority is in the classroom.
Dr. Castner said his part in the budget process this year was minimal.
He was glad to come in where the School Board and the Board of Supervisors
have such a close relationship. There was a genuine team effort between
Roxanne White, Rick Huff (General Government personnel), Carole Hastings and
Jackson Zimmerman (School personnel). He said the budget presented is a
"maintenance of effort" budget because there Were not a lot of new monies.
When 234 new students are projected for next year, it took all the money
available to just maintain what was already in place. There are a number of
unfunded priorities, but these need to be looked at to see if they are "must
do" as opposed to "should do".
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March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Ad~°urhed Meeting)
(Page 2)
Dr. Castner 'sa'~ ~e be~~e S~h0Ol Division will be okay next
fiscal year. He is concerned about the cost of replacing textbooks, and when
there is a maintenance of effort budget, there are times when the infrastruc-
ture can slowly get behind. The School Board has to be focused toward
instruction, and has to be pro-active. He thinks the bus reserve fund is a
very good idea. He said some money was taken from that reserve fund, but the
School Board knows there will be some funds to correct that from the School
Board's current fiscal year budget. He is pleased with the support given by
the Board of Supervisors and hopes it is the type of standard that can be
expected in the future.
Mr. Perkins asked if any Board member had a question. Mrs. Thomas asked
if the teacher scale has been increased to add two steps to the top. Dr.
Castner said three steps were added, but the final decision is pending. Some
adjustments may be made yet, but the amount of money that the Schools have to
work with is fixed, it is a matter of how to distribute that amount.
With no other Board member responding, Mr. Perkins said this has been
the easiest work session with the School Board that he has ever attended. He
thanked those who were present.
Mr. Tucker said he would like to discuss the mandatory health screening
issue. Mr. Mike Marshall from the School Board is also present to express his
concerns° Mro Tucker said staff feels that a health screening is an important
part of the County's wellness program. It is a preventative measure~ and
times when problems have shown up through these screenings can be documented°
In the long run, it has helped to contain health care costs. In FY 94-95,
staff promoted a mandatory health screening feeling that the more employees
who were a part of this screening, the better it would be for the total health
care costs.
Mr. Tucker said that some employees felt they did not know about this
mandatory program soon enough. Monday night the School Board voted 5/2 not to
have a mandatory health screening, and he has thought about it and now
recommends that any screening be postponed this Spring, and it be taken up
again in the Fall of '95 or the Spring of '96. He wants to put together, with
the School System and the health advisory committee, some incentives and some
disincentives for doing it. In order to take another look at the program, and
do a better job of getting the information out, he recommends that the health
screenings not be done in the Spring of 1995.
Mrs. Humphris said she appreciates what has been done and she heard Mr.
Mike Marshall speak at the School Board meeting, but she would like to say
that a health screening is extremely important. First, the taxpayer support
that is given toward health insurance is a benefit which does not have to be
provided. Second, speaking from personal experience, a regular health
screening can save your life; it happened to her and it happened to her
husband, so she believes it could happen to many people in the building and in
the school system. The Board does have to be careful about the way it spends
taxpayers' dollars for these benefits, and the preventative part of this would
save dollars. She is supportive of the health screening.
Mr. Mike Marshall was present. He said he did not know Mr. Tucker would
make the recommendation he did, today. He is not opposed to health scree-
nings, but the issue of it being mandatory raises philosophical issues about
government that the Board needs to address. The plan was set up so the
"mandatory" aspect was only for the employee and not his/her spouse/dependent.
If it is to mandatory, he believes it should be mandatory for all partici-
pants. He believes the mandatory aspect raises privacy issues for some
people. The government needs to protect the rights of minorities as a basic
tenet of the democratic process. Not everybody will feel that they should be
coerced by the loss of their health insurance premium into doing something
that they see as a violation of their privacy as regards their body. Although
he realizes that the County is trying to control costs, he believes the
largest single factor in the growth of premium expenses is mental health
costs, not physical costs. If this logic were to hold, it seems the County
should require a mandatory mental health screening. It seems the logic of
this gets into areas the County has no business getting into°
Mrs. Thomas said she thinks that most of the mental health costs come
from substance abuse, and that is an issue covered under most health scree-
nings in a way that is not unduly intrusive and can lead to substance abuse
classes that employers can have for their employees, and that is a reason not
to include all dependent persons. She feels the County erred in the way it
approached this issue. She agrees with the advise not to proceed with the
health screenings in this fiscal year. She does feel it is a way the County
should god and will support furtherance of the program in the near future.
Mr.. Martin said he likes the idea of having incentives as well as
disincentives. He thinks both should be strong because he believes in the
health screenings. He does not particularly agree with them being mandatory.
Mrs. Thomas said she was surprised that presentation of the Schools
budget went by so fast. She wanted to comment that it is difficult for a
Board member to say the School system needs more funds When the Superintendent
says the Schools will be okay next fiscal year. She has been concerned that a
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - AdjOUrned Meeting)
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maintenance of effort budget is the kind of budget the Schools have been
having, and feels "we may soon be eating our own seed corn" if not careful in
what is being done. It will be difficult to talk about the unfunded priori-
ties if this is a budget that the Schools can survive and thrive on in the
coming year.
Dr. Castner said he did not want the Board to misinterpret what he said.
The School Division will be okay in the next fiscal year with the proposed
budget, however, the School Board does have a list of unfunded priorities. He
then handed out a copy of the following list:
ALBEMARLE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
SUMMARY OF UNFUNDED PRIORITIES DISCUSSION
February 27, 1995
PRIORITIES AND ASSOCIATED COSTS
FIRST TIER PRIORITIES**
Additional At-Risk Funding
Materials for Revised Curriculum
~ Middle School Intramurals
20,600
341,842
41,280
SECOND TIER PRIORITIES***
Increase Merit Pool by 0.555
Middle School Foreign Language
Special Education Staffing
63,052
110,000
535,500
THIRD TIER PRIORITIES****
CATEC Initiatives 54,068
Feeder Pattern Nurses 98,640
Gifted Resource Teachers 198,000
School Clerical Staffing 67,750
VRS Debt Reduction 358,185
TOTAL UNFUNDED TOP BOARD PRIORITIES 1,888,917
** Mentioned by three board members
*** Mentioned by two board members
**** Mentioned by one board member
Dr. Castner said he feels a need for additional at-risk funding and
could make good use of additional funds. In the spirit of the way this budget
was developed, and with additional revenues being known in the beginning, he
could make a good case for any of the unfunded priorities if there are now
additional revenues. If the Board wants additional input, he will be glad to
answer any questions.
Mr. Perkins asked if staff wanted the Board to take any action today.
Mr. Tucker said "no". He suggested that the Board wait until next Monday's
work session and discuss unfunded priority items for all departments and
agencies at that time.
Mr. Perkins asked if the School Board could use just one-half of the
requested amount for an item such as "materials for revised curriculum." Dr.
Castner said they would probably choose to focus on just one subject such as
science, rather than priorities within a specific curriculum. The amount
requested covers all areas of the curriculum.
Mr. Martin said he feels it is a shame that "middle school intramurals"
is a first tier priority when the County had such a good program in operation
at one point. He feels mistakes were made by dropping that program.
Mr. Perkins asked if staff wanted any action on the proposed mandatory
health screening. Mr. Tucker said "no". He heard no objection to postponing
the screening until staff has time to draft a new proposal. Mr. Perkins asked
when the Board will receive the proposal. Mr. Tucker said it should be ready
in June when the staff plans on presenting a proposal for total health care
coverage.
The discussion of the Schools budget ended at 1:42 p.m.
At this time, Mr. Tucker handed to the Board a memorandum containing
information to questions raised at the Board's work session last Monday° He
noted that much of this information will not be discussed until next Monday's
work session. The Board then continued immediately with presentations of
other budget categories.
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
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Community A~encies
Public Safety
Juvenile Detention Home. Requested, $71,911; recommended $71,911.
Mr. Tucker said the FY 95-96 request from the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile
Detention Home increases by $5911 (9%) over FY 94-95 based upon Albemarle's
share of detention days plus funding for emergency safety and security
equipment as well as additional staff to operate the control room.
The County Executive recommends funding at the requested level of
$71,911. Mr. Tucker said there was a Board of Directors meeting at the Home
last Friday, and there were some slight changes made in the budget. This
figure could drop slightly.
(Note: Before beginning the next presentation, Ms. White said that
basically all of the agencies received a two percent increase overall° That
is also in line with what the City is doing for these agencies.)
Community Attention, Jack Gallagher, present. Requested $60,537;
recommended $60,240.
Ms. White said Community Attention is requesting $60,537, representing a
$1477 (2.5%) increase over FY 94-95. Community Attention has increased its
services and the number of children and families served while reducing its
staff by five (an 18% reduction) over the last five years.
The County Executive recommends funding in the amount of $60,240 based
on the recommendation of the Program Review Committee. This reflects a
recommended two percent increase over FY 94-95.
Ms. White said Community Attention did a great deal of reorganizing and
looking at services provided. They have been able to cut staff and yet make
services more accessible to the families they work with. Mr. Martin said the
Juvenile Court uses Community Attention a lot. Over the last couple of years
they have catered their services to what is needed, more so than any other
agency he works with. There was a change in philosophy. They have a group of
capable people, so if quick, short-term services are needed, they can move a
person to help with that situation.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (SPCA). Requested $13,040; recommended $13,040.
Ms. White said the FY 95-96 contribution to the SPCA is based on the
previous year's costs for which the County is billed quarterly. The SPCA
projects that they will handle approximately 510 stray and 20 biting animals
in FY 95-96. Each stray is held for six days at a cost of $4.00 per day (510
x 6 days = 3060 days @ $4.00 = $12,240/year). Each biting animal is held for
10 days at a cost of $4.00 per day (20 x 10 days = 200 days @ $4.00 = $800/
year). The total request is for $13,040, equal to the sum $12,240 + $800.
The County Executive recommends funding at the contracted level of
$13,040. Mrs. Thomas said she is always keeping track of the costs of growth,
and was surprised to see that the projection was for less than the current
year.
Offender Aid & Restoration (OAR), Patricia Smith. Requested $38,870;
recommended $37,403.
Ms. White said Offender Aid and Restoration is requesting $38,870 in
funding from Albemarle County for FY 95-96. The requested $2200 (10%)
increase over the current year is primarily to fund a three to four percent
salary increase, a four percent benefit increase, and a two percent rent
increase. No new or expanded programs are proposed for Albemarle County.
There were no questions from Board members.
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation, the County
Executive recommends that the County continue funding OAR, a two percent
increase over the FY 94-95 appropriation for a total of $37,403.
Human Services
Thomas Jefferson Health District. Requested $662,000; recommended
$598,000.
Ms. White said the County contribution requested by the Thomas Jefferson
Health Department is actually $656,000 (they just submitted a revised re-
quest), an increase of $72,000 (13%) over FY 94-95. Their total budget has
actually reduced by approximately $27,200, but the requested increase in
Albemarle's share is to make up for a reduction of $30,000 in State revenues,
$98,000 in service fees, and $120,000 in grant funds.
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March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
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Program changes which will have to be made to absorb this shortfall are:
replacement of one full-time dentist with contract services at 25 percent of
current level; loss of one environmental health specialist; loss of one or
more nurses, and elimination of the home health program. Included in the
budget request ia an average 6.1 percent increase in salary and benefit costs,
which continues the raises granted December, 1994 and by funding 2.25 percent
raises on December 1, 1995. They also have increased utility and maintenance
costs for the expanded facility and a $5000 increase in rent.
Included in the request is $13,000 to begin local funding for the Child
Health Partnership Program, a program which is coordinated by the Health
Department and the Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA) to provide
intensive case management to low-income families. The program promotes the
mental, physical, and social well-being of low-income residents through a
primary care physician and coordinated community resources. This program has
been funded with a Federal grant and United Way for the past two years and is
projected to expand services in Albemarle County. Services are projected to
be provided to 100 Albemarle children in FY 94-95 and 140 in FY 95-96. They
have asked for funds from the County and from the City in order to begin
taking on the local share since some of their funding sources have asked to
see a show of support from the localities.
The County Executive recommends funding with a two percent increase for
a total baseline allocation of $598,000. Not included in the County Execu-
tive's recommendation is $13,000 to fund the expanded request for the Child
Health Partnership Program; it is listed on the unfunded priority list.
Mrs. Thomas referred to the number of programs the Health Department is
losing and asked if the Child Health Partnership Program is their number one
priority. Ms. White said she did not know. She does understand from Dr.
McLeod that some of the State cuts have been restored, but it is not known how
they will filter down to the locality.
Mr. Marshall said there is not even a State Commissioner of Health at
this time. There is only an acting commissioner who does not have the
authority to hire assistants, and there are probably ten offices that do not
have department heads. He said that everything is suffering from this lack of
personnel. It looks great on paper, but things are not getting done.
Ms. White suggested deferring this item until Dr. McLeod arrives at the
meeting.
Region Ten Community Services, James R. Peterson, present. Requested
$250,104; recommended $250,104.
MS. White said Region Ten's FY 95-96 region-wide operating budget of
$9,369,311 increases by 3.7 percent, an increase of $333,921 over FY 94-95.
Albemarle's requested share increases by a total of $8549 or 3.5 percent for a
total FY 95-96 county request of $250,104. Included in this request is an
allocation of $26,859 for child services, which incorporates the former
Outreach Counseling Services program. Also included is an expanded request to
fund the County's share ($7270) of the Child Aid Program grant. This grant is
part of the original Community Services Act Trust Grant awarded to Albemarle
and Charlottesville in 1993 to stabilize families in crisis and educate
children and parents on available and appropriate community resources.
Twenty-five percent of the trust fund grant requires a 39 percent matching
requirement and approximately 50 percent of the families have been from
Albemarle County.
Region Ten's requested local funds of $649,650 from the six jurisdic-
tions in the Planning District will draw down almost $6.3 million in State and
Federal funds, an average of ten dollars in State and Federal dollars for
every dollar of local support.
The County Executive recommends funding in the amount of $250,104 which
is a 0.05 percent baseline increase plus an additional $7270 for the expanded
request to fund the County's share of the Child Aid Trust Fund Grant.
Mr. James Peterson, Executive Director, was present. Mr. Perkins asked
how many people (clients) are involved in all of Region 10's programs° Mr.
Peterson said there were 5602 persons who received direct services last year.
Of that number, 1256 were Albemarle County residents.
Mrs. Thomas asked if that number includes all of the school children
involved in various classes. Mr. Peterson said only the children in formal
groups are not counted. The number he gave is of identified children or
adults.
Mr. Marshall asked if Region 10 had not sustained big budget cuts from
the state. Mr. Peterson said at this time the General Assembly has restored
all but $3000 or $4000. They are awaiting the Governor's action, but the
Governor has said publicly that he does not intend to veto these amendments.
With no further discussion, the Board continued to the next item on the
agenda.
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March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
(Page 6)
Children and Youth Commission (CAYC), Rory Carpenter. Requested,
$22,250; recommended, $22,250.
Ms. White said the total operating budget for the Children and Youth
Commission remains level at $71,000; the County's share also remains level at
31 percent or $22,250 of the total budget. The remainder of the budget is
funded by 31 percent from the City and 38 percent from State funds from the
Virginia Department of Youth and Family Services. The State funds were
recommended for elimination in the Governor's budget, but have a good chance
of being reinstated by the Legislature. As part of the legislation, it is
recommended that funding be reduced over the next two years, so probably
within two years there will be no State funding for youth commissions.
The County Executive recommends funding for the County's share of the
Children and Youth Commission's budget as requested.
There were no questions from Board members.
Charlottesville Free Clinic, Betty Newel1. Requested, $6795; recommend-
ed, $5000.
Ms. White said the Charlottesville Free Clinic projects a total FY 95-96
budget of $214,616, down three percent from FY 94-95. Eighty-nine percent of
their FY 95-96 budget is from grants and contributions. They are requesting
$6795 from the County (3% of the total budget) and $9176 from the City of
Charlottesville (4% of the total budget). The County provided $4600 in funds
to the Clinic in FY 94-95 while Charlottesville provided $10,000. The request
represents 10 percent of the operating costs associated with residents from
each respective jurisdiction. Although the requests to the County and City
are relatively minimal, a contribution from the respective governing bodies
represents a local commitment used to leverage other funds.
The County Executive recommends a contribution in the amount of $5000
for the Free Clinic in concurrence with the recommendation of the Program
Review Committee and in recognition of the excellent service provided to the
community.
There were no questions from Board memberse
Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA). Requested, $19,600; recommended,
$19,600.
Ms. White said the Sexual Assault Resource Agency has requested a total
of $19,600 from Albemarle County for two programs: $12,925 for client
services, and $6675 for community education. This request reflects level
funding over FY 94-95. SARA also submitted a level funding request to the
School Division for the CAP program for a total of $36,000.
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation to continue
funding SARA's client services and community education programs, the County
Executive recommended funding as requested in the amount of $19,600.
There were no questions from Board members.
District Home. Requested, $40,000; recommended, $40,000.
Mr. Tucker said $40,000 was requested for the DiStrict Home, an increase
of $2500 (6.67%) over FY 94-95. The FY 95-96 allocation request will fund
2190 days for six current Albemarle County residents.
The County Executive recommends full funding for the requested amount of
$40,000.
There were no questions from Board memberse
Jefferson Area United Transportation, Inc. (JAUNT), Linda Wilson.
Requested, $335,464; recommended, $280,000.
Ms. White said the Jefferson Area United Transportation network request-
ed $335,464, an increase of $93,029 (38%) over the FY 94-95 appropriation.
There are several reasons for the increase.
1) The administration section of JAUNT'S budget for Albemarle
County (which includes RideShare) increases by $53,792 (32.2%),
which includes a four percent merit increase, changing a part-time
administrative assistant to full-time, an increase in insurance
liability costs for the vans, and increased utilities for the new
building. The increase is compounded by Albemarle County's
increasing ridership, which increases Albemarle's share of admin-
istrative expenses shared with the other localities°
2) There is a twenty percent projected increased in the urban
demand/response program (basically in the urban ring), where fares
for the disabled and elderly are being heavily subsidized. To
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
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000 85
meet this increase in revenue hours, five additional positions
have been added to handle the overall projected ridership in-
crease.
3) The rural demand/response has increased only $9587 (6%) over
FY 94-95 projecting an increase of 535 revenue hours or 810
passengers.
The County Executive recommends funding for JAUNT in the amount of
$280,000, an increase of $37,565 or 15.5 percent over FY 94-95. Although the
allocation does not meet JAUNT's request, the lower recommendation is based on
three factors: 1) the administrative budget increase is high; 2) the rider-
ship in the urban area may be overprojected since JAUNT has returned an
average surplus of $55,000 each year for the past two years ($28,000 projected
for FY 94-95); 3) that Federal/State revenues may be greater than anticipated,
which would reduce Albemarle's required local share.
The impact of not funding JAUNT's total request at this time may mean
that JAUNT will need to come back to the County for additional funding should
ridership increase as they have projected and if additional State/Federal
revenues do not materialize.
Major agency requests not funded in the County Executive's recommenda-
tion. Unfunded additional ridership at 60 percent of total budget request -
$33,280; unfunded administrative/Ride Share dollars at 40 percent of total
budget request - $22,185.
Mr. Marshall said rather than buying new vehicles, the JAUNT Board con-
tracted out a lot of services to Yellow Cab Company. In this way, instead of
paying for a vehicle to sit and wait for a demand, they are only paying for
the services actually used.
There being no further remarks from Board members, the Board returned to
discussion of the budget for the Health District.
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
(Page 8)
Health District. Dr. Susan McLeod.
000 . 6
Ms. White said staff had already presented the budget, but the Board
members had some questions about state revenues, and about priorities should
the County choose to put additional funding into this budget, particularly
about the Child Health Partnership Program.
Dr. McLeod said the biggest item affecting the Health Department is what
will happen with the Work Force Transition Act (early retirement/voluntary
buy-out program). Funding will be taken away from the agencies for those
people who are accepted for participation in the program. Until applications
are actually received and accepted, it is not certain what amount that will
be. Although a one-step (2 1/4%) increase was approved for employees for
December l, 1995, there is no State money for that increase. The State health
departments are essentially starting with level funding which will be cut as
positions are eliminated. It is difficult to predict what affect that will
have on operation of the departments.
Dr. McLeod said she does ask this Board's consideration of the Child
Health Partnership Program. It is a collaborative program with MACAA, and is
the first of that kind of program in this community. Funding has been through
grants until this point, but all of the grant sources have been reduced, and
the grants sources now want to see some expression of support and interest
from the communities before they put in any money. This same request is being
made to Charlottesville and Fluvanna County.
As far as the other programs in the Health Department, no final decision
has been made but since numerous people in the community are entering the home
health field, she feels the Health Department will no longer be in the home
health field. The other program to be cut back is the dental program.
Mrs. Thomas asked if the Child Health Partnership would still be the top
priority if the Board were to give additional funds. Dr. McLeod said this
program works in conjunction with all of their other children's program. She
has called together an advisory group from the community and wants them to
look at the traditional nursing program and the child health partnership, and
say which is the more important. Dr. McLeod said it is hard to say that the
Child Health Partnership is her top priority, but it is something she would
like this Board to recognize.
Mr. Marshall recommended that the Board put an additional $13,000 into
the Health District budget.
Mr. Bowerman said, based on what Dr. McLeod said, maybe the County might
offer more discretion to the Health Department in terms of use of funds and
increase the $13,000 to some other even amount as a contingency depending upon
needs of the Health Department. There are some services which are critical to
the citizens of Albemarle County which he does not want to see eliminated.
Since no one knows how the Health District will be affected by the changes, he
would like to account for it in the budget.
Mr. Marshall said the Health Department has been cut more than any
agency in the State. He asked if Mr. Bowerman were suggesting a higher
figure. Mr. Bowerman said "yes", but he does not know how to estimate that
figure. He thinks Dr. McLeod should be given enough flexibility to meet the
needs as she sees them.
Mr. Martin asked if Mr. Bowerman wanted to put $20,000 in a contingency.
Mr. Bowerman said "yes". Dr. McLeod said she appreciates the recognition and
will give further information to the staff on happenings as they occur.
Mr. Marshall said everyone needs to go and visit the new facility. Dr.
McLeod said Mr. Perkins and Mayor Toscano are to cut the ribbon on Sunday,
April 2, 1995, and everyone is invited.
Jefferson Area Board on Aging (JABA), ~ordon Walker. Requested,
$164,311; recommended, $132,630.
Ms. White said the request for the Jefferson Area Board for Aging for FY
95-96 of $164,311 is $34,281 (26.4%) over FY 94-95, which reflects a 3.5
percent inflation factor on their base request (applies by using their general
share formula) and, additional requests of: $16,600 for scholarships for
Adult Day Health Care Center (an additional 15 Albemarle County residents);
$3433 for the Home Safety Program (25 clients additional); $3408 for Informa-
tion and Assistance Pilot Program (for Saturday hours from 9:00 a.m. until
3:00 p.m.); and $6213 for new Congregate Meal Sites in Scottsville and
northeastern Albemarle County.
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation to fund JABA at
the current service level, a two percent increase is recommended for funding
for a total allocation of $132,630. Also included is the recommendation to
fund the Scottsville congregate meals site using funds from the meals program
which is not longer operating at the Senior Center.
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting) O001~7
(Page 9)
Major agency requests not funded in the County Executive's recommenda-
tion are:
1) 15 Partial Scholarships at the Adult Day Care Center, $16,600;
2) Home Safety Program for 25 additional clients, $3,433;
3) Information and Assistance Pilot Project, $3,408;
4) Northeastern County Congregate Meals Site, $6,900.
Ms. White said she had forwarded to the Board an analysis addressing one
of the concerns of the Program Review Committee, that of program costs and
local share funding. It shows that the County has been funding $25,000 over
what the actual program costs are.
Ms. White said money was allocated for two years for a meals site in the
Free Union area and that did not work out. Last.year money was allocated to a
meals site that was supposed to be at the Senior Center, but that did not work
out. The Program Review Committee did not recommend against funding the new
meals site in the northeastern part of the County, but recommended that
funding be allocated only if that group would come to the Board and say they
wanted a center. That happened at the public hearing last week.
Mr. Martin asked why the figure $6213 is shown in one place for two new
meals sites, and in another the figure $6900 is shown for only one site. Ms.
White said that in their request, JABA requested $6213 for the two additional
sites. The Scottsville site was then funded from what was left from the
Senior Center site, so the $6900 is the additional amount needed to fund the
Keswick site.
Mr. Martin said he thought the people involved made a good case, and
have spent time organizing, so he would like to have this item moved to the
unfunded priority list for reconsideration at the end of these sessions.
Mr. Marshall said someone had spoken at the public hearing about the
request for 15 partial scholarships at the Adult Day Care Center.
There were no further comments from Board members.
Mrs. Humphris asked that Ms. White elaborate on a hand-out about the
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) before it commits itSelf to too many
items. The hand-out stated
"The Program Review Committee recommended transferring County
funds from the RSVP Program to the Congregate Meals Program for
the following reasons:
It is not that RSVP is not a valuable program for senior
citizens, but the Committee does not see it as a priority
for County tax dollars when weighed against other more
pressing needs, i.e., meal sites, day care scholarships,
etc.
The RSVP Program provided a total of 17,904 volunteer hours
to 26 agencies in Albemarle County. Of those total hoursr
12,152 (67.8%) were used to provide assistance to JABA's own
programs and the Senior Center. Since the majority of the
benefit went to JABA itself, the Committee did not feel that
the other 5753 volunteer hours merited a subsidy of $6088
from the County.
The Program Review Committee also felt that JABA should
encourage physically and financially able senior citizens,
particularly those within their own programs, to volunteer
their time without a subsidy from other County taxpayers.
Again, although the program has many benefits to senior
citizens, it has been difficult for the Program Review
Committee to consider it a priority program compared with
many of the other needs being requested for senior citizens,
as well as other children and youth programs.
Mrs. Humphris said she thinks the priorities for funding should be
decided before just adding a lump sum for the whole meals program. She asked
that the Board discuss the whole issue later. Mrs. Thomas asked that this
item be placed on the "short list". Mr. Tucker said when the Board looks at
all of the priorities next Monday, it will probably focus the Board's atten-
tion on these issues.
Madison House, Cindy Frederick. Requested, $4335; recommended, $4205.
Ms. White said the programs which Madison House operates in Albemarle
County are: Alternatives for Better Living, Adopt-A-Grandparent, Big Sibling~
Boosters, Consumer Information, Day Care, Holiday Sharing, Open House Hot Line
Medical Services, Open House Hot line Recreational Therapy, and Service Alter-
natives. Volunteers also spend time in tutoring and other group projects.
000:1.88
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
(Page 10)
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation to continue
funding for Madison House, a two percent increase is funded for a total
allocation of $4205.
There were no questions from Board members.
FOCUS- Teensight. Requested, $19,615; recommended, $19,615.
Ms. White said the requested amount funds a ten-hour per week position
which serves all three County high schools and monitors the progress of the
teen mothers in class work and attendance, as well as other problems they may
encounter. The school liaison worker provides bi-weekly support groups where
participants receive information on self-esteem, parenting and employability
skills. It also provides funding for a child care stipend to participating
students throughout the school year.
In FY 93-94, during its second year of operation, Teensight served 42
pregnant and parenting Albemarle County students, 19 at Albemarle High School,
17 at Western Albemarle High School and six at Murray High School. Of those
42 students, 11 were seniors, ten of whom graduated. There were no second
pregnancies among the 42 students.
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation for continued
funding, funding is recommended as requested at $19,615.
There were no questions from Board members.
Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE), Yvonne Gardner. Requested,
$58,242; recommended, $55,560.
Ms. White said the requested $3772 (6.92%) increase for Albemarle is
primarily to fund a four percent salary increase and an increase in operating
costs associated with converting a renovated cottage on Shelter property into
office space and furnishing newly-available residential space. No new or
expanded programs are proposed for Albemarle County.
SHE serves Planning District Ten residents. In addition, the agency
serves residents outside the District for a fee. The Shelter served 457
people in FY 93-94, and projects serving 444 in the current year (both
residential and nonresidential services).
Based on the recommendation of the Program Review Committee to continue
funding for SHE, a two percent increase in funding is recommended for a total
allocation of $55,560.
Mr. Martin asked for a break-down between the proposed salary increases
and operating expenses since he would like to add the amount needed for
operating expenses to the unfunded priority list.
Mrs. Humphris agreed, but said she would be more enthusiastic if she had
not read in the Program Review Committee's comments that other localities are
not putting in their fair share. Ms. White said staff has suggested that the
agencies approach the other localities and try to get them to bring up their
funding level over a three or four-year period.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Legal Aid Society (CALAS), Alex R. Gulotta.
Requested, $15,655; recommended, $15,655.
(Note: Mr. Marshall left the room at 2:42 p.m.)
Ms. White said Charlottesville-Albemarle Legal Aid Society requested a
total increase of $2625 (20%) from Albemarle County. This amount will be used
to provide some salary increases and the addition of one paralegal to handle
an increasing case load. This position would handle full representation cases
as CALAS is only able to service fifteen percent of the requests in this
category. CALAS projects that they will serve 784 Albemarle residents in FY
95-96, an increase of 84 over the current year. For the Planning District,
CALAS projects serving a total of 2800 persons by FY 96-97.
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation, funding is
recommended in the amount of $15,655, which includes a two percent baseline
increase and additional funding of $2365 for the County's share of the new
paralegal position.
Mrs. Thomas said she had intended to question this category if the Board
had not put any of the child care/health care requests on the unfunded
priority list, since it is a twenty percent increase. She will not protest
this one because it is a small program, but she feels that health costs are
more important than legal costs. She would hate for the County to go too far
in the direction of providing legal services, especially since the Board has
already discussed the public defender and pro bono work that is done in the
County.
Mr. Gulotta said he is the new director of CALAS. He said their program
maximizes volunteer services from local attorneys. For this particular
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting) 000189
(Page ll)
position, JABA has agreed to commit $4000 of their Title III money (Federal
money) which is earmarked for the provision of legal services for the elderly.
This paralegal will be doing field outreach to be sure CALAS is reaching rural
and homebound elderly people.
There were no further comments on this budget request.
(Note: Mr. Bowerman left the room at 2:45 p.m.)
United Way Child Care Scholarship Program, John Nasziger.
Ms. White said the United Way Child Care Scholarship Program helps low-
and moderate-income working families in the Thomas Jefferson Planning Dis-
trict, through direct fee-subsidies to pay for child care, enabling the
parents to maintain employment. The program promotes quality child care for
children, especially "at-risk" children, through the program's requirement
that the parent select a licensed or certified provider. Scholarships of no
more than 70 percent of the cost are awarded based on a sliding scale fee,
with parents paying a portion of the cost.
In an agreement signed in May, 1992 with the Albemarle Department of
Social Services, the City of Charlottesville's Department of Social Services
and the State Department of Social Services, United Way is now administering a
local pool of funds that pulls down 50 percent matching Federal day care
funds. In this way, Albemarle's FY 95-96 contribution to United Way of
$31,825 will provide $63,650 of scholarship money to Albemarle County resi-
dents.
The United Way is requesting $43,680 from Albemarle County, an increase
of 40 percent, to raise the current level of 10 scholarships to 14 for
Albemarle County families. Each scholarship costs an average of $51 per week
times 52 weeks, plus administrative costs (of up to 15 percent). In the past,
Albemarle County appropriated funds to United Way to provide scholarships
through its own program. However, with the new funding arrangement with the
Department of Social Services, the City and United Way, and the separate fund
now administered by the County, it is more efficient to simply transfer the
dollars directly from the General Fund (this shows as a transfer to a day care
line item in the Social Services budget) to the separate day care fund, rather
than appropriating the contribution to the United Way. This change does not
affect the total number of dollars available for day care scholarships.
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation to transfer
General Fund dollars directly to the County-administered special day care
scholarship fund, funds for day care scholarships in the amount of $31,825 (a
2% base-line increase) will be funded out of the Services Program Division of
the Social Services budget. The Committee did not recommend additional
funding at this time because of the uncertainty that there will be extra
Federal dollars to bring down local dollars.
Mrs. Thomas said she does not believe the 34 names on the waiting list
are an indication of how many people have been discouraged from using the
program because there is an eight-month waiting period for a scholarship. Ms.
White said the unfunded request is $11,800. At this point, it probably will
not be funded by additional Federal dollars.
(Note: Mr. Marshall and Mr. Bowe~an returned to the meeting at 2:51
p.m.)
Mrs. Thomas asked if there is a chance that Federal moneys might be
obtained. Ms. White said no one knows what kinds of funds will be available.
Mrs. Thomas suggested putting some amount on the unfunded priority list so if
Federal money becomes available, the County can take advantage of that fact.
Mr. Tucker said if the Board is able to fund this after the meeting next
Monday, the money could be placed in a contingency for this specific purpose.
Ms. Thomas suggested putting the $11,850 on the "short list.
Children, Youth & Family Services, Cathy Bodkin. Requested, $23,521;
recommended, $18,229.
Ms. White said Children, Youth & Family Services (CYFS) budget request
is for $23,521 (154%) over the current year's funding. The request includes a
50 percent increase to double staff time for the Resource and Referral
program, and an increase to begin funding the Runaway Shelter Program. The
additional funding request is broken down as follows: Resource and Referral
($4840), Runaway Emergency Shelter Program ($3000) and the Family Partners
Program ($6365).
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation, the CoUnty
Executive recommends funding a baseline increase of two percent, plus $6365
for Albemarle County's match requirement for the Family Partners Program (the
City and the County are both required to provide a matching share) and $2500
for the Runaway Shelter Program (a local match is not required) for a total
allocation of $18,229.
Ms. White said the Runaway Shelter Program is a twenty-four hour program
which takes in about 55 youths per month; 255 Albemarle County youth are
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
(Page 12)
000,190
projected to be served in FY 94-95. CYFS has had a Federal grant to fund that
program, but that grant has now been capped. They are now asking for addi-
tional funds from the localities to help meet expenses based on that fact.
Ms. Cathy Bodkin, Director of CYFS, was present. She presented new
statistics concerning her agency. Ms. Bodkin said this is a matching program,
but she had made a mistake in the amount. It is a 39.37 percent match and 20
percent of that belongs to the County because the caseload has been consis-
tently twenty percent County and eight percent City. The revised amount for
the match is $7590.
There were no questions from Board members.
Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC). Re~ested, $3000; recomended,
$-0-o
Ms. White said the mission of the Association of Retarded Citizens of
Charlottesville/Albemarle is to improve the quality of life for persons with,
or at risk of, mental retardation or developmental disabilities through
service, education and advocacy. The ARC operates the Infant Development
Project and the Adult Activity Program and also owns three properties in the
City of Charlottesville that are operated by Region Ten as residences for
persons with mental retardation. The Infant Development Project serves
families with infants ages birth to three with disabilities or developmental
delays by providing counseling, guidance and education with the goal of
reducing the severity of these delays. The Adult Activity Center provides day
activities for adults with mental retardation who are not eligible for other
day programs due to their intensive support needs.
The ARC has made a first time request for $3000 from Albemarle County
for their infant development project ($2280) and the adult activity center
($720). Funds for the infant development project will be used to purchase a
portion of the services not provided by the United Way grant or the Region Ten
contract. Funding for the activity center will be used to provide services to
those who are not covered by Medicaid. Of the organization's total budget of
$589,460, 70 percent comes from Federal and State funding, 12 percent from
United Way, and 12.3 percent from contributions and donations. ARC has also
requested $3956 from the City of Charlottesville°
The County Executive does not recommend funding for ARC's budget request
for $3000. The Region Ten Community Services Board is the designated communi-
ty organization charged by the State and appointed by the localities to
provide services to developmentally-disabled children and adults. This type
of program should be under their direction and responsibility as a community
board to determine if additional services are needed for these programs. It
would not seem to be in the best interests of the County nor its retarded
citizens to begin breaking apart small pieces of programs from a major
community agency charged with that responsibility.
There were no questions from Board members.
(Note: At 3:00 p.m., the Board recessed, and reconvened at 3:10 p.m.)
Parks/Recreation and Culture
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, Donna M. Selle. Requested,
$1,583,685; recommended, $1,555,495.
Ms. White said the total Regional Library budget, including the North-
side Branch, increases by $150,562 (6%) for a total budget of $2,661,750.
With the County's average share of reference services at 53.02 percent, the
average share of the Charlottesville/Albemarle branches at 62 percent (which
includes circulation figures for Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties), and the
full costs of Scottsville and Crozet, the total county request is $1,583,685,
a $96,490 (6.5%) increase over FY 94-95. Included in the operating increases
is a projected three percent salary increase and a four percent rent increase,
as well as the County's share of the Monticello Area Virtual Village (MONT-
AVV) project and two additional positions at Northside.
The County Executive recommends funding at an amount equal to a two
percent increase over the FY 94-95 baseline budget, or $1,516,940. Also
included in the County Executive's recommendation is expanded funding of
$31,055 to fund the project coordinator position for the MONT-AVV project and
$7500 to fund a part-time library clerk at the Northside Library.
Major agency requests not funded in the County Executive's recommenda-
tion are:
Library clerk - unfunded share of requested full-time library
clerk position - $7,500;
Library assistant II needed to meet increases in circulation since
staff levels are planned on the basis of one librarian for every
250,000 circulation and circulation is expected to grow to 400,000
in FY 94-95 - $24,228;
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting) 000191
(Page 13)
Business librarian at MONT-AVV - this request is for a business
librarian and reflects the balance of MONT-AVV costs not recom-
mended for funding by the County Executive.
Ms. Donna Selle said she has impressive statistics about the operation
of the Northside Branch Library. At the beginning of operations, it was
predicted that the circulation would be over 200,000 by this point in time.
In four years, circulation has increased by 81 percent and will reach 400,000
this year. The number of books added to the Library has doubled since
opening. Reference services and inquiries have grown by 54 percent. The
number of inter-library loans has gone up by 68 percent. Attendance at story
times has increased in attendance by 59 percent, and last year the Summer
Reading Program had an all time high of 1400 children and families attend.
Therefore, she requests that the Board fully fund the Library Board's request
for two additional positions at the Northside Library.
Ms. Selle said the Library Board and City Council requested that she do
an overview of what Monticello-AVV is without mentioning the word "computer°'°
She handed out a sheet focusing on the services to be offered through Mont-
AVV. She noted the unfunded Business Librarian position for Mont-AVV. She
said the issue of economic development for Albemarle County is a concern, but
this expertise is needed in the public library. She reminded the Board that
the library at the Darden School primarily concerns large national, multi-
corporations, global and international trade and business information. The
public library's role is to help small businessmen in their development of
marketing plans, loan applications, and linking to other resources. Small
businesses (90% of the businesses in Charlottesville/Albemarle) are the life
blood of the community.
Ms. Selle said there is no employee with business expertise on the
Library's staff and there is a tremendous need for that type of expertise.
The Library Board put this new position into the development package for Mont-
AVV because they see the need for local businesses to have access to the
community information network and to be able to access and analyze its use in
theireconomic and business development.
Ms. Selle said community support for Mont-AVV has been overwhelming.
Last week, the Library Executive Committee members were asked to testify
before the Board of Jefferson National Bank about the need for development of
a local node for low-cost, personal E-mail and development of local pages for
local businesses. This is a new enterprise for the Jefferson National Bank
because they have never funded a utility service before, but now state that
they are willing to take the risk. Ms. Selle said this was a new role for the
library, and a new interaction with the Bank.
Mr. Perkins asked about money from other localities for Mont-AVV. Ms.
Selle said they are not asking Louisa, Greene and Nelson for any funds at this
time. The Library is going through major renovations of the Central Library
to get the proper wiring and the fiber optic network in place. They plan to
put Library access through the Internet to the rural libraries. They have no
staff yet,. and would like to gain some expertise in dealing with the new
computer volunteers.
Mr. Perkins asked if the City is also funding Mont-AVV. Ms. Selle said
the City will match whatever the County funds.
Mr. Bowerman asked for an explanation of the business librarian posi-
tion. Ms. Selle said someone with a masters degree in Library Sciences is
needed who also has experience dealing with the small business community. The
Library has no one on staff who can go out to the community, and they need
someone who can take Mont-AVV out to local businesses to help them develop
their resources and put them on Mont-AVV. It is part public relations and
part business outreach.
Mr. Bowerman asked where this person would have gotten their experience.
Ms. Selle said in larger cities. Mr. Bowerman said he is having difficulty in
understanding why the Chamber of Commerce would not want to fund this position
as a direct benefit to the business community. Ms. Selle said the Library
Board's negotiations with the Chamber are going to give the Library other
services when Mont-AVV is "up and running". The commitment is there, but the
Chamber sees on-going staff as the Library's responsibility.
Mr. Bowerman said if his business wanted to be on Mont-AVV and have all
of its equipment listed, why should the public sector pay for that? Ms.
Selle said the Library will not necessarily be paying. It is the linkage that
she is talking about.
Mr. Marshall asked if every business will be put on Mont-AVV. Mr.
Bowerman said only those wanting to be on it. Mr. Bowerman said that in his
business he will need to learn how to develop his own home page. It can carry
pictures of him and all of his stores. Anything that he wishes to put on.
This Librarian would come to the business and tell him how it will work, what
to look for, what to be aware of, etc.
Mr. Bowerman said this person is actually working as a consultant who is
also responsible for development of Mont-AVV. He said he has no problem with
funding a Library Assistant II who works in the library. He is having trouble
justifying this request in his own mind. Ms. Selle said this is something
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
(Page 14)
000: 92
that she is doing now. Mr. Bowerman said that normally the private sector
jumps in and does something like that. If he has a problem, he calls someone
who comes over and tells him what to do. Mont-AVV will give any citizen in
the community access to information they did not have before. There will be
places in the community where people who are not computer literate will be
able to be trained to access this information.
Mr. Martin said he would like to change the subject and suggested
putting funds for the Library Clerk and Library Assistant II on the unfunded
priority list. The Northside Library will soon be at 400,000 circulation, and
all know that the northern part of town will continue to grow. That needs to
be recognized now. Mr. Bowerman said he has no problem in funding those
positions, but he needs more time to think about the other request.
There was no further discussion of this subject at this time.
Virginia Discovery Museum, Peppy Linden. Requested, $15,000; recommend-
ed, $6,460.
MS. White said the Virginia Discovery Museum's FY 95-96 budget request
is for $15,000, a $5000 (3%) decrease over the FY 94-95 budget. The total
appropriation for FY 94-95 included $12,415 in transitional funds to reduce
the impact of the loss of the five-year matching grant of $20,000 per year
from the County. (The matching grant, approved in FY 88-89, matched a $50,000
contribution from the Perry Foundation° FY 93-94 was the last year of the
matching grant from the County).
The total budget for the Virginia Discovery Museum of $144,330 reflects
a $12,622 (9.6%) increase over FY 94-95. The increase is due to the need to
fund additional sources of income and their accompanying expenses, such as the
Museum Store ($12,000) and special fund raisers ($14,535).
The County Executive recommends funding for the Virginia Discovery
Museum at $6460 which reflects a two percent increase over FY 94-95's local
contribution of $6335. This allocation maintains funding for the Museum at
the same level as the Piedmont Council of the Arts. Both were equally funded
in FY 89-90 when the matching grant for the Discovery Museum began. No
transitional funding is recommended for the Virginia Discovery Museum
although a Virginia Commission of the Arts Government Challenge Grant will be
solicited for the Museum. Additional funds have not been included due to the
uncertainty of State funding at this time.
Mr. Perkins said he would like to see $5000 added to this item. He
thinks they need a little longer to make the transition from the Perry
Foundation grant to other types of funding. He has visited the Museum and
feels this item should be a part of the Education budget because it is
education for the schools. The Museum is making a strong effort to replace
that money through the Museum Store and other fundraisers.
Mrs. Humphris said she agrees that it should be added. Mrs. Thomas and
Mr. Martin also agreed.
Piedmont Council of the Arts, Cat Maguire. Requested, $7000; recommend-
ed, $6460.
MSo White said the Piedmont Council of the Arts requested an increase of
$665 (10%) over their FY 94-95 allocation of $6335. The expanded request
reflects the Council's desire to more accurately reflect the policies and
objectives being defined in the Cultural Agency Plan to enable the Council to
fulfill a leadership role for arts in the community. With the additional
funds, the Council plans to add an additional full-time staff person, increase
the emphasis on arts education issues, and to become a facilitator for
community livability issues such as cultural tourism, economic development and
growth in the community. Specific projects that increase the budget for FY
95-96 include an arts education training program, a facility development study
and the creation of a resource library. The Arts Council expects to serve an
additional 2300 County residents in FY 95-96.
The County Executive recommends funding at the baseline level of $6460
which reflects a two percent increase in local funds over the FY 94-95 local
contribution of $6335. There are no expanded requests. Although a Virginia
Commission of the Arts Government Challenge Grant will be solicited for the
Council, additional funds have not been included due to the uncertainty of
State funding at this time.
Mrs. Humphris said she called Ms. White and asked her questions based on
telephone calls she has gotten during the year. There was a question about
whether the mission of the Council as stated in the Board's materials is
actually being carried out. She asked about the ARTS Alive Program and the
ARTS in Education Program which are outreach programs the Board has been
interested in. She found that the ARTS Alive Program, since the Spring of
1994, has been working with other groups to get grants and provide programs
rather than providing programs themselves. ARTS in Education has been
concentrating their energies on a three-year plan, but she understands that
the Cultural Agency Plan has not been accepted by their membership. She feels
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting) 000193
(Page 15)
that when this Board funds outside agencies it needs to know that the taxpay-
ers' dollars are going for what was intended to be funded.
Ms. Maguire said the Cultural Agency Plan as the guiding document for
the work of the Arts Council over the next five years has been accepted by the
membership of the Council (comprised of 53 nonprofit arts organizations, and
200+ individual artists and associations). The Council spent the past year
working on a new structure to insure the active participation and representa-
tion of those organizations in implementation of the Plan.
Ms. Maguire said there are two issues in the plan. The first was the
notion of the Arts Council moving toward becoming a regranting agency (not to
be considered until the year 2000) as a way to leverage Federal funds in the
future. The local arts community did not like this idea. After the concern
was addressed, it was found that the real concern was the role of the arts
organizations in defining and shaping the mission of the Arts Council and its
future direction. There are now seven arts organization representatives on
the Board of Directors and a structure has been developed to insure a one-
third to two-thirds relationship where one-third of the Arts Council Board of
Directors will be nonprofit arts organization representatives elected by
themselves, one-third will represent individual artists/associations of
artists, and one-third will represent the community at large.
Ms. Maguire said the second issue relates to the ARTS Alive Program
which has been funded primarily through the Jefferson National Bank and a
Community Development Block Grant through the City of Charlottesville. The
idea of this program was to bring arts to the underserved populations. Now,
they are working to empower the arts community itself linking it with its own
direct sources of funding to provide that programming on their own without the
ARTS Council administering those funds. This is what has been going on since
the Spring of 1994.
Ms. Maguire said they have made a commitment in the area of ARTS
Education which has been identified as an area of concern for the community.
Many parents of county children have come to them for aid and support, so they
decided to focus their dollars on training teachers on integrating the arts
into the curriculum of the classroom. They are partnering with the Virginia
Foundation of Humanities and the GE Foundation to make that possible. Last
year the program served 40+ classroom teachers, 20 of these were from County
schools. This year they plan to double the size and the length of the program
focusing on media arts, and a three-year pilot where the arts community will
be trained to be trainers themselves. It is back to the thought of empowering
and educating, and raising the standard of excellence of the artists in the
community. This year, Kennedy Center artists are being used to come into the
community and train the teachers. Next year, a mix will be used. By the
third year of the program, it is the goal of the program to have the teacher
training done by, with, and in collaboration with local artists so it becomes
a totally local program.
Mrs. Humphris asked if the monthly calendar of the arts is still being
published. Ms. Maguire said it is now a postcard of the arts. It was found
that there was too much information and it was not read°
Mrs. Humphris asked about the ARTS Insight publication. Ms. Maguire
said they continue to work with that each year and update it, but they are
excited to be a part of the Monticello-AVV project. One of the first things
they will do is go on line with the directory to make it more accessible and
available. They still have the 1992 book with all of the updates in it.
There were no further questions at this time.
Literacy Volunteers of America, Jacqueline Dugery. Requested, $12,000;
recommended, $12,000.
Ms. White said the projected total budget for Literacy Volunteers of
America for FY 95-96 is $90,018, a 12 percent increase ($9640) from FY 94-95.
Literacy Volunteers is requesting $12,000 from the County for FY 95-96, an
increase of $1940 (19%) from FY 94-95. The increase is to support expansion
of the tutoring program by adding small group instruction. The need for
expansion is demonstrated by a continuous waiting list of students, many of
whom must wait two to three months due to an insufficient number of available
volunteers. The budget increase will fund the cost of additional materials
and space for a small group program, hiring of a part-time volunteer coordina-
tor, and also increase the hours of the program coordinator.
The County Executive recommends funding based on the Program Review's
recommendation to fully fund the Literacy Volunteers. The County Executive
recommended funding, which included $1940 in funding for the expanded small
group instruction.
Mrs. Humphris said this program does good work and gets little credit
for its work.
WVPT Public Television. Requested, $6804~ recommended, $-0-o
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting) 000194
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Ms. White said WVPT Public Television requested $6804, which reflects
$0.10 per capita on the 1990 census population. The County Executive does not
recommend any funding for WVPT.
Mrs. Thomas said she was made aware that the person who was to come and
speak about this request could not appear today because WVPT is in the middle
of fund-raising, but can come next Monday. She would like to put the request
on the unfunded priority list.
Mr. Bowerman said he has supported this request in the past. Mr. Martin
said it has been on the "short list" before. Mr. Marshall said he has
supported it every year. Mrs. Humphris said she has also supported it every
year, and thought she was the only one who did. Mr. Marshall said the County
uses this station each day in the School system. He suggested putting it on
the "short list", but said that does not guarantee he will vote for it.
Visitor's Bureau, Bobbye Cochran. Requested, $104,661; recommended,
$104,661.
Mr. Tucker said the Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention and Visitors
Bureau budget request for FY 95-96 totals $245,932, an increase of $9584
(3.9%) over FY 94-95. Based on the formula, the County's share of the total
budget is $103,161. This represents an increase of $8191 (8.5%) over the FY
94-95 contribution based on the funding formula approved by the Board and City
Council. Albemarle's share increases from 52.83 percent to 53.47 percent.
However, an additional $1500 for concrete repair at the Visitor's Center is
also being requested for a total County request of $104,661.
The County Executive recommends funding at the baseline level of
$104,661.
There were no questions from Board members.
Community Development
Thomas Jefferson planning District Commission (TJPDC), Nancy K. O'Brien.
Requested, $63,236; recommended, $52,844.
Ms. White said the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission
requested a total of $63,236 from Albemarle County, which breaks down into the
following programs:
Per Capita at $0.52 for 71,700 residents in PD 10 - $37,284
Legislative Liaison (including a .25 FTE increase) - $15,560
Mapping and Demography Center - $10,392
The County Executive recommends funding in the amount of $52,844, which
represents funding for the TJPDC baseline budget of $50,898 and $1946 in
additional funds to support a requested expansion of the legislative liaison's
position from 0.5 FTE to 0.75 FTE.
The County Executive did not recommend any funding for:
The Mapping and Demography Center - $10,392; or
The Regional Economic Development Partnership - $12,500.
Mrs. Thomas asked what the situation is with State funding. Mrs.
O'Brien said their money was reinstated by the General Assembly, so if the
Governor signs off, they will be okay.
Mr. Perkins asked if Mrs. O'Brien had requested funds for the Sustaina-
bility Council. Mrs. O'Brien said the Sustainability Council requested the
Planning District include S0.10/per capita for each of two years. The
Commission felt that the legislative liaison was enough of an increase to
bring forward. That did not change the need for money for the Sustainability
Council, but it is not a Commission requested item.
Mrs. Thomas asked for an explanation of the mapping and demography
center. Mrs. O'Brien said they have the center, and if it were fully funded
by each locality at $10,392, they would get 52 days a year of assistance out
of that center. They could get maps (census maps) or geographic type of
mapping out of that center. Basically what they already have in place is what
Albemarle is working toward. They had thought it might bridge the gap between
the internal mapping presently being done and where the County will be in the
future. Two localities have bought in. They are developing for Louisa all of
their census characteristics, and for Nelson, they are developing a layering
of information in clear mylar that overlays the U.S. Quads so they can put on
steep slopes, the flood plains, the wetlands, the zoning, and the future land
use.
Mr. Marshall asked about the census data. He asked about the use of
this information by a business. Mrs. O'Brien said it is valuable information.
Businesses who are coming into this area and know about the Planning District
Office, call and ask for that information. If it is information that is
already developed (maybe a map of the elderly populations), they have a simple
charge system for that information. However, if the information has not
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting) 000195
(Page 17)
already been developed and it is complicated, they charge $30.00/hour to
develop that information, Mrs. O'Brien said they do some mapping for locali-
ties that way also. They have done some mapping for the County's Comprehen-
sive. She finds it fascinating.
Mrs. Thomas said she also was impressed with the information on Nelson
County. The transparent overlays are very useful.
Mr. Huff said one of the goals County staff has set for itself for next
year is the reason for one of the additional positions in Information Servic-
es. They want to look at all of the geographic information systems that are
available. The County is using a quasi-GIS system to do bus routing in
Transportation. A building locator system is being used in the Planning
Department for the E'911 system and street addressing. If the two systems can
be merged and then the information exported to the PDC mapping center or their
information can be imported and manipulated in-house. The County has not
bought into the Center because its system is not in operation and the integra-
tion of the systems is not yet known.
Mr. Huff said the Police Department is interested in putting its crime
statistics on a GIS system so they can look at where calls for Service come
from. Staff feels that some of this can be done with existing software.
Mrs. Thomas said she sees no need to duplicate what is already avail-
able, or develop things that are not intermeshable.
Mrs. O'Brien said they have the County's CIS database and it has been
linked to census blocks. When they did a build-out of the region, the
smallest unit of measurement they had was the census block. They used that
data in developing a build-out analysis of what zoning allows, what the
Comprehensive Plan calls for, what exists today, and what the potential of
that mixture is. That is still being reviewed, so this Board has not seen
that information ye. The next level, with the building locator system which
has a tax map, parcel feature, is to tag those two information together and
instead of it coming up in graph, it would come up in a map. Whatever
information is contained in table that has a link to a geographic location can
be portrayed in a map instead of a chart. That gives good information on how
to serve the populace.
Mr. Perkins said he thinks staff is suggesting that the County wait
until its system is in place. Mr. Tucker said that is right.
Mr. Bowerman said if the Board members wished to make a grant to the
Sustainability Council, that would be all right with him. Mrs. Thomas said
she was very impressed by the attendance at the Saturday forum of the Council°
Mr. Bowerman said they were able to get $2000 from the private sector to fund
the forum they had a month ago; the advertising, the publicity, the printing,
but they really have no source of funding. They intend to do the same thing
for the second forum.
Mrs. O'Brien said they are operating the Council on a mere whisper. Mr.
Martin asked why she had not approached the Board for funding. Mrs. Thomas
said the Planning District Commission had voted against it. Mrs. O'Brien said
it is a group that was put together by the Commission itself.
Mr. Bowerman said the Council is in the process of making proposals to
local foundations, and they are going back to companies and asking them to
advertise in publications for the second forum. It is a poorly funded project
at this time.
Mrs. Thomas said she would not call it a conflict of interest if Mr.
Bowerman asked to have funding put on the "short list". Mr. Bowerman suggest-
ed the amount of $2500 would represent more money than they have been able to
raise from the private sector, and would not be a significant source of
funding for the Council nor would it be a significant cost to the County.
Mrs. O'Brien cannot ask for this money because her Board told her not to, but
it would be money that would go to the Planning District to be used by the
Sustainability Council, it would not go directly to the Sustainability
Council.
Mr. Martin suggested the Board move on to the next agenda item, and make
a decision on this item on next Monday.
Jefferson Area Disability Services Board (DSB), Hannah Twaddell.
Requested, $1286; recommended, $1286.
Ms. White said the Jefferson Area Disability Services Board, is staffed
by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, and is a volunteer group
composed of citizens, persons with disabilities, and service providers. Its
mission is to improve the self-sufficiency and support of people with disabil-
ities by providing planning, research, information and support activities to
promote coordinated services and public awareness of the needs and the
contributions of citizens with disabilities in the community.
The DSB was established in 1993 in response to a State mandate. It
includes more localities than any of the other 43 boards in the state. In
December, 1993 its board published a six-year plan which identified regional
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000196
service needs and possible improvements. Over 20 agencies assisted with the
development of the report.
The DSB is requesting $1286, which represents Albemarle County's share
of a 20 percent match for a Federal fund in the amount of $13,738. Albe-
marle's share of 34 percent is based on the number of elderly and disabled
residents. Through this program the DSB will purchase and distribute simple
devices to assist people with hearing, visual and reading disabilities in
communicating with public and private service providers. Census data shows
that there are 9997 elderly or disabled persons in Albemarle County. These
devices will be distributed to interested public and private service providers
such as police, hospitals, nursing homes, banks and human service providers.
The program funds will support the purchase, development and distribution
costs of the devices and informational materials, as well as the staff time
needed to coordinate the project and conduct a follow-up evaluation.
The County Executive recommends funding in the amount of $1286 for
Albemarle's share of the matching funds.
There were no questions from Board members.
Charlottesville Transit Service (CTS), Helen H. Poore. Requested,
$38,200; recommended, $38,200.
Ms. White said the Charlottesville Transit Service budget request
increases to $38,200, a $3400 increase to cover the reduction of state
transportation funds to the City. The County Executive recommends funding at
the requested level of $38,200.
There were no questions from Board members.
Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA), Kenneth Ackerman.
Requested, $45,790; recommended, $43,166.
Ms. White said the Monticello Area Community Action Agency request is
for $45,790, an 8.2 percent increase in County funding over FY 94-95.
Additional funding is requested for base programs based on an inflationary
factor of four percent. Funding in the amount of $14,555 is requested for
Project Discovery, $880 for the Summer Youth Program and $655 for Hope House.
Based on the Program Review Committee's recommendation to continue
funding MACAA, a two percent increase is recommended for funding for a total
allocation of $43,166. There are no expanded programs.
Mrs. Thomas said there was a major program being cut at the State level
(Opportunity Knocks). She asked what happened to that funding.
Mr. Ackerman said those cuts were restored at the State level. He feels
it is critical for the Board to know some of the Federal developments related
to MACAA's programs, and the importance of their continuing role to this
County and surrounding jurisdictions. One of the programs that is proposed
for total elimination is the Summer Youth Employment Program. That has some
serious implications for this and surrounding counties. He believes the role
of MACAA is being heightened. With the notion of welfare reform that is
before the State now, their agency would be at the forefront of much of this
change. Mr. Ackerman said he would appreciate the Board's consideration of
every dollar request they make because the State and Federal support is
diminishing as the needs in the County are increasing. Later this month they
are planning a meeting to advise people of the cuts in federal jobs programs
and welfare reforms. MACAA brings in over $500,000 in services to Albemarle
County so the $2000 that is not recommended for funding hinds MACAA in
maintaining these services.
Mr. Ackerman said over the past years, Albemarle has stressed to them
the importance of putting in an equitable, local funding formula. That is in
place, but every year that the County only funds MACAA two percent, and the
other counties fund at the full level, so Albemarle is now behind. He does
not feel it is a fair situation, and said MACAA really needs the money.
Mrs. Thomas asked if the other localities have funded their entire
request. Mr. Ackerman said they funded their base request. Albemarle County
has been behind for a number of years. Therefore, when they ask for an
increase based on their previous request, it looks like a big increase, but
they are still making up for money they did not get last year, or the year
before, it is only $2300.
Mr. Martin said he thought the Board funded their full request last
year. Mr. Ackerman said it must have been the year before because they have
slipped in funding in Albemarle County.
Mr. Perkins asked for the funding formula. Mr. Ackerman said it is
based on the level of staffing in each jurisdiction, and in Albemarle County
it equates to 27 percent for the core program. There are special projects
that are separate from that amount based on participant levels.
March 15, 1995 (Afternoon - Adjourned Meeting)
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000197
Mr. Bowerman suggested putting the additional funding on the "short
list" and do an analysis of this agency.
Mrs. Thomas said she was at a meeting of the National Association of
Counties and they were lobbying Congressmen. She was one member of a group
that went to three Congressmen asking for the Summer Youth Employment Program
and pointing out what Federal cuts do to local budgets. Mr. Ackerman said the
Senate still has not taken up the issue, but the House Ways and Means Commit-
tee has eliminated it from the budget. Beyond the dollars, Mr. Ackerman said
they need to get together as leaders in the community, and decide what will be
done should that program not operate.
There were no further comments from Board members.
Albemarle Housing Improvement Program, Theresa Tapscott. Requested,
$377,307; recommended, $346,710.
Ms. White said the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program is requesting a
total of $377,307 from Albemarle County for FY 95-96. Of the total amount,
$143,125 is for Administration, $156,434 for Housing Rehabilitation, $45,737
for Emergency Repair, and $33,630 for Housing Counseling. This represents a
seven percent increase over last year's funding, primarily due to increased
employee benefits costs and full-time funding for the housing counseling
position.
Based on the Program Review Committee's evaluation of AHIP, a two
percent funding increase is recommended for AHIP for a total baseline budget
of $346,710. Funding was not recommended for the expanded housing counselor
position requested by AHIP. The funds that were in AHIP's budget in the
current year for the part-time counselor position were transferred to the
Housing Office budget and will be used to fund a part-time housing counselor
position in that office beginning July 1, 1995.
There were no comments from Board members.
Agenda Item No. 3. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the
BOARD.
Mr. Bowerman said he would like to add the Sustainability Council to the
list of unfunded priorities so the Board will have it to discuss with the
other items on Monday. He suggested that if any money is granted by this
Board, it go to staff for production of materials that the Council needs. He
knows there is a lot of paperwork involved, and it is coming out of Mrs.
O'Brien's budget at this time.
Agenda Item No. 4. Adjourn. With no further business to come before
the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
Chairman