1991-03-13March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) 3_20
(Page 1)
A regular meeting of the Board of County Supervisors of Albemarle County,
Virginia, was held on March 13, 1991, at 9:00 A.M., Meeting Room #7, County
Office Building, 401McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. Edward H. Bain, Jr., David P. Bowerman,
F. R. Bowie, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Mr. Walter F. Perkins and
Mr. Peter T. Way.
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OFFICERS PRESENT: Mr. Robert W. Tucker, Jr., County Executive; Mr.
George R. St. John, County Attorney; and Mr. V. Wayne Cilimberg, Director of
Planning and Community Development.
Agenda Item No. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at
9:04 A.M. by the Chairman, Mr. Bowie.
Agenda Item No. 2. Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item No. 3. Moment of Silence.
Agenda Item No. 4. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the
PUBLIC. There were no members of the public present to speak at this time.
Agenda Item No. 5. Consent Agenda. Motion was offered by Mr. Way and
seconded by Mrs. Humphris to approve Items 5.1 and 5.2 and to accept the
remaining items as information. Roll was called and the motion carried by the
following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: None.
Item 5.1. Authorize Chairman to sign letter to VDoT of the County's
intent to participate in the Revenue Sharing Program for Fiscal Year 1991-92.
The following letter was approved by the vote shown above:
"The County of Albemarle, Virginia, indicates by this letter its
official intent to participate in the 'Revenue Sharing Program' for
Fiscal Year 1991-92. The County will provide $500,000 ($500,000
maximum) for this program, to be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis
from funds of the State of Virginia.
The County will work with its Resident Engineer to develop and submit
by May 15, 1991, a list of eligible work recommended to be undertaken
with these funds. The County also understands that the program will
be reduced on a pro-rata basis if requests exceed available funds."
Item 5.la. Statements of Expenses for the Month of February, 1991, for
the Department of Finance, Sheriff, Commonwealth's Attorney and Regional Jail,
were approved by the vote shown above.
Item 5.2. Letter dated February 26, 1991, from Mr. D. S. Roosevelt,
Resident Engineer, in reference to the traffic signal located at the intersec-
tion of the Farmington Entrance and Route 250 West. Mr. Roosevelt stated that
the signal cost just under $66,000 and was paid for from primary system
improvement funds allocated to the Culpeper construction district. The work
was accomplished under a regional contract where prices were established with
the low bid contractor for various units of work, resulting in a somewhat
lower cost than usual.
Item 5.3. Letter dated March 1, 1991, from Mr. D. S. Roosevelt, Resident
Engineer, entitled "Current Projects Construction Schedule," listing monthly
update on highway improvement projects, received as information. Project for
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 2)
Route 880 (entrance to Southern Regional Park) had been added to the list with
an estimated completion date of May, 1991.
Item 5.4. Letter dated March 1, 1991, from Mr. H. Bryan Mitchell, Deputy
State Historic Preservation Officer, identifying and evaluating all signifi-
cant historic architectural resources in Albemarle County that may be affected
by the proposed Route 29 Bypass, received as information.
Item 5.5. Copy of Planning Commission Minutes for February 26, 1991,
received as information.
Item 5.6. Letter dated March 6, 1991, from Mr. Hugh C. Miller, State
Historic Preservation Officer, of notification that Piedmont, Albemarle
County, was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on February
1, 1991, was received as information.
Item 5.7. Notice of an application filed with the State Corporation
Commission by Virginia Underground Utility Protection Service, Inc., to serve
as a notification center ("Miss Utility") for the areas of Virginia south of
the counties of Shenandoah, Warren, Fauquier and Stafford, received as infor-
mation.
Agenda Item No. 6. Approval of Minutes: February 6 (A), 1991. Mrs.
Humphris had read the minutes and found them to be in order. Mr. Perkins
noted one typographical error in the minutes.
Motion was offered by Mrs. Humphris and seconded by Mr. Bain to approve
the minutes as read. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following
recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: None.
Agenda Item No. 7a. Highway Matters: Recommendations for Highway
Preallocation Hearing on the Interstate and Primary Systems.
Mr. Tucker said the Virginia Department of Transportation will conduct
its annual preallocation hearing for improvements to the interstate and
primary systems on April 11, 1991, at 10:00 A.M. at the Culpeper District
Office. He said staff has prepared the following list of recommendations for
County projects to be included in the primary plan:
Continue to support the widening of and reconstruction of "Free
Bridge" and Route 250 East to the Interstate 64 interchange. The
Commonwealth Transportation Board has approved road plans for
this project. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer
of 1991. Staff has been involved in reviewing construction plans
for consistency with County recommendations. This is a high
priority project and the County strongly recommends this project
be constructed under its current schedule.
Support the widening of Route 29 North from the northern corpo-
rate limits of Charlottesville to the South Fork Rivanna River.
This project should include interchanges at Hydraulic, Greenbrier
and Rio Roads as considered necessary in the Route 29 North
Corridor D.E.I.S. This project is considered a high priority.
Close Route 29 crossovers consistent with previously endorsed
priorities.
Improve the alignment of Route 240 from Route 250 northward to
Route 810 in Crozet including improvements to the CSX railroad
underpass.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 3)
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Widen Route 250 West from Emmet Street to Route 637 in Ivy. The
Charlottesville Area Transportation Study (CATS) recommends that
Route 250 be widened to a four-lane divided road from the Route
29/250 Bypass to Route 688, and four-lane undivided from Route
677 to Route 637. The Plan also calls for Route 250 Business
(Ivy Road) to be widened to four lanes with a flush median
(center turn lane) between the Bypass and Emmet Street. The
final design of the improvements in this area is important as a
gateway to the County, City, and University and should reflect
the design priorities as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan and
the Lewis Mountain Neighborhood Study. This segment is the
highest priority of the Route 250 West improvements.
A systematic study be conducted of Route 250 East from the
Interstate Route 64 interchange to the Fluvanna County line, with
particular attention given to the segment from the interchange to
the Rivanna Village. Due to the potential for increased growth
in this area and the designation of the Rivanna Village that
would be served by this road, there will be increasing traffic
demands on Route 250. This study should provide recommendations
for road improvements that would be needed to maintain an ade-
quate level of service.
Continue to recommend the construction of an interchange on
Interstate Route 64 at Avon Street.
A systematic study be conducted of Route 20 North from Route 250
East to the Orange County line. Current traffic counts indicate
that there are 3100 vehicle trips per day on this road. There
are numerous location~ with substandard design including inter-
sections with insufficient sight distance, and where the existing
alignment does not meet vertical and/or horizontal curvature
standards.
Develop a priority list of spot safety improvements for primary
routes. This list would be developed by County staff and the
VDoT Resident Engineer and would be used to request improvements
in future Six Year Primary road plans.
Mr. Way pointed out that Route 20 South is not on the list, although it
has been a part of the preallocation hearing in the past. Mr. Cilimberg said
Route 20 was inadvertently left off the list.
Mr. Bain said the listing is usually ranked by priority. He feels that
the ranking should be in accord with the phasing of the CATS plan.
Mr. Bowie agreed that the CATS plan should be stressed in this presenta-
tion even more than in the past. Also, he feels that the criteria for the
Meadow Creek Parkway should be summarized in the presentation, including
specific requests because he feels that the Meadow Creek Parkway should be a
primary road.
Mr. Bain requested that staff review the traffic count on Route 250 West.
The Board agreed to move No. 7, the construction of an interchange on
1-64 at Avon Street, to the bottom of the list. Staff will develop a draft
presentation for review by the Board at the April 3 meeting.
Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris indicated that they cannot attend the
hearing in Culpeper.
Agenda Item No. 7b. Request to Suspend Rules to Reconsider the Federal
Express Site Plan, Clarification of Condition.
Ms. Amelia Patterson, Zoning Administrator, said the Board heard on
November 14, 1990, a request to clarify a condition of site plan approval.
The clarification was that the existing entrance at the Federal Express site
off of the service road on Route 29 North is to be modified to be an exit
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
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only. The Zoning Administrator was directed to have the Department of Trans-
portation close the entrance if the modification was not made within 90 days.
The week before the 90 days expired, the owner and his legal counsel asked
that the Zoning Administrator delay notification to YDoT. Ms. Patterson said
she did not have the authority to do so. Therefore, the applicant is request-
ing that the Board reconsider the request to allow the entrance be open to
two-way traffic.
Mr. Cilimberg pointed to a map showing the service road and the new
entrance in question. He said the access points at Automart and The Garden
Patch are identified as an interim connection. The initial entrance was at
the north end at the cul-de-sac. Staff understood the Board's action in
November to mean that the access had to be changed to an exit only or it had
to be closed. Mr. Cilimberg pointed out that the ultimate service road will
connect further south at the existing crossover at Hilton Heights Drive. He
noted that the southern portion of the service road had not been constructed
in November, 1990.
Ms. Patterson said there is some question in her mind as to what is to
happen with the exit only when the ultimate service road is completed.
Mr. Bain did not remember that there was strong feeling that the exit
only must be closed. Mr. Cilimberg said no design for an exit only was
pursued by the applicant, and the condition required a closure in that event.
Mr. Cilimberg said the owner was to work with VDoT in developing a design for
an exit only.
Mr. Richard Carter, representing the owner of the property and the
tenants who lease space, said he is requesting that the Board place this item
on the agenda for reconsideration. He pointed out that the Board has recon-
sidered other issues in the past. He feels that reconsideration should be
given to this request because it is important to the design of Route 29 North.
Mr. Carter said in 1984 the owner leased this space thinking that he under-
stood the Board's decision. In November, 1990, the issue was debated again.
The applicant has some evidence to present which is important to the business-
es located there. He said he would like to get with the Zoning Administrator
and Mr. Roosevelt and present his evidence and his solution and come back at a
later time with that solution. He is willing to discuss the issued today, but
the request is to have this discussion placed on the Board's agenda at a
future date to hear new evidence.
Mr. Bowie said the condition was clearly to either make an exit only or
to close it. He said the applicant should have known that, and he wonders why
the applicant waited 90 days before taking any action. Mr. Carter said in
1984 the condition was, "At such time as alternative access is provided (i.e.,
service road), the temporary access to Route 29 shall be modified .... " Mr.
Carter said the question in 1984 was, "What is the service road?" He said the
applicant was told in 1984 that the service road was from the cul-de-sac at
the Federal Express site up to the Hilton Heights Drive crossover. He said
that is the service road the applicant relied on from the time of the original
drawings. He said the applicant was told that this would be a safe, traffic-
controlled intersection. Then, the cul-de-sac could be closed or made exit
only. He said at the November discussion, the same statements were made. He
said nothing has been done by the tenants in 90 days because the service road
has not been provided. Mr. Carter said he does not know who is supposed to
provide the service road, but it is not there.
Mr. Bowie said it was decided in November that the service road is there.
Mr. Carter said the road shown on the map is not there. Mr. Bowie said the
decision in November was to either design an exit only or the entrance would
be closed.
Mr. Bain said the question he has relates to whether in 1984 there were
actually plans showing that the service road was defined from Point A to Point
B. Mr. Bain said he does not recall that being discussed in November, but it
could make a difference.
Mr. Bowerman said in November, 1990 he took the position that the tempo-
rary alternative access was the one referenced in the 1984 discussion. His
difficulty now is that he thinks the intent of 1984 was that safe access be
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
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given to the entire site, including the crossover at Hilton Heights Drive. He
feels Mr. Carter's point that the original intent was to provide access at the
crossover as the alternative access is well taken. The question is whether
the interim, alternative access met the intent. While it does provide alter-
native access, it does not accomplish the ultimate intent of the service road
approved in 1984. He feels there is a legitimate argument, and his position
has changed in that regard since November. If the intent is to provide safe
and convenient access to the site, the service road must be completed first.
He is, therefore, willing to reconsider the question.
Mrs. Humphris said it bothers her that the applicant waited for 90 days
before taking any action. It causes her to feel that a good faith effort is
not being made. Also, recently, other issues have come back to the Board
where the landlord or the owner has not been completely factual with the
tenants in stating the plans. The tenants then come to the Board for some-
thing that is not the Board's doing. She thought the idea was to allow
limited access onto Route 29 North, and the action in 1984 was for that
purpose. She feels that the decision made in 1984 and again in November, 1990
that purpose and is a reasonable requirement. Completion of the rest
of the service road is not the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors. In
the interest of safety, she feels that the exit only at the end of the
cul-de-sac achieves what this Board intended in November. She does not see
that anything has changed.
Mr. Bowerman said he concurs with much of what Mrs. Humphris said. He
has a difference of opinion regarding the original intent. To get southbound
on Route 29, the idea was to allow an alternative access crossover. Without
that crossover, the safety improvements planned in 1984 are not achieved.
Instead, another temporary access point is created and does not meet the
criteria intended in 1984. He agrees that the applicant waited 90 days and
possibly certain representations were made to the tenant. However, he does
not think that the interim access provides safe and convenient access. Until
the service road is completed, the intent is not met. At that point, he does
not care whether the access is closed or made an exit only. The key is
completing the service road to the crossover at Hilton Heights Drive.
Ms. Patterson said it is important to note that while the original site
plan was approved in 1984 with a building area of 25,000 square feet, two
later site plans have resulted in twice as much building area on the site.
Mr. Bain said that relates to the safety aspect referred to by Mr.
Bowerman. He feels that the issue in 1984 was to make the entrances safe as
well as limit the number of entrances off of Route 29 North. That was the
purpose of the service road concept. The ultimate is to have the service road
extend to Hilton Heights Road so that traffic can go south. He said he is
willing to reconsider the site plan.
Mr. Bowie said he feels the issue was adequately discussed in November
and the Board made an effort to address safety by allowing the interim access
and by making an exit only at the cul-de-sac. When the remaining service road
is opened, it will be a better access. However, if the Board wishes to
reconsider the issue, there must be a motion to suspend the Board's Rules of
Procedure.
Mr. Way said he would rather err on the side of there being the possibil-
ity of new information to be presented on this issue. Motion was then offered
by Mr. Way and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to suspend the Board's Rules of
Procedure.
Mr. St. John pointed out that the time for an appeal to the court of the
Board's decision has expired. He is not saying that is the applicant's
motivation; however, a rehearing means there will be another period in which
the applicant can appeal the Board's decision.
Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Bain, Mr. Bowerman, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: Mr. Bowie and Mrs. Humphris.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 6)
Motion was then offered by Mr. Bowerman and seconded by Mr. Bain to
reconsider the Federal Express Site Plan in light of new information to be
presented on April 10, 1991.
Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Mr. Bain, Mr. Bowerman, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: Mr. Bowie and Mrs. Humphris.
Mr. St. John said it is his opinion that it is not appropriate for the
applicant to meet with the Zoning Administrator to work out a solution. The
Zoning Administrator is an enforcer and the applicant should not try to
convince her that what the Board has said to do should not be done. Any staff
report on this matter should come from the Planning Department.
Mr. Bowie said he agrees with the County Attorney that there should be no
negotiations and the Board will hear the matter again on April 10. There were
no objections from the Board.
Agenda Item No. 7c. Other Highway Matters.
Mrs. Humphris said her constituents are concerned that the speed limit
near the Crouse-Hinds Plant in Earlysville where the road is wide and straight
has been lowered, while the speed limit in the residential areas is set at a
higher rate of speed.
Mr. Roosevelt said the speed limit in that area has not changed in the
past eight years. The speed limit was originally determined by radar reading,
and he will be happy to recheck that stretch of road. Mrs. Humphris said the
question is whether the system for setting speed limits is consistent. It
does not make sense to have a higher speed limit in a subdivision than one on
a straight stretch of road.
(Mr. St. John left the meeting at 9:51 A.M.)
Agenda Item No. 8. Set public hearing date for amendments to Water and
Sewer Regulations.
Mr. Tucker said the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) recently
amended its sewerage user rules and regulations as required by the Environmen-
tal Protection Agency (EPA) and the State Water Control Board SWCB). The
regulations are designed to control the quality, character and rate of dis-
charge of sewage into the Service Authority system and the issuance of indus-
trial waste discharge. He said the County Attorney and the Albemarle County
Service Authority (ACSA) reviewed the regulations. Staff recommends that the
Board schedule a public hearing for April 3, 1991, to consider amending
Chapter 19.1, Water and Sewer, of the Albemarle County Code, by adding these
regulations.
Motion was immediately offered by Mr. Bain and seconded by Mr. Way to
schedule a public hearing for April 3, 1991, to amend and reenact Chapter 191,
Water and Sewer, of the Albemarle County Code by the addition thereto of these
new regulations.
(Mr. St. John returned at 9:56 A.M.)
Mrs. Humphris raised concerns about radioactive material being dis-
charged, permissive requirements for permit application, and the duration of
permits. She feels there are some "holes" in this document and that careful
attention has not been paid to the well-being of County citizens and to the
quality of the discharge going into the river.
Mr. Bain asked if the County has the right to impose requirements over
and above the State Code requirements. Mrs. Humphris said she just wants to
be sure that these regulations are given more than a cursory look and that
these points and others are dealt with. She is also concerned about discharge
from the Blue Ridge Hospital.
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
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Mr. Bowie said he agrees with these concerns and feels that the points
raised by Mrs. Humphris should be explored. He asked if the public hearing
will need to be delayed to do that. Mr. Tucker said amendments can be made at
the public hearing.
Mr. Bill Brent, Executive Director of the Albemarle County Service
Authority, pointed out that these amendments are the result of a legal audit
of the regulations for RWSA and ACSA. These amendments are required by the
SWCB and the EPA as a result of the audit. He noted that these are regula-
tions concerning the discharge into the sewer system to ensure it is treatable
at the treatment plant. There is no stream discharge associated with these
regulations.
Mr. Tucker asked if it is possible to prohibit radioactive materials from
getting into the treatment plant. Mr. Brent said that radioactive material
exists in the drinking water supply and is, therefore, difficult to totally
eliminate.
Mrs. Humphris reminded Board members that the SWCB refused for years to
regulate the discharge from the Morton Frozen Food Plant in Crozet into
Lickinghole Creek. Therefore, she is not necessarily impressed with the
requirements they endorse.
Mr. St. John said the Board can advertise for a public hearing and then
make amendments after staff reports on the questions raised by Mrs. Humphris.
There was no further discussion of this item. Roi1 was called and the
motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: None.
Agenda Item No. 9. Discussion: Cable Television.
Mr. Tucker said there had been a question raised as to whether the County
should franchise cable television because of the possibility of obtaining
revenue from the franchise. He said a franchise could possibly equate to
$65,520 in revenue based on a three percent tax for 14,000 customers. He said
the tax can be as much as five percent with approval of the Federal Communica-
tions Commission (FCC). The Board considered this question several years ago,
but decided to leave the cable television business open to free enterprise.
The County Attorney, in the recent past, suggester that the Board not make a
decision until the new federal regulations are published in May. Mr. Tucker
said this item is on the agenda today for discussion.
Mr. Bowie asked if the County can control the quality of transmission if
it has a franchise. Mr. Tucker said the County has no control over the
quality. Mr. Bowie asked if it is possible to franchise more than one cable
company. Mr. Tucker said the language in the Code of Virginia is somewhat
ambiguous. Since there are other cable companies in Albemarle County, it is
possible to have more than one in a locality. The question is whether the
service of one cable company can overlap the service of another.
Mr. St. John said new federal regulations are scheduled to be published
in May. At this moment, the FCC does not regulate rates, except in case of
inadequate competition. The State Corporation Commission does not regulate
cable television rates, and the locality has no authority to regulate them.
Mr. St. John said he understands that the new regulations will be broadened to
include the regulation of rates or to authorize counties to regulate them.
The consensus of the Board was to wait until the federal regulations are
released before further discussion of this item.
Agenda Item No. 10. Public Hearing: Appeal - Rio Hill Shopping Center
Major Site Plan Amendment.
Mr. Ron Keeler, Chief of Community Development, handed out copies of a
letter dated March 23, 1989, addressed to Mr. Robert Slattery from Mr. Ron
Keeler, regarding the Rio Hill Shopping Center site plan revisions.
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
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Mr. Keeler presented the staff report as follows:
"PROPOSAL: The applicant is proposing to add 21 parking spaces in an
area previously shown on the rezoning application plan as a loading
area only. The area is located in the southeast corner of the shop-
ping center between the Subway Deli and the Shoney's Restaurant
currently under construction.
LOCATION: Property, described as Tax Map 45, Parcel 94A, is located
~n the west side of Route 29 North at its intersection with Woodbrook
Drive. Zoned PD-SC, Planned Development Shopping Center, in the
Charlottesville Magisterial District.
STAFF COMMENT: In the review of the rezoning for this property, staff
worked with the applicant to develop a parking lot design which
minimized traffic conflicts by incorporating primary travelways for
internal site circulation only and secondary travel aisles to provide
access to the parking spaces separate from through traffic of the
primary travelways. This is a request to allow 21 parking spaces in
an area originally shown on the Application Plan as a travelway. On
the final site plan, the area was shown for customer parking, but it
was revised to be a loading area after staff had recommended deletion
of the spaces.
Staff position remains that th~s area should not have parking spaces
directly accessing the primaryi travelway which provides one of the two
ingress/egress points for the shopping center. Staff opinion is that
the request to allow the parking spaces would present potential
traffic conflicts on this trav~lway and, therefore, it does not meet
the intent of Section 4.12.6, Marking Area Design, and Section
4.12.6.1, Safe and Convenient Access.
The applicant has stated it is! their experience that 'no matter how we
try to designate this area to :a loading zone only, people will defy
the signs and striping and park at their convenience'. In addition,
the applicant has stated that ~this request is made to 'facilitate a
more orderly and safer manner iof parking and traffic patterns.'
Staff recognizes that the Rio Hill Shopping Center parking/circulation
in general, has functioned well. However, this request is for an area
that has significant traffic flow that will increase with the opening
of new retail/commercial space. Thus, the potential for conflict can
be expected to increase. It is for this reason that staff originally
recommended no parking in this area.
In summary, staff recommends denial of this major site plan amendment
as it does not satisfy the purpose of the parking regulations of the
Zoning Ordinance. In addition, it should be noted that staff will
continue to recommend the incorporation of interrupted travelways in
large commercial developments when warranted due to concerns of
potential traffic conflicts and high traffic volumes and speed in
areas of concentrated pedestrian movements. Should the Planning
Commission choose to approve this site plan amendment, staff recom-
mends the parking spaces be aligned perpendicular to the travelway
which the applicant has agreed to.
RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
The final site plan shall not be signed until the following
cohdition is met:
me
The parking spaces are aligned perpendicular to the
travelway.
Mr. Keeler said the Planning Commission, at its meeting on February 26,
1991, denied the petition by a vote of 3/2.
Mr. Keeler then reviewed the history of the site development plan in
question. He said one of the main points of review for the initial applica-
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
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tion was to segregate the traffic circulation areas from the parking areas.
At the site review meeting, staff indicated that it would not support the plan
for parking spaces with traffic backing into major access aisles. The plan
was revised to delete any parking spaces where cars would back into access
aisles. He said the original shopping center plan called for the southern
portion of the shopping center to be a Hechinger's store and garden shop.
Instead, Brendle's'moved into the major building area, with smaller retail
shops going in place of the Hechinger's garden center. The revised site plan
then showed 16 parking spaces along the access aisle parallel with Route 29
North. Staff denied that plan because it was inconsistent with the original
approval. A second plan reserved the previous parking area as a loading zone.
Although parking spaces were not shown on the plan, staff also denied approval
of that plan. Staff finally approved a plan showing that this parking area is
to be signed and marked as a No-Parking/Loading Zone. The area was subse-
quently marked with parking spaces. The Zonin§ Administrator contacted the
Shopping Center administration, and the lines were removed.
The current request is for 21 parking spaces along the front of the
retail shops, requiring drivers to back into the traffic aisle. Mr. Keeler
referred to the letter he handed out and noted that this traffic aisle is
'ected to have about 530 vehicle trips per day, increasing to 1170 vehicle
trips per day with further development of the Colonial car dealership.
said since this letter of 1989, circumstances have changed in that the through
road south of the Shopping Center to Berkmar Drive Extended has been deleted.
The effect is that there will be some reduction in traffic coming through this
aisle to get to Berkmar to travel south. However, traffic from the car
dealership going north on Route 29 will probably go through the Shopping
Center. He said he does not know what the new traffic figures are, but staff
continues to believe that the request for parking is not consistent with the
original concept of the approved 'Shopping Center. He said the Zoning Ordi-
nance allows staff to administratively approve minor changes to the approved
Application Plan under three circumstances. First, the change must be consis-
tent with the Comprehensive Plan; the change is consistent with current zoning
and other regulations; and that the change is consistent with the original
concept and spirit of the approval. He said staff feels that this request is
not consistent with safe and convenient access and good on-site circulation
in accord with the original concept and spirit of approval. If the Board
agrees with staff's recommendation, then the applicant will be notified that
no further request for parking alone these aisles will be considered unless a
rezoning application is submitted to amend the original Application Plan.
Mr. Keeler noted that the Zoning Administrator has expressed concern
about the inability of that office to police this type of situation.
The public hearing was opened and the appellant came forward to speak.
Mr. Chuck Lebo said his appeal is for 21 parking spaces. He said the current
site development plan calls for 1580 parking spaces, so the idea is not to
obtain a great amount of parking. He is trying to address the fact that
people are already using this area as a natural parking area. He would like
to continue to keep this area safe. He said the area is 18 feet deep and is
buffered by landscape islands on either end which are six feet wide. The
travelway next to the requested parking area is 30 feet wide at its narrowest
point near the Subway Restaurant and 40 feet wide at the planter near Meyers
Drive. The proposal is to paint 12-foot wide lanes on the easternmost side of
the travelway to allow a six foot buffer at the narrowest point and 16 feet at
the widest point. Diagonal parking lanes would force those backing out to
enter along with the traffic much like the acceleration lanes throughout the
County. He is not asking the County to do something that is not in the
County's interest. Mr. Lebo feels the request will help establish a parking
order and lead to the overall safety of the public. He noted that Mrs.
Huckle, a Planning Commissioner, indicated that she went to the parking area
and believes that this request will actually be safer than the current situa-
tion.
There were no other members of the public present to speak. The public
hearing was closed and the matter placed before the Board.
Mr. Bowie said he likes the internal road system at Rio Hill Shopping
Center where cars are not backing into the travelway. He is not inclined to
allow this request.
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
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Mrs. Humphris said she is opposed to cars backing into the travelway.
She would like to see large concrete planters along that area to prevent all
parking. She feels this is a safety issue; therefore, she supports staff's
recommendation. She added that it will not hurt people to park and walk a few
steps to the shops.
Mr. Bain asked how the County can ensure that no parking takes place in
that area. Re feels that the developer should bear the responsibility of
being in accord with the site plan.
Mr. St. 3ohn said the Zoning Administrator's enforcement runs to the
owner of the land o~ the proprietor. The Zoning Administrator does not
enforce against individual drivers who are parking illegally. However,
enforcement is difficult because there must be a pattern established and an
injunction issued. The owner can then say that drivers are trespassing on
this area. The County has learned through experience that signage alone does
not deter parking. The best practical enforcement is to have a physical or
topographical barrier which prevents or discourages parking. He said such a
barrier was not in the original plan and he does not believe that the Board
can now make such a requirement.
Mrs. Humphris said there is no demonstrated need for additional parking
spaces. It is a matter of convenience for drivers, and she feels the safety
factor is of utmost concern.
Motion was then offered by Mrs. Humphris and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to
confirm the Planning Commission's denial of the amendment to the Rio Hill
Shopping Center Major Site Plan Amendment.
Mr. Way asked if staff agrees that is is safer not to formalize the
parking that is currently going on there. Mr. Keeler said that is correct.
It is incumbent on the applicant to ensure that there is no parking taking
place. The issue of safety actually falls on the property owner.
Mr. Cilimberg suggested that the motion include a statement that the
parking area is not consistent with the originally approved plan. Any future
alteration would require a zoning map amendment. Mrs. Humphris said she feels
that it is understood that the approved site plan stands and a further state-
ment is not necessary.
There was no further discussion of this item. Roll was called and the
motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: None.
The meeting recessed at 10:35 A.M. and reconvened at 10:51 A.M.
Agenda Item No. 11. Request to Amend the Albemarle County Service
Authority Service Areas to Provide Public Water to Watterson Farms Subdivi-
sion.
Mr. Cilimberg said the Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat
for the Watterson Farms subdivision in October, 1990, with 23 lots and an
average lot size of 6.9 acres. Parcels 36A, 38 and 39 are not currently
within the Albemarle County Service Authority service area for water. Parcels
36, 36B and 36C were granted public water service to existing structures only.
The Board is requested to amend the service area to provide water only to
Parcels 36, 36A, 36B, 36C, 38 and 39 without restriction.
These properties are located in the Rural Areas designated in the Compre-
hensive Plan and be within the South Fork Rivanna River Reservoir watershed.
Regarding provision of public utilities, the Comprehensive Plan is intention-
ally specific in objective and strategies as to where and under what circum-
stances public utilities should be made available. This request is inconsis-
tent with the objective of the Comprehensive Plan to provide public water and
sewer service to only the Urban Area and Communities. It is also inconsistent
with the strategies of following the boundaries of the designated growth areas
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 11)
in delineating service areas and of allowing changes in service areas outside
growth area boundaries in cases where the property is: 1) adjacent to exist-
ing lines, and 2) public health or safety is endangered.
Mr. Cilimberg noted that there is an existing Service Authority water
line which crosses the subdivision. However, there has been no documentation
of health or safety problems. The decisions for surrounding properties to
have public water were not made under the current Comprehensive Plan strate-
gies.
Staff recommends that public water service not be made available to these
properties because the request is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Public utility capacities should be reserved to support development of desig-
nated growth areas. Allowance for full water service to these properties is
inconsistent with past actions by the Board to limit utility service outside
designated growth areas, particularly in a water supply watershed. Should the
Board choose to approve the request, service should be limited to not more
than one dwelling unit per lot as approved by the Planning Commission on the
Watterson Farms subdivision plat.
Mrs. Humphris asked why this property seems to be surrounded with water
service. Mr. Cilimberg said the water lines were in place when the Service
Authority's service areas were established.
Mr. Bain said he does not recall that this Board has extended service
into the Rural Areas under the current Comprehensive Plan. He asked when the
subdivision application was originally submitted. Mr. Cilimberg said it was
submitted in August of 1990 and approved in October.
The applicant, Mr. Chris Halstead, handed out documents regarding the
legal issue of this question. (No copy was received for the record.) He
explained that Page 1 is an excerpt from a State Supreme Court ruling. He
said the Court held that once a municipality gets into the water business, it
is, in fact, in the water business. The locality must then act under the same
rules as any privately held public utility. Once that is accepted, the
Virginia Code on public services says that water of sufficient pressure and
quantity must be provided for fire protection for the city, county, or town
and the adjacent territory served by such a corporation. He noted that a
12-inch main runs through the property. The Virginia Code also states that a
county may install water mains and provides that the owners of adjacent land
shall have the right to connect their premises to such sewers and water mains
on such terms as the governing body shall prescribe.
Mr. Halstead said his lawyer forwarded a copy of this material and a
letter to the County Attorney yesterday. He hopes to hear the County Attor-
ney's opinion today. Notwithstanding the legal issues, Mr. Halstead feels he
has a compelling argument which is distinguishable from other cases that may
come before the Board. Fire protection is the first priority of this request.
Mr. Halstead said the the first 33 lots of the subdivision will have fire
protection, while the next 23 will not have fire protection based on the
recommendation of staff. Mr. Halstead said fire protection for this area is
provided by the Crozet Volunteer Fire Company, which is a 20 minute drive
away. If a fire truck is required to carry water to the site, the most direct
route is not usable because of a bridge limitation. Therefore, there is a
public safety issue involved.
This area is surrounded by a water service area. He said the water main
is already in place, and there would be no cost to the Service Authority for
providing the service. He feels that from an economic standpoint, this is the
best situation the Service Authority can ever provide. He feels that approval
is consistent with past decisions of the Board, albeit prior to the Comprehen-
sive Plan change. Mr. Halstead noted that the density of development is not
increased by approval of this request. These points taken together create a
narrow precedent. Mr. Halstead feels that citizens who are paying thousands
of dollars in property taxes should be entitled to fire protection if it is
reasonably available to the property. He re-emphasized that the main reason
for this request is to give fire protection. He said the lots average over
six acres each. There is no problem in drilling wells for drinking water, but
it is difficult to fight fires in that manner. He understands that there is
no provision for fire only service.
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 12)
Mr. St. John said he respectfully disagrees with Mr. Halstead's lawyer.
He does not believe there is any legal compulsion on the Board to grant this
request. The rules cited are not applicable to this situation. Mr. St. John
said the question is not whether the County is in the water business. The
question is whether the County is required by law to grant this request.
Being in the water business is one argument to support the legal requirement.
He said the County is not in the water business. The Albemarle County Service
Authority is in the water business. The request before the Board is a govern-
mental decision, not a proprietary one. There are also implications of
whether the change of a service area is in accordance with the Comprehensive
Plan, and that is a governmental decision. That is why this legal material is
not applicable. The State Code says that no public facility can be placed
anywhere in this County without a finding by the Planning Commission, subject
to appeal to the Board, that such a facility is or is not in accordance with
the Comprehensive Plan. The argument that it is the Board's duty to supply
citizens with water, if reasonably available, is not applicable to this situa-
tion in Mr. St. 3ohn's opinion.
Mr. St. John said there is another legal issue involved, however. The
fact that the surrounding area has water service relates to whether, in its
governmental capacity in making land use decisions, the Board is being arbi-
trary and capricious in approving requests. One isolated spot without water
service surrounded by land with water service is a red flag for the charge of
arbitrary decision making. He feels that a rationale should be given for the
record. Mr. St. John said that Farmington to the east of this property has
water service because Farmington had a private water system before the County
established a Service Authority. He believes that Flordon had the same
situation. When the Authority was established, it bought these private
companies and incorporated them into the system because they existed previous-
ly in the area. Mr. St. John said in his opinion, when the County granted
water from the main to existing structures, the statute referred to b~ Mr.
Halstead in which adjoining property owners have the right to connect was met.
The language does not mean that wherever a water main crosses a piece of land,
the owner has a right to subdivide the land and the County has to provide
water to every lot.
Mrs. Humphris said years ago the West Leigh water system failed, and the
line had to be run out there. That is how a water main happened to be in this
location in the first place.
Mr. Cilimberg noted that the Zoning Ordinance requires two acre lots
because of the necessity for private wells and septic systems in the Rural
Areas.
Mrs. Humphris said someone always has to be at the end of the water line.
However, the purpose of having service areas is to control the extension of
utilities in order to control growth.
Mr. Perkins said this request will not affect growth one way or the
other. The subdivision is already approved, with or without the water ser-
vice. Mr. St. John said this is true today. However, the presence of water
is a factor which tends toward redivision of lots.
Mr. Bowie said, as a separate issue, it makes sense to him that a fire
hydrant could be placed in a location where there is a water line already in
existence.
Motion was offered by Mr. Bain and seconded by Mrs. Humphris to deny the
request for a public hearing to consider amending the Albemarle County Service
Authority service areas to provide water service to Watterson Farms sub-
division.
There was no further discussion. Roll was called and the motion carried
by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris and Mr. Perkins.
NAYS: Mr. Way.
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 13)
Mr. Bowie said he would like to know how a fire protection only service
area can be established at an existing main. He feels that if the developer
pays for a fire hydrant, everyone would be better off. Mrs. Humphris said
there is the problem of maintenance. The County Executive was directed to
a report on this question at a later date.
Agenda Item No. 12. Appropriation: Walnut Creek Park.
Mr Tucker said Mr. Patrick K. Mullaney, Director of Parks & Recreation,
reports that the Walnut Creek Project is moving very rapidly toward comple-
tion. Currently the access road and beach area are under construction, and
final design is being completed on the concession/bath house building.
Financially the project is in good shape. A goal of returning $200,000 to the
County's General Fund at the completion of the project has been set. However,
this will require an advance of $150,000 to complete the project. These funds
and the amount targeted for return to the General Fund will come from the
Virginia Department of Transportation Recreational Access Funds grant, which
will reimburse the County at the completion of the project.
Mr. Tucker said the Board is requested to approve an appropriation of
$150,000 for this project. Motion was immediately offered by Mrs. Humphris
and seconded by Mr. Perkins to approve the appropriation by adopting the
following resolution. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following
recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. ~erkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: None.
FISCAL YEAR:
FUND:
PURPOSE OF APPROPRIATION:
1990-91
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CON-
STRUCTION OF WALNUT CREEK PARK
ROAD
EXPENDITURE
COST CENTER/CATEGORY
DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
1900071001800680
REVENUE
CONSTRUCTION-ACCESS ROAD
TOTAL
$150,000.00
$150,000.00
DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
2900024000240404
2900041000410500
VDOT ACCESS GRANT-WALNUT CREEK
LOAN PROCEEDS
TOTAL
$350,000.00
(200,000.00)
$150,000.00
Agenda Item No. 13a. Work Session: False Alarm Ordinance.
Mr. Way said he raised the question as to why it is necessary for a
citizen to pay a fee and register to have an alarm system connected in
Albemarle County. He asked for an explanation of the registration require-
ment.
Police Chief John Miller explained that a direct response means that the
alarm goes directly to the Police Department. Citizens who have an alarm
system which alerts a security company or a neighbor who comes and checks the
premises do not have to register with the County. Alarm systems which notify
the Police Department for a response must register. Chief Miller said it is
necessary to know the owner and to obtain emergency information through the
registration process. He said the fee of $25 is used to offset the adminis-
trative costs in tracking the alarm systems and contacting the owners. Chief
Miller said false alarms are costing many man hours.
Mr. Bain asked how many alarm systems in the County do not require a
direct response from the police. Chief Miller said he does not know the
actual number. He said the response to the registration requirement has been
slow.
Mr. Bowerman asked if the direct response alarms dial the police depart-
ment directly. Chief Miller said nothing comes directly to the Police Depart-
ment. The alarm company is hooked up with the 911 Center and to a clearing-
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 14)
house in Chicago. The clearinghouse will make an attempt to call the owners
of the alarm system first. If contact is made with the owner, the clearing-
house calls the 911 Center back and reports that everything is all right. The
Police Department will check the location unless it is physically checked by
some other party.
Mr. Bain said a key concern by citizens is the confidential nature of
this information. Chief Miller said that has placed a burden on the Police
Department as well. The original idea was to have the Finance Department
handle the administrative side. However, if the Finance Department handles
the registration and fee, the information must be released to the public.
Therefore, the Police Department is handling the administration of the ordi-
nance.
Mr. Bowie said citizens are concerned that the news media will run a
listing of names if a registration list is complied somewhere. Chief Miller
said, when held by this department, this is not public information and will
not be released.
Mrs. Humphris said she feels that the public will still not understand
the registration requirements because the language is not clear enough. Chief
Miller agreed that the language is not clear.
Mr. Bowerman said he feels that problems are caused by multiple alarms.
He feels the false alarms can be dealt with successfully through this ordi-
nance without the need for registration. The concern of the citizens is that
anything that goes into the public domain has the potential to become public
knowledge. Also, citizens who are experiencing false alarms should be the
ones who are charged a fee, while those who do not should not have to pay.
Mr. St. John said it is possible to eliminate the registration require-
ment and keep the false alarm restrictions. Mr. St. John asked if the infor-
mation being registered for the alarm systems is the same as that required for
the Egll system. Chief Miller said the Egll information is simply the loca-
tion of the call. That may not have anything to do with the ownership of the
alarm system. He said he needs the ownership information in order to assess
the fees.
Mr. Bowie said there seems to be no objection to charging fees for false
alarms. The objection is centered around having to register with the County.
Mr. Bain said he agrees that the registration is not necessary, but the time
spent answering false alarms is absurd.
Motion was offered by Mr. Bain and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to adopt the
following resolution of intent;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County,
Virginia, does hereby state its intent to amend the Albemarle County
Code, Chapter 2.2, "Alarms", to delete the requirement for registra-
tion of automatic alarms.
Mr. Way asked if the charge for a false alarm will be raised. Chief
Miller said a procedure for determining the fee is already in the ordinance.
Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: None.
Agenda Item No. 13b. Work Session: Architectural Review Board. At the
request of staff, this item was deferred to April 10, 1991.
Agenda Item No. 14. Children and Youth Commission Report.
Mr. John Dawson, Vice Chairman of the Children and Youth Commission, said
he wants to brief the Board on the Con~nission's work over the past few months
and seek guidance from the Board for future accomplishments. He introduced
Ms. Kai Rady and Dr. Charles Gleason, members of the Commission; and Mr. Rory
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 15)
Carpenter, Executive Director. Commission members attended budget meetings in
which the various social service agencies in the City and County made requests
for funds. This is the initial step taken by the Commission to assess the
magnitude of the job to be done. Also, the Commission has reviewed a 40-page
work plan required by the State to maintain the State funding level. He said
the State is somewhat flexible in its requirements, depending on the needs of
the City and County.
Mr. Rory Carpenter said it appears that the City, County and State want
the same things at this point, and it will not be difficult to coordinate
those needs. He said the Commission is developing an inter-agency network,
which was a recommendation by the Children and Youth Task Force. He said the
first meeting of that body is planned for the end of this fiscal year.
Through that forum information exchange, coordination, training and program
development is to be provided between and among all of the agencies in the
community serving children and youth. The Commission will solicit and expect
participation from all the agencies. From that group, the Commission hopes to
provide a coalition in terms of substance abuse prevention, child abuse
prevention, pregnancy prevention, school drop-out prevention, case management
for high risk youth and recreation child care. The Commission hopes to
provide coordination for grants so that each agency knows which agency is
applying for various grants. Mr. Carpenter said he has already started
working with organizations involved in substance abuse prevention. The
Commission is also involved in a comprehensive youth needs assessment for the
community which must be completed by the end of 1992. He said this is a State
mandate and fits into the goals for the City and County. A statistically
accurate citizen survey and youth survey can be done throughout the community
to provide a framework to make sure that service duplication is eliminated.
Currently, the Commission is embarking on a media campaign for child abuse
prevention beginning in April in conjunction with the Thomas Jefferson Child
Advocacy Group. He said the goal is to raise the community's awareness of the
problem of child abuse. He has been involved with Project Soar, a project
co-sponsored with Outreach Counseling. This project works with children who
are at risk for dropping out of school or for juvenile delinquency. Current-
ly, this is a City program. The Commission is involved in youth employment
through Rent-A-Teen. In the Spring, a media campaign for the Youth Commission
itself will be conducted to ensure that the community understands the purpose
of the Commission.
Mr. Carpenter said the Commission is interested in receiving input from
the Board as to the course it expects the Commission to pursue.
Dr. Charles Gleason, member of the Commission, said it is rewarding to
work in the area of prevention and helping children through crucial years in
the development of social skills. He is interested in developing a formula in
which the factors dealing with prevention versus crisis management are includ-
ed. He feels that will result in a cost effective effort by the Commission.
He welcomes the opportunity to serve on this Commission.
Mr. Way said the Board has not given direction to this Commission on the
question of the budget process. He feels that it is important for the Board
to decide whether it wants the Commission to have direct input into the
Program Review Committee. One reason for the establishment of the Commission
is to review the work being done in the community in terms of duplication and
to determine whether certain programs should be dropped and others added.
Mr. Bain said another consideration is that of having existing programs
in various agencies coordinated by this Commission. To him, the budgetary
process is key to accomplishing that goal. He feels the Board should give the
Commission the opportunity to review the entire picture.
Mr. Bowie said he has not received an answer to the question as to which
agency provides which service and whether there is duplication of effort. He
feels there must be some way to analyze what each agency is doing to determine
if all of the agencies are necessary. He feels the Commission should be an
oversight group, rather than another advocacy group.
Mr. Bain said the question is whether the individual groups under this
Commission can justify their existence because the service they provide is
different from another group. He feels that is what this Commission should be
doing.
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 16)
Mrs. Humphris said the direction described by Mr. Bain has been a major
thrust of this Board. The Board wants to know who is doing what, how well are
they doing the job, and who should be doing what.
Mr. Bowie said he wants to know, for example, how many groups are working
on substance abuse and whether all of them are necessary. He wants to know if
there is a more efficient way to accomplish the goal on substance abuse.
Mr. Way asked the Commission members how they view their role in terms of
advising the Board in the budget process. Dr. Gleason said he has seen many
examples of duplication over the years, and it detracts from what the agencies
are trying to accomplish because they get in each other's way. He agrees that
the elimination of duplication is an important goal.
Mr. Carpenter said the Commission staff will need to develop a structure
for doing what the Board is asking. He feels that within a year the structure
will be in place. Mr. Bowie said he hopes to have solid input from this
Commission within a year, and suggested that the structure be in place by May.
Mr. Tucker said from a budgeting standpoint, he envisions that the
Program Review Committee will continue, but the children and youth agencies
will not come independently for review. The input from these groups would go
to the Children and Youth Commission. After their review for duplication, a
recommendation will then be made to the Program Review Committee. He said an
alternative would be for the Children and Youth Commission itself to come to
the Board and make the recommendation. Mr. Tucker feels that it is appropri-
ate for the Program Review Committee to review this group rather than having
them come directly to the Board.
Mr. Bowerman said he does not want to filter the comments of the Children
and Youth Commission. He prefers to hear directly from them on what they feel
should be consolidated or eliminated. Mr. Tucker said the Children and Youth
Commission could attend the budget work sessions and make comments, as all the
agencies currently do in the budget process. They would, however, be repre-
senting all of the youth agencies.
Mrs. Humphris said she appreciates the donation of valuable time by
members of the Children and Youth Commission and noted that she feels its work
is long overdue. Mr. Bowie agreed and said the community could not accomplish
its goals without the efforts of the many volunteers.
Mr. Carpenter said he understands and feels comfortable with the direc-
tion given by the Board in the discussion today.
Agenda Item No. 15. Appointments: Jefferson Area Board for Aging.
Mr. Way suggested that the Chairman of the Board of JABA be contacted for
a recommendation before these appointments are made. There was no objection
by Board members to Mr. Bowie contacting the Chairman of the JABA Board. This
item will be taken up at the March 20, 1991, meeting.
Agenda Item No. 16. Recess for Lunch. The Board recessed for lunch at
12:08 P.M. and reconvened at 1:12 P.M.
Agenda Item No. 20. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from Board
Members.
Mr. Bowie reminded the Board of its invitation from the Jordan Develop-
ment Corporation to lunch and to tour the apartments in the old Scottsville
school building on April 3 at 11:00 A.M. Mr. Bain said he will be unable to
attend.
Mr. Way said he took it upon himself to tell the Mayor of Scottsville
that the Board will be available to tour the levee or other areas the Mayor
would like t'he Board to see while it is in Scottsville.
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March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 17)
Agenda Item No. 17. Work Session: 1991-92 County Budget.
Budget Overview: County Executive, Robert W. Tucker, Jr. Mr. Tucker
said the operating budget for Fiscal Year 1991-92 includes both the General
Fund and the School Division Fund and totals $85,689,478. This represents an
increase of 4.25 percent over the Fiscal Year 1990-91 budget. He said this is
the lowest increase in the budget in the past decade, due primarily to the
decrease in State funding this year. Property tax increases by over 16
percent, due primarily to reassessment and new construction. State revenues
have decreased by 10 percent to the General Fund and by six percent to the
School Fund. Mr. Tucker said the General Government budget focuses mainly on
public safety, human development and community development. The Parks,
Recreation and Culture function shows the highest percentage of increase, due
solely to the opening of the Northside Branch Library in September, 1991, and
the Walnut Creek Park in July, 1991. The functions of General Government
Administration, Judicial and Public Works all show reductions in expenditures
for 1990-91. These reductions are attributed to a reduction in the Virginia
Retirement System rate, reductions of two positions, continued delays in
hiring personnel, reduction in capital expenditures, closing the Keene Land-
fill, deletion of the Southside Transfer Station in this year's budget, and
deletion of the refuse disposal costs for the Ivy Landfill from the General
.d. Some substantive budget items include funding for all of the discre-
tionary recommendations of the Program Review Committee for Human Development
agencies; the increase of eight new positions, four of which are new police
officers; and phasing in the reclassification plan for General Government
classified employees, including a four percent bonus pool and an increase in
the contribution to health care costs, which is more than offset by the VRS
rate reduction. Significant non-departmental expenditures include the
City/County Revenue Sharing Agreement and the Capital Improvement Program
Fund. The revenue sharing agreement increases by $474,990, while the CIP fund
contribution is maintained at $1 million.
Mr. Tucker said the School Division budget provides for a teacher salary
scale increase, maintains the teacher career ladder program, maintains the
duty free lunch, increases the County contribution to health care costs,
includes a one percent increase in salary bonus for classified employees, and
CA-TEC initiatives. Significant items as yet unfunded in the basic budget
include reduction in force costs and summer school programs. Additional
unfunded items are related to an expanding enrollment and the opening of
Murray Elementary School. Specifically, the School Division has determined a
need for 30 teachers, six mobile classrooms, 14 buses and bus drivers plus
other associated operational costs due to growth. Debt service for school
construction amounts to $4.63 million, an increase of $1.23 over 1990-91.
This debt service anticipates an additional $1.4 million to cover the cost of
borrowed funds for construction of the new Agnor-Hurt Elementary School,
Murray Elementary School renovation, Burley Middle School renovation, and
Hollymead and Woodbrook repairs. He noted that an additional $445,000 of
State revenue available to fund growth needs was not included in the total
revenues in the School Budget received by the Board. The actual amount of
funds needed to fund growth now is about $1.9 million instead of $2.4 million.
Mr. Tucker said an undesignated allocation of $2.26 million is being
recommended for use for additional school needs, for any needs the Board may
identify during its work sessions, or for a reduction in the tax rate. If
additional funds are allocated to the School Division, Mr. Tucker said he
recommends that the opening of Murray School, additional teachers and buses
needed due to enrollment growth and the funding of the reclassification plan
be given first consideration.
Mr. Tucker concluded by saying that the proposed budget is balanced
within the guidelines given by the Board for local revenue allocations. He
said the task of developing this budget has been difficult due to the sub-
stantial reduction in State revenues. However, he expressed his appreciation
to the staff and the many boards and agencies who worked within the fiscal
constraints the County is facing.
Board of Supervisors, Lettie g. Neher, Clerk, Present. Requested
$290,3531 Recommended $287,480. Mr. Ray B. Jones, Deputy County Executive,
said the 1991-92 budget decreases by $53,915, reflecting a 3.5 percent in-
crease in salaries, a 6.5 percent decrease in fringe benefits and a 39.4
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) 137
(Page 18)
percent decrease in operating costs. Significant increases or decreases in
the baseline budget are an increase of $3000 in advertising due to an increase
in volume and rates; an increase of $4070 in the cost of dues and memberships
due to increased costs for VACO membership; and a decrease of $2900 in subsis-
tence due to the elimination of meals for Board members. No new personnel are
requested. This budget includes a capital request of $15,000 for computer
equipment and software for an automated indexing and records management
system. Funding is recommended at the baseline level, plus an increment of
$15,000 for the indexing and records management system. Not recommended for
funding is an increment of $4500 for membership in the Virginia Municipal
League.
Mr. Way asked if the Board has a contingency fund at this point. Mr.
Tucker said there is no contingency fund recommended at this time; however,
the Board may create a contingency as it proceeds through the work sessions.
Mr. Bowie asked if the indexing system is essential. Miss Neher said the
indexing system is imperative. She said the cost of labor to index the ten
minute books manually will be more than $15,000. This system has optical
storage and the software and hardware for this system should last for 20
years. It takes two to three months to manually index one book. She ex-
plained that this system will also facilitate research without having to
handle the heavy minute books.
There was no further discussion and no recommendation for change.
County Executive, Robert W. T~cker, Jr., Present. Requested $359,303;
Recommended $367,523. Mr. Tucker said the proposed total budget decreases by
$2402, which reflects a baseline decrease of $26,907, plus one increment of
$24,450 to fund a Management Analyst position. Significant increases and
decreases in the proposed baseline budget include a decrease of $1000 in the
cost of preparing an Annual Report due to the substitution of a County infor-
mation booklet. Funding is recommended at the requested level.
Mr. Tucker explained that the part-time intern position is being upgraded
to that of Management Analyst.
There were no changes recommended.
Mr. Bowie said he had suggested to the County Executive that he did not
think it was necessary for Department Heads to be present for these work
sessions. If the Board members have questions about aspeCt of a particular
budget, the Department Heads can be requested to attend when that question
arises.
Personnel, Dr Carole~Iastings, Director of Personnel/H,,man Resources,
Present. Requested $222,870; Recommended $222,870. Mr. Tucker said the
overall budget for Personnel decreases by 5.5 percent, which reflects a
decrease in general benefits and in operations. The transfer of $146,895 to
the School Division reflects a decrease of $8600 due to nonrepeating capital
expenses of $45,000 in FYg0-91. Significant increases or decreases in the
baseline budget are $11,050 in Workman's Compensation based on actual costs
and an increase of $5995 in early retirement due to the increased number of
employees receiving benefits. No new personnel or capital needs are. request-
ed. Funding is recommended at the requested level.
Mr. Tucker noted that the early retirement referred to in this budget is
the County's early retirement plan and not the proposed plan by the Governor
for early retirement. He noted that staff will bring a report to the Board
during the work sessions regarding the Governor's proposal.
Mr. Way asked if the Staff Development figure in the line item breakdown
of $31,000 compared to last year's figure of $18,000 is correct. Mrs. White
said the current request is actually level funding from last year. Mr. Way
said if only $18,000 was spent last year, he wonders why $31,000 is requested
this year. Mr. Bain said he is confused as well, since the actual budget
shows zero for staff development.
138
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 19)
Mr. Bowie asked that staff verify the staff development figure. There
was no further discussion and no changes were recommended by the Board.
Legal Services, George St. John, County Attorney, Absent. Requested
$189,782; Recommended $191,472. Mr. Tucker said the baseline budget for the
County Attorney's office increases by 3.89 percent, reflecting a 5.2 percent
increase in salaries, a five percent decrease in fringe benefits, a 4.4
percent decrease in operating costs, and an increase of 542 percent in capital
costs. This increase reflects $2710 to replace a 15-year old copy machine.
There are no new personnel requested.
Mr. Perkins said the line item breakdown shows an increase in salaries of
3.7 percent. Mr. Tucker said there is a difference because the proposed
reclassification plan is not reflected in the line item breakdown, but is
included in the budget as a recommendation by the County Executive for fund-
mng. He said that discrepancy will show up throughout most of the Depart-
ments.
There were no changes recommended by the Board.
Finance, Melvin Breeden, Director of Finance, Present. Requested
$1,652,734; Recommended $1,689,779. Mr. Tucker said the proposed budget
decreases by $91,400 over 1990-91, reflecting a baseline budget increase of
$51,260, plus one increment of $32,220 for an additional Real Estate Appraiser
II position. Including the new position, the salary costs increase by 8.7
percent, fringe benefit costs decrease by 3.6 percent, operational costs
decrease by 0.9 percent and capital costs decrease by 96.7 percent. SigDifi-
Cant increases or decreases in the baseline proposed budget are an increase of
$2000 in the cost of legal services due to the increased number of warrants,
etc. in a more aggressive delinquent taxpayer program; a decrease of $3000 in
temporary help costs; an increase of $1000 in advertising costs due to in-
creased volume and rates; an increase of $1800 in vehicle fuel and equipment;
and a decrease of $164,750 in capital equipment reflecting the purchase of the
inserter, stuffer and processor for implementation of the split-billing
and proration of personal property taxes in 1990-91. Funding is recommended
at the baseline level, plus one increment of $32,220 for an additional Real
Estate Appraiser.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Refunds. Requested $78,500; Recommended $67,500. Mr. Tucker said the
Refunds category increased by $7500 due to the proration program.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Information Services, Fred Kruger, Director, Absent. Requested $756,571;
Recommended $784,241. Mr. Tucker said the overall budget increased by
$35,051, reflecting a 10.2 percent increase in salary costs, a 4.4 percent
decrease in fringe benefit costs, a 4.6 percent decrease in operations, and a
$2465 decrease in capital equipment. The salary costs reflect the reorgani-
zation of positions and responsibilities in the current year in addition to
the costs for reclassification in 1991-92. Significant increases and decreas-
es in the baseline budget include a $6000 decrease in the cost of data pro-
cessing consultants; a $6180 decrease in the costs of equipment maintenance
contracts; and an increase of $7500 in the cost of telecommunication data
lines which reflects the cost of connecting all of the schools to the County
mainframe. Funding is recommended at the requested baseline level.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Board of Elections, Jim Heilman, Registrar, Absent. Requested $124,555;
Recommended $127,235. Mr. Tucker said the operating budget increases by
$17,776, reflecting a 5.4 percent increase in salary costs, a 11.8 percent
decrease in fringe benefit costs, a 50.6 percent increase in operating costs,
and a 257 percent increase in capital equipment costs. Included in this
139
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 20)
increase is $15,135 to implement redistricting. There are no other signifi-
cant increases or decreases in the baseline budget. Funding is recommended at
the baseline level, plus the incremental costs of $15,135 for redistricting.
Mr. Bain asked if this budget includes the cost of additional precincts.
Tucker said if new precincts are established during the redistricting
process, additional costs will be involved in notifying citizens and for new
voting machines. Mr. Bain said he thinks this item should be put on a list as
an item to be discussed for a contingency account.
No other changes were recommended.
Circuit Court, Jean Easton, Secretary, Absent. Requested $52,585;
Recommended $53,280. Mr. Tucker said the baseline increase of 7.4 percent
reflects a 6.2 percent increase in salaries, a 3.9 percent decrease in bene-
fits, and a 0.52 percent increase in operations. There are no significant
increases or decreases in the baseline budget. Funding is recommended at the
baseline level, plus an increment of $2150 for the Circuit Court's share of a
new copy machine.
Mr. Bain asked if the County actually paid for the part time law clerk
for the Judge which was budgeted in this year's budget. Mr. Tucker said he
was not sure, but would find the answer.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
C~neral District Court, Sterling Hudson, Clerk, Absent. Requested $9990;
Recommended $9990. Mr. Tucker said the baseline budget reflects level funding
over the 1990-91 operating budget. There are no new personnel or capital
needs. Funding is recommended at the requested level.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Magistrate, D. D. Hudson, Absent. Requested $4265; Recommended $4255.
Mr. Tucker said the operational costs of the Magistrate's office are shared
50/50 with the City of Charlottesville. The baseline budget is $8530, an
increase of $220 over 1990-91. The County's share of the total budget is
$4265. Full funding is recommended for the baseline budget.
Mr. Way asked the status of the plans for moving this office to the Joint
Security Complex. Mr. Tucker said that is still the ultimate plan when the
jail expansion is completed.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Juvenile Court, Ann Connors, Clerk, Absent. Requested $37,542; Recom-
mended $37,542. Mr. Tucker said the County's share is $37,542, an increase of
$3537 over 1990-91. The total projected budget is $90,613. Included in the
contract services line item is $15,525 which includes the City's share of the
fringe benefits for one deputy and the salary, fringe and operating expenses
for the locally funded deputy. A request for $10,000 in capital equipment is
included for a fax machine, calculator and two double filing units. Funding
is recommended at the requested level of $37,542.
Mr. Bain asked if the other courts have a fax machine. Mr. Tucker said
there is a fax machine in the Commonwealth Attorney's office which is used
jointly with another office. Mr. Bain noted that justification for the fax
machine is not included, and he would like to know the reason for the request
even though the County only pays a percentage.
Mrs. Humphris said she feels that $10,000 is a large expense for a fax
machine, calculator and filing units. The consensus of the Board was to
request justification for the $10,000 amount.
No other changes were made by the Board.
13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) ZL40
(Page 21)
Clerk of Circuit Court, Shelby Marshall, Clerk, Absent. ~mquested
$394,875; Recommended $394,875. Mr. Tucker said this budget decreases by
$9384, reflecting a 0.13 percent decrease in salaries, a 7.4 percent decrease
in fringe benefit costs, a 1.8 percent decrease in operating costs and a 36.9
percent decrease in capital equipment costs. The decrease in capital costs
includes an increment of $5550 for two-thirds of a copy machine to be shared
with the Circuit Court office. Significant increases/decreases in the base-
line budget include a $1317 decrease in audit costs; a $1865 increase in the
cost of office equipment maintenance contracts; a $2000 reduction in record
binding costs, due to rebinding the old record books during the current year;
and a $3250 decrease in capital costs due to the replacement of a duplicator
in the current year. Funding is recommended at the baseline level, plus an
increment of $5550 to purchase a filing cabinet and a copy machine.
No change was recommended by the Board.
Commonwealth's Attorney, Lester A. Wilson, III, Absent. Requested
$293,619; Recommended $293,619. Mr. Tucker said the baseline budget decrease
of $7967 represents a decrease in salaries of 0.84 percent, a decrease in
fringe benefit costs of 10.6 percent and a decrease in operational costs of
2.6 percent. There are no significant increases or decreases in the baseline
budget. Funding is recommended at the requested level.
No change was recommended by the Board.
Sheriff, Terry ~awkins, Absent. Requested $470,131; Recommended
$437,041. Mr. Tucker said the proposed baseline budget reflects an overall
decrease of $47,133, reflecting an increase in salaries of 0.74 percent, a
decrease in fringe benefit costs of 9.1 percent, a 13.3 percent increase in
operating costs and a 94.7 percent decrease in capital costs. Significant
increases and decreases in the baseline budget include an increase of $1000 in
dry cleaning costs due to increased cost of contract; an increase of $3565 in
vehicle maintenance costs due to increase in gasoline prices; and a decrease
of $50,750 in replacement vehicles due to five vehicles being purchased in the
current year and two requested replacement vehicles for 1991-92 also being
purchased in the current year. Capital needs include a radio for the trans-
port van for $1200. Funding is recommended at the baseline level, plus a new
radio for the transport van. Not recommended for funding is $800 for a
cellular phone and increased educational travel.
Mrs. Humphris asked whether the gasoline costs included in this budget
are realistic. Mr. Tucker said staff will go back through the budget and
adjust the fuel costs since prices have dropped considerably since the budget
process began. He said this review may result in additional funds available
for the Board's contingency fund.
Mr. Perkins asked staff to verify whether $1000 is necessary for washing
and waxing police cars, especially the newer models.
No other changes were made by the Board.
Police, John Miller, Chief, Present. Requested $3,832,798; Recommended
$3,623,404. Mr. Tucker said the total budget reflects an increase of $236,927
over 1990-91. This reflects 12 program increments totaling $313,766. The
baseline budget, excluding these increments, decreases by $76,840 due primari-
ly to the purchase of ten replacement vehicles in the current year. Funding
is recommended for the baseline budget plus an increment of $38,180 in the
Management Division for a part time secretary and an expanded radio system;
$66,135 in the Administrative Division for an administrative director, a
police records clerk, a part time evidence clerk, and capital equipment;
$207,200 in the Patrol Division for four police officers, yearly health exams
and capital equipment; $1650 in the Investigations Division for yearly health
exmmm and a cellular phone; and $300 in the Animal Control Division for yearly
health exams.
141
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 22)
Mr. Tucker said the need for additional officers is due primarily to the
County's goal to have 1.5 officers per 1000 population and to maintain an
average response time of ten minutes.
Mr. Perkins asked the timing for hiring the additional officers. Mr.
Tucker said if the advertising and interviewing can be accomplished for the
administrative director and the part time clerk, these positions could possi-
bly be filled by July 1. The four new officers will have to go through
training and it may be January, 1992, before these officers are in the field,
depending on when they are hired.
No changes were recommended for this budget.
Joint Dispatch, Wayne Cm~pagma, E-911 Center Director, Absent. Requested
$326,000; Recommended $370,132. Mr. Tucker said the County's share of the
1991-92 budget increases by $61,455. The total budget of $929,397 reflects an
overall increase of 18.4 percent, with the County's share remaining level at
36 percent. The City's share of the total budget is 49.7 percent, and the
University of Virginia's share is 14 percent. The overall budget increase
reflects line items which were underbudgeted in the current year such as
overtime, instructional services, laundry and dry cleaning costs, and uni-
forms, plus implementation of the pay and classification study. No new
positions are requested. Funding is recommended as requested. He noted that
the recommended funding includes $4827 to reflect a shift differential for
dispatchers who work the evening and midnight shifts.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
The Board recessed at 2:30 P.M. and reconvened at 2:42 P.M.
Inspections, Jesse Hurt, Director, Absent. Requested $628,580; Recom-
mended $616,925. Mr. Robert Brandenburger, Assistant County Executive, said
the total budget decreases by $25,719, reflecting a decrease in salaries of
3.5 percent, a decrease in fringe benefit costs of 12.9 percent, a decrease in
operations of 5.3 percent and a decrease in capital equipment costs of 316.7
percent. Significant increases and decreases in the baseline budget include a
decrease of $25,277 in salary and fringe costs due to elimination of one
combination inspector position; an increase of $4100 in fuel costs; and
decrease of $3720 in books and subscriptions; a decrease of $1445 in vehicle
equipment and supplies based on actual costs; and a decrease of $1275 in copy
supplies based on actual costs. Funding is recommended at the baseline level
of $616,925.
Mr. Bowie asked if the reduction in this budget is due to a decrease in
the workload. Mr. Brandenburger said the permit demands have gone down over
the past two months compared to prior years. He said an increase in permit
requests is expected with the Spring season. However, the current staff is
expected to be able to handle the expected upturn.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Joint Security Complex, Warren G. Spratt, Jail Administrator, Absent.
Requested $107,225; Recommended $107,225. Mr. Tucker said the total budget of
$2,624,066 reflects a $2548 decrease over 1990-91. Although the County's
share, based on the prior year's usage, decreases from 31 percent to 29
percent, the dollar share increases by $37,327. The reason for the increase
in both the County and the City shares is a shortfall of $247,460 in 1991-92
of State revenues. The actual expenses to operate the jail at minimum levels
are expected to increase by 11 percent due to a 40 bed modular unit, an
increase of inmate population, the replacement of equipment unfunded in the
CIP, underbudgeting of medical and food services, and projected increases in
fuel, refuse collection and utility costs. The budget revenues and expendi-
tures are based on a continued high population of prisoners and a projection
of an average daily population of 200 through 1990-91. Funding is recommended
at the requested baseline budget of $107,225.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
142
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 23)
Juvenile Detention Home. Requested $52,190; Recommended $62,190. Mr.
Tucker said the request increases by $33,210 over the 1990-91 budget due to
reductions in State funding, no carryover funds, a decrease in State ward per
diem, a nine percent increase in the population in 1989-90, and a 65 percent
increase in the County's detention days. Funding is recommended at the
requested level.
Mr. Tucker noted that the Juvenile Detention Board intends to make
changes in this budget resulting in a decrease in the requested amount. He
said the difference can be applied to the Board's contingency fund.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Engineering, Richard Horing, County Engineer, Absent. Requested
$538,518; Recommended $551,918. Mr. Brandenburger said the budget reflects an
increase of $12,133, reflecting a 15.5 percent increase in salaries, a 7.07
percent decrease in fringe benefit costs, a 32.8 percent decrease in operating
costs, and an 84.7 percent increase in capital costs. The increase in compen-
sation is due to the salary for the new Engineering Inspector II, 75 percent
of whose salary will be reimbursed from CIP projects. The baseline budget
decreases by $30,697 when the increment of $41,830 for the total cost of that
position is excluded. Significant increases and decreases in the baseline
budget include a decrease of $9131 for consultant fees; an increase of $6370
in the cost of electrical services; a decrease of $39,886 in project costs due
to the completion of the Stowe Park (erosion control) and Laurel Subdivision
(roads) projects which were paid for from called bond funds; and an increase
of $3170 in projected fuel costs. Funding is recommended at the baseline
level, plus the total increment of $41,830 to fund the personnel, operating
and capital needs of the Engineering Inspector II position.
Mr. Way said a small amount of money is needed for a portion of the
maintenance of the pump station at the Scottsville levee. He said those funds
still need to be included and asked if they are in the Engineering budget.
Mr. Tucker said staff will determine if those funds are included in this
budget and report back to the Board.
Mr. Bowie asked for an explanation of the difference between the 1990-91
amount of local revenue of $109,520 and the amount for 1991-92 of $61,000.
Mr. Tucker said staff will find the answer and report back to the Board.
No changes were recommended to this budget.
Refuse Disposal, Richard Moring, County Engineer, Absent. Requested
$100,000; Recorded $100,000. Mr. Brandenburger said a total of $80,000 is
requested in the operating budget to complete the closure of the Keene Land-
fill. Of that amount, $35,000 is to fund monitoring and maintenance of the
site and $45,000 is to fund clean-up of the public convenience area after
service is discontinued. A $20,000 contingency fund is also requested for
possible recycling initiatives needed in the next fiscal year. A possible use
of the contingency fund is for establishing collection sites at County
schools. Funding is recommended at the requested level.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Staff Services, A1Waugaman, Director, Present. Requested $880,802;
Recommended $860,362. The baseline budget decreases by 1.52 percent, reflect-
ing a 2.4 perce~_t increase in salaries, a 12.4 percent decrease in fringe
benefit costs, a 1.9 percent decrease in operations, and a 16.7 percent
decrease in capital equipment. Significant increases or decreases in the
baseline budget are a decrease of $21,945 in salary and benefits for the HVAC
technician position; a decrease of $10,625 in electric costs based on actual
expenditures; a decrease of $20,848 in the cost of building maintenance and
maintenance contracts due to a one-time reapp~ )priation in the current year;
an increase of ~22,200 in the cost of fire insurance for the County Office
Building, including the old Crozet School building; and a decrease of $1400 in
replacement furniture. Funding is recommended at the baseline level, plus one
increment of $19,900 for ma.:ntenance and upkeep of the old Crozet School until
ownership is transferred to private owners.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) 143
(Page 24)
Mr. Bain said a re~ction il shown of one position this year and another
one next year. He asked what positions are being deleted. Ms. White said
there is an error in the budget unde' part-time personnel. The figure should
be 0.75 acros.s the page, instead of 1.50. There is actually a r~ Juction of
one position which was never filled and is now being delet~-t altogether.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Charlottesville/Albemarle Clean Co,,.,,mityCo--~ssion, Rosemary
Sheuchenko, Present. Requested $8,000; Recommended $8,000. Mr. Tucker said
the CAC3 program is funded by the Commonwealth through Virginia Litter Control
funds which are projected to be $8,000. Continued support is recommended,
using grant monies from the Commonwealth.
Ms. Sheuchenko handed out a document and stated that it is clear that the
State grant money will not carry CAC3 until th~ new fis ~al ye. r funds are
ava~!able. This is becau.~e of the increased demand fo'~ recycling information.
Ms. Sheuchenko said the hours she spends in the office dealing with the p~olic
have increased from ?0 to 33 hours per week. She said the document she ~re-
pared shows a breakdown of the current funds and the amount of mon~; needed' to
contin ~e. Notwithstanding the budgetary constraints, she is asking the Board
for additional funds to remain in business after the second week of June.
Mrs. Humphris said she serves as this B. ard's representat'._ve on the CAC3
Boar~1, and she agrees that there is a tremendous increase in the demand on Ms.
Sheuchenko's time. This increase has resulted because success breeds success
in recycling. CAC3, at the moment~ is practically the only agency working to
coordinate the reccling efforts in the County. Because of the efforts of
CAC3 and primarily Ms. Sheuchenko, '~31,479 of expen:-m has been avoided at the
Landfill for the period Januar to December, 1990. Therefore, she is making a
strong plea to the Board to try to find addLtional funds to keep this eff, rt
going. She feels that it is extremely important to the County to do so,
particularly in light of the fact that the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority has.
not begun a recycling program. She said if the CAC3 office is not open, the
McIntire Collection Center, the collection center at University Hall and the
educational efforts will all cease.
Mr. Bowerman asked if the $7700 being requested is to be split between
the City and County. Ms. Sheuchenko said she has not approached the City as
yet. The fact that the City has its own recycling program indicates that they
will not be receptive to her request. She said this amount is needed to keep
operating until October when the grant funds are received.
Mr. Bowie said if he considers this request at all, he will consider only
the County's share.
Mrs. Humphris said the situation has now changed in that the County is
involved in a recycling effort. However, if the County does not support the
program, tons of material will go to the Landfill.
Mr. Bain said he thinks this should be continued at a later time after
staff reports on why this effort is not being taken over by the Rivanna Solid
Waste Authority and what the private sector is doing. He said he is not
opposed to the $7700, but the Board has established a new authority and is
trying to foster an effort in the private sector as well. He feels that all
of the parameters need to be considered.
Mrs. Humphris said whatever happens with the Rivanna Solid Waste Authori-
ty it is not going to happen in a time frame to benefit this situation.
Mr. Bowerman said he hopes the Board can find some way to assist until
another program is in place. Mr. Bain agreed that CAC3 has done an outstand-
ing job, but he wants to examine the whole issue at the next available day
meeting.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) ~-4Zi
(Page 25)
Social Services, Karen Morris, Director, Present. Requested $2,651,100;
Recommended $2,671,406. Ms. White said the budget reflects a combination of
the six divisions to adequately reflect the various programs. The first
division is Virginia Public Assistance Management, which is the administrative
function for the other five divisions. There are Benefit Programs which
include all of the cash assistance and eligibility programs such as food
stamps and general relief. The Service Programs Division includes protective
services, adoptive services and foster care. The Employment Services program
is 100 percent reimbursed by State funds. The Medicaid Program is 100 percent
reimbursed by State and Federal money. The Energy Assistance Program is 100
percent reimbursed by Federal funds. The total baseline budget for the entire
Department increases by $98,964, reflecting a 5.2 percent increase in sala-
ries, an 11.7 percent decrease in fringe benefits, an 8.5 percent increase in
operations, and an 84.4 percent decrease in capital expenditures. State and
federal revenues have decreased by $105,595, making the County's 1991-92 share
increase by 24 percent. The County's local tax share of the total operating
budget is 38 percent. Funding is recommended for the baseline budget, plus an
increment of $730 in the Administrative division for a telecommunications
device for the deaf, $10,200 in the Benefits Division for a part-time Account
Clerk, and $1900 in the Employment Services Program for expanded purchase of
services.
Ms. White said the budget needs to be adjusted to reflect an increase in
the local share of the State and Local Hospitalization Program since the
budget was prepared. The County's share for indigent care at the University
of Virginia Hospital is currently budgeted at $15,000. The State has notified
the County that its share is actually $27,152. Therefore, this budget must be
increased by approximately $12,000 in the Benefits Division.
Mr. Bain asked if any other changes in the State funds are expected.
White said these are the latest figures, but that does not mean that other
changes will not be made.
Ms.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Housing, ~arenMorris, Director, Present. Requested $141,550; Recommend-
ed $154,535. Ms. White said this budget reflects an overall increase of
$11,376, which is a 14.4 percent increase in salary costs, a 15.9 percent
decrease in fringe costs, and a 6.9 percent increase in ongoing operating
costs. Significant increases include an increase of $1400 in postage costs
due to under budgeting and a rate increase. Funding is recommended at the
baseline level.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
Parks & Recreation, Patrick Mullaney, Director, Present. Requested
$858,950; Recommended $852,440. Mr. Tucker said the overall budget decreases
by $6648, reflecting a 9.3 percent increase in salaries, a 3.1 percent de-
crease in fringe benefit costs, a 4.4 percent increase in operations, and 92.9
percent decrease in capital equipment costs. Included in the total budget is
an increment of $4645 for expanded and new programs described below. Signifi-
cant increases and decreases in the baseline budget include a decrease of
$2000 in the cost of building maintenance based on actual costs; a decrease of
$4455 in the cost of maintenance contracts due to the elimination of tree
maintenance services for 1991-92; an increase of $2360 in the cost of refuse
collection contracts; an increase of $7300 in heating services due to rate
increases in heating oil and gas; a decrease of $1175 in food supplies due to
transfer of vending machine services at community centers to drink providers;
an increase of $5665 in fuel costs based on projected price increases; a
decrease of $1785 in uniform costs due to elimination of uniform service for
maintenance employees; and a decrease of $60,000 in capital equipment used
primarily to fund the opening of Walnut Creek Park in the current year. New
programs include the Open Gym at Stony Point and Yancey schools for $1090, the
Cale Adult Volleyball program for $2290, and the Walnut Creek Park swim
program for $38,070. Swim revenues of $15,000 will offset that program.
Expanded programs include assistance of $1010 to the Lane Babe Ruth League and
$2185 for the Adult Basketball League program. Funding is recommended at the
baseline level, plus a total increment of $4645 to fund the expanded and new
programs listed.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 26)
Mrs. Humphris asked what demand is expected for the new Sunday afternoon
program at Stony Point. Mr. Mullaney said the Open Gym program has been tried
at each new gym with 20 to 30 people participating. He said the difficulty is
finding supervisors to run the programs on Sunday afternoon for $5.00 per
hour.
Mr. Bowie asked if the programs all have fees for usage. Mr. Mullaney
said most of the programs charge a fee for use. He said the new programs of
basketball and volleyball are self-supporting. He said the basic philosophy
is that the programs are to support themselves, although there have been some
exceptions in some youth programs which are not self-supporting.
Mr. Bowie asked if the entrance fees to parks support the cost of opera-
tions. Mr. Mullaney said normally the fees cover the extra costs of operating
the sun,her swim programs.
No changes were recommended for this Department.
Rivanma Park, Pat Mullaney, Director, Present. Requested $8§,235;
Recommended $82,175. Mr. Tucker said the proposed allocation of $82,175 is
the County's share of the total budget of $174,695. This budget decreases by
$2775 from 1990-91. Full funding is recommended for the baseline budget. Not
recommended for funding was one increment of $4800 for four bleachers. He
said this was deleted because the City was not able to fund its share.
No changes were recommended by the Board.
The Board agreed to consider the remaining budget items at the end of the
agenda for the work session scheduled for March 18, 1991, at 1:00 P.M.
Agenda Item No. 18. Recess. The meeting recessed at 3:47 P.M. and
reconvened at 7:00 P.M.
The meeting reconvened at 7:05 p.m., in the Auditorium of the County
Office Building. Ail Board members were present. Also present were the
County Executive, Mr. Robert W. Tucker, Jr., and the Executive Assistant, Ms.
Roxanne W. White.
Agenda Item No. 19. Public Comments to be taken on a County Budget for
Fiscal Year 1991-92.
Mr. Bowie said the purpose of this meeting is to receive public comments
on the proposed 1991-92 budget before starting work sessions. He announced
that the official public hearing on the 1991-92 budget will be held on April
10, at 7:00 p.m. Since there was some time available, the Board began its
work session on the General Government portion of the budget this afternoon.
Mr. Bowie then announced the format for tonight's public hearing.
Mr. Tucker highlighted some of the expenditures for Fiscal Year 1991-92.
The proposed expenditures total $85,689,478 for 1991-92, an increase of
$3,493,035 (4.25 percent) over 1990-91. This is the lowest budget increase in
more than a decade which is due primarily to the reduction in State funding.
This proposed budget provides the following: no increase for General Govern-
ment or School Division operations, but it does provide an increase of $1.4
million in new debt service for school capital projects; an increase of
$744,990 in the City/County Revenue Sharing Agreement; and $2.26 million in
undesignated funds.
Mr. Tucker then highlighted some of the revenues for Fiscal Year 1991-92.
Property taxes provide $39.92 million to the operating budget, an increase of
$5.65 million (16.5 percent) due to the most recent reassessment of real
property and an expanded tax base. Local revenues from permits, fees and
other licenses have decreased by $202,800 (25.5 percent) from 1990-91. Local
revenues provide 66.8 percent of the operating revenues for 1991-92. State
revenues have decreased by $1.6 million (6.6 percent) from 1990-91 which
reflects a $1.2 million (six percent) decrease in the School Fund and a $0.41
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 27)
million (9.6 percent) decrease in the General Fund. The 1991-92 budget uses
no carry-over revenues from the Fund Balance, a decrease of $0.65 million over
1990-91.
A summary of General Fund expenditures indicates that Public Safety;
Human Development; Parks, Recreation and Culture; and Community Development
are the only categories that show an increase. The increase of 16.29 percent
in Parks, Recreation and Culture is due solely to the expenditures for opening
the new Northside Branch Library in early Fall, 1991. The other categories in
General Government show decreases from the 1990-91 budget. School operations
show a slight decrease, however, School debt service increases 36.24 percent,
for an overall increase of 1.3 percent for the School system. As indicated
previously, the City/County Revenue Sharing increased by 16.95 percent.
Mr. Tucker said property taxes account for 47 percent of County revenues.
Other local taxes account for 20 percent and State revenues account for 27
percent of the budget. On the expenditure side, School operations account for
63 percent, and with the addition of debt service for school construction it
comes to 68 percent of the total budget. General Government accounts for
about 24 percent along with the other remaining categories, the Capital
Improvements Program, $2.24 million in reserve and City/County Revenue Sharing
make up the remainder of the eight percent for expenditures. A comparison of
a five-year period of revenues shows that in 1987 and 1988, property taxes
accounted for 42 percent of the budget, which has now increased to 47 percent.
State revenues were 31 percent of the total budget five years ago and now are
reduced to 27 percent.
Mr. Bowie said revenues from property taxes will rise $5.6 million and
the budget also carries an undesignated reserve of approximately $2.0 million
to be used at the discretion of the Board.
Mr. Bowie said last week the Board adopted some procedures for the public
hearing. The first hour of the public hearing will be devoted to general
comments. The Board asks that individuals limit their comments to two to
three minutes and comments from organizations be limited to five minutes. The
Board also asks that if a person has written material it wants to provide that
it be summarized and given to the Clerk who will distribute the material
later. If someone feels they must have more time than that allotted, that
person will have the additional time to speak at the end of the meeting. The
Chairman then opened the public hearing.
First to address the Board, Mr. Ed Jones, a 22-year resident of Albemarle
County, said when he and his wife first came here in 1968, they were supposed
to stay for only two years, but they found this to be a fine place to live, to
work and to raise a family. He is present tonight as a member and
spokesperson for SHARE, an association of 23 organizations bound together to
improve the quality of life for all Albemarle residents.
Mr. Jones said the following organizations are members of SHARE: AIDS
Support Group; Albemarle Education Association; Albemarle County Law Enforce-
ment Association; Albemarle Housing Coalition; Albemarle NAACP; Association
for Retarded Citizens; Family Service, Inc.; Hollymead Parent Teacher Organ-
ization; Hospice, Inc.; Independence Resource Center; Jefferson Area Board for
Aging; League of Women Voters, Charlottesville and Albemarle; Literacy Volun-
teers of America; Monticello Area Community Action Agency; Newtown Community
Action~ Offender Aid & Restoration of Charlottesville and Albemarle; Planned
Parenthood of the Blue Ridge; Rails to Trails; Retired Senior Volunteer
Program; Stone Robinson Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization; Stony
Point Community Action; The Esmont Area Community Organization; Thomas Jeffer-
son Adult Day Care Center; and Western Albemarle Housing Task Force.
Mr. Jones said in the last 20 years, County government has met many
challenges in education, public safety, public works and in some aspects of
community social services. While many jurisdictions across the land are
struggling with serious fiscal shortfalls, Albemarle is a lot happier as we
meet here to talk of how to distribute an increase in general revenue in the
most reasonable and equitable way. Our County has always been blessed, but
even before it became a haven for the rich and famous, it was always a land of
great contrast. For those who sleep snugly at Westminister-Canterbury and on
our great estates, there are less fortunate counterparts in the shelters,
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) 147
(Page 28)
under local bridges and in homes that have no running water. Many of the most
vexing issues confronted in this generation, i.e., high illiteracy, poor
health habits, inadequate housing and assorted social ailments, are all
products of failures of vision and resolve in earlier times. The members of
SHARE are dedicated to doing everything in their power to assure that they are
not delinquent in their duties to the citizens. Mr. Jones said Albemarle is
in a growth mode that will require additional funds in the years ahead. The
$2.2 million of "new" money, after existing commitments are met, will only
begin to respond to unmet needs. Is is reasonable to retain the 74 cents per
$100 rate in order to meet the most critical needs of our community? SHARE
believes that the answer must be a resounding yes. Albemarle's tax rate is
among the lowest, as is its level of expenditure. In contrast, the County's
revenue capacity is among the top 20 of Virginia localities. As the homeowner
of a house assessed at $125,000, each one cent reduction in the tax rate would
save him $1.07 per month. On the other hand, this would result in a cost to
the County of $377,000, funds that would make a real difference in its'
ability to meet critical needs. He will not miss a meal, go without necessary
health care, or live in substandard conditions by paying a few dollars more
per month, but there are people in this County who do go without some of these
basic necessities. The current tax rate can improve the lives of the disad-
vantaged and send a message that this County cares about its less fortunate.
Supported by hundreds of signatures, the members of SHAREfeel that it is time
to go to work on social problems that if left unmet can only return to demand
more expensive solutions in the future. In closing, he asks that each Board
member lay aside fiscal or political implications and consider their moral and
ethical responsibility to better meet the needs of those too young or too old,
too illiterate or too depressed to speak on their own behalf. He thanked the
Board for its time and attention.
Mr. Gerald Ferguson, a 29-year resident of the Samuel Miller District,
said he supports reasonable tax increases, but for the last two years and
without any improvements on his property, the assessed value has increased 50
percent. He thinks there should be a modest reduction in the tax rate. He
would appreciate the Board giving careful consideration to those who are not
getting any younger.
Mr. Lee Stevens, a resident of the County, handed in a petition signed by
residents of the County who feel that the 24 percent tax increase through the
reassessment, is excessive and repressive, and they request that the Board
lower the tax rate to compensate for the reassessment.
Mrs. Carolyn Michie said she is a resident of the Shadwell-Keswick area,
a 26-year taxpayer of the County, a 23-year owner of an Albemarle County based
business and a parent of an Albemarle County student. In response to the
different interest groups who want an increase in the County real estate tax
rate, she asks how many of these people are County landowners. She has heard
statements that other counties, such as Greene, have a higher tax rate than
Albemarle County, however, it fails to mention that the land assessments in
Greene are lower than those in Albemarle. During the past week, she re-
searched four counties, their land assessments and compiled a report which she
will present to the Board for review. As a parent of an Albemarle High School
student, and having been one herself, she is for quality education, but over
the course of the years she has seen the education system repeatedly request
more money for the education they are providing. As a business operator in
the County, it saddens her to continually encounter and turn away students
from this "quality" education program who cannot apply simple math or reading
instructions to do the job. Although the elderly supposedly get a tax break
and the lower income families supposedly do not own property, there are
hundreds of what these interest groups would label as low income families who
have spent 20 to 30 years of their life purchasing a home and creating a
family environment. These same people do not make $30,000 a year as a couple.
The assessment on their property and the tax rate increase forces these people
to give up homes and property they have worked all their lives for. She is
for quality education, but not at the expense of her neighbors who have to be
taxed off their land. These groups should be learning from Northern Virgin-
ia's mistakes of high assessments and taxes. As the real estate assessment
continues to soar in Albemarle County, she asks the Board to reduce the tax
rate. She further requests the Board to continue its efforts with the state
legislators to seek an alternative source of revenue to fund our education
system and operate our government without taxing families out of their homes.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) ~_48
(Page 29)
Mr. Layton McCann said based on the 74-cent tax rate, the proposed budget
leaves $2.4 million of excess money that can be spent by this Board or used to
lower the tax rate. He understands that just this week the School system
received an additional $800,000 in state money, so he feels that all local
agencies are adequately funded. He does not believe that the $2.4 million
should be spent to satisfy the wants of special interest groups and he urges
the Board to lower the tax rate. As a retired person living on savings and
investments, he will cut back on his spending this year due to the low inte-
rest rate and a sluggish economy. The government should also hold the line on
spending. Over the past 18 months his taxes in the County have increased
$149. This consist of $20 increases for his vehicles, a two cents increase in
the real property tax rate, a $72 increase in garbage disposal and a telephone
surcharge. For those citizens in the County who do not feel they are paying
enough taxes, he suggested that they add an extra 10 to 25 percent to their
tax bill to finance the programs they support. He has no problem with paying
his fair share of the taxes and he supports quality education, but he does not
support a lot of the programs that are just wants and not needs.
Mr. Roger Haugen, a resident of the western part of the County, presented
a petition requesting that the tax rate be reduced because many of the people
are senior citizens living on fixed incomes and can never get ahead because of
tax increases. Soon these people will be taxed to death.
Ms. Melissa Perkins, Vice-President of the JAUNT Board of Directors, said
they appreciate the generous recommendation made by the County Executive at
level funding for JAUNT which will significantly reduce the amount of fare
increases. They urge the Board to support this recommendation.
Mr. Gerald Moore, a 33-year resident of the County, currently living in
Jefferson Village, said his property was reassessed 27 percent more than last
year. He lives on a fixed income and thinks the assessment is unfair. He is
against any tax increase. He thinks that it is about time that the taxpayer
be given some consideration and he will appreciate anything that the Board can
do.
Mr. Jim Ross, a County resident since 1982, said living on a fixed income
is no joke. Four times a year retirees are required to stretch social securi-
ty and their other expenses to cover five weeks instead of four. The increas-
es they have received disappeared in taxes from the federal, medicare and
other taxes. He is irrevocably against retaining the present real estate tax
rate. He feels that he and hundreds of other voters in the County are enti-
tled to even a momentary relief from the pressures of an oppressive 24.5
percent tax increase on property occasioned by the increase in assessments.
There is no mistake that if the opposition gets what it wants, they will be
back again next year for more money regardless of the citizens ability to pay.
To say that other counties have higher tax rates when compared to Albemarle is
the same as saying "because you jump in the river, I should jump in too". He
personally believes the disparity in the tax rate is due to a better and more
realistic fiscal management in this County. He hopes that this liberal use of
common sense will continue to prevail. He asks that the Board reduce the tax
rate.
Mr. Gene Cassidy, a resident of the Scottsville area, said his take home
income is about $16,000 per year. His property has increased by 22 percent
from last year. He has a 90 year old aunt who lives in the Keene area. Her
income is $400 a month. Her reassessment went from $71,000 a year to $106,000
per year and she does not even have running water in her house. When someone
speaks about the under-privileged think about her.
Mr. Harold Pillar, a resident of southern Albemarle County, said he does
not understand why the values of everybody's property went up 22 to 30 per-
cent. That is unfair considering that the real estate market is in a slump.
Taxes can be described as legalized thievery. We only hope that we elect
honest people to make sure that they do not steal too much from us. SHARE
should change their acronym to STEAL and then it would make sense. Seven
years ago he came before the Board and made similar comments and everybody
treated them as a joke. He is glad to see all of these people here tonight,
but they were not here seven years ago when he was by himself telling teachers
that they should work a seven and one-half hour day instead of a six and
one-half hour day. Teachers are getting paid for seven and one-half hours.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 30)
After 3:45 p.m., all of the teachers are gone and they start to work at 9:00
a.m. The position of superintendent of schools is vacant and last night it
was noted that there were 54 candidates for the job. It is unbelievable the
salary that job is paying. He does not know why there is a need for libra-
rians in elementary schools. He also does not know why there is a need for a
superintendent of guidance counselors which is proposed for two to three years
from now.
Ms. Katie Snyder, an eleven year resident of the County and a volunteer
in the school system, said before she supports more tax money being spent she
would like to see a dramatic improvement of the services, especially that of
the schools. Not long ago she told the School Board that her children are not
as well educated as she was at their age. This concerns her especially in a
university community. The children are lacking in grammar, geography and
other areas. She invites any Board member to call her and she will go into
specific detail. To mention briefly three problems: the curriculums are weak
as there is a lack of grammar; the administration level is very heavy and in
many places inefficient; and thirdly there is little or no evaluation of new
progressive programs. For the past two and one-half years she has been
serving on the community involvement team for family life education and she
has not been impressed with the administrative level. One program in particu-
lar is developmental learning at Brownsville where her children went to school
and which she thinks gave them a poor foundation. Another area that concerns
her is Murray High School. Her understanding is that the students can take
the teacher to an in-school court if they do not agree with what the teacher
is doing. She would like this Board to carefully look at attendance at
Murray. She would like to see a return in part to a more traditional educa-
tion or to at least give her a choice and not hold her hostage to an inferior
education for her children. She is in favor of reducing the tax rate and she
will never be in favor of any kind of tax increase until the education system
in this county is improved.
Mr. Edward Strauss, a resident of the western part of the county, said he
has been paying taxes for 21 years. He thinks the issue is not one of raising
the tax rate, but whether the citizens should continue to throw money on
problems they do not understand. It is obvious that nobody in this room
tonight understands how to educate a child. Before spending the money, the
Board should know what it is spending the money on. A high school education
is not worth anything and even if it was, where would you go to work in
Albemarle County. What has the Board done to create a business environment
where people can work and make a middle class salary. The debt ratio of the
people in this county is staggering. This is not one of the richest counties.
This is not one of the most affluent populations. This county has just enough
wealthy people to screw the numbers up.
Mr. Ray Vogel said he purchased his house in 1985 and from 1985 to 1987,
his assessment increased 13 percent, from 1987 to 1989 the assessment in-
creased six percent, and from 1989 to 1991 the assessment increased 53 per-
cent. He asked what is next. If the tax rate is lowered, it will at least be
a help. He is concerned about the rate of the increases.
Mrs. Susan Broomley, an eight year resident of the County and active in
the community, both in schools and foster care for needy children, said she
wants the tax rate left at 74 cents. She is not trying to create a hardship
for certain people. In fact she would like to raise the issue of the income
ceiling that has been set by this Board for property tax exemptions for the
elderly. The State gave the opportunity to raise the ceiling on income to
$30,000 and this Board elected to raise it from $12,000 to $15,000 per year.
She does not see how that is looking out for the interests of the elderly in
the community. She wants those people protected. She does not think that
$17,000 or $20,000 a year fixed income is sufficient to carry a full tax
burden. There are, however, a lot of people who can carry a full tax burden,
whether that is 74 cents or 76 cents. She asks the Board to look into the
availability of an exemption for financial hardship. There are lots of people
who need help. Regarding this public hearing, she thinks there is something
wrong with the process. If she had a land use petition or needed to talk to
the Board about a zoning issue, she could get a two hour public hearing, but
something as important as the budget is limited. She is a foster parent and
is hurt by the lack of funding in social services. She wants to know, other
than her two minutes tonight, when can she tell the Board how the quality of
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) Zk50
(Page 31)
her life is affected when she has a child in her home on Friday who becomes
suicidal and there is no counseling available. What happens to the quality of
her neighbors lives when she has a child, who because he does not qualify or
because he cannot get the counseling or services he needs, starts acting in an
irresponsible way and may break into her neighbors homes or may steal pro-
perty. There are so many issues and she would like for this Board to hold a
public hearing to deal with the social service needs of this county and not
make her do it in two minutes time during a budget hearing. She is here for
the people who cannot speak for themselves.
Mr. Gordon Walker said he has been a County taxpayer for nine years, has
lived in three magisterial districts and his children have attended school in
all three of those districts. The school system is good, but it can be
better. He has no problem with the increase in his tax assessment. He
believes we have elected representatives to make decisions on how to spend our
tax dollars. For the most part he feels the Board makes wise and prudent
decisions. Those decisions have improved his life, his families' life and
that of his neighbors. He does not think the tax assessment has increased
much more than the inflation rate. If the Board is really concerned about
persons on fixed incomes, the elderly and the disabled, it can increase the
tax rate exemption of income to $30,000 and by doing so would include 90
percent of the elderly population. Finally, he feels that the County is in a
position to do for those who cannot do for themselves. He asks that the
current tax rate be maintained.
Mrs. Karen Brazell said she is in favor of looking at the reassessment
process and income level for those people who need assistance. She has two
children in the school system and attended these public schools herself. She
thinks that there are going to be imperfections in anything that is attempted,
but she thinks it is most beneficial to have adequate funding of educational
needs. If there are problems with the education system, she personally does
not see a benefit in coming up here and mud-slinging at the system. She would
prefer that that energy be put into helping to improvement the system in a
positive direction. Education cannot be cut out. She is in favor of main-
taining the current tax rate and looking into other factors that can be
adjusted.
Mr. Edward Schere, speaking for the Albemarle County Farm Bureau, said he
opposes maintaining the current 74 cents tax rate. To retain it would amount
to a 30 percent tax increase at a time when many County residents are happy
just to make ends meet. Fiscal prudence would dictate a lower tax rate with
no tax increase unless specific critical needs are demonstrated in education,
maintenance or other vital areas. A few dollars to a suburban homeowner might
mean an increase of a $1000 or more to a farmer or rural landowner already
"scraping the bottom of the barrel". Groups showing needs and demonstrating
public benefit should be aided as funds are available within these taxation
limits. Ail constituents should be considered, not only special interest
groups clamoring for a piece of this supposed tax windfall.
Mrs. Roberta Platts-Mills said with all due respect, the elderly repre-
sent the wealthiest segment of the population in our country today. They have
the largest amount of disposable income as a group. Those at a different
stage from the retired face proportionately higher tuitions for higher educa-
tion than the now elderly faced when they had children going through college a
generation or two ago. She wants the Board to know that there are some people
who support the County schools. She has four children in County schools, she
has one who has gone through high school and one who is presently in high
school and both had an absolutely rigorous, demanding and top notch education.
This education system compares with the best anywhere. She sees the caliber
of the courses these children are taking and she knows the caliber of the
teachers and she knows what her children are learning. She quoted the follow-
ing from Mr. Edgar Shannon: "A heightened level of excellence in the public
schools is important to every citizen whether or not he or she has children in
the public schools. For the quality of the schools is not simply an element
of the quality of the community, it determines the quality of life for all."
She urges the Board to maintain the current tax rate.
Mr. Bruce Hogue, a County resident since 1938 and one of the oldest
farmers in the County, said people need to relearn how to do things for
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 32)
themselves. He asks the Board to hold the line and take care of only the
necessary items with no frills.
Mr. Herman Key, representing the Independence Resource Center, expressed
gratitude and support for the proposed funding of JAUNT by the County Execu-
tive. The recommended funding of JAUNT would cause a modest increase in fares
and will maintain the 20 percent ratio of fare revenue to the total cost of a
trip. This is a positive recommendation by Mr. Tucker and the nominal in-
creases distributed throughout the four fare zones will allow people with
disabilities to maintain employment and continue to be productive and contrib-
ute to the economy of the County. The County Executive's recommendation
insures that people with disabilities and the elderly continue to have acces-
sible and affordable transportation. In today's society, transportation is a
basic need in order for people to have employment opportunities, quality
health care, educational advancements and recreation. JAUNT is the only means
to which persons with disabilities and the elderly can have access to these
basic rights. As you are aware, much of JAUNT's ridership lives on fixed
incomes. In order for these people to be able to afford transportation, it is
essential that the fares be set at a rate that is affordable. Mr. Tucker's
recommendation will allow JAUNT to maintain an affordable amount and will take
into account the County's budgetary situation. It is an equitable distribu-
tion of county resources and consumer resources. He urges the Board to
support the County Executive's recommendation. Transportation is and will
continue to be one of the main modes to which persons with disabilities become
more integrated into our society. He cannot emphasize enough how important it
is for the County to continue to maintain affordable fares in the rural area
and the urban ring. Transportation is not a luxury but a necessity. People
with disabilities and the elderly are contributors to our society. To impose
unreasonable fare increases will not only severely limit opportunities for us,
but will also deprive the County of one of its greatest resources, human
potential. He would also like to express his support for maintaining the 74
cents tax rate to fund many of the critical needs in the County.
Mr. Scott Morrow, a farmer in the Scottsville area, said five years ago
his taxes increased 32 percent. This year his land and residence increased 30
percent. He agrees that Albemarle is a nice and pretty county and he would
like to keep it that way, however, ask who is responsible for these rolling
green fields, forest lands and fences; the farmer is. If this land is taxed
to where the farmer cannot afford to farm it, he will have to sell it and the
developer will be the one to buy it. The more development we get the higher
the taxes and the less rural land. Sometime soon we need to decide if we want
to keep the county a mixture of urban and rural areas or change it like
Loudoun and Fairfax.
Mrs. Sally Thomas, representing the League of Women Voters, thanked the
staff for allowing a week between the presentation of the budget and this
first public hearing and thanked the staff, particularly Roxanne White, for
all the cooperation and assistance given to interested members of the public.
After examining the County Executive's proposed budget, the League is more
convinced than ever that the 74 cents per $100 real property tax rate should
be maintained and that the $2.26 million in undesignated funds is essential to
meet a variety of well-documented, but as yet unfunded needs. To pinpoint the
most obvious needs, it will take almost $2 million to fund school growth costs
and the opening of the renovated Murray Elementary School. Other needs that
should be funded from the undesignated funds are those recommended by the
Program Review Committee: Family Services' Parent Education Program; the AIDS
Support Group's Peer Hy-Pe Program; the United Way Child Care Scholarship
Program, including the Teen Program; MACAA's Project Discovery; and OAR's
salary increases. They also support additional funds for JAUNT to maintain
the current level of services with minimal fare increases.
The League is pleased that additional funds from the state will make it
possible for the school system to reinstate at least some of their priority
requests, but they are concerned that there are still serious shortfalls in
the regular school budget. They would support additional funds for several of
the agencies to make up for reductions in state and federal funding and
increased costs of providing services. Although it is proposed to add several
additional staff members, there are still some staff shortages.
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(Page 33)
The League regrets that there isa reduction of one position in the
Inspections Department and that there are no funds for a Human Resources
Planner or for an additional sanitarian in the Health Department. This
growing county needs these staff people to enforce regulations and ordinances
in a fair and timely fashion and to plan for the future. There is much to
commend in the proposed budget. They are pleased with the proposed funding
for the Northside Branch Library; with additional funds for redistricting; and
with funds for the Children and Youth Commission and with funds for Affirma-
tive Action Recruitment. In summary, the League thinks it would be ill-
advised and shortsighted to lower the tax rate at a time when there are so
many currently unmet needs and anticipated future needs. The average home-
owner, with a home now assessed at $128,000 pays an additional $176 a year or
$15 per month in taxes due to the average increased assessments made this
year. A two cents reduction in the tax rate would save the homeowner $25 a
year. This $25 would be nice to have, no doubt, but that average family can
easily spend that money. Yet the loss to the County of that two cents is
$756,000. They hope the Board is convinced of the need for that revenue so
that the county can meet real and pressing needs. They recognize the politi-
cal pressures to reduce the tax rate, particularly in an election year for
several of the Board members, but the Board needs to stand firm.
Mrs. Robin Moran is a resident in northwestern Albemarle County and a
concerned parent. Her son has a learning disability. If it were not for the
sensitivity of the teachers, guidance counselor and special education teacher,
this disability would have gone unrecognized. He is now expressing his
brightness and confidence. Special educators and counselors are the most
sensitive of educators. Early intervention to prevent a teen suicide in her
family came from a counselor. Help came from people like teachers. The time
of these people is already spread thin. If their services, love and outreach
are threatened, then so is her son. Ail kids are special people. She is in
favor of keeping the tax rate at 74 cents.
Mr. Mark Crockett, President of the Albemarle Education Association and
an Albemarle County taxpayer, said at the Education Summit held in
Charlottesville last year, President Bush stated that the United States
"lavishes unsurpassed resources on school". President Bush was only partially
correct. In comparing public spending for primary and secondary education
among 16 industrialized nations, the United States ranks 14. A recent four
year study in Tennessee sponsored by four universities and the Tennessee
Department of Education found that small class size resulted in educationally
and statistically significant increases in both math and reading, the two
areas under study. Although small classes cost money, it is money well spent.
High quality education results in reduced welfare costs, reduced criminal
justice costs, and more effective citizenship, yet we are cutting staff in the
schools by 37 positions. There are 18 teaching positions being cut at a time
when we are expecting in excess of 400 new students. Besides education,
county police officers say they can ill-afford to live in the community that
they serve. Social service needs are critical in the county. We need to
respond to the true sense of the word community. He too wants to see those on
fixed incomes protected, but he also wants to see the 74 cents tax rate main-
tained. To do less is to nickel and dime our children and ourselves.
Mr. Chris Rembold, a ten/~dent of the County and resident of the Jack
Jouett District, said property values have actually gone up. His neighbor
sold his house that he bought three years ago for 55 percent more than he
purchased it. He grew up in a school system where a lot of money was spent.
The city had a city income tax of one percent per year, plus his parents spent
$1.50/$100 valuation and they spent that willingly and the schools were very
effective, 25 percent of the children take college equivalent courses as high
school students, a much higher rate of students go on to college and the test
scores are much higher than here. If you spend the money, you will get the
benefit. It has been shown by the study in Tennessee that test scores went up
from about the 50th percentile to 65th percentile if the class size in elemen-
tary students was dropped from 22 to 14. It is a phenomenal expense to do
that but it has been shown to have a definite benefit. There have been 13
speakers so far suggesting a reduction in the tax rate and with nine support-
ing the same rate. He would like to see the tax rate increased in order to
decrease the number of students in a class.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 34)
Ms. Leah Barrett, a homeowner in the County and Director of the Char-
lottesville Regional Chapter of the National Organization for Women, said
despite the recent reassessment that has increased property values in Albe-
marle County, Charlottesville NOW urges the Board to maintain the current rate
of taxation. They feel that if the tax rate is reduced, crucial needs in the
County will not be met. The current budget does not allow funding of many of
the human service needs. Any reduction in the tax rate will surely reduce
funds to human services because those usually are the first to go. Women and
children are often recipients of such social programs and they feel that any
change in these services will do great harm. The Sexual Assault Resource
Agency and the Shelter for Help in Emergency are just two examples of agencies
that provide crucial services to County residents. SARA offers emotional
support to survivors of sexual assault and educational programs to heighten
community awareness of sexual violence. Operating with a small staff and a
large volunteer pool SARA's, 24-hour rape crisis hotline dealt with 742 calls
in 1989. SARA also provides counseling, referrals, emergency room visits and
information about medical, legal and police procedures. SARA and its volun-
teers address civic groups, churches and schools about sexual assault and
related issues. In particular, the Child Assault Prevention Project, an
education program which targets elementary school children, was implemented in
select County schools this year. SHE provides temporary shelter for battered
and abused women and their children. Community residents donate more than
12,000 man hours per year and expertise so that these women can reestablish
themselves in the cox~unity. If a battered woman wants to seek legal re-
course, SHE staff will help her go through the legal system. SHE assists in
finding living arrangements, employment and child care. SHE also engages in
educational outreach efforts designed to enlighten the con~nunity about domes-
tic violence. Charlottesville NOW recognizes the valuable community contribu-
tions of SARA and SHE and will continue to support their advocacy efforts on
behalf of Albemarle women and children. Although she onlY focused on two
specific agencies, she wishes to underline the need for increased funding for
all local social service agencies. Indeed the popular term, "the feminization
of poverty" suggests that women and children disproportionately bear the
burden of inadequate social services. Charlottesville NOW acknowledges the
importance of insuring that all local agencies receive sufficient funding.
Charlottesville NOW urges the Board to leave the tax rate at its current level
to insure a high quality of human services for all Albemarle residents, men,
women and children.
Mr. Dave Edmondson, a parent of three boys, one in Albemarle High School,
one in Burley Middle School, and one in Woodbrook Elementary School, asked how
many people present have control over their income. He does not. If we do
not have an opportunity to change our own income, that means that we are all
living on a fixed income. He has lived here for eight years. His taxes have
only increased $150 in the eight years he has lived here. That does not cover
inflation. Two years ago he appeared before this Board and he offered to give
the county that nickel back. He is currently paying out a lot more because
the services are not here. He is paying $160 a month for counseling because
the guidance counselors in the high school are so over-worked they cannot see
his children. He is paying another $80 a month to a tutor for his child who
is dyslexic. He cannot get help in the school system. Even if you leave the
tax rate at 74 cents, he comes out ahead. The farmer who came up from Scotts-
ville posed a hard problem. Albemarle County is pretty and we do have wonder-
ful vistas. A previous speaker talked about decreasing the classroom size,
and he would like to see the classroom just get down to 22 students, much less
the 14 students mentioned. He wants the County to take his money, leave the
tax rate where it is or even raise it, but let us not short change the future
of America.
At 8:26 p.m. the Chairman called a recess. The meeting reconvened at
8:41 p.m.
Mr. Bowie said the Board will now take comments on specific budget
categories. He asked for comments on General Government-Administration.
Ms. Gall Layne, a taxpayer and teacher, asked why the amount recommended
is more than the requested amount in this category. Mr. Tucker said the
amount shown provides for funding of the revised pay plan for classified
employees.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 35)
The next category for comment was Judicial.
154
There were no comments.
The next category for comment was Public Safety. There were no comments.
The next category for comment was Public Works. There were no comments.
The Chairman asked for comments on Human Development. Ms. Cathy Drabkin,
Director of the Aids Support Group, thanked the County Executive for including
in the budget their request for funding of the Peer Hy-Pe Program, a program
designed to teach children and youth how to prevent becoming infected with the
aids virus through positive means, self-esteem, anti-drug and positive messag-
es.
The next category for comment was Parks, Recreation and Culture. There
were no comments.
The next category for comment was Community Development. There were no
comments.
The next category for comment was Education.
Dr. Susan McLeod-Prindle, speaking as a citizen of the County, said the
future of Albemarle is just as it is for the state and the nation, in our
children, and we must invest in them. Human services and education are the
of the budget that allow this to be done. She thinks that the tax rate
needs to be maintained at its current level to allow the funds to invest in
our children. As director of the Health Department she sees all kinds of
needs in the areas of human services and education. To invest in our children
we need to support the education budget and human services. Educational
systems are not perfect and they do not do all of'the things we would like
them to do. One of those reasons is because of the problems our society has
in terms of stresses on the family which is where human services comes in. A
specific item as a result of cuts is eliminating the school nurse program.
Those nurses are professionals who provide a wide variety of services. They
are not just "band-aid putter oners" or there to just do first aid. They
provide valuable services in education, family life education, cotmseling and
assistance to a large number of young people who come to them concerned about
a variety of health problems which has a direct impact on their ability to be
able to learn. Four years ago the General Assembly did a study on the health
needs of school-aged children in the state and one of their prime recommenda-
tions was that there should be a school nurse in every school. Two years ago
the Charlottesville-Albemarle Children and Youth Task Force did a study of a
variety of different kinds of needs for young people in the community and one
of the things they recommended was the consideration of increasing health
services in school settings. This year the Albemarle Schools Blue Ribbon
Committee made a number of recommendations one of which was to consider having
at least one full-time trained and certified health professional in each
school. She feels that in light of all of these recommendations and increased
demands, we need to look at providing school nurses in all of the schools, not
eliminating what we do have.
Mr. Bowie asked if Dr. McLeod had made this presentation to the School
Board. Dr. McLeod replied "no," the School Board just made the cut two nights
ago.
Mr. Brian Kennedy, President of the Meriwether Lewis PTO, said eight
years ago the Board made a decision to pair Meriwether Lewis and Murray
Schools. While this decision caused disruption and overcrowding, the parents,
teachers and students supported the Board based on its promise of a fully
equipped Murray School. He is present tonight asking the Board to keep its
promise. The shortfall in funds for education will adversely affect every
school in the County, but its impact on a new school opening could be much
greater. The start up funds for the Murray School have already been cut ten
percent. They are asking that the Board keep its promise and make no more
cuts in this allocation and allow the school to open to current county stan-
dards. They are also asking that the growth portion of the School budget be
fully funded. As a shortfall in these funds will reverse the County's
progress towards excellence in education. The money is available providing
that the current tax rate be maintained.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 36)
Mr. Phil Greenbaum, a County resident and parent of two high school
children, said he attended the School Board meeting and did make a similar
presentation. The school nurses provide emergency first aid when accidents
occur, determine if sick or injured kids should go to the emergency room, see
a doctor or go home. They do this on an average of 40 times a day. In
addition, the school nurses also maintain and dispense all student medica-
tions, assisting students with physical handicaps, assisting pregnant and
parent teens, working with students who have drug and alcohol related pro-
blems, suicide, intervention, and working with problems resulting from neglect
and child abuse. In addition, the school nurses must perform the more mundane
duties such as hearing and vision testing. School nurses also teach signifi-
cant portions of the state-mandated family life education program. Of criti-
cal importance is their maintenance of student immunization records for the
purpose of making sure that all students have proper immunizations. For those
not aware of the importance of this, just read some of the recent articles on
the serious measles epidemic ongoing here in the United States. The school
nurses also provide in-services for the faculty on such topics as aids preven-
tion. He does not think it is wise that these positions be eliminated. Any
organization that consciously elects to eliminate positions that directly
impact on the safety and health of our students is leaving itself and our
schools open to potential lawsuit. Every time a teacher, administrator or
secretary or coach has to make a medical decision concerning a student injury
or health problem, 'there exists a significant chance for error. That is why
registered nurses train for years and still maintain enormous liability
insurance policies which are not paid for by the schools. The idea of replac-
ing the present registered nursing positions with emergency medical techni-
cians or licensed practical nurses is not satisfactory. Neither a licensed
practical nurse nor an EMT has the training or expertise required to fill
these diverse and multi-faceted positions. In addition, replacing RN's with
EMT's or LPN's will be akin to firing all teachers with extensive experience
and replacing them with first year college students just to reduce costs.
Experience should be rewarded; it should not be a liability. It is time for
the Board and School Board to rethink the education budget and look for ways,
not only to keep the current school nurse positions, but to increase that
number of positions.
Mrs. Linda Capps, Vice President of Henley Middle School PTO, expressed
support for maintaining the County's current tax rate. Although no one enjoys
paying taxes, they recognize their responsibility to maintain appropriate
levels of services for all the citizens of the County. She appreciates the
complexity of this difficult issue and she hopes that the Board also recogniz-
es that a high quality of education must be maintained. Under the current
plan, Henley will loose one teacher next year while adding about 20 students.
In light of state-wide budget decreases, such belt-tightening at Henley may
seem appropriate and modest, however this position has a far wider effect.
This cut is like a rock falling in the center of a pond. It's impact will
ripple outward and disrupt the smooth functioning of the school. Budget
constraints make it virtually impossible for Henley to add the teaching staff
it needs in band, physical education and home economics. In effect, Henley
will lack needed faculty in four subject areas rather than one. Because of
the seniority system and position cuts throughout the county schools, faculty
and administrators face uncertainty about whether they will have a job next
year, and if they do, where that job will be. Even if the teacher's position
is not eliminated, he or she faces the possibility of being bumped by a more
senior faculty member whose position was eliminated at another school. Such
uncertainty produces anxiety and lowers morale. In the past year, Henley has
made great strides in boosting the morale of faculty, students and parents.
They cannot afford to threaten the quality of their children's education by
having these gains undermined. Also, the rather tight operating budgets of
recent years have left the school vulnerable in the areas of equipment and
supplies. Currently they are merely maintaining the equipment and supplies of
several years ago. Finally, and most importantly, those children most affect-
ed by these budget cuts are likely to be those children whose families are
least able to provide alternative services. Small academic programs are
threatened, but it is such programs that help keep the at-risk students in
school last year and helped lower the county's drop-out rate. Like-wise
positions for guidance counselors are also threatened, yet these positions are
of utmost importance to the continued effective education of our at-risk
students. What seem like small cuts can create a large effect on these
children's lives. What seems to be a point of single impact will create not
156
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 37)
just ripples but waves on the smooth surface of education at Henley. Mrs.
Capps said she urges the Board to look to the future in maintaining county tax
rates at their current level and hopes the Board will have the same fore-
thought in funding the schools. She asks that the Board not accept a School
budget that is inadequate to meet the educational needs of the children.
Instead, apply available county revenue to offset the losses suffered in state
funding. The constituents are willing to pay for quality education. We must
make quality education of our children our first priority. To do otherwise is
to take a terrible risks with'our children's future.
Mr. Kevin Friel, a parent of students in high school, said in reference
to the gentlemen who made comments that teachers work five or six hours a day,
he would like to introduce a teacher in the audience who is grading papers at
9:00 p.m. In regards to the school nurse, the nurse takes time to call
parents late in the evening to make sure a medical problem is followed up on.
These nurses also have to contend with children with various medical problems
and special conditions that require medical professionals. The budget calls
for a loss of at least 18 teaching positions. Hidden in those positions are
both school nurses and a number of counselors. He attempted to discuss this
with a member of the School Board and the response was that cuts had to be ~
made and these positions were not mandated by law, which seems to be poor
reasoning to him. He asked the School Board member if there was a priority to
reestablish these positions if funds became available, and the response was
that they answer only to the State and the decision would be made as money
becomes available. He proposes that this Board designate a specific line item
consideration for discretionary funds to the School budget specifically for
these positions. He thinks these are the most critical positions being cut.
He does not have enough faith in the School Board or the School administration
to reinstate these positions should funds became available. He asks that this
· Board consider these specific line items.
Mr. Joe Dougherty said he and Mrs. Diana Lee are co-presidents of the
Woodbrook Elementary School PTO. He thanked the Board for allowing them the
opportunity to bring to the Board's attention the concerns of the parents at
Woodbrook. They feel that the Board has the duty and responsibility to insure
that the school system provides high quality education to the children. The
community expects this from the Board, the School Board and the School System.
However, the steps the School Board has taken to address the shortfall in the
School budget are inadequate to support high quality education. Many of the
parents have expressed great dismay over the "no-growth" mandate for next
year's school budget and the cutbacks in staff and staff development. They
believe that increasing the student/teacher ratio by eliminating staff posi-
tions in the face of growth is not a way to promote excellence in the schools.
They know that the current student/teacher ratios are merely recommended
averages, not mandated ceilings and even under the current guidelines there
are classes of 30 students. They ask that the Board provide the necessary
funds to maintain the current class size standards and not seek to improve the
County's financial position by compromising this basic educational guideline.
They also believe that cutbacks in staff development, such as the elimination
of teacher vouchers and Project Excellence, are not ways to promote excellence
in education. The individual teacher, coupled with a small class size, more
than anything else determines the quality of education that each child re-
ceives. If the community does not continue to support its teaching staff
financially and educationally, then it is accepting mediocrity as its stan-
dards. They question the acceptance of a "no-growth "mandate for the upcoming
school year.
Mrs. Lee said they also question why in this budgetary process the School
Board was made to "jump through hoops" to provide a balanced budget accommo-
dating the shortage in revenues. Reported shortages in revenue figures that
the Board gave the School Board to work with did not include the additional
revenues that will be gained from the latest reassessments in property tax.
Even with cutbacks from the State, the new reassessments will provide surplus
tax revenues. Woodbrook Elementary School includes the neighborhoods of
Woodbrook, Carrsbrook, Berkeley, Northfield$, Westmoreland, Fieldbrook and
Raintree. Neighborhoods account for a significant portion of the additional
tax revenues due to the increase in the property tax caused by the reassess-
ment. As taxpayers, they want their money to come back to the schools and
want their tax money to contribute to the education of all the children in the
County. It has been said that 55 percent of the taxpayers of the County do
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) 157
(Page 38)
not have children in the schools, but many of them do have grandchildren and
other family members who do attend school. To those taxpayers who do not have
children in the school system, the children who come out of the system do not
disappear. They quickly grow up to become your neighbor, your coworker, your
employee and your fellow taxpayer. Investment in education today creates a
community of people who will form a solid tax base for the future. Investment
in education today will decrease future needs for more social services and
more police. Investment in education today insures the future quality in life
and the character of the community as a whole. As residents of the County we
are always patting ourselves on the back for being members of Mr. Jefferson's
community and the dedication to excellence that that implies. It is time that
we as a community put our money where our mouths are. In these times, we face
competition in an increasingly technical and global economy and pinching
pennies in education is totally unacceptable. In these times, to stand still
in supporting education is a step backwards. The County must have a compre-
hensive plan for steady and continued improvements in education for the next
few years.
Mr. Dougherty said with an anticipated grOwth of over 2000 students in
the next five years it is obvious that the educational demands on the County's
financial resources will not diminish. They ask that the Board recognize what
lies ahead. Only with a well-informed, long range fiscal plan can the County
hope to realistically address its future educational needs. The Woodbrook PTO
wants the Board to know that they expect the Board to fund an educationally
and fiscally responsibl'e school budget. A bargain basement education for our
children is unacceptable.
Mrs. Mary Ellen Sikes, a County resident and taxpayer, said she has
attended these public hearings on budget matters for the past four years with
both interest and increasing concern. Year after year there is not enough
money to go around and some seem to think that the answer is to pare down
county expenses to the barest possible minimum. She sees the county heading
in the direction of providing the least possible service to its citizens for
the least possible expenditure. When the State diminishes its aid to the
County, expenses are cut proportionately rather than finding creative ways to
offset the loss of state funds. She believes the citizens of the County wish
to have reasonable services provided at a reasonable cost, not minimal servi-
ces provided at minimal costs. This would apply to all areas of the budget,
i.e, education, human services, law enforcement, etc. She believes the answer
to the county's money problem lies not in cutting expenses which were already
cut the year before, but in finding ways to earn more revenue. She thinks
this should be the primary focus. Surely there are ideas for increasing
county revenues in ways that do not hurt those least able to shoulder the
burden. Meanwhile she believes there is no choice but to keep the tax rate as
is or to increase it. It is beyond her comprehension that the Board of
Supervisors fails time and time again to support education in the County when
the growth in the school-aged population approaches an astronomical figure,
when expectations for graduates of the public schools are at an all time high,
both in college and the job market, and when state funding of public schools
is diminishing. She feels that the budget presented annually by the School
Board must be a budget based on need, not available funds. Every Supervisor
owes the County the promise of an open mind in the matter of school funding.
Decisions should be informed ones and the time for voting automatically in
favor of our pocketbooks is over.
Mr. Wayne Remington, a Woodbrook parent and County resident, said he is
in favor of the Board fully funding the educational system in the County, as
well as some of the vital county needs, such as JAUNT and JABA. This may
require more than the 74 cents tax rate, but he supports doing this only on
residential land, to hold the line on taxing acreage that is farm use so that
we still enjoy rural scenes that is part of the beauty of the County. He and
others are quite willing to pay these taxes.
Mrs. Betty Yancey, Chairperson of the Albemarle County Enrichment Parent
Advisory Committee, said the education system has changed in the past century.
The nationally'based Association for Early Childhood Education guidelines for
the developmental curriculum adopted by the County recommends that class size
be limited to a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, including an aide. They are
concerned that any decrease in funding will have a negative impact on the goal
of allowing each student maximum development. The classroom teacher cannot
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) ]_58
(Page 39)
hope to individualize instruction with 30 students in a class. With a large
class the teacher will of necessity teach to the median with the students
above the median becoming bored from the lack of challenge and the students
below the median becoming frustrated by not understanding the material. We
cannot return to the days of a piece of chalk and a blackboard. Our life is
too complex and we need to educate our children for life in our current
society. The addition of guidance counselors to the elementary school acknow-
ledges that even young children can have stresses that require outside help.
The salaried employees, the bus drivers, the cafeteria workers, the secre-
taries and the custodians are also important to each child's daily well-being
and they should be better compensated. She asks that the Board retain the 74
cents tax rate.
Mr. Sam Page, 55 years of age and a resident of the County for all his
life and a farmer, said our problem is that we have a tax system that will not
allow people to pay what they should be paying. There are so many freeloaders
that we will never have anything. If the average home in Albemarle County is
worth $138,000 it produces $1020 in tax. He was told that the average family
pays around $2000 in taxes. If the average income is $42,000, somebody is not
paying their part. He personally thinks that any family making $42,000,
unless extreme circumstances exists, should pay $3000 in taxes. He is willing
to do that. He suggests a family making $50,000 should pay $4000, $60,000
should pay $5000, etc. Elderly people, age 70 and older should pay half or
nothing. He thinks we need to stress per capita cost. Our taxes should be
based on per capita costs and income. Per capita costs in Albemarle County
figured by dividing 68,000 people into the budget is $1260. He deleted 35
percent from state and federal funds which leaves $820. He wonders how many
of these people asking for more taxes are paying $820 per member in their
family. He thinks any survey taken should be raised on this basis. Are you
willing to pay $820 per member in your family? He personally does not want to
pay any more taxes. He is paying more than his per capita costs. If all of
these families will pay these figures on their income, that would add another
$1000 per year.
Mr. Harold Pillar said if there was ever a reason for direct election of
School Board members, tonight represents that issue. First of all we are
arguing with the wrong people. The School Board should be the ones that
evaluate the taxes against the education system but they are not here and are
not responsible to the taxpayers and are not responsible to the Board once
they are appointed. It is a dilemma that the taxpayers are in. He personally
thinks there is too much money in this school system, but he does not think a
nursing position is the place to make that cut. There are hundreds of other
positions in the school system. The School Board knows that people will
support the nursing positions in the high schools because they are needed. So
what do we do about this school board which seems to have "run amuck". He
suggests this Board do, if it is legally possible, what the City of Boston did
last Fall which is to disband the School Board altogether and appoint the
Superintendent of Schools directly reporting to the County Executive. The
County Finance Department could replace the Superintendent of Finance in the
schools and the services could be consolidated and save the taxpayers some
money. The School Board does not care to give feedback to the County. A
previous speaker said needs should outweigh other things. The needs are what
you contribute. He thinks the teacher salaries should be based on how much
they contribute, not how much they need. Most paying jobs in private industry
are based on what you contribute to that industry and how much that industry
has the ability to pay. To these people who want to be paying their taxes at
74 cents or 76 cents, he would suggest that they write their name down to each
Board member and voluntarily pay more. Let those people pay extra every year.
He does not want to pay any additional taxes.
Mr. Naz Amatucci, President of the Stony Point Elementary School PTO,
said he has lived in the Rivanna District since 1979. It seems to him that
everyone has a personal agenda and, to a degree, diversity and ambiguity at
times are good for this process. If we can step back tonight and look at
where we are in the budget process, he believes we can reflect on what draws
us all here together and that is our sense of humanity. He appreciates the
opportunity to be directly involved in the selection of a new superintendent
and to give his opinion on this budget. The current School Board under the
Chairmanship of Mr. Martin deserves a lot of credit for handling next year's
budget that started out with an apparent shortage of funds at all levels.
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting)
(Page 40)
Because the parents support a fully funded budget, the award for courage goes
to Mr. Clifford Haury who recommended to fund the budget as originally pro-
posed by the School administration. Dr. English and his staff have played a
key part in educating the public on realistic proposals of funding the budget
with existing funds. Now is the time for all County residents, members of the
School Board, members of the Board, School administrators, support personnel
and professional teachers to unite in a common goal to educate all our chil-
dren as we prepare them and ourselves for the Twenty-First century. This
Board has a tremendous opportunity to seize this moment and affect change in a
positive manner. Albemarle does have a dynamic school system that is nation-
ally recognized and is reflective of our unique area. He thinks the Board has
the right to hold people accountable for money spent, to cut out wastes and to
get the most for our tax dollars. He asks that the Board not cut the tax rate
at this time. We can continue to improve our system by changing our attitude
from, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it," to "Let's know when to improve it
together".
Mrs. Jeanne Edmondson said she spoke before the School Board but they did
not listen to her. She is a County taxpayer and parent of three children, one
in Albemarle High, one at Burley and one at Woodbrook. She and her husband
have lived here for eight years and have been active in the PTO's and volun-
teering in the schools. She would like the current tax rate maintained, if
not raised. She asks the Board to maintain at least the current level of
education and looks forward to improving that level of education. She thinks
the school system has some wonderful programs and dedicated administrators and
teachers and, she thinks they should be treated better than they are currently
being treated with regard to salaries. These teachers do not work part-time.
She has helped lots of teachers through the years with their work. Teaching
is a demanding job, not only with hours, but also with emotions. We turn our
children over to these teachers for "x" number of years of their life. How
important are these people in the lives of our children. There is no one more
important than the teachers that come into contact with them every day other
than their parents. Teachers need to be treated as the professionals they
are. We need to work on the overcrowding in the schools. There are no school
nurses in the middle or elementary schools. The facilities for sick children
are lacking. Little is offered in visual arts at the high school level. The
students have little opportunity to experience a musical instrument which is
due to the fact that they do not start until too late. Most importantly, she
believes many children are "falling through the cracks". There is a vast gray
area of children who are not working up to their ability because there are no
funds available to help them. Those children are not even identified or
helped until they are failing and are years behind where they should be at
which time it is probably too late. She believes the County has a long way to
go. Another resource is active and involved parents. They pay above and
beyond their taxes in volunteer hours and in money. Parents are willing to
pay higher taxes for their children to get the education they deserve. Most
importantly, money spent on education today will not be spent on welfare and
prisons later.
A person who did not identify himself said when he opened up his tax
assessment in January first his heart skipped a number of beats, then dropped
to his stomach, he then muttered a few choice words and he thought he was
dreaming and wondered if his house was really worth that much. He does not
plan on selling his house so having a higher property value does not do him a
lot of good. He is not a special interest person for education. He does not
have children in the schools, but he is a county resident. His interest is in
the future costs that the lack of a good education will bear on this commu-
nity. There are proven studies of what happens when school children come out
without basic competencies, unmotivated and the costs to our community are
great. He wonders if the people here who are casting bad images on those who
are willing to speak up in support of the schools realize that they too are
subsidized by government in some way as we all are. As a County taxpayer, he
is willing to live with the nightmare from the post office and pay those extra
taxes because in the end it is a good investment. He does not see how the
Board can cut the taxes and urges that the current tax rate be retained.
Mr. Nelson Shaw said this is the first Board meeting that he has attended
and he has been considerably enlightened. When he got his assessment notice
he could not believe it because it showed a 21 percent increase. His income
has been reduced six and one-half percent. His health insurance has increased
March 13, 1991 (Regular Meeting) 160
(Page 41)
50 percent. He is looking at the bottom line. He does not want to see the
school system suffer, but a large number of County residents are forced to
live from paycheck to paycheck. He has enjoyed this opportunity to be before
the Board. He would like to see a reduction in taxes, but not so much that
the quality of education is severely affected.
Mrs. Patricia Schlotterbeck asked that the Board retain the tax rate at
74 cents. Her children's education is very important and she does not want to
see the rate lowered.
Ms. Gail Rainey, PTO Chairman at Hollymead Elementary School, said they
also have joined the SHARE Coalition. They are concerned about the current
education budget and would like to see the Board retain the tax rate and help
prepare their children for life. There is a lot of growth coming into this
County, some of which has been approved through requests. These people will
have children and they will need schools. We cannot afford to cut the tax
rate and jeopardize our children's education.
A person who did not identify herself asked that the Board keep in mind
that these children are our future and will be making the decisions when we
are retired.
Another person who did not identify herself said she is in favor of
retaining the current tax rate.
There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
Agenda Item No. 20.
Members.
There were none.
Other Matters not Listed on the Agenda from Board
Agenda Item No. 21. Adjourn to March 18, 1991, at 1:00 P.M., in Room 7,
for a work session on the budget.
At 9:41 p.m., motion was offered by Mr. Bain, seconded by Mrs. Humphris,
to adjourn to March 18, 1991. Roll was called and the motion carried by the
following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way.
NAYS: None.