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1981-04-01April 1, 1981 (Regular Night Meeting) Next to speak in support of the Shelter for Help in Emergency was Ms. Colleta Coates, client services coordinator for the Shelter. She noted her past experiencss of being a battered woman. Ms. Coates said violence is real and urged the County's support of the Shelter. With no one else present to speak for or against the budget, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Fisher said the Board will consider the comments made tonight. However, he did feel that no one had mentioned one casual~y in this budget which is of great concern to him; that casualty is no increase in capital improvements funding. No one seemed to get excited about capital improvements funding, but do get very excited when there is no money to build a school. One-quarter of a million dollars was supposed to be included in this ~dg~t ~hi~ ~ear, ~th another ~ne-quarter of a million~dollars added next year to build funds necessary to meet costs for projects~ this Board has already given the School Board support of. Such funds are not available. The question of what will happen in future years for school construction has not really been addressed tonight and that concerns him. Mr. Fisher said other needs have been presented tonight and they will be considered. He asked the staff today if there was any indication of new revenue projections from the State and the answer was no. Therefore, any new programs funded will cause a cut in some other program. Mr. Fisher said with the cutbacks in funds from Washington, D. C., the demands will be even greater. Mr. Lindstrom said there seems to be la preconceived notion that no money is available. He noted regret that his motion made at t~e last work session on the budget to advertise for public hearing purposes a three cents tax rate increase had failed by a vote of four to two. The increase would have funded the slchool budget as presented and put more money into the capital improvements program and possibly provided some funds for other needs mentioned tonight. He would $~ill~qu~rre~ with ~e co~e~t that there is no money because money~ always be~ raised ~r~y~~~~-~_~~_~f__~_~~. He personally felt the school budget is a bare-bones budget to start with. In conclusion, Mr. Lindstrom felt budgets needed to be presented at public ~earings that will draw more representative public response and he was not sure if this was the way it was done tonight. Dr. Iachetta said one problem that t~e Board has not addressed is the relative growth of money that is artificial when dealing With inflation. Two years ago the Board adopted a five-year building program which included a new County Office Building, Meriwether Lewis School, Red Hill School, Scottsville School, additions to Albemarle High School, and an addition to Broadus Wood School. Ail of that was possible with the funding that could be foreseen from the sources known at that time with no tax increase. In two years that possibility has disappeared. Dr. Iachett~ said he agreed with the comment made that the school budget is one of the easiest places to cut. Dr. Iachetta said the reason funds come from the federal level is because people ~ere unwilling to raise funds at. the local level. He felt the Board is the wrong group to b~cker with and he did not feel that raising real estat, e pr~pe~ty taxes~±s t~way to fund ~his country during an inflationary time because · t ~8~ ~ ~fi~al value for real p~operty. At one time, property represented wealth and he was unsure if that was true any m'o~e, because no money is earned on the property you live on. He felt it was time to realize that if needs are to be funded a different mechanism needs to be found and such authority does not lie at the local level. He felt all sources of revenues should be addressed. He noted one of the summaries given tonight was that local funding for this year has increased eighteen percent and that s~ate revenues increased only five percent. In conclusion, Dr. Iachetta felt the entire problem should be viewed in the manner in that resources raised have to be better keyed to the ability to pay and he again emphasized that real estate and personal property taxes are not the way to do such. He also felt ~some thought should be given to the requests tonight particularly the Shel~? for Help in Emergency. Dr. Iachetta also noted his support of Mr. Lindstrom's motion for the three cent tax rate increase. Fmsher samd the budget will hopefully be finalized April Hearing no more comments, Mr. ' ~ ' 8, 1981. At 9:25 P.M., Mr. Fisher requested a recess. The Board reconvened at 9:36 P.M. Agenda Item No. 3. Redistricting. Mr. Fisher said last week the Board ~ Election Committee was proposing to divide districts instead of having all of the Co~ of the Board was that this was not a good yesterday and he addressed a joint meeting behalf of the County. He stated that Alb two congressional districts and the County district. Their proposal had divided fou~ have gotten a clear picture that this is ~ Senator Michie also made a speech at the s as notified that the State Senate Privileges and Albemarle County between two congressional nty in the Seventh District. The basic consensus idea. Therefore, he and Miss Nash went to Richmond of the two privil'eges and election committees on ~marle County did not want to be divided between preferred to remain in the seventh congressional counties in the same way and he felt the committees ot desired by any of them. Mr. Fisher said ame hearing on behalf of the citizens in this area. The news media today reported that by narrow margins, a motion to move the County into the fifth and/or the sixth districts iwas defeated. For the time being, the County is in the seventh. On the question of Count~ redistricting, Mr. Fisher asked Mr. Tucker to summarize events to date and suggested that action not be taken tonight, but rather placed on the agenda again next week. Mr. Tucker said that in early March t less than the preliminary figures. He not the County's computer print out and read t problem was in the University area. Seve~ and the Census Bureau were contacted and t he new census figures were received and were much ed that the staff went to Richmond and picked up he census tracts and soon discovered that the al agencies such as the Tayloe-Murphy Institute he Census Bureau is aware of the problem and is working on resolving the problem. Shortl~ after that, it was discovered that an official complaint had to be filed With the Census]Bureau and this has now been done. The Census l~Feau has been in receipt of the complain~ for a week and it seems they are optimistic that [Regular l~ignv lvleevmng something can be done, although, at one point the Census Bureau indicat~d~[t~at t:hi~ i question would have to be sent to the Bureau's geography division in Indiana. The Census Bmra~u has now indicated that they dO not want to be involved in any dispute between the City and County as far as the figures are concerned and that the State is the one to make the decision. The person to contact at the State level is Mr. Frederick Gray, Jr., Secretary of the Commonwealth. Mr. Tucker said Mr. Gray was contacted Tuesday about the problem and seems to be optimistic about resolving same. Today news was received from Mr. Huja of the City that the City is going to send a letter to ~h~Syate sayi~h~the City is not going to contest the County's contention and that theS~r~~a~o~'s favor. Mr. Tucker said he now feels optimistic that some decision will be reached soon. Mr. Fisher also noted that the erroneous figures have now gotten into the state computer and the new figures are being used to allocate revenues. He said if it was agreeable to the Board members, this matter would be resolved before any action on redistricting is taken. The Board agreed to defer the.matter to April 8, 1981. Agenda Item No. 4. Application to Virginia Municipal Association for Self-Insured Workmen's Compensation Coverage. Mr. Agnor said several years ago the County joined with a group of political subdivisions in Virginia to create the Group Self Insurance Association sponsored by the Virginia Municipal League. The association was formed with ten localities and thirty-eight localities now participate in the association which offers self-insurance for workmen's compensation. This is an effort to get premiums returned back to the local treasury after there is some experience with workmen's compensation claims. Mr. Agnor said Mr. Ray Jones, Director of Finance, has indicated that during the first several years of coverage there will be no premium savings, but as the allocation of funds to settle claims creates a track record then the County can expect a reduction in costs. Mr. Agnor said he requests that he be authorized to execute an application on behalf of the County to become a full fledged member of the Association and purchase the workmen's compensation coverage this month since the renewal date for the general operations of the County is April 7, 1981. Mr. Agnor said a gentleman is present tonight from Hall Risk Management Services, Incorporated in Richmond who was hired by the Virginia Municipal League to manage and administer the program. Mr. Agnor said since the County initiated interest in the self-insurance program several years ago, he would recommend that the County follow through and purchase the workmen's compensation coverage from this group. Mr. McCann asked if the County could withdraw from the Association at a later date. Mr. Agnor said yes. Mr. Agnor said the rates are set by the State and no savings will be offered but the claim coverage is the benefit. Motion was then offered by Dr. Iachetta to accept the County Executive's recommendation to authorize the County Executive to execute an application for the County to become a full-fledged member of the Association. Mr. Lindstrom seconded the motion and same carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Iachetta, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. None. P.M. Agenda Item No. 5. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 April 8, 1981 ~:Regular Day Meeting) A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on April 8, 1981, at 9:00 A.M., in the Board Room of the County Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia. Present: Messrs. Gerald E. Fisher, J. T. Henley, Jr., F. Anthony Iachetta (arrived at 10:25 A.M.), C. Timothy Lindstrom, Layton R. McCann and Miss Ellen V. Nash. Absent: None. Officers Present: County Executive, Mr. Guy B. Agnor, Jr. and County Attorney, Mr. George R. St. John. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 9:05 A.M. by the Chairman, Mr. Fisher, who announced that Dr. Iachetta would be late for the meeting because he was appearing before the State Highway Commission in Culpeper on behalf of the County. He also announced that Miss Lettie E. Neher, Clerk to the Board, was in the hospital due to back problems and requested that the Board's concern be expressed and flowers be sent on behalf of the Board. Agenda Item No. 2. Approval of Minutes: April 9, May 14 (Afternoon), May 14, (Night), May 21, June 18, and December 10, 1980. Mr. Fisher had read the minutes of April 9, 1980 and noted that on page 456 the public hearing was not closed on the Comprehensive Plan amendments. Mr. McCann had read the minutes of December 10, 1980, and found no errors. Motion was then offered by Mr. Lindstrom, seconded by Miss Nash, to approve the minutes of April 9, 1980 with the above correction and December 10, 1980. Roll was called on the foregoing~motion and the same carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Lindstrom, McCann and Miss Nash. None. Dr. Iachetta. The other minutes had not been read and were deferred to a later date. April 1, 1981 (Regular Night Meeting) 156 A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on April 1, 1981, at 7:~30 P.M., in the Jack Jouett School Cafetorium, Lamb's Road, Charlottes-. ville, Virginia. Present: Messrs. Gerald E. Fisher, J. T. Henley, Jr., F. Anthony Iachetta, C. Timothy Lindstrom, Layton R. McCann and Miss Ellen V. Nash. Absent: None. Officer Present: Mr. Guy B. Agnor, Jr., County Executive. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P~M. by the Chairman, Mr. Fisher. Mr. Fisher then announced that today was the fifth anniversary for Mr. Agnor's employment as County Executive and he commended him for his excellent job during these years. Agenda Item.No. 2. Public Hearing: Progress on March 21, 1981.) 1981-82 County Budget. (Advertised in the Daily Mr. Fisher said the budget is for approximately thirty-seven million dollars plus and has ~been worked on by the Board through a series of work sessions and the budget being presented tonight, even though not unanimously supported by the Board, is what can be done within the revenues available for the County. Mr. Fisher then recognized the department heads of the County, superintendent of education and the Sheriff. Mr. Agnor summarized the process involved in the preparation of the budget. He also presented in detail the contents of the budget and the dollar figures involved. He noted certain new costs in the budget caused by the opening of the new County Office Building on McIntire Road, the opening of a new central vehicular facility on Lamb's Road, and the establishment of a data processing operation to serve the County's management needs. When the Director of Finance analyzed the County's resources in November, there was slightly more than two and one-half million dollars in local sources. Therefore, it was proposed that one-tenth of that amount be put into the capital fund and the remainder allocated between the operational needs in the school system ($1,150,000) and the general government ($800,000). These figures were used for budget planning purposes. This estimate did not take into account changes in state or federal funds and did not recognize tax rates or fee schedules. However, the figure did include estimated revenues from the biennial real estate tax assessment effective January 1, 1981. Mr. Agnor said the reassessment used in this contemplated budget shows a 22.95% increase in real estate values in the last two years but the real estate tax rate is proposed to remain unchanged even though some real estate taxes will increase because of the reassessment. (Notice of this proposed tax increase was advertised in the Daily Progress on March 7 and March 14, 1981 pursuant to State law.). Mr. Agnor noted that the Board of Supervisors sets the tax rate when the budget is adopted but does not~ ~tab!ish the value of the reassessment because the real estate market is responsible for that. Mr. Agnor then reviewed some graphs relating to revenues and expenditures. Mr. Agnor concluded by stating that the County is in good financial condition and hopefully the inflationary problems will ease. The public hearing was then opened. Ms. Debbie Cobb, Director of the Shelter for Help in Emergency, was present. She urged the County to fund the Shelter in some way and noted the recruiting of eighty volunteers. Ms. Cobb also noted that fund raising events have been held and $12,000 raised as a result of such events. Next to speak was Ms. Renee Bishop, program~assistant for the Shelter for Help in Emergency. She noted that the deletion of funding for CETA employees has hurt the shelter financially and urged county funding for the Shelter. Ms. Juanita Morris, team leader for the Region X Crisis Intervention C~nter and county resident., was present. She noted appreciation for any support the County could offer to the Shelter for Help in Emergency because the Shelter is a great help for abused women. The Intervention Center cannot provide shelter for these people and can only screen them for necessary assistance. Ms. Ann Gordon'Cook, employee of the Children and Youth Project in Charlottesville and a resident of the City, spoke next. She noted that the project deals with low income families and such requires ~a variety of services. One service utilized to a great extent is the Shelter for Help in Emergency. She felt the Shelter is a key resource because it is an emergency component. Ms. Cook further emphasized the services that the Shelter provides and urged the County's support for the Shelter. Mr. Rotf Benzinger spoke next and noted his support for increased taxes. He noted disappointment that the tax rate has remained the same for so many years and felt the expenses in the County have risen less than the inflation rate. In other words, the expenses have always stayed behind. He noted concern about' schools perhaps going "down hill" due to less State and Federal support. He also felt there should be a tax increase in order to have funds available to fight anneXation. Mr. BOb Taylor, County resident and local businessman in the t~~ ~oke next. He agreed with Mr. Benzinger and stated his fear of a very poor lon~Z~~m~t being made if taxes are not increased and schools improperly funded. Mr. Taylor noted his willingness to pay more taxes and felt a lot of county residents are willing to do the same in order to have good schools. Mr. Bob Merrill, County farmer, was present. He said in answer to Mr. Benzinger that real estate taxes have increased as stated by Mr. Agnor by about twenty-two percent due to the reassessment. He felt the County has to be more efficient and operate on a lean and keen budget. Mr. Merrill felt saying no to some requests has to be done as far as government financing is concerned and a decision made on what are worthwhile projects and how such can be financed by the government. In conclusion, Mr. Merrill urged the County to keep the budget as low as possible. 157 April 1, 1981 (Regular Night Meeting) Next to speak was Mrs. Hazel Hollmann, Vice President of the League of Women Voters. She distributed a memorandum dated April 1, 1981 (Copy on file in the Clerk's Office) urging the board to consider possible reductions in general administrative costs rather than in direct services. She also noted that the League supports and urges funding for the Shelter for Help in Emergency. Mrs. Hollmann also noted that the League of Women Voters supported the school budget as presented by the School Board. Ms. Cathy Burgess, city resident and county teacher, spoke next. She summarized her thirty years of teaching and urged county support of the school budget more strongly than in previous years. Next to speak was Ms. Charlotte Dam~nn, president of the Albemarle Education Association. She distributed to the Board a memorandum from the AEA urging the County's support for higher teacher salaries and higher school budgets. (Copy on file in the Clerk's office.) Speaking next was a teacher from Rose Hill Elementary School supporting the School Board's budget. She also felt the Meriwether Lewis School issue should be resolved as soon as possible. Mr. Ken Ackerman, executive director of the Monticello Area Community Action Agency and resident of the County, spoke next. He briefly reaffirmed concerns mentioned at the budget work session several weeks ago, particularly about the Head Start Program and the summer food and recreation program for children. Mr. Ackerman said without the full funding as requested only one-third of the summer food and recreation program will be conducted. He felt the burden is on local governments to provide funds to the agencies which are suffering federal funding cutbacks. ' Next to speak was Mr. Charles Christian, resident of Albemarle County. He noted his willingness to have his taxes increased for the full funding of the school budget. Mrs. Evelyn Randolph spoke next in support for the continuance of the Community Center in Esmont which is sponsored by the Monticello Area Community Action Agency due to the services the center provides her. Next to speak was Mrs. Stella Poole, parent of child attending Rose Hill Elamentary School. She noted her concerns about any possible cuts to the school budget particularly the gifted and talented program. Mrs. Eliza Carey spoke next supporting the full funding of the Monticello Area Community Action Agency because she receives many services from the agency. Mrs. Peggy Brown, parent of child in the Head Start program, spoke next supporting the Head Start program due to the benefits her child has received from the program. Ms. Kat Imhoff, volunteer for the Shelter for Help in Emergency, spoke next in support of the requested funding for the Shelter. She noted that the City had approved some funding and emphasized that the Shelter will not be able to handle County residents if County funding is not provided. Ms. Berlinda Mills, parent of child in the Head Start program, spoke next supporting the funding of the program because her child has benefited a great deal from the program. Next to speak was Ms. Amy Castello, volunteer for the Shelter for Help in Emergency and resident of the County. She urged support of the Shelter for Help in Emergency and noted that volunteers alone cannot keep the shelter in operation. Mrs. Julia Bermaster, citizen and taxpayer and parent of Albemarle County, spoke next. She noted being a coordinator of the citizen support group for public education. She said with the cutback of federal programs, the schools are faced with replacing remedial programs and are just getting underway with an enrichment program. Mrs. Linda Perriello, parent of children in county schools, spoke next. She felt quality schools are essential and any cuts in the school budget will diminish the quality of education. She did not feel that education is a frill but rather an essential. Mrs. Perriello felt the citizens of the County are willing to pay adequate taxes for proper education. Mr. Bruce Fraser, county teacher and resident, spoke next in support of the school budget. He and his wife were teachers and he felt they were inadequately paid. Mr. Fraser did not feel new programs were needed but did feel teachers would appreciate better salaries. Mr. David Wheeler felt citizens in the United States are tired of paying for social services for people living in other localities. However, he did feel that citizens this evening have expressed their support of the basic social services that make Albemarle County worth living in. Mrs. Shannon, resident of Covesville and parent of children in county schools, spoke next. She noted her past teaching profession but said she had to find another profession due to the low salary. She felt it is easy to make cuts in teacher salaries. However, she did feel that making any cuts in the school budget seriously compromises the quality of the preparation of the children. In conclusion, Mrs. Shannon said if meeting the school budget meant increasing taxes, then so be it. Next to speak was Mrs. Peggy Whibble, staff member at the Shelter for Help in Emergency. She urged support for the Shelter in order to provide a better future for children from violent homes.