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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/20/1990 - Special March 20, 1990 18 J Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Roanoke County Administration Center 3738 Brambleton Avenue, SW Roanoke, Virginia 24018 March 20, 1990 The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the third Tuesday of the month of March 1990, and an adjourned meeting from March 13, 1990 for the purposes of a budget work session. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Robers called the meeting to order at 3: 05 p.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Richard Robers, Vice Chairman Steven A. McGraw, Supervisors Lee B. Eddy, Bob L. JOhnson, Harry C. Nickens MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator for Human Services; John R. Hubbard, Assistant County Administrator of Community Services and Development; Don M. Myers, Assistant County Administrator for Management 18 If March 20, 1990 Mahoney, County Attorney, Mary H. Allen, Clerk to the Board; Anne Marie Green, Information Officer IN RE: RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO DELEGATE C. RICHARD CRANWELL County Administrator Elmer Hodge announced that General Assembly Delegate C. Richard Cranwell was present to receive special recognition for his efforts in the General Assembly towards establishing a police department in Roanoke County. Chairman Robers presented Mr. Cranwell with a framed resolution of appreciation and a memento recognizing his efforts. Supervisor Nickens moved to adopt the prepared resolution. The motion carried by a unanimous recorded vote. RESOLUTION 32090-1 OF APPRECIATION TO C. RICHARD CRANWELL WHEREAS, C. Richard Cranwell is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Roanoke County; and WHEREAS, Delegate Cranwell has been responsible for sponsoring much legislation to benefit the citizens of Roanoke County; and WHEREAS, Roanoke County was the first County in the state to obtain a Charter from the General Assembly, due to the efforts of Delegate Cranwell; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Roanoke County approved the formation of a police department by referendum during the November, 1989 election; and March 20, 1990 18 5 W~, Delegate Cranwell responded to the needs and desires of the citizens of Roanoke County by sponsoring and working for the passage of legislation enabling the County to institute a police department and providing the necessary state funding. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors does hereby express deepest appreciation on behalf of the citizens of Roanoke County for the responsiveness and dedication shown by Delegate Cranwell since he was first elected to the General Assembly; and further BE IT RESOLVED, that the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors extends its gratitude to C. Richard Cranwell for his successful effort on behalf of the Roanoke County Police Department. On motion of Supervisor Nickens, and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Eddy, McGraw, Johnson, Nickens, Robers NAYS: None IN RE: BUDGET WORK SESSION WITH COUNTY STAFF 1. County Administrator's Overview Mr. Hodge presented an overview of the proposed budget and advised that requests now exceed revenues by almost $6.5 million. He outlined the highlights of the budget and reported that no tax increases are anticipated but some user fees will be ·18 6 March 20, 1990 - L t=\,,;uIIUIlt:udt:d . He will also present a ~12 m~llion school and - county capital needs program for consideration. other requests include funding for six new fire and rescue personnel, six new police department personnel, implementation of a salary survey and a 5 percent merit increase for County and School employees, expansion of recycling, replacement of 30 school buses, purchase of two automated refuse trucks, $100,000 economic development program, design of a new regional landfill and elimination of six employee positions. He presented more detailed information on several of the requests. He advised the board members that each one cent reduction in the real estate tax rate reduces revenues by $275,000, while each one cent reduction in personal property tax reduces revenues by $35,000. Supervisor Nickens responded that he did not support any additional police department personnel and would not support going forward with a bond issue at this time. 2. Management Services Division Assistant County Administrator Don Myers presented an overview of his Division. He reported that within their proposed budget, they plan to implement a Land Management Systems and a Law Enforcement Records Management System, and to expand the computer aided dispatch system. To improve support for financial management, the division is in the process of implementing a totally integrated financial system which addresses the areas of budget and measurement, accounting and accounts payable. A new system will soon be in place for Procurement allowing computer March 20, 1990 18 7 generateð purcnase orders. A computer system for minutes indexing is also in process and a new utility billing system is planned for August. Mr. Myers explained in greater detail the capabilities of the various systems. His unfunded requests include upgrade of ·the Procurement office facility because of flooding problems at approximately $20,000 and funds for computer networking :within the Administration Building, between county building and to tie in to state computers. The estimated costs for this was $80,000 to $160,000. In response to a question from Supervisor Johnson he explained that these systems will not require any new employees. Supervisor Nickens questioned why renovations were included as an unfunded request. He felt that if the need was great it should be done immediately. Mr. Hodge responded that new heat and air conditioning is also needed in the Commissioner of Revenue and Treasurer's offices. 3. Communi tv Services and Development Assistant County Administrator John Hubbard presented the new projects within their proposed budget which included expansion of the Automated Refuse Collection, an automated recycling test project, $1.2 million in water improvements and $1.3 million in sewer improvements within the existing rates and charges, the addition of 14 new projects to the drainage program; the addition of new roads to the Rural Road Addition and completion the Smith Gap Landfill design. Unfunded issues include a projected shortfall of $60,000 in landfill fees, 188i March 20, 1990 postponement of the new zoning ora~nance, no planned increases in outside service contracts, no expansion of the automated recycling test project, and limitation of the street light policy. He further advised there are no funds in the proposed budget for regional stormwater management, for expansion of the sewage treatment plan, the Roanoke River Interceptor design, or the Spring Hollow Reservoir. Supervisor McGraw advised that he felt that the street light policy should be less restrictive. Mr. Hubbard responded that the staff will be bringing proposed amendments to the Street Light Policy to the Board in the near future. He pointed that a less restrictive policy will need increased funding. Supervisor Johnson was concerned that the zoning ordinance would again be postponed and felt it should have a higher priority. Supervisor Eddy stated he felt that a comprehensive Capital Improvements Plan should be prepared to meet the future needs of the County. Mr. Hodge responded that one was prepared in 1986-87 but had not been updated. 4. Human Services Assistant County Administrator John Chambliss presented the highlights included in his division's proposed budget. Included are the implementation of the automated library system and the additional costs for the renovated Bent Mountain Library. Staff is also looking for new space for the Health Department offices located in Salem. He advised that several social services programs are no longer funded with state monies. Social 18 9 ~ March 20, 1990 ==:; Service employees are paid by the state and with a few exceptions do not receive a county supplement. They have requested that they receive the same salary increase as county employees. He also highlighted the budgets for the other departments under the Human Services Division. His addback list priorities included maintenance resources, a planned improvement program for the Department of Parks and Recreation, and funding for the SPCA operations contract. Long term needs include the Hollins Branch Library, additional office space to avoid continued rental of facilities and additional park facilities. Superviser Nickens suggested that the recreation clubs be paid a set fee for mowing the fields. 5. Sheriff's Office Sheriff Kavanaugh reported that he is requesting one additional clerical position and one medical officer to ensure 24-hour medical coverage at the jail, and 1/2 funding for a cook. He advised there are 89 positions in the civil and corrections division. The biggest increase in his budget is for overtime costs. 6. Treasurer's Office Chief Deputy Treasurer Brenda Smith advised that their addback list includes a photocopier, a computer terminal, a new vault and mail processor. There are 11 employees in the Treasurer's Office. IN RE: RECESS 1 9 0 ;~ March 20, 1990 ~ b::: At 4:56 p.m., Chairman Robers declared a dinner recess. IN RE: RECONVENEMENT At 7:04 p.m., Chairman Robers reconvened the meeting IN RE: BUDGET WORK SESSION WITH FIRE AND RESCUE Fire and Rescue Chief Tommy Fuqua presented the accomplishments of his department in 1989-90, including implementation of C.A.D., completion of the Back Creek Fire and Rescue facility, purchase of equipment for the Bonsack Fire and Rescue facility, hiring of five paramedic firefighters, securing of a state grant for a training center, and several reclassification and upgrades of personnel. Goals for the 1990- 91 budget include increase of workman's compensation for volunteers, continuation of the length of service benefit program for volunteers, reduction of response times, additional fire safety inspections, additional training, improved customer service, institution of a public education program and completion of the Bonsack fire station. Mr. Fuqua explained that a committee of career and volunteer personnel and EMS personnel had met to determine priorities for the proposed 1990-91 budget. He introduced Chief Gillespie, chief of the Volunteer Fire Chiefs Board and Ms. Frances Murrie, Captain of the Volunteer Rescue Squads. Chief Gillespie presented the addbacks that had been prioritized by the committee. The total requested funding of the addbacks was March 20, 1990 19 1 - $1,143,586, with the top priority being a public education ~ officer. Ms. Murrie spoke on the needs of the rescue squads and reported that their most critical need was for ambulances. In response to a question from Supervisor Eddy, Ms. Murrie advised that ambulances need to be replaced because of wear and tear to the vehicle. Chief Gillespie advised that the average life of a fire truck is 20 years. IN RE; JOINT BUDGET WORK SESSION WITH SCHOOL BOARD At 8:10 p.m., School Board Chairman Frank Thomas called the School Board to order. Mr. Thomas advised that they have a $62 million budget that is currently $237,000 out of balance. This includes a 5.2% salary increase for all school board employees, the addition of one personal leave day and funding for a summer school remediation program. He explained that teachers must receive at least a 5.2% salary increase to meet the state mandate, and they would like to give the same increase to nonteaching personnel. Superintendent Bayes Wilson reviewed in details the revenues and expenditures. He advised that the revenues did not include the recordation tax, estimated to be $157,000. He further advised that $500,000 will be needed from the 1990-91 budget to fund the 1989-90 budget to cover the costs of moving the alternative education program to the old William Byrd School. Dr. Jerry Hardy reviewed the proposed expenditures, reporting that salaries account for almost 90% of the operating budget. 19 2 March 20, 1990 === Dr. Theodore Viars presented the proposed expenses in the instructional category and Dr. Hardy reviewed expenditures in the transportation category. In response to a question from Mr. Hodge, Dr. Wilson advised that they will purchase 30 new school buses. Supervisor Nickens suggested that since the school will be receiving the $157,000 from the recordation tax, the County should reduce its share of funding by at least half that amount. Supervisor Johnson recommended using the $157,000 recordation tax to reduce the amount that the budget is out of balance. Dr. Wilson reviewed the list of capital improvements requested in the 1990-91 budget. He advised that several must be completed such as removal of the underground tanks and the site improvements at Hidden Valley school to improve drainage. Supervisor McGraw moved to set a work session on April 10 to allows Mr. Hodge to meet with the School Board concerning a potential bond referendum. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Eddy, McGraw, Johnson, Robers NAYS: Supervisor Nickens In response to a question from Supervisor Robers, Dr. Hardy advised that healthcare experience has been good this year and they are only including a 20% inflation increase. Supervisors Robers and Johnson recommended continuation of studies to eliminate duplication of services such as personnel and finance. March 20, 1990 19 J Dr. W~lson presented the list of capital improvements needs from 1994 to 2000 and advised they total $15,277,295. Supervisor Nickens moved to split the $157, 000 recordation tax between the county and schools, similar to other increased revenues. The motion was defeated by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Nickens, Robers NAYS: Supervisors Eddy, McGraw, Johnson Supervisor McGraw moved to approve a 5.2% salary increase for both the county and school employees. The motion was defeated by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors McGraw, Johnson NAYS: Supervisors Eddy, Nickens ABSTAIN: Supervisor Robers Supervisor Johnson advised he felt strongly that teacher aids should be included in the proposed budget. Following additional discussion on the school's proposed budget, another work session was set for March 27, 1990. Mr. Hodge advised he would meet with Dr. Wilson prior to the work session to work on balancing the budget within the direction given by the Board. IN RE: ADJOURNMENT At 10:15 p.m., Supervisor McGraw moved to adjourn. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. R~~¿ Chairman