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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/15/1990 - Special May 15, 1S90 35 7 - - Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Roanoke County Administration Center 3738 Brambleton Avenue, SW Roanoke, Virginia 24018 May 15, 1990 The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being an adjourned meeting continued from the regular meeting on the 8th day of May, 1990. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Robers called the meeting to order at 3:10 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 IN RE: COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS County Administrator Elmer Hodge presented opening 35 8 May 15, 1990 - - remarks advising that the budget must be adopted by May 22nd. He reported that another letter had been received from the Virginia Department of Transportation reducing the state allocation for matching road funds to $424,000. He anticipated a fund balance of $1.8 million, but expenses such as the Dixie Caverns landfill and Bonsack Fire station have not been addressed. Mr. Hodge announced the health care meeting had been productive and there was general consensus to go with Blue Cross/Blue Shield in a combined plan with the schools for this year, and to evaluate the Community Care Network for next year. Regarding the physicians discount, Mr. Hodge advised that Blue Cross was not willing to include this discount and the result would be a loss of $91,000. . Supervisor Robers pointed out that there was only one bid this year and asked that every effort be made next year to get competitive bids. In response to a question from Supervisor Eddy, Finance Director Diane Hyatt advised that the County will pay 77% of the premium or $88.00 per month. Supervisor Nickens asked that the Department of Human Resources survey other localities on what percentage they fund healthcare. Supervisor McGraw advised that the state had raised the ceiling on tax exemption for the elderly from $22,000 to $30,000 and asked what effect that would have on the County. Mr. Hodge responded he would get the information from the Commissioner of the Revenue Wayne Compton and bring back to the Board. May 15, 1990 359 - IN RB~ REVIEW OF BO'DGELa: \,;JIAftGES TO DATE = Mr. Hodge reviewed the budget document presented to the Board. The following issues were discussed. 1. User Fees Mr. Hodge advised that changes have been made to the user fees in Senior activities and the Therapeutics pogram as the Board requested. Supervisor Johnson advised he would like a policy established that no citizens would be excluded from a recreational program because of inability to pay the fees. Supervisor Nickens reported that he continues to request funding from Roanoke City for their share of the Therapeutics Program and there has not been a response to date. In response to a question from Supervisor Johnson, Assistant County Administrator John Chambliss advised that programs are dropped based on minimum interest and they will continue to study individual programs. 2. School Board Budqet: Mr. Hodge reviewed the final figures on the school board budget. In response to a question from Supervisor Robers, Budget Director Reta Busher advised that the school budget is 46% of the total local budget and 58% of all new revenues. 3. Maior Funded Items Mr. Hodge reviewed the major items funded in the proposed budget totalling $2,840,732. The following specific categories were discussed. Market Survey: Mr. Hodge reported on the results of the market survey, explaining that some employees were two steps 36 0 May 15, 1990 - out, some three steps out and some four steps out. However, they = were only recommending a 5% salary increase for those employees at a total cost of $331,251. Supervisor Nickens suggested that the total maximum salary increase for those who will be reclassified be limited to 10.2% which would equal a 5% step plus 5.2% merit increase, pointing out that with the meritorious and flexible merit program, some employees could receive a far higher salary increase. Director of Human Resources Keith Cook pointed out that the meritorious and flexible merit increases are rare and based on outstanding performance. Supervisor Eddy stated he felt that the County should increase salaries for those positions that experience high turnover rate and studies show that turnover is not high in most departments. He felt the Board had an obligation to provide services at the least possible cost to the taxpayer. Supervisor McGraw disagreed, pointing out that services are provided by employees and should be compensated at a fair and equitable salary. Supervisor Johnson suggested that the market survey be limited to $200,000. Ms. Busher and Mr. Hodge advised that would be difficult to implement and suggested $213,346 which would fund those positions three or four steps out at a 5% salary increase. There was board consensus that the market survey be limited to $213,346 with a 5% cap on salary increases. Social Services Salaries: Supervisor Nickens advised that the County has not previously provided local funding for May 15, 1990 36 1 - social services and he felt they should receive the same salary ~ . increases as other county employees. He also asked that these employees be included in future market surveys. Supervisor Eddy also suggested that other localities be surveyed to see if they provide local funding. Public Safety: Mr. Hodge advised he would like to include the funding for five police officers. Following discussion, it was board consensus to delete these positions and allocate the money to the fund balance. The new Police Chief may then determine his needs. In response to a question from Supervisor Eddy, Mr. Hodge advised that two paid firefighters were earmarked for the Bent Mountain fire station because that station has the worst response time. other Funded Items: Supervisor Eddy expressed concern about the funding for part-time employees to update the zoning ordinance. Planning Director Terry Harrington explained that this will fund two full-time temporary people to allow the full- time staff to work on the zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. Supervisor Eddy advised that he would like a vote on whether the Sheriff should keep his supplement. He felt there was a commitment not to reduce the Sheriff's salary. Supervisor Nickens responded that this supplement is specifically tied to law enforcement responsibilities. With the Sheriff's reduced responsibilities, he felt that the supplement should not continue after the pOlice department was established. Mr. Hodge reported 36 2 May 15, 1990 - - that there will still be a supplement to the deputies in the jail and courts. Supervisor Eddy also advised he did not support the lease-purchase of refuse trucks or the funding of the carts until the recycling program has been evaluated. General Services Director Gardner Smith responded that they needed to purchase the carts to evaluate whether to use 90 gallon or 60 gallon carts. Dues and Human Service Aqencies: Supervisor McGraw advised the staff the dues for VACo listed in the proposed budget are incorrect and will probably be approximately $3,000 higher. Supervisor Nickens requested a $2500 contribution to the Council of Community Services Information and Referral Center and a $2500 contribution to the Adult Care Center of the Roanoke Valley. Supervisor Robers suggested that future funding for human service agencies be funneled through the United Way allowing them to make the decisions. Supervisor Eddy asked why the County is funding the Virginia Amateur Sports at $25,000. He suggested that this might be more appropriate as an economic development expense because it will be bring people into the valley. There was board consensus to transfer these funds to the Economic Development Department budget. 4 . Addbacks Mr. Hodge presented the priority addbacks that were not funded in the budget. Following discussion, there was board consensus with Supervisors Johnson, McGraw and Nickens supporting . May 15, 1990 36 J ===:j ~ ! the funding of the positions of Economic Development Special at $35,430 and the Zoning Enforcement Officer at $42,283. Supervisor Eddy advised he would like to increase the unappropriated fund balance. IN RE: ADOPTION OF HEALTH CARE PACKAGE A-51590-1 Supervisor Robers moved to adopt the healthcare plan of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, amended by Supervisor Nickens that the . staff recommendation delete the policy goal for county and school contributions to be funded at 90% of the single employee rate within the next three years. Supervisors Johnson and McGraw advised that they would support the resolution but also supported the 90% county premium policy goal. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Eddy, McGraw, Johnson, Nickens, Robers NAYS: None IN RE: ADOPTION OF COUNTY AND SCHOOL BUDGETS FOR FY 1990-91 A-51590-2 County Attorney Paul Mahoney recommended adoption of . the b~dget on May 22 because this was only a work session. However, he stated there was no legal reason not to take action at this time. Supervisor Johnson moved to adopt the budget as amended during the work session with $37,142 added to the Unappropriated Balance. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: 36 4 May 15, 1990 - = AYES: Supervisors Eddy, McGraw, Johnson, Nickens, Robers NAYS: None . IN RE: ADJOURNMENT At 5:20 p.m., Supervisor Nickens moved to adjourn. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. rxJJX~~ Richard W. Robers, Chairman . .