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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/18/1985 - Special ~ (; 0 8 I Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Roanoke County Administration Center 3738 Brambleton Avenue, SW Roanoke, Virginia 24015 April 18, 1985 The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being a special meeting for the purpose of a public hearing on the 1985-1986 Roanoke County Budget, adjourned from the April 15, 1985, adjourned meeting from the April 11, 1985, adjourned meeting from the April 9, 1985, second regularly scheduled meeting for the month of April, 1985. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER I Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Steven A. McGraw¡ Vice-Chairman Athena E. Burton¡ Supervisors Harry C. Nickens, and Alan H. Brittle MEMBERS ABSENT: Supervisor Gary J. Minter (arrived at 7:08 p.m. ) IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING Chairman McGraw announced to citizens that anyone addressing this public hearing should fill out the Appearance Request form and give it to the County Administrator. He also I announced that the purpose of this public hearing is to secure public comment on the adoption of the 1985-1986 Fiscal Year Budget for Roanoke County which includes $648,529.00 of federal revenue sharing funds and the establishment of the real estate tax rate and levy for the 1985 tax year which is more than one percent of the total real property tax levied in the 1984 tax year as a general reassessment in the County. Chairman McGraw ~ ~ ~ 609 April 18, 1985 . requested that all speakers limit their presentations to three minutes. Supervisor Burton also reminded the public that the Board is still in budget deliberations and that the budget is being done on the recommendations of the County Administrator. Mr. Lee K. Samuelson, 2022 Cantle Lane, SW, Roanoke, Virginia, requested raises be given to the teachers who are willing to work with the students in extracurricular activities. He also reported to the Board that there has been trouble in hiring teachers in math and science and feels that higher pay will attract teachers in these areas. Ms. Marion G. Roark, 5844 Glenvar Heights Boulevard, Salem, Virginia, 24153, President of Roanoke County Council of PTAs asked the Board for full funding of the School Board Budget. Mr. Charles S. McKinstry, 5149 D. Overland Drive, Roanoke, Virginia, 24014, Advisory Council of the League of Older Americans and a member of the Silver Hair Legislators, requested funds for the League of Older Americans. Thomas Edwards, M.D., 1901 Greenwood Road, Roanoke, Virginia, Chairman of the Planned Parenthood Medical Committee, requested that the Board continue their support of Planned Parenthood. Ms. Ellen S. weinman, 919 Peyton Street, NW, Roanoke, Virginia, representing Trust, asked that the Board continue their financial support of all the human service agencies and especially Trust. Mr. Herman A. Marshall, III, 3506 Brymoor Road, Roanoke, Virginia, a representative of the Free Clinic of Roanoke Valley, requested funding of the Free Clinic. Mr. Matthew A. Banks, 126 Craig Avenue, Vinton, Virginia, 24179, a representative of the League of Older Americans, requested funding for LOA. ~ ~ 'I I I I II I j I I I -., April 18, 1985 610 6-tt-9- I Mr. Richard Kurshan, 4940 Buckhorn Road, SW, Roanoke, Virginia, representing Family Services of Roanoke Valley, requested funding for his organization. Mr. Richard Garman, P. O. Box 7541, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019, a representative of the Roanoke County Education Association, requested that the Board increase the teachers' salaries as proposed in the School Board budget. Mr. Robert Crouse, 415 Ingal Boulevard, Roanoke, Virginia, a resident of West Roanoke County, was present to voice his opposition to the proposed tax increases. Mr. Glenn Norrish, P. O. Box 2433, Roanoke, Virginia, 24010, a representative of the Roanoke Symphony, requesting funding for this organization. Mr. Lewis W. Perry, 508 Rutherford Avenue, NW, Roanoke, Virginia, 24016, representing Tinker Mountain Industrialists, asking for funding of this organization. Mr. Alex Nelson, 4614 Cordell Drive, SW, Roanoke, Virginia, representing the Association of Retarded Citizens-Center for Human Development, requested funding for I ARC-CHD. Mr. Leonard pick, Director of Roanoke Area Ministries, I urged the Board to look into reports of the agencies they funded last year and to please continue their support. Mr. Bob Johnson, an employee of Roanoke County and a citizen of the County, requested that the Board approve the teachers' salary increase. He also felt that there is no need to increase taxes. He suggested levying a hotel and motel tax, increase business license fees, cut requests for new positions at the County offices, and initiate curbside garbage pick up. This will total $1,400,000.00. Chairman McGraw reported that he had received the following expressions from citizens who were not able to attend the meeting: - --~ ~ 611 April 18, 1985 II Mr. Bob Beckner, Citizens for Quality of Life in Roanoke Valley, requested the Board to continue their support of I the Human Services funding. I ! Mr. Richard Evans, Citizens for Quality of Life in I Roanoke Valley, also requested that the Board continue Human I Services funding. Dr. Kevin Keller requested funding of the Free Clinic. Ms. Barbara Saresco also requested funding of the Free Clinic. Chairman McGraw also stressed to those present that the Revenue Sharing Funds are not definite and probably will not be definite until October, 1985. Supervisor Minter asked the County Attorney, how he should proceed since he is Executive Director of the Neighborhood Alliance, as this organization is requesting funding. He has submitted a letter to the County Administrator, County Attorney, I and Commonwealth Attorney stating that he is involved with this organization. Mr. Mahoney, County Attorney, recommended to Mr. Minter to abstain from any vote by the Board concerning the appropriation of funds for the Neighborhood Alliance. He also suggested that Supervisor Minter not participate in any discussions regarding that issue, but will be able to participate in any discussions or voting on matters relating to the other Human Service funding requests. Mr. Mahoney also suggested to Supervisor Minter that he request the Chairman to separate the Human Service funding items to allow Supervisor Minter to vote. Supervisor Minter reported that he feels that the national governments seems to be only concerned with weapons. He I also feels that the County has a responsibility to those citizens who need help because through no fault of their own they have been afflicted in some way. Supervisor Minter reported that he will move, at the appropriate time, to fund the Human Service ----- ~ -., April 18, 1985 612 I Agencies at the same level as last year and come as close as possible to funding the School Board budget. Supervisor Brittle also felt that the Board should maintain the same level of funding for the Human Service Agencies as last year. He also expressed his support of the arts. Supervisor Burton reported that to fund education last year, the County depleted all of the unappropriated balances with the exception of a contingency balance or an unappropriate balance which was equivalent to 3 percent of the total budget. She reported that the School budget as submitted including $24,100,000.00 of local funds, which is a $1,100,000.00 increase over last year's level of funding. Supervisor Burton does feel that the County should continue to improve the salaries of instructional personnel. Other school divisions take 15-18 years for teachers to reach the top of the scale¡ in Roanoke County, teacher's reach the top of the scale in 13 years. After examining the School Board budget, Mrs. Burton reported that a 10 percent increase was included for all instructional personnel, in order to do this, it was necessary to add a step at the top of the scale (Step 14), which insures those who have already reached the top of the scale the 10 percent increase. The amount necessary to fund that 14th step is $1,117,175.00 of that amount there is approximately $63,000.00 in fringe benefits. Supervisor Burton suggested taking the l3th step as the scale is currently structured and apply a 7 percent increase, this would net each teacher at the top of the scale $1,591.80 increase over this year's salary. There are 517 people affected by this which will cost the County $823,064.00. If this is subtracted from what is currently budgeted, there is a $353,000.00 difference. Include $63,000.00 for the fringe benefits (18 percent of the $353,000.00) to bring the total to $416,000.00. Supervisor Burton also reported that the non-instructional people for the Roanoke County Schools have been given an across the board 8 I I - ~ ",.- ~13 April l8, 1985 - percent increase, done by giving an extra step at the top of the In Roanoke County administration, law enforcement, and other 'I I scale to those who have already reached the top of their scale. areas, the employees will receive their step increase plus a 4 I percent increase (Consumer Price Index increase for the last I calendar year). The Board has been trying to make the salaries of the school administration and the other offices within the County comparable. The extra step accumulated a cost of $735,000.00, the fringe benefits total $132,000.00. The County offices, except for the School Board, have no state mandates to improve the status of the non-instructional personnel. Supervisor Burton suggested to the Board that a contingency fund of approximately $300,000.00 be set up to fund such a structured scale. By doing this, $735,000.00 for the extra step for the non-instructional personnel and the $132,000 for the 18 percent fringe benefits and $416,000.00 from the top scale of the I instructional personnel will be removed. She suggested giving the teachers the straight 7 percent but not the additional step. This would mean the personnel in the instructional category woulë receive a 10 percent increase, those at the top of the scale would receive a 7 percent increase which would still make their increase 3 percent over the cost of living. This would total a deduction of $1,283,000.00 from the budget. Supervisor Burton also recommended that the Board reduce the operation and maintenance budget of the schools by 1 percent in all areas except non-fixed charges (insurances, utilities, etc.) and transportation. with the total of the $l,283,000.00 and $48,000, over the $23,000,000.00 that the Board informally agreed to fund I a total budget reduction of $1,331,000.00, and then an excess and according to the recommendation of the Administrator, the extra $221,000.00 would then go into the Contingency Fund to go into the salary study of the non-instructional personnel. This would be funding the School Board at the current $23,000,000.00 - ~ ~ April 18, 1985 614 I which is what the Administrator proposed. The County would then retain the excess cuts that have been made in a contingency ($221,000.00). Those people in the instructional category at the top of the scale will be given a 7 percent increase in salary. The non-instructional personnel would be given a step plus 4 percent. I Supervisor Nickens reported to Supervisor Burton if these figures were right, the Board would be approving the School Board budget at $22,779,000.00. This would set the budget by the deadline (May 1, 1985) with the understanding that the study would be made and part of the funds in the Contingency Fund will be reallocated. Supervisor Minter moved to fund the Human Service Agencies at an aggregate level of exactly what the Board funded last year. Paul Mahoney, County Attorney, reported that the State Code requires that prior to the adoption of the budget, seven days must elapse from the date of the public hearing. He felt that if the intent of the motion is to in effect approve a portion of the budget or adopt a portion of the budget, that it might be premature to do so at this time. I Supervisor Nickens offered a substitute motion that the Board continue to consider the request of the Human Service Agencies in our routine budgetary process. Supervisor Brittle called for questions on the motion. The motion passed by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Nickens, Minter, Brittle, Burton, and McGraw NAYS: None Supervisor Brittle moved that the prepared resolution setting the tax levy on real estate at the rate of $1.15 per $100.00 of assessed valuation be approved. - ~ ~ 515 April 18, 1985 RESOLUTION 85-53 SETTING THE TAX LEVY ON REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 1985 BE IT RESOLVED that the levy for the twelve-month I period beginning January 1, 1985, and ending December 31, 1985, be, and hereby is, set for a tax rate of $1.15 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation on all classes of taxable real estate and mobile homes as classified by Sections 58.1-3200 et. seq. and 58.1-3506 B. of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, situate in Roanoke County. On motion of Supervisor Brittle and the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Nickens, Minter, Brittle, Burton, and McGraw NAYS: None Mr. John Russell Potter, 6334 Greenway Drive, NW, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019, appeared before the Board to urge them to continue the funding of the Human Service Agencies. Supervisor Brittle moved to adjourn the meeting. The I motion failed by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Minter and Brittle NAYS: Supervisors Nickens, Burton, and McGraw Supervisor Brittle moved to adjourn the public hearing and to move into a work session to discuss budget matters. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Nickens, Minter, Brittle, Burton, and McGraw NAYS: None IN RE: BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Supervisor Burton inquired about the rejection of the request of the Commonwealth Attorney for the Hewlett Packard I Computer System. Chairman McGraw responded that it was turned down because the Management Advisory Committee is looking at the total system and are projecting needs for the next three to five years. Mr. Flanders reported that the Data Processing Committee met earlier and discussed the various requests of the - ~ -., April 18, 1985 1·. 54!} p,: ()I Commonwealth Attorney and the Sheriff's Department relative to expansion of services. It was determined at this meeting that I the best approach to be taken would be to evaluate the overall concept in tying in with the main or setting up a satellite system. The Data Processing Committee set up a task force to be headed by Bill Nance and Torn Forbes to look at the needs of the Sheriff's Department and in the other County departments. The Board questioned the overtime budgeted for the Commissioner of Revenue's office. Mr. Compton reported that the overtime was needed since his office has been checking County apartment complexes, etc., for county decals. Supervisor Nickens reported that many people moving to the County from out of town do not realize that they need to purchase a county decal. Supervisor Burton asked if it would be feasible to have pamphlets I printed for the DMV to distribute. Mr. Compton reported that the DMV already has a similar pamphlet. Supervisor Burton inquired about funding for employees taking college level courses in accordance with the County policy. Personnel Director, Keith Cook, reported that the County policy is if there are funds in the budget and the employee take a course and makes a grade C or better, the County will reimburse the employee. Supervisors Burton and Brittle requested additional data on the need for funding of civilian clothing. Supervisor Burton asked why there was funding included in the budget for the evidence van but not for equipment for the van. Mr. Flanders reported that most of the equipment has I already been purchased. Supervisor Nickens asked why there was a need to replace three shotguns. Mr. Flanders reported that the Sheriff's Department is trying to phase out the older ones. Supervisor Brittle also reported that on occasion the shotguns need to be replaced because they do not receive enough use. Supervisor f--- ~ ~ 617 ~ . April 18, 1985 Nickens asked how the shotguns would be sold. John Chambliss, Superintendent of Fiscal Management reported that they were sold through a licensed dealer. Supervisor Burton asked about the discretionary fund I that had been discussed for each constitutional officer. She reported that she would like to see a recommendation from Administration on the establishment of these funds. Supervisor Nickens asked about the budget revisions to be made because of the elimination of Youth and Family Services Bureau. Mr. Flanders reported that the entire Policing and Investigating budget would have to be done again. The budget for Development was discussed. Jack Council, Director of Procurement Services is currently looking at all service agreements and copy locations and methodology and is preparing a cost sheet. Supervisor Brittle inquired about obtaining the old van from the Sheriff's Department. County I Administrator reported that he has allowed funds for a van in another area of the budget. The Capital Improvement Fund was also reviewed. Supervisor Minter reported that he feels it would be a risk to totally eliminate the refuse fee. He also feels that the citizens will be paying for their trash collection either through a straight fee or through taxes. He suggested going to curbside refuse collection with a $1.00 charge per week. Supervisor Brittle suggested that the County secure cooperative funding on fire and rescue services to State agencies. He also suggested billing the companies who spill the hazardous The County administrator reported that the Debt Service I materials. Fund budget will have to be amended because of information just received that certain literary funds have been approved. Mr. Flanders reported that under the Environmental Funds budget, a sanitarian position has been given to the ----- ~ April 18, 1985 .,.-,', l' " t~ ·ts Department of Air Pollution. The state has contacted him and wants to recover that spot to inspect restaurants. He reported I that there is also a possibility of a regional air pollution concept. The Revenue Sharing Fund budget was discussed. Mr. Flanders reported that the Senate is proposing a bill that will include full funding for revenue sharing at the same level as last year. This would provide the County $680,000.00. The House has not yet voted on the proposed bill. Supervisor Nickens asked if the beginning balance on the Pathways budget of $74,000.00 was from state funds or from other localities. The County Administrator reported that the $74,000 was from state grants. The Internal Service Fund budget, which is charged out to various operating departments, was discussed. The Board had I no questions regarding this budget. Mr. Flanders requested that the board consider adjournment since the next item on the agenda is the utility Fund and he would prefer that Mr. Hubbard, Superintendent of Public Facilities, be present to answer the Board's questions. He also request that another budget meeting be set up for Thursday, April 25, 1985, at 6:00 p.m. IN RE: ADJOURNMENT Supervisor Minter moved to adjourn. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. I _~ c;(,~~ Chairman