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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/5/2004 - Special 1 January 5 , 2004 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 January 5, 2005 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the organizational meeting and the th 5 day of January, 2004. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman McNamara called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph P. McNamara, Vice Chairman Richard C. Flora, Supervisors Michael W. Altizer, Joseph B. “Butch” Church, Michael A. Wray MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; Diane S. Childers, Clerk to the Board; John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator; Dan O’Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Teresa Hamilton Hall, Public Information Officer IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES The invocation was given by Reverend Tupper Garden, Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. 2 January 5 , 2004 IN RE: ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY BOARD 1. Election of Officers a. Chairman and Vice-Chairman Supervisor Altizer nominated Supervisor Flora to serve as Chairman. There were no other nominations for Chairman. Supervisor Flora was elected by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Church, Wray, Altizer, McNamara NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Supervisor Flora Supervisor Church nominated Supervisor Altizer to serve as Vice- Chairman. There were no other nominations for Vice-Chairman. Supervisor Altizer was elected by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, Church, Wray, McNamara NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Supervisor Altizer 2. Length of Term for Chairman and Vice-Chairman Supervisor McNamara moved that the term of office run from January 5, 2003 to the organizational meeting on January 3, 2005. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: 3 January 5 , 2004 AYES: Supervisors Flora, Church, Wray, Altizer, McNamara NAYS: None 3. Resolution establishing the schedule for Board meetings in 2004 R-010203-1 There was no review or discussion of this item. Supervisor McNamara moved to adopt the resolution establishing the meeting schedule for 2004. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, Church, Wray, Altizer, McNamara NAYS: None RESOLUTION 010504-1 ESTABLISHING A MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2004 BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as follows: 1. That for calendar year 2004, the regular meetings of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, are set forth below with public hearings scheduled for 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise advertised. Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm 4 January 5 , 2004 Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, July 13, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, August 10, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, August 24, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 3 pm Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 3 pm and 7 pm 2. That the organizational meeting for 2005 shall be held on Monday, January 3, 2005 at 9 am. Supervisor McNamara moved to adopt the resolution. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, Church, Wray, Altizer, McNamara NAYS: None IN RE: MEETING WITH ROANOKE VALLEY LEGISLATORS 1. Discussion of Roanoke County’s Legislative Program The work session was held from 9:25 a.m. until 10:41 a.m. Legislators present at the meeting were: Senator John S. Edwards, Delegate H. Morgan Griffith, 5 January 5 , 2004 Senator Brandon Bell, and Delegate William Fralin. Also present was Pete Giesen, Roanoke County Special Assistant for Legislative Relations. Senator Edwards stated that the Governor’s tax reform plan includes the following objectives: (1) retain the state’s AAA bond rating; (2) ensure that no cuts are made in public education, which will necessitate finding new revenues; (3) provide assistance to localities. He also noted that the administration has been streamlined by eliminating 5,000 jobs and implementing new purchasing technology. He advised that this is the third year of a serious fiscal crisis. Delegate Griffith advised that the Governor’s budget proposal is $59 billion, which has increased from $30 billion over the past 10 years. He noted that the budget has increased every year and funding for education has also increased annually. He stated that lottery revenues are now dedicated solely to education, and that there will be close to $1 billion additional revenues without any revenue enhancements. He stated that the Governor’s tax plan is not a tax reform plan but rather a tax increase plan. He voiced concerns about the proposal and indicated that there is no meaningful change in the structural imbalance and no benefit to localities. Delegate Griffith advised that there are a significant number of bills pending in the General Assembly this year (currently 2,800 and expected to rise to 3,200 – 3,500). Supervisor Flora advised that the County is almost 100% dependent on rising real estate values for revenues. He noted that national projections indicate real 6 January 5 , 2004 estate values will level out or possibly decline and if so, this will place a significant burden on localities. He stated that localities need the authority to increase revenue sources, and he noted the imbalance that exists between cities and counties which provide essentially the same level of services. Supervisor Church asked for support of the ability for counties to levy a tax on cigarettes and tobacco products which is essentially a “user fee”. In addition, he requested support for funding the Smart Road project from state funds rather than solely from the Salem District’s funding. Delegate Fralin advised that transportation and infrastructure improvements are important for economic development, and the Salem District has solely funded the cost of research for the Smart Road. He advised that a retroactive adjustment is needed. There was general discussion regarding a possible proposal to increase the gasoline tax, and Delegate Griffith advised that this would be considered only if it is combined with a transportation trust fund to protect the revenues and ensure they are used for road construction and improvements. Supervisor Church also requested support for increasing the flat fee localities can charge for reimbursement of costs associated with DUI convictions from $100 to $500. Delegate Fralin voiced support for this change. 7 January 5 , 2004 Senator Edwards cautioned against implementing too many fees and noted that in recent years, $275 million in additional fees and court costs have been added. He stated that fees must be kept in line and advised that you cannot fund the general fund through fee increases. Senator Bell noted that the request for increasing the DUI fee for Roanoke County could be justified in one of two ways: (1) as a punitive measure to discourage the actions; or (2) as a means of recovering costs incurred by the County in responding to these calls. Supervisor Altizer stated that changes to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) contributions may cost Roanoke County an additional $2 million, and indicated that the State needs to evaluate how counties are viewed. He noted that the County is required to get authorization from the General Assembly for everything they do, and questioned if this is due to a distrust of county government operations. He stated that counties need to have self-determination. Delegate Griffith advised that VRS contributions are divided between the state and the localities and the rate is based on a composite index. When the fee increases, this impacts both the state and local governments. Supervisor McNamara questioned if there is any forecasted change in revenues for the next year. Senator Bell advised that revenue growth is forecast in the 4.8% – 5% range and proposed spending needs are projected at 8%. He noted that the 8 January 5 , 2004 economy is emerging from a recession and a decision must be made whether to encourage continued growth in the economy or increase taxes to offset the revenue shortfall. Supervisor McNamara observed that if Roanoke County receives additional reductions in state funding, it necessitates decreases in either education or other areas. He stated that overall, revenues at the state level continue to grow and yet funding to the localities continues to decrease. Senator Edwards reported that Governor Warner has prepared a six-year plan which shows expected growth in revenues and expenditures. Throughout the six- year period, expenditures continue to exceed revenues. Delegate Griffith noted that there has been 8% growth in State government, 5% growth in State revenues, and approximately 3-4% growth in individual family incomes. He advised that State government growth must be reduced. Supervisor Wray requested support for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) recommendations that will address the $10 million shortfall in funding for the mandated State Board of Education proposals. In addition, he stated the need for state funding support for transportation and road improvements in Southwestern Virginia. He advised that localities should be given the opportunity to create their own sources of revenue. Mr. Hodge stated that public safety is one of the greatest needs in Roanoke County. He noted that the County had to assume the 911 cellular phone calls 9 January 5 , 2004 which were cut by the State, necessitating the addition of five dispatchers. In addition, the increasing number of calls has necessitated an increase in personnel. He stated that the proposed tobacco tax revenues could be used to build a new public safety building, as well as helping to meet other public safety needs. He also indicated that Roanoke County is requesting authorization to charge a processing fee in criminal or traffic proceedings to support a criminal justice training academy. This project is a joint effort with the City of Roanoke. Mr. Hodge also noted that Senator John Watkins may be patroning a bill for Chesterfield County which will allow chartered counties to impose impact fees to fund transportation costs. He stated that this may be of interest to Roanoke County. Delegate Griffith advised that counties are very different throughout the State of Virginia with respect to the types of services provided. He stated that the General Assembly must examine how taxing authority affects the three different types of counties: urban, rural, and suburban. He noted that Roanoke County has legitimate concerns. With respect to funding of cultural organizations, Delegate Griffith advised that if it is the position of the Senate that funding for cultural activities is not necessary, he is planning to propose that funding be eliminated for all cultural organizations throughout the State of Virginia. Currently, museums in the Richmond and Northern Virginia area continue to receive funding while funding for other portions of the state have been eliminated. He noted that if the Senate does not consider this an 10 January 5 , 2004 educational requirement for two-thirds of the State, then it is not a necessity for the remaining one-third and approximately $17 million could be saved by making this adjustment. Senator Bell stated that he is moving forward with legislation pertaining to methadone clinics. He also voiced disappointment with the Governor’s budget and noted that it includes a $2 million increase in funding to State museums yet there is no funding for Roanoke Valley museums. He stated that maintaining the AAA bond rating will be more difficult because the budget is dependent on changes that have not been enacted yet. He noted if the proposed changes are not enacted, it leaves the legislators with only a matter of days to realign the budget. Senator Edwards advised that a bill was passed last year supporting rail alternatives along the Interstate-81 corridor and needs to be re-enacted this year. He requested support for the re-enactment of this bill. 2. Discussion of Virginia Municipal League and Virginia Association of Counties Legislative Day Activities to be held on February 12, 2004 Mr. Mahoney invited the legislators to attend a dinner following VML/VACo Legislative Day on February 12, 2004 at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. Additional details will follow. January 5, 2004 11 IN RE: ADJOURNMENT Chairman McNamara adjourned the meeting at 10:41 a.m. Submitted by: Approved by: DJ~J~~ . (i~Jh402 Diane S. 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