HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/29/2019 - Special
June 29, 2019
271
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administrator Center Fourth Floor Training Room for the purpose of a
Board of Supervisors Retreat. Due to technical problems, there are no audio recordings
of this meeting.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman North called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. The roll call was
taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Phil C. North; Supervisors George G. Assaid,
Martha B. Hooker (arrived at 9:19 a.m.), David F. Radford and
P. Jason Peters
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Daniel R. O’Donnell, County Administrator; Richard
Caywood, Assistant County Administrator; Rebecca Owens,
Assistant County Administrator, Peter Lubeck, Senior
Assistant Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information Officer
and Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
The first item of business was Revenue Considerations. Rebecca Owens
started the PowerPoint presentation and provided the overview. A copy of the PowerPoint
presentation is on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Steve Elliott,
Budget Manager, went through the revenue section.
Supervisor Assaid inquired if the trends were national or local with Ms.
Owens responding local.
Supervisor Peters asked when we can see increased sales tax numbers;
Ms. Owens advised they are always a month behind and have not seen any projections.
Supervisor North asked for verification that the meal tax is governed by the
legislature, i.e. Counties do not have the ability to change with Ms. Owens confirming.
Mr. O’Donnell advised the preponderance of the gap is real estate revenue.
He indicated that the number did get better last year, so there was some inflation on real
estate, however, we are taking a cautious approach.
Meredith Thompson, Budget Manager provide the tax rate information.
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Supervisor North asked what the average impact on a citizen would be. Ms.
Thompson responded she would provide.
Supervisor Assaid stated with regard to personal property, Roanoke County
is $3.50 and Roanoke City is $3.45. What similar services are provided or services to
citizens. What percentage of the revenue generated from personal property taxes is of
the overall budget and does it make sense to compare. Mr. Caywood responded
Roanoke City is subsidized by the State on roads.
Ms. Owens noted one penny on an average household of $225,000 would
be $25.00.
Supervisor Peters asked with regard to meals tax, why would we not be
asking the State to increase. Ms. Owens advised it is something that we opted not to do.
Steve Elliott provided an overview of the BPOL tax.
Mr. Caywood outlined a possible stormwater utility fee.
Supervisor Hooker stated this was an unfunded mandate that we are having
to take on and be responsible for. She asked if we had a fee would it take care of
stormwater ponds on private property. Mr. Caywood advised he would need to check
with Mr. Lubeck before he responds. He added he thinks it would make a big difference
to the Homeowners Associations.
Supervisor Peters asked what is Ms. Hooker referring to as private property.
Mr. Caywood advised those ponds that are privately maintained, which are approximately
700 ponds and would be significant.
Supervisor North commented we are spending $2.5 million on stormwater.
Mr. Rob Light, Director of General Services, reviewed the solid waste fee.
Supervisor North asked how much recycling is costing us on an annual
basis with Mr. Light responding $76,000.
Supervisor Hooker commented that some businesses go through a private
vendor and would be offended if they had to pay the County as well.
Supervisor Radford asked Mr. Light to look into McVitty Forrest.
The next item was expenditure trends. Ms. Owens provided the overview.
Supervisor Assaid asked when the last Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
calculation was. Ms. Owens advised they are done every two years.
Debt Service Planning and Modeling was reviewed by Laurie Gearheart,
Acting Director of Finance. Ms. Owens commented we should be very proud of our
ratings.
Ms. Owens provided the overview of County/School Debt payment reserve.
She noted that in 2016, Roanoke County stopped the $300,000 annual contribution and
put $1.0 million to capital maintenance.
Supervisor Radford indicated the $1.8 in Economic Development is not
growing. Mr. O’Donnell advised we have three (3) active performance agreements and
they will go into general revenue at completion.
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Supervisor Peters stated in 2012, we were combined $8.3 million; what was
our debt load with Ms. Owens responding $195 million in outstanding debt; in 2019, $159
million. Why is the cash balance going down? Ms. Owens advised because of the
Schools, Cave Spring, issued $27 million in debt. He added that he is trying to get his
head wrapped around funding in future years. Ms. Owens noted if you issue the debt at
a lower interest rate, and model 6%, accumulated cash savings can be pulled out. One
of the foundations of this plan.
Supervisor Hooker asked who the three active agreements were with and
Ms. Owens responded Roland E. Cook, William Byrd and Edward Rose.
One recommended change would be from 6% interest to 5%, but would not
allow as much cash to accumulate.
Supervisor Assaid stated in two of the years it was over 5%. If we reduce,
then we are using the debt fund as a subsidy. It is one time money.
Supervisor Peters suggested take out ten year period, it is an unusual time
and look at the last 30 years.
Supervisor Assaid commented Green Ridge was 30 years, radios were ten
and the other, library, fire station, 20 years.
Ms. Owens stated a second policy consideration for housekeeping,
recommending updating review of stated uses of lease/revenue bonds to provide greater
flexibility for approved capital projects. It is also recommended change to add payout
ratio, net outstanding and projected debt as percentage of total. Taxable assessed value
will exceed 2.5%, update to eliminate the school Board component unit expenditures.
Supervisor North stated change or no change, we have to start putting
money back into the plan.
Supervisor Assaid commented this does not address the operating side. He
added that cash is important, look at Cave Spring as an example. He would like to get
back to the $300,000 so we have a reserve; having cash on hand.
It was the consensus of the Board to have cash on hand.
It was the consensus of the Board to review the red-lined version of the
policies and provide staff with direction.
The next item was an update from Mr. O’Donnell on Economic and
Community Development Planning. Mr. O’Donnell advised first review would be done
after July 12, 2019, and advised there is a community screening group. Hopefully will be
done by the end of August. The first item would be to put together a strategic plan.
Next, an update on the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute/Carilion, Mr.
O’Donnell advised there would be joint marketing and would be giving tours to potential
employees. Plans are being made to hold a large meeting with all localities on September
12, 2019. With regard to the Diverging Diamond Transportation Project, staff worked with
VDOT and developed funding that should fund the project to be advertised in July of 2025.
VDOT will need to modify signed changes on Rt. 220.
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Mr. O'Donnell noted with staff was working with WFIFA on Woodhaven and
looking at eligibility. Grading and utilities should go in sometime in August. The
community will be notified. If we get the access grant, road will be spring and summer of
next year. If we do not receive the grant, will attempt to expedite.
Last item of note is the Tree Top Quest ribbon cutting, which will be on
Monday, July 1, 2019.
Mr. Light, advised the facilities study should be back by the end of August
and expects to bring back to the Board in the fall.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman North adjourned the meeting at 12:40 p.m. to the special meeting
to be held on July 9, 2019, which will be a joint meeting with the Roanoke County Public
School Board.
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041. `-borah C. Phil C. North
Chief Deputy -rk to the Board Chairman