HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/14/2020 - Regular
April 14, 2020
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Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day atthe
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the second Tuesday and the first
scheduled meeting of the month of April 2020. Audio and video recordings of this
meeting will be held on file for a minimum of five (5) years in the office of the Clerk to
the Board of Supervisors.
IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES
Before the meeting was called to order a moment of silence was
observed. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Radford called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. The roll call
was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman David F. Radford; Supervisors Martha B. Hooker,
Paul M. Mahoney, Phil C. North 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 S. Lubeck, County
Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information Officer and
Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution setting the allocation percentage for Personal
Property Tax Relief in Roanoke County for the 2020 tax year
(Laurie Gearheart, Director of Finance and Management Services)
Ms. Gearheart outlined the request for resolution.
Supervisor Mahoney inquired in a normal year, what has been the timing
delay before the County would receive the funds from the State? Ms. Gearheart
responded that the block grant usually comes in in July.
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Supervisor Mahoney then asked if she had heard any inkling from the
State that the Commonwealth may decide to use a portion of these funds to balance its
budget and require localities to make up the difference. Ms. Gearheart responded not
at this time and added she does participate on a conference call every Wednesday at
9:00 a.m. consisting of all localities in Virginia, with their Director of Finance, Chris
Morrell with the General Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and that question was
asked and the answer was, “not at this time.”
There was no further discussion.
RESOLUTION 041420-1 SETTING THE ALLOCATION
PERCENTAGE FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF IN
ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE 2020 TAX YEAR
WHEREAS, in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 58.1-3524
(C) (2) and Section 58.1-3912 (E) of the Code of Virginia, as amended by Chapter 1 of
the Acts of Assembly and as set forth in item 503.E (Personal Property Tax Relief
Program or “PPTRA”) of Chapter 951 of the 2005 Acts of Assembly, a qualifying vehicle
with a taxable situs within the County commencing January 1, 2020, shall receive
personal property tax relief; and,
WHEREAS, this Resolution is adopted pursuant to Ordinance 122005-10
adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 20, 2005.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, as follows:
1. That tax relief shall be allocated so as to eliminate personal property taxation
for qualifying personal use vehicles valued at $1,000 or less.
2. That qualifying personal use vehicles valued at $1,001-$20,000 will be eligible
for 52.60% tax relief.
3. That qualifying personal use vehicles valued at $20,001 or more shall only
receive 52.60% tax relief on the first $20,000 of value; and
4. That all other vehicles which do not meet the definition of qualifying (for
example, including but not limited to, business use vehicles, farm use vehicles, motor
homes, etc.) will not be eligible for any form of tax relief under this program.
5. That the percentages applied to the categories of qualifying personal use
vehicles are estimated fully to use all available PPTRA funds allocated to Roanoke
County by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
6. That this Resolution shall be effective from and after the date of its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
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IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE
1. Public Hearing and First reading of an Emergency Ordinance
temporarily suspending imposition of penalty and interest on tax
year 2020 delinquent personal property tax until August 1, 2020
(Due to the Pandemic Disaster, it is requested that following the
public hearing, upon a four-fifths vote of the Board, the second
reading be waived and the ordinance adopted as an emergency
measure.) (Peter S. Lubeck, County Attorney)
Mr. Lubeck outlined the request for this ordinance.
Chairman Radford recessed the meeting from 3:12 p.m. until 3:22 p.m. to
allow for citizen comments.
Chairman Radford opened and closed the public hearing with no citizen
comments.
Supervisor Mahoney commented he hopes this provides some measure of
relief for our citizens in Roanoke County.
EMERGENCY 041420-2 ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY
SUSPENDING IMPOSITION OF PENALTY AND INTEREST ON
TAX YEAR 2020 DELINQUENT PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2020
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 21-17(d) of the Roanoke County Code and
Section 58.1-8 of the Code of Virginia, year 2020 County taxes on tangible personal
property shall be due and payable on or before June 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Section 21-18 of the Roanoke County Code imposes a penalty on
delinquent payments of tangible personal property tax (in the amount of 10% of such
unpaid tax). In 2020; such a penalty would be imposed on June 2, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Section 21-18 further states that interest (at a rate of 10% per
annum) is assessed, commencing on the first day of the month after the due date or
st
July 1 of the year for which such tax was assessed, whichever is later. Accordingly, in
2020, interest on delinquent payments would be imposed on July 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, because of the hardships imposed on all citizens by the COVID-19
pandemic, the Board of Supervisors desires to provide relief to taxpayers by suspending
the imposition of both penalty and interest on tax year 2020 delinquent personal
property tax until August 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance 033121-1, adopted by the Board on March
31, 2020, which authorizes the suspension of deadlines established by the County
Code, the Board desires to provide such relief, and to effectuate such an action by
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emergency ordinance, dispensing with notice typically required by Section 15.2-1427 of
the Code of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the first reading of this ordinance was held on April 14, 2020; and
the second reading has been dispensed with, upon an affirmative vote of 4/5ths of the
members of the Board, this being deemed to be an emergency measure pursuant to
Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of the
County of Roanoke, Virginia:
1. The provisions of Section 21-18 of the Roanoke County Code are temporarily
suspended as follows:
a. The imposition of any penalty, for delinquency of 2020 personal property
tax pursuant to Section 21-18(a) of the Roanoke County Code, shall be
suspended from June 2, 2020 to August 1, 2020.
b. The commencement of assessment of any interest, for delinquency of
2020 personal property tax pursuant to Section 21-18(b) of the Roanoke
County Code, shall be suspended from July 1, 2020 to August 1, 2020.
2. All other provisions of Section 21-18 are unaffected and shall remain in full
force and effect.
3. The assessment of penalties and interest for any other tax year (other than
tax year 2020) and any other category of tax (other than tangible personal
property tax) remains unaffected by this ordinance.
4. An emergency is deemed to exist, and this ordinance shall be effective upon
its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the ordinance seconded by Supervisor
North and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF ORDERS
1. Public hearing for citizen comments on the following items:
Calendar Year 2020 Real Estate, Personal Property and Machinery
and Tools Tax Rates (Laurie Gearheart, Director of Finance and
Management Services)
Ms. Gearheart outlined the request for public hearing.
Chairman Radford recessed the meeting from 3:24 p.m. until 3:34 p.m. to
allow for citizen comments.
Chairman Radford opened and closed the public hearing with no citizen
comments.
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2. Request to adopt the following taxes rates:
(a) Order setting the tax rate on Real Estate in the County of
Roanoke for the calendar year 2020;
ORDER 041420-3 SETTING THE TAX RATE ON REAL ESTATE
SITUATE IN ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR
2020
BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, that
the levy for the twelve-month period beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December
$1.09
31, 2020, be, and hereby is, set for a tax rate of per one hundred dollars of
assessed valuation on all taxable real estate and mobile homes classified by Sections
58.1-3200, 58.1-3201, 58.1-3506.A.8, and 58.1-3506.B of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as
amended, situate in Roanoke County.
On motion of Supervisor North to adopt the order, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
(b) Order setting the tax levy on Personal Property situate in the
County of Roanoke for the calendar year 2020;
ORDER 041420-4 SETTING THE TAX LEVY ON PERSONAL
PROPERTY SITUATE IN ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE
CALENDAR YEAR 2020
BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
1. That the levy for the twelve-month period beginning January 1, 2020, and
$3.50
ending December 31, 2020, be, and hereby is, set for a tax rate of per one
hundred dollars of assessed valuation on all taxable, tangible personal property,
excluding that class of personal property generally designated as machinery and tools
as set forth in Section 58.1-3507 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, and
excluding all those classes of household goods and personal effects as are defined in
Sections 58.1-3504 and 58.1-3505 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, but
including the property separately classified by Sections 58.1-3500, 58.1-3501, 58.1-
3502, 58.1-3506 in the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, of public service
corporations based upon the assessed value thereof fixed by the State Corporation
Commission and duly certified.
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2. That there be, and hereby is, established as a separate class of personal
property in Roanoke County those items of personal property set forth in Section 58.1-
3506 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, and adopted by Ordinance No.
121592-11, and generally designated as Motor Vehicles for Disabled Veterans.
3. That the levy for the twelve-month period beginning January 1, 2020, and
fifty (50%) percent
ending December 31, 2020, be, and hereby is, set at of the tax rate
established in paragraph 1 for the taxable, tangible personal property as herein
established as a separate classification for tax purposes and as more fully defined by
Section 58.1-3506 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, and generally designated
as Motor Vehicles for Disabled Veterans.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the order, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
(c) Order setting the tax levy on a classification of personal
property - Machinery and Tools - situate in the County of
Roanoke for calendar year 2020 (Laurie Gearheart, Director of
Finance and Management Services)
ORDER 041420-5 SETTING THE TAX LEVY ON A
CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY - MACHINERY
AND TOOLS - SITUATE IN ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE
CALENDAR YEAR 2020
BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
1. That there be, and hereby is, established as a separate class of personal
property in Roanoke County those items of personal property set forth in Section 58.1-
3507 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, and generally designated as machinery
and tools.
2. That the levy for the twelve-month period beginning January 1, 2020, and
$2.85
ending December 31, 2020, be, and hereby is, set for a tax rate of per one
hundred dollars of assessed valuation on all taxable, tangible personal property as
herein established as a separate classification for tax purposes and as more fully
defined by Section 58.1-3507 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, and generally
designated as machinery and tools.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the order, seconded by Supervisor
Mahoney and carried by the following recorded vote:
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AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 041420-6 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM G- CONSENT AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
That the certain section of the agenda of the Board of Supervisors for April 14,
2020, designated as Item G - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 5 inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes – February 1, 2020; February 11, 2020
2. Proclamation declaring April 12-18 2020, as National Public Safety
Telecommunicators Week in the County of Roanoke
3. Request to accept the three donations totaling $4,500 to help fund the
purchase of a new police canine
4. Request to approve the Board of Supervisors amended budget development
calendar for fiscal year 2020-2021
5. Request to accept and allocate funds in the amount of $4,607.40 from the
Commonwealth of Virginia to the Clerk of the Circuit Court
6. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County to Donn L. Belz, Police Office IV, upon his retirement after
more than five (5) years of service
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
North and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
A-041420-6.a
A-041420-6.b
A-041420-6.c
A-041420-6.d
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RESOLUTION 041420-6.e EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO DONN L. BELZ, POLICE OFFICER IV, UPON HIS
RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN FIVE (5) YEARS OF
SERVICE
WHEREAS, Donn L. Belz was employed by Roanoke County on January 3,
2015; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Belz retired on February 1, 2020, after five (5) years and one (1)
month of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Belz, through his employment with Roanoke County, has been
instrumental in improving the quality of life and providing services to the citizens of
Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, throughout Mr. Belz’ tenure with Roanoke County, he served in
several Divisions in the Police Department, beginning in Patrol. Due to his previous
extensive experience in major crimes investigations with another law enforcement
agency, Mr. Belz was quickly moved to serve in the Criminal Investigations Division,
then to Vice/Narcotics where he was assigned to the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration’s Task Force in Roanoke where he participated in the investigation of
large-scale Drug Trafficking Organizations before his retirement from the County of
Roanoke.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County expresses its deepest appreciation and the appreciation of the citizens
DONN L. BELZ
of Roanoke County to for more than five (5) years of capable, loyal and
dedicated service to Roanoke County; and
FURTHER, the Board of Supervisors does express its best wishes for a happy
and productive retirement.
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
North and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Peters moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion was seconded by Supervisor Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, Peters, North, Radford
NAYS: None
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1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report
2. Outstanding Debt Report
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Hooker commented she would just like to encourage our
constituents to continue to stay safe, not get tired of following the CDC suggestions with
sanitation and social distancing; we are in this together and we are going to survive this
together. We will get through to the other side; we will get through this ordeal together.
Just wanted to encourage out citizens to keep doing the good work. Next, she would
like to encourage anyone is so inclined to show themselves doing something positive
that can be transmitted through the County’s #RoCoCares and show a picture or some
kind of activity that showing social distancing or some activity that is showing something
positive in our social media.
Supervisor North stated he would like to talk about thankfulness items. As
we practice social distancing, hand washing and other precautionary steps we are
thankfulness:
noticing some examples of
For more family time together like eating more meals at the same table.
For building stronger communities with virtual and or drive in churches, or
community Good Friday service across the street.
For our medical teams of Doctors, Physicians assistants, nurses and lab
technicians and other medical staff, the front line hero’s!
For our local essential businesses who continue to serve the public needs.
For our own county staff who are meeting challenges each day during the great
pivot of running government.
For our county which was percolating along with the nation’s economy, but took a
pandemic shock.
For our schools who met the challenge with lunches and meals for students who
are now at home, for the challenges of teaching when not at school.
For our staff and all of their budget revisions since March 12, 2020, when the
original numbers fell on the floor. And so, too, will others, amend their budgets, and, so,
too others will.
For Virginia Tech, University of Virginia and University of Pittsburgh and other
educational research institutions and for efforts to test and find cures and vaccines for
the enemy COVID-19.
For our Virginia Dept. of health data, which is beginning to show improvements
due to social distancing.
For better days ahead, they are coming, and so is the new norm.
Supervisor Peters recognized something that was on our Consent
Agenda. As we have all been very supportive of our public safety. We normally get a
whole platoon of folks from our dispatch center to come to our meeting, but because of
social distancing, that did not happen today. I think we need to take a moment to thank
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those people are answering the phones when our citizens are calling 9-1-1. He wanted
th
to remind everyone that April 12-18 of 2020, is National Public Safety
Telecommunicators week in Roanoke County and he really appreciates what they do as
a first responder himself, they have been his lifeline for many years. They are your
lifeline as you are going in there, telling you what is going on and trying to prepare you
for what you are going to walk into. He did want to a take a moment today, beyond
thanking everyone in our health care system, but to thank those dispatchers who are
doing their job day in and day out and doing a great job. Thank you.
Supervisor Mahoney (wearing his Washington Redskins mask) stated he
wanted to encourage our citizens to wear their masks. As you can see, his wife has
prepared a mask for him and other members of our family. So, he would encourage all
of our citizens when you are going out to the grocery store, the pharmacy or drugstore
or other places of public gathering, please wear your masks and you can do a beautiful
mask like this or others as case may be. Please, we can get through this together. It is
going to be difficult and it has been painful he knows for many of our small businesses,
but all of us are optimistic that in a few months as the curve is flattened and we can all
get back to work, we can get back to where we once were.
Supervisor Radford commented “ditto” on what everyone just repeated on
what we are going through as a community. A couple of life events have occurred in
our community that he wants to recognize. We lost one of our long-time builders, who
passed away last week, Lewis Jamison. He has been building in the County since the
1970’s. He started right out of college, but one of the development he did was
Maywood down in Vinton. He worked for a developer at that time, but Lewis was like a
second father to him, a family friend. He was very influential with the homebuilders,
locally and Statewide. He will be sorely missed; he leaves behind two (2) beautiful
daughters and their family. The other life event, life does go on, regardless of our stay
at home, we did our Easter family virtual audio/video together and our daughter
announced she is engaged. So that was quite a surprise to hear that on FaceTime.
She and her fiancé are going to work on the dates when they know the all clear is given.
Life continues and he agrees with other Board members, stay safe, stay healthy and
God bless everybody here in Roanoke County and our nation.
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IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Radford adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m.
ub itted by: Approved by:
"Ail,
eborah avid F. Radford
C ief Deputy lerk to the Board Chairman
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