3/30/1982 - Special
3-30-82
351
Board of Supervisors
Cave Spring High School Auditorium
Roanoke, Virginia
March 30, 1982
I
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day
in open session in the Auditorium of the Cave Spring High School, Roanoke,
Virginia, this being a special meeting for the Cave Spring and Windsor Hills
Districts on March 30, 1982.
Members present: Chairman Edward C. Park, Jr., Vice-Chairman Athena
E. Burton, and Supervisors May W. Johnson, Robert E. Myers and Gary J. Minter.
Members Absent: None
IN RE:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Park called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
IN RE:
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
Rev. Samuel Crews offered invocation for this meeting and the Pledge
I
of Allegiance to the Flag was recited in unison.
IN RE:
OPENING STATEMENTS
Chairman Park welcomed the citizens in attendance and stated this
meeting is the first of which will be held in each magisterial district this
year for the purpose of information and no official business to be conducted.
Supervisor Johnson also welcomed the citizens to the meeting and
expressed her wish that more people had come to the meeting.
Supervisor Burton further expressed her thanks and appreciation to
those in attendance. She noted that she had asked for this type of meeting
to be held in each of the magisterial districts during the 1982 Organizational
I
meeting held in January. Mrs. Burton said she hoped the citizens would take
advantage of these meetings to come and express their concerns and approvals/
disapprovals to the Board.
IN RE:
PRESENTATIONS
Tim Gubala, County Planner, presented an informative slide program
along with statistics and facts on the County's structure and progress since ---
~
~
3-30-82
352
its inception in 1838. Mr. Gubala cited figures on population, employees,
square miles, and its heritage. Further background was given on the growth
of Roanoke County as far as certain businesses, land use and its present
status for rural, farm-use and residential area.
I
Darrell Shell, Director, Parks and Recreation, also presented a
slide program to inform citizens of the numerous programs the Recreation
Department offers to all county residents, old and young. He informed of the
I
parks and facilities available to the citizens of these two magisterial
districts and other areas of the County.
I:
I
I
11
John Chambliss, Director of Finance, presented a graphic report
of the .population growth in relation to services provided by the County
and cost versus the increases anticipated for each. He further reported the
outstanding short-term and long-term debts and expenses of the County.
IN RE:
INTRODUCTION OF DEPARTMENT HEADS
I
Administrator Flanders introduced the department heads on hand
and asked the citizens to talk with them after the meeting relative to any
concerns they might have.
IN RE:
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Mr. Stan Reas was present and inquired of the purpose for this
meeting since he did not see publication of the meeting. Chairman Park
informed him. Mr. Reas further stated he did not want more than a 25%
increase over last year's tax increase.
Mr. Roger Smith stated his opinion that while the County has its
financial problems, the citizens cannot tax their employers to make ends
I
meet and therefore did not feel the County should be allowed to do so. He
felt that the County had mismanaged previous County funds by using revenue
sharing and annexation payments from the City of Roanoke in the 'General Funds
rather than for capital improvements. Now, it appears these funds are not
available and the taxes will have to be increased. He made reference to
potential sources of revenue for local units of government through initiation
I
J
.,
3-30-82
353
of lottery and horse racing legislation by the State.
IN RE:
SUPERVISORS' COMMENTS
I
Supervisor Minter reported that since his taking office, many
complaints have been received concerning road repairs and acceptance of
streets into the State Secondary System; and citizens trying to get cable TV.
He further stated that no one wanted to increase taxes but the County's
expenses have increased for things which they cannot control such as
electricty, etc. and they have no other way to meet these expenses. Mr.
Minter further noted that employees deserve a salary increase. Citizens were
encouraged to attend the budget hearings to provide input.
I
Supervisor Johnson stated that Mr. Minter had said about all of the
same viewpoint she had. Mrs. Johnson reminded the citizens that Board
members are also taxpayers and must bear the same tax burden as their constit-
uents. She further stated that former County Administrator William Clark
advised them during 1976-81 that they were using those annexation and revenue
sharing funds to balance the budget "but it was so nice not to have to raise
the citizens' taxes. But we used it and we're very sorry now. It's time
now to bite the bullet."
Supervisor Burton commented that hindsight is better than foresight,
but "since we are where we are, we have to pick up and go from there." She
concurred with Mr. Smith that in the past, funds were mismanaged and the
County wi~l have to be put in sound financial condition if 'we are to grow.'
Mrs. Burton expressed the viewpoint that Roanoke County is still the best
bargain in the valley.
I
Supervisor Myers reiterated that the funds were not 'mismanaged' tha
it was put to the best possible use for the County - to defray County costs.
He informed that governments are not allowed to 'put away' large amounts of
money when preparing budgets. Mr. Myers felt he wanted to set the record
straight.
r-
3-30-82
354
Chairman Park expressed essentially the same viewpoint as Superviso
Myers. He added that citizens were happy during those years the County did
not increase taxes. "There's no way at that time you citizens would have
wanted a tax increase." Mr. Park reminded the citizens what dollar values
were at that time in comparison with today's dollar. Mr. Park said he was
tired of being accused of being derelict in his duties - "we were trying to
keep money in your pocket."
I
IN RE:
ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Supervisor Minter and a unanimous voice vote, the
meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
$
I
I