HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/11/2010 - RegularMarch 11, 2010 93
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 Schools Board Meeting Room, 5937 Cove Road, Roanoke, VA, for the
purpose of a joint work session with the Roanoke County School Board to discuss fiscal
year 2010-2011 budget development. Audio 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: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Stovall and Chairman Church called their respective boards to
order at 5:00 p. m.
SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Michael W. Stovall, Vice Chairman David M.
Wymer, C. Drew Barrineau, Jerry L. Canada, H. Odell
"Fuzzy" Minnix.
SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
STAFF PRESENT: Lorraine S. Lange, Superintendent; Allen W. Journell,
Deputy Superintendent of Administration; Penny A. Hodge,
Assistant Superintendent of Finance; Carol Whitaker,
Assistant Superintendent of Personnel; Brenda F. Chastain,
Clerk to the School Board; Darlene M. Ratliff, Deputy Clerk;
Angela B. Roberson, Deputy Clerk
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph B. "Butch" Church, Vice Chairman Eddie
"Ed" Elswick, Supervisors Richard C. Flora, Charlotte A.
Moore
MEMBERS ABSENT: Supervisor Michael W. Altizer
STAFF PRESENT: B. Clayton Goodman III, County Administrator; Daniel R.
O'Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Diane D. Hyatt,
Assistant County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County
Attorney; Becky R. Meador, Clerk to the Board; Teresa H.
Hall, Director of Public Information
94 March 11, 2010
IN RE: DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL BUDGET
Caboose budget (2009-2010) -House and Senate (HB29/SB29)
Ms. Hodge discussed the Caboose (or current year) budget. The mid-year
reduction in State aid is estimated to be $1 million. The elimination of the textbook
funds will be a reduction of $1.1 million. The fourth quarter holiday savings from the
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) will be $2.4 million. The net mid-year reduction in
revenues and VRS holiday will be $0.3 million. Ms. Hodge cautioned that the numbers
reflected information distributed by the Department of Education and are subject to
change by both the State and staff. She stated that staff is looking at breaking even at
the current time.
House Version 2010-2011 Budget (HB30)
Ms. Hodge stated that the House budget was the least favorable. It
included a $10.4 million estimated reduction in State aid; $2.5 million payback for VRS
savings to the State by local governments; $0.5 million in new expenditure increases for
Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) and utilities; and $4.2 million in VRS savings from
lower rates. Ms. Hodge stated that the reductions net $9.2 million before County
funding and school cuts, which are to be determined. Pending decisions include
enrollment for next year, final State revenues from the Conference Committee, County
transfer and elimination of the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) technology grant
in the amount of $830,000. Ms. Hodge stated that the 2009-2010 enrollment count of
the graduating senior class is larger than the incoming kindergarten class by
approximately 250 students.
Senate Version (2010-2011 Budget SB30)
Ms. Hodge explained that the Senate version included a $10.4 million
estimated reduction in State aid; no payback of VRS savings to the State; $0.5 million in
new expenditure increases for CIP and utilities; and $3.7 million in VRS savings from
lower rates. Reductions net $7.2 million before County funding and school budget cuts,
which are to be determined. The Senate version restores the technology grant. She
reported that pending decisions included enrollment for next year, final State revenues
from the Conference Committee and the County transfer.
Student Enrollment
Ms. Hodge reported that roughly 50 percent of the budget funding
depends on a correct Average Daily Membership (ADM). She reported that the
correlation between the ADM and actual September enrollment has been 99 percent for
most of the past ten years. Ms. Hodge stated that the school division is currently
experiencing a decline in enrollment and reviewed the 2010-2011 projected enrollment
by using the roll-up method. The projected enrollment will be 14,332 using this method.
Multiplying the 99 percent correlation from past years by the roll-up calculation of
14,332, equals 14,189. At its March 10, 2010, budget work session, School Board
members concurred with the recommendation by staff to use the figure of 14,200 as the
projected ADM for 2010-2011 State funding.
March 11, 2010 95
IN RE: DISCUSSION OF COUNTY BUDGET
Senate Version
Ms. Hyatt discussed new County revenues in the amount of $363,865.
Savings on previously shared debt service on the four elementary schools under
renovation were $683,512. The local appropriation to schools would be $3,407,695
under the Senate scenario. Mr. Goodman stated that it would mean closing fire stations
and the possibility of reducing the fleet by 10 percent; however, minimum standards
must be maintained. Mr. Goodman is pushing his departments to cut their budgets. He
has directed County departments to present an additional 10 percent cut on top of the
10 percent they have already given.
House Version
Ms. Hyatt discussed revenues according to the proposed House budget.
The increase in the County transfer to schools would exceed $4 million. At this level,
the County would need to eliminate personnel and programs. Ms. Hyatt added that
actually the Senate budget may be worse for the County from a revenue standpoint.
She advised that everything is dependent upon final numbers.
Mr. Goodman reported that he has reviewed all departmental budgets and
frozen vacant positions. The County is trying not to eliminate positions; however, some
personnel may not remain in the same job. He advised that the Board of Supervisors
has continuously stated that education is a priority.
Supervisor Church stated that staff understands the difficult budget and
that the Board of Supervisors may have to take extraordinary measures. He stressed
that the board is trying to be transparent and is grateful for the relationship it has with
the School Board.
Comparison of Total Operating Budgets
Ms. Hyatt compared the County and school operating budgets. The true
operating cost for the County is $85,570,588, which represents 39.69 percent of the
total operating budget; and the operating cost for the school system is $130,020,469,
which represents 60.31 percent. The total operating budget for both is $215,591,057.
Mr. Goodman stated that he will reconvene the revenue committee to find
every available dollar and to appropriate funds correctly. He advised that real estate is
a concern. Building permits are down by 50 percent. Mr. Goodman stated that he is
also trying to better project personal property revenues.
IN RE: BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
Mr. Canada stated the School Board has spent quite a bit of time on the
2010-2011 budget and is already starting on the 2011-2012 budget. He felt that the
School Board has not been as fortunate as the Board of Supervisors regarding
elimination of staff and will have to displace some teachers and programs will be
impacted.
96 March 11, 2010
Mr. Barrineau reported that the reduction of as many as 150 employees
over two years has been discussed. He stated that should the School Board lose
another $8 million next year, personnel would be impacted.
Mr. Goodman reported that his staff completed a five-year budget
projection, which indicated that the year 2012 would be worse than next year. He
advised that the Board of Supervisors shares the same concerns as the School Board.
Staff will begin working on next year's budget as soon as the current budget is
approved.
Mr. Canada expressed concern that the amount of the local transfer
discussed this day may not be the actual amount that the School Board receives. He
also discussed the possibility of mid-year emergency reductions, questioning whether
the Board of Supervisors would agree to a transfer of funds (possibly $1 million) from
the capital budget to cover operating costs should amid-year emergency occur.
Supervisor Church stated that he did not see a problem with the transfer. Supervisor
Flora advised that he would not have a problem transferring the funds as a band aid to
cover State revenue reductions. Supervisor Moore concurred noting that the County
needs to provide a good education to its students.
Mr. Stovall stated that it appeared that everyone is fine with the 2010-2011
budget; however, the 2011-2012 budget will be catastrophic. He expressed
appreciation to all in attendance for doing such a great job on the budget.
Supervisor Flora concurred with Mr. Stovall, noting that next year will be a
bigger concern. He noted that the Board of Supervisors cannot fund the House version
of the budget. He also expressed concern about what would happen when stimulus
funding is no longer available. He stated that educating students requires funding and
the Board of Supervisors should not abandon the School Board now, noting that the
School Board had provided funding to the County during positive budget years.
Supervisor Church stated that the Board of Supervisors will support
schools. He stressed the need for both boards to work together and hold regular
meetings to avoid any unknowns.
IN RE: FUTURE USE OF BENT MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BUILDING
Mr. Stovall reported that the School Board voted to close Bent Mountain
Elementary school in February 2010 due to budget reductions. He advised that the
School Board wanted to maintain the aesthetics of the building in the event it would be
reopened as a school in the future; however, the School Board is more than willing to
work with the County regarding use the building.
Mr. Barrineau stated during budget deliberations last year, the closing of
Bent Mountain Elementary School was on Tier 3. He advised that stimulus funding
helped keep the school open one more year. He concurred with Mr. Stovall regarding
March 11, 2010 97
the future use of the building as an elementary school and would like for the School
Board to continue ownership of the building and land; however, the County could use it.
Supervisor Elswick expressed his perspective on the future of the Bent
Mountain Elementary building. He stated that the citizens of Bent Mountain would like
to continue to use the building as a school in some way, which would enhance the
County and to use it as a community center, recreational center, for art, drama, and
music classes and fish fries. He stated that the citizens do not have the same facilities
as citizens in other parts of the County. Residents have been very close to the school
for 99 years and the children are exemplary. He advised that the citizens would like the
title of the building to go to the County and not stay with the School Board. There would
be no expense to the County or schools.
Mr. Stovall questioned why the citizens do not want to work with the
School Board. Supervisor Elswick responded that the School Board is subject to too
many restrictions.
Mr. Canada questioned County Attorney Paul Mahoney as to whether a
Christian Academy could be held in the school. Mr. Mahoney will research the matter.
Supervisor Elswick disagreed that the building would ever be needed as a
school again, noting that the Poage Farm had been purchased for the building of a new
school. He suggested a study to substantiate the School Board's position and felt that
the School Board is being possessive.
There was discussion of the County leasing the property. Mr. Barrineau
stated that the School Board is willing to work with the County regarding leasing the
building; it just wants to be able to give proper notice to turn the building back into a
school. Mr. Barrineau noted that the School Board has not had these types of problems
in the past with other buildings it has leased to the County. Supervisor Elswick
responded that the citizens do not want the School Board to kick them out of the
building.
Supervisor Flora stated that the school is the only public property on the
mountain other than the fire station. He concurred that it be used to serve the public.
Whether it reopens as a school is a big question. He cautioned the School Board to
maintain ownership of the school for the right reasons.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Church adjourned the Board of Supervisors at 6:27 p.m. to the
special meeting scheduled on March 16, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. at the Roanoke County
Administration Center.
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March 11, 2010
Submitted by: Approved by:
~~ '~
Becky R. eador Jose h B. "Butch" Church
Clerk to the Board Chairman
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