HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/11/2014 - RegularMarch 11, 2014 167
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 Administration Center, this being the second Tuesday and the first
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of March 2013. 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 an invocation was given by Pastor
James L. Armentrout of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was
recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
was taken.
Chairman McNamara called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The roll call
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph P. McNamara, Supervisors Al Bedrosian,
Joseph B. "Butch" Church, Charlotte A. Moore and P. Jason
Peters
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: B. Clayton
Goodman III,
County
Administrator; Daniel R.
O'Donnell,
Assistant
County
Administrator; Richard
Caywood,
Assistant
County
Administrator; Paul M.
Mahoney,
County Attorney;
Amy Whittaker, Public
Information
Officer and
Deborah
C. Jacks, Deputy Clerk to
the Board
IN RE: BRIEFINGS
1. Briefing on the February 2014 snow event (Joey Stump, Division
Chief /Emergency Manager)
Mr. Stump provided a PowerPoint briefing on the snow event.
March 11, 2014
Supervisor Moore thanked all who answered the phones especially David
Holladay.
Project.
Chairman McNamara thanked Fire and Rescue as well.
2. Briefing regarding the Vinton Library Project (Richard Caywood,
Assistant County Administrator)
Mr. Caywood provided a briefing on the status of the Vinton Library
IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance accepting and appropriating donations in the amount
of $325 from citizens donating in the memory of Mr. Michael H.
Farris for the purpose of purchasing medical supplies for
Fire /Rescue Station 7 (Clearbrook) (Richard E. Burch, Jr., Chief of
Fire and Rescue)
Chairman McNamara recognized Chief Burch and Chief Campbell for their
recent awards.
Chief Steve Simon provided an explanation for the request for the
ordinance.
Supervisor Peters inquired where was the other check with Chief Simon
advising the check came in late and was not scanned into the paperwork in time for this
reading.
Supervisor Moore moved to approve the first reading and set the second
reading for March 25, 2014. The motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
2. Ordinance accepting and appropriating funds in the amount of
$89,600 to Fire and Rescue for a non - matching grant from the
Virginia Department of Health (GRANT #WV- C11/01 -14) for the
purchase of computer hardware for posting EMS records to the
Virginia Pre - Hospital Information Bridge (VPHIB) (Richard E.
Burch, Jr., Chief of Fire and Rescue)
Chief Simon provided an overview of the request for the ordinance.
Supervisor Peters inquired if these are the Toughbook's with Chief Simon responding in
the affirmative.
March 11, 2014 169
Supervisor Bedrosian asked if they anticipated any other costs, with Chief
Simon responding in the negative.
Supervisor Peters moved to approve the first reading and set the second
reading for March 25, 2014. The motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
3. Ordinance accepting and appropriating a grant in the amount of
$83,114 from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program
for the Roanoke Valley Regional Drug Unit (Howard B. Hall, Chief
of Police)
Chief Hall outlined the request for the ordinance regarding drug
investigations.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired what happens when the money runs out.
Chief Hall advised this is for this year only; anticipate receiving $60,000 next year.
Chief Hall indicated this grant has been around for twenty (20) years plus and does not
anticipate going away anytime soon.
Supervisor Church inquired if this was a bidding process with Chief Hall
responding in the negative advising it is based on a qualification process. Chief Hall
further advised the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) put together the request to
have Roanoke County accepted and they determined that we met the criteria.
Supervisor Peters asked if Roanoke County had participated in the past
with Chief Hall responding in the negative.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired if Roanoke County works together with
Roanoke City with Chief Hall explaining it is accepted only for counties. Supervisor
Bedrosian then asked if the drug problem hadgotten better with Chief Hall responding
they are seeing in the valley an increase in Heroin and meth labs. Additionally, he
noted where there is an increase in drug crimes, there will also be weapons, firearms
and property crime. The goal is to interrupt, disrupt the people bringing these drugs into
the valley.
Supervisor Peters inquired in qualifying for the grant, does the criteria
include a worsening in the drug situation with Chief Hall responding in the affirmative
advising HIDA looks at everything as a whole, but does not think Roanoke County had
been looked at before. Additionally, HIDA operations have expanded and grown.
Supervisor Church inquired if Chief Hall participated in this program in
Baltimore with Chief Hall responding the DEA office did all of the legwork.
Supervisor Peters moved to approve the first reading and set the second
reading for March 25, 2014. The motion carried by the following recorded vote:
170 March 11, 2014
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
4. Ordinance providing for refunding of the 2004 Lease Financing
with Virginia Resources Authority (Rebecca Owens, Director of
Finance)
Ms. Owens outlined the reason for the ordinance, to allow the County to
refinance the 2004 Bond issue at a lower interest rate for the Public Safety Building.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired for his own education is refinancing the
same as refunding with Ms. Owens responding they are the same further clarifying they
are using the term refunding because they are talking about bonds. If the term
refinancing was used it was to avoid redundancy. Mr. Mahoney stated it is a term that
is set out under the Public Finance Act; staff tries to follow what is in the State Code.
Supervisor Bedrosian then asked for clarification that the County has gone
ten (10) years of a twenty year (20) year bond with Ms. Owens responding in the
affirmative. He stated like most things the interest is upfront and when you do $22
million over twenty (20) years, how much of that interest is paid for in the first ten years.
Ms. Owens responded these are twenty (20) year bond and they have what is called a
ten (10) -year certainty. So, the first opportunity to refund those would have been last
year and now. To specifically answer the question, for the twenty -year (20) period, the
bonds themselves were $22.1 and the total interest that would have been paid would
have been approximately $20 million. Mr. Bedrosian stated so a $22 million bond issue
for twenty (20) years has $20 million of interest and becomes a $40 million project. Is
this a fixed interest rate when we do these bonds? Ms. Owens responded over the
twenty (20) -year period, there are a range of rates so depending on how the bonds
were sold. This particular one ranged from 3.8% to 5.1 % and to answer the question,
the interest payments over the course of time ranged somewhat as well and were
generally in the neighborhood of $275,000 range over the twenty (20) year period.
Supervisor asked for further clarification with Ms. Owens explaining it was $275,000
each year. Supervisor Bedrosian stated for ten (10) years at $275,000 a year is only $2
million. So for the first ten years we have paid $2 million and after twenty years we
would have paid $40 million. Ms. Owens stated over the entire length of the bond,
without any type of refunding, we would actually pay $20.7 million in interest.
Supervisor Bedrosian then asked we are now ten years into it, how much has already
been paid in interest. Ms. Owens stated the interest earnings because of the interest
variations, that interest paid is going to fluctuate from one year to the next, but the
interest paid after twenty (20) years would be the $20 million. She stated she can get
the information, but it is going to vary from one year to the next based on how the
maturity was structured. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he wants to know how much
interest has been paid so far. Ms. Owens will provide at a later date. Supervisor
Bedrosian stated he wanted to make sure that the interest is not preloaded and when
March 11, 2014 171
refinanced we keep paying interest. Ms. Owens explained the intent of the refunding is
because of interest savings.
Chairman McNamara stated we are at first reading and he understands
where Supervisor Bedrosian is getting a difference of opinion. He suggested that we
move it forward to the second reading and by second reading, the Board can look at
exactly what the payment structure is.
Supervisor Peters asked for confirmation that the refinancing would be for
ten (10) years with Ms. Owens responding in the affirmative. He further stated that the
interest that has been paid is irrelevant and asked for confirmation that we would not be
penalized with Ms. Owens responding in the affirmative stating there are no upfront
charges but because the County is participating in a pool we would share in issuance
costs that are minimal.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired how long the refinancing would be with Ms.
Owens responding just the remaining ten (10) years.
Supervisor McNamara moved to approve the first reading and set the
second reading and public hearing for March 25, 2014. The motion carried by the
following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: Supervisor Bedrosian
unclear.
Supervisor Bedrosian commented that he was voting no because he is still
IN RE: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance accepting and appropriating a donation to the
Roanoke County Public Library in the amount of $500 from the
William L. Whitwell Trust (Diana Rosapepe, Director of Library
Services)
Ms. Rosapepe advised there were no changes from first reading. There
was no discussion.
ORDINANCE 031114 -1 ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING A
DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 TO THE ROANOKE
COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM THE WILLIAM L. WHITWELL
TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HOLLINS BRANCH
LIBRARY
172 March 11, 2014
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Public Library system has received a donation
in the amount of $500 from the William L. Whitwell Trust, to be used for the benefit of
the Hollins Branch Library; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that funds be
appropriated by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, first reading of this ordinance was held on February 25, 2014, and
the second reading was held on March 11, 2014.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows
1 . That the sum of $500 is hereby appropriated to the Roanoke County
Public Library, Hollins Branch, to be used to purchase items for the collection; and,
2. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of adoption.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
2. Ordinance accepting and appropriating funds in the amount of
$28,713.10 to the Department of Social Services from the Virginia
Department of Social Services (Joyce Earl, Director of Social
Services; Jimmy Lyon, Business Process and Management
Analyst)
Mr. Lyons advised there were no changes from first reading. There was
no discussion.
ORDINANCE 031114 -2 ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,713.10 TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
WHEREAS, The State has made available $28,713.10 of additional
appropriations to the Department of Social Services for the assumption of administrative
responsibilities for the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security program; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that funds be
appropriated by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, first reading of this ordinance was held on February 25, 2014, and
the second reading was held on March 11, 2014.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows-
March 11, 2014 173
1. That the sum of $28,713.10 is hereby appropriated from the
Commonwealth of Virginia and to the Department of Social Services for the purposes as
follows
$18,231.10 for salary and benefits for an additional full time Benefit Programs
Specialist and $10,482 for overtime.
2. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Church to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 031114 -3 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM I- 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 March 11,
2014, designated as Item I - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 2 inclusive, as follows
1 . Approval of minutes — February 11, 2014
2. Request for approval of extension and amendment to the July 1, 2009,
Agreement with Appalachian Power Company for the purchase of
electricity
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
A- 031114 -3.a
IN RE: REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS
Supervisor Church asked for a public hearing and resolution for March 25,
2014, to reappoint the Clerk to the Board. Chairman McNamara asked if Mr. Mahoney
was clear with the request. Mr. Mahoney advised he did not understand. Supervisor
174 March 11, 2014
Church stated on March 25, 2014, he wanted a public hearing and resolution to
reappoint Deborah Jacks as Clerk to the Board. Mr. Mahoney asked for clarification
stating it is not a public hearing on the ordinance that was defeated instead Supervisor
Church wants a public hearing on a resolution to reappoint.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired what has been resolved. The Board
defeated something to allow the current clerk, who is our Administrator, to appoint a
Clerk. The Board defeated last time our County Administrator who is our County Clerk
to appoint a Clerk. Mr. Mahoney responded the Board defeated an ordinance to amend
the 1989 ordinance. The 1989 ordinance did several things. What the Board defeated
at the last meeting was an ordinance to amend the 1989 ordinance. Supervisor
Bedrosian then asked if the County Administrator is allowed to appoint a Clerk. Mr.
Mahoney responded in the negative. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he gets confused on
this and does not know if our listeners understand. He reiterated that the County
Administrator is not allowed to appoint a Clerk to the Board, so our County
Administrator is our Clerk. Mr. Mahoney responded in the affirmative based on the
resolution the Board adopted in January. Mr. Bedrosian stated so right now who is
taking the minutes of this meeting; it is a Clerk or somebody else. Mr. Mahoney stated
he believed that the County Administrator has delegated some of those functions to Ms.
Jacks. Supervisor Bedrosian stated, but she is not the Clerk, what is she now. Mr.
Goodman stated under the resolution and so forth, it said when he was appointed the
Clerk that he could appoint Deputy Clerks or assistants and that is Ms. Jacks. Mr.
Bedrosian stated so Ms. Jacks is now a Deputy Clerk and Mr. Goodman is the Clerk
and County Administrator. Obviously, it is no secret that he disagreed with how we did
this and he would prefer to have a Clerk that the Board appoints and is under the
Board's supervision, he would have to agree with Supervisor Church. The other thing
that he would have to point out, because there was some exposure, he wanted to make
sure that the FOIA request came in and some responses were given and it was also
stated that attorney - client privilege wason some of it. He stated he wanted to remove
any type of attorney - client privilege that he has because he has nothing to hide in any
conversations that he has ever had with the County Attorney. If it is possible, he
removes himself from any client- attorney privilege. He handed over all of his emails
and if there is anything that was considered attorney - client privilege, he wants to negate
it and let everything go out.
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Moore moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
March 11, 2014 175
1. General Fund Unappropriated Balance
2. Capital Reserves
3. Reserve for Board Contingency
4. Treasurer's Statement of Accountability per Investment and
Portfolio Policy as of February 28, 2014
IN RE: CLOSED MEETING
At 3:54 p.m., Supervisor McNamara moved to go into closed meeting
following the work sessions pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2 -3711 A
1.Personnel, namely discussion concerning appointments to the League of Older
Americans; Ninth District Development Financing, Inc.; Roanoke Regional Airport
Commission; Roanoke Valley Detention Commission; Roanoke Valley - Alleghany
Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Commission. The motion carried by
the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
The closed session was held from 5:28 p.m. until 5:35 p.m.
At 3:55 p.m. Chairman McNamara recessed to the 4t" floor for work
session and closed meeting.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to review Roanoke County Joint Capital Funding
Plan and Debt Information (Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance)
In attendance for this work session were Rebecca Owens, Director of
Finance; Laurie Gearheart, Assistant Director of Finance and B. Clayton Goodman III,
County Administrator.
Ms. Owens and Ms. Gearheart provided a PowerPoint presentation to
the Board and advised it would be updated and placed online on the County's website.
Additionally, they provided an additional policy that was excluded by mistake from the
agenda packet. A copy of this presentation is on file in the office of the Clerk to the
Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Church inquired if this building is to be paid off this year
with Ms. Owens advising she believed that is correct, but will research and advise.
Additionally, Supervisor Church stated he also believed the Salem Bank and Trust
Building would be paid off this year. Ms. Owens responded that building would be paid
176 March 11, 2014
off in April of 2016 and also verified that the Roanoke County Administration Building
would be paid off this year.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired if the debt will go down with Ms. Owens
responding in the affirmative and advising Supervisor Bedrosian to refer to page 21
(Debt History) in the presentation. Some of the older bond issuances are being paid off
because they were twenty (20) year bonds. Supervisor Peters inquired if this slide
included the maximum borrowing of $10 million per year and still being reduced with
Ms. Owens responding in the affirmative.
Chairman McNamara commented there is a three percent (3 %)
inflation rate over ten years. Just that chart alone will reduce by at least thirty percent
(30 %) our debt per real estate assets without doing any changes. Supervisor Bedrosian
asked for clarification. Chairman McNamara stated debt per capita will continue to drop
significantly over a period of time. When you look when this program was first put into
place, look at the far right corner, per capital debt, it has dropped continuously except
for one year when we went outside of the program and did Green Ridge Recreation
Center. If the Board had not gone outside the program and instead operated within the
program our debt per capita would be in even better shape.
Supervisor Peters commented in 2004 we were at $201 million and the
next year we dropped to $127. Ms. Owens advised the water and sewer debt went to
the Water Authority when the Authority was formed. Supervisor Peters then stated in
2007, we went from $118 to $236 million. Ms. Owens responded this was the $58
million lease revenue bond for the multiple projects. Supervisor Bedrosian stated so the
debt was not paid off, just transferred to the Water Authority and now they are
responsible for this debt. Supervisor Bedrosian then asked if this was still Roanoke
County debt with Ms. Owens advising it is now the responsibility of the Western Virginia
Water Authority and is paid for through the water /sewer rates. He stated the issue he
hears from citizens is that the Water Authority rates keep going up. Has the Water
Authority increased rates to the consumer?
Chairman McNamara stated the rates at the Water Authority have
gone down and not up; they went up for Roanoke City and down for Roanoke County
and the debt in 2004 was secured by Roanoke County taxpayers. When it became the
Western Virginia Water Authority, Roanoke County taxpayers, per se, have no more
responsibility for that debt. The debt that was transferred is now the responsibility of
water and sewer customers and is built into the water rate structure. Chairman
McNamara stated while he was here, the water rates did not go up. Supervisor Church
stated but in all reality the rates did go up as a result of Roanoke City's antiquated
infrastructure. Mr. Goodman was asked to provide a history of the Water Authority
rates over a ten year period.
Supervisor Peters commented he felt that whatever rates have gone
up is to keep up with the system. As discussed in the CIP meeting last week, Roanoke
County has neglected their maintenance for a long time; he thinks it is now catching up.
March 11, 2014 177
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired the whole thing about getting into debt or
issuing bonds, there was a time when you had to do it as a referendum, except for the
schools and could staff explain why we are not doing that anymore. Mr. Goodman
stated there are several ways for a locality to issue debt; one is a referendum, general
obligation through a referendum and that is where you have the full pledge of the tax
credits for the community and is the highest rating you can get so you can get the
lowest interest rates. Roanoke County chose several years ago not to pursue those,
does not know why. Supervisor Bedrosian stated that he had read one time that we
were obligated to take it to a referendum except in certain cases. He stated Mr.
Goodman is now saying there is a choice. Mr. Goodman advised there are other
funding mechanisms that are allowed under State law, i.e. Lease Revenue Bonds and
that has been the instrument Roanoke County has been using for many, many years
and that does not require a referendum. It is not as high credit worthy as a GO,
because you are not pledging the entire community and is more of a rating or analysis
by the various agencies and they determine what your rates are based on how sound
the government is and how good the budget is and how your community profile looks.
We do have exceptional rates. Supervisor Bedrosian then inquired who backs the lease
revenue with Supervisor Peters advising the taxpayers. Chairman McNamara stated
this was a good question, one reason you do not do general obligation bonds, when you
look at localities that require general obligation bonds to be approved by the taxpayers,
for example, if you would need a fire station, the Board can get together with staff and
say we have $10 million to build a fire station and do it over three years and in three
years we are going to build a library, etc. When a general obligation bond is brought
out, taxpayers do not pass it. So you have to figure out how to get it to pass and you
have to add in items for everyone; you end up paying more money in the long run in
order to try and get the votes. Supervisor Bedrosian commented we were probably less
in debt when we had to go with the referendums than we are now.
Supervisor Peters asked what is the difference in the rates between the
general obligation bonds and the lease revenue bonds with Ms. Owens responding very
little. Chairman McNamara responded probably five (5) to eight (8) basis points.
Ms. Gearheart reviewed the debt policies. Supervisor Bedrosian asked if
the Board voted on these policies with Ms. Gearheart responding in the affirmative. Mr.
Goodman explained these debt policies are very critical in securing the rating that
Roanoke County has.
Supervisor Peters stated during the pitfalls of the recession what did our
general obligation debt service as a percentage go up to when revenues fell off during
the recession. Currently, we are at 8.51. Ms. Gearheart responded it has stayed pretty
much the same. Ms. Owens responded years prior we were in the 7, 7.3 range. The
current percentage of 8.51 is the highest. Supervisor Peters stated so we are currently
at our peak.
178 March 11, 2014
Supervisor Bedrosian stated Roanoke County has $25 million in cash and
the Schools have $2 million, but are restricted. So, why would we borrow for example
for the Vinton Library.
Supervisor Church stated this is more than a rainy day fund; it is a disaster
fund. Mr. Goodman advised it is also your cash float and allows us not to have to do
short -term borrowings.
Chairman McNamara stated if you just want to talk nominal, total dollars
from 1994 to 2013, we have tripled our bank account, increased debt by forty -five
percent (45 %). Or we could also look at it as not having $50 million in debt, netting it
against our bank account it was $36 million in increased debt.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated can you really compare debt from 1994 that
included the Water Authority debt that has been removed.
Mr. Goodman pointed out that we also contribute cash flow for the schools
as well.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired about the schools debt. Chairman
McNamara stated the schools are getting more building than they are paying, but also
consider in many jurisdictions where the jurisdiction pays for everything because they
do not have a plan.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated it looks like we pay $17 million a year on the
debt, and $10 million is roughly principal and $7 million is interest.
Supervisor Peters stated the schools are allowed to keep $2 million in a
reserve, but then they turn around and then put $5 million toward a project. So, that is
not part of the reserve. Ms. Owens explained they have two reserves for capital, major
and minor.
Chairman McNamara suggested that the Board wait a year until revenue
growth will enable us to fund our capital needs and gradually reduce our reliance on
debt.
Supervisor Peters commented there is a lot of issues that we are facing
dead on, i.e. maintenance that has not been done, buildings that are way overdue,
Glenvar. Additionally is the Stormwater issue that needs to be addressed.
Chairman McNamara stated he thinks he can speak for everyone, we
need to prepare a budget for this year, and we are not going to increase what we are
putting towards debt this year.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated one of the issues he ran on was lowering
taxes, and we constantly talk about maintaining the tax rates and we talk about tax
revenues and increasing tax revenues, but when you increase tax revenues you are
taking it out of the economy, out of people's hands. He stated he thinks it is a balanced
approach and thinks the people here that own businesses are loving low house values.
He tried to look at both sides; a balanced approach.
March 11, 2014 179
Supervisor Peters asked what are the two ways you reduce tax rates.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated you will either grow or have more people paying taxes or
population. Supervisor Peters commented or cut services. Supervisor Bedrosian
responded that you can cut services; there are a lot of things we are spending money
on and we can take a look at them and see if there are any that can be reduced without
cutting vital services. He stated he thinks we have a promise that we are going to
provide some things, but we cannot always keep saying that we are going to raise taxes
to provide these services. Supervisor Peters stated he thinks the focus ought to be
working with Jill Loope and her team to get the revenue coming in here. The Board
needs to do all that it can to encourage to get those revenues in here so that we can
hopefully lower tax rates and keep the same services we have. Our citizens deserve it
and they expect it.
This work session was held from 4:20 p.m. until 5:10 p.m.
IN RE: CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION
At 6:00 p.m., Supervisor McNamara moved to return to open session and
to adopt the certification resolution.
RESOLUTION 031114 -4 CERTIFYING THE CLOSED MEETING
WAS HELD IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CODE OF VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia has convened
a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in
accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.2 -3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by
the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, that such closed meeting was
conducted in conformity with Virginia law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia, hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's
knowledge
1 . Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting
requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting which this
certification resolution applies; and
2. Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening
the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
180 March 11, 2014
IN RE: FUNDING REQUESTS
Chairman McNamara advised that this time had been set aside for Health
and Human Services Agencies and Cultural, Tourism and Other Agencies to submit
funding requests to the board for the fiscal year 2014 -2015 budget. The agencies were
called to speak in alphabetical order from A to Z.
Representatives from thirty (30) agencies addressed the Board to request
funding from the Health and Human Services Agencies and twenty -one (21)
representatives of Cultural, Tourism and Other Agencies. A list of representatives is on
file in the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors office.
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Peters stated he did not have much for tonight, but wanted to
reiterate what was stated earlier by Division Chief Simon. Thanks to all the staff and to
Fire and Rescue and Police for managing our snow storm. It was a major task and hats
off to everyone.
Supervisor Moore stated she also wanted to thank everyone for coming
out tonight and helping us keep the Roanoke Valley safe, healthy and prosperous place
to live, grow and work in.
Supervisor Church stated he was honored to be in attendance for one of
the organizations that was here tonight, a service dog organization and helps deal with
injuries of all kinds, especially children. It was a touching ceremony at Cave Spring and
the place was almost packed and wanted to share one quick story. There were two little
kids, one has a seizure problem and he gets to take his dog, Gatsby, to school with him
every day. Another child was with him and said, "I wish I could have a dog and take
that dog to school." The other little boy said he could do it because he has autism. The
other little boy said, "Can I have autism." Out of the mouth of babes, we really don't
realize how blessed we are, but we are very blessed especially when we see people in
need and you can find them if you just turn your head from left to right.
Chairman McNamara noted as those of you watching are aware we are
struggling through trying to put a budget together and as the five of us sit up here with
five slightly different feelings on how a budget should be put together, we will put our
heads together and we will put together a budget that we will agree on from a capital
spending perspective and from an operational perspective. He stated he thinks it
behooves us all to encourage our General Assembly to do the same. It may or may not
be intuitively obvious, but we are very reliant on State funding for many of our programs.
Some of our programs, especially in social services, our sheriff's office, jail funding,
police funding and schools. Many of those departments are State funded. We have our
hands tied to some degree as we try to put together our plan because of the difficulty
coming up with the budget at the General Assembly. Certainly, it is his view and it is
March 11, 2014 181
probably the view of everyone on this Board, does not want to speak for them, but he
would guess that it is the view of everyone on this Board that one of the primary jobs of
our General Assembly is to put a budget together. So, it is unfortunate the predicament
we are in and it might even be appropriate that we take a resolution encouraging such
action. We will, on our Board, put together a budget. We would like to thank everybody
that came and spoke today. It is gratifying the level of commitment and service that
many, many people perform for the most needed in our Valley. So, it was wonderful to
hear from them today. We are certainly going to remember their needs when we put
together a budget as well.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman McNamara adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
Approved by:
Deputy Clerk
iph P. McNamara
rman
IDTA
March 11, 2014
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