HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/11/2017 - Regular
April 11, 2017
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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 at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the second Tuesday and the first
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of April 2017. 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
Eddie Crabtree of Valley Word Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all
present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman McNamara called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. The roll call
was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph P. McNamara, Supervisors George G.
Assaid, Al Bedrosian, Martha B. Hooker and P. Jason Peters
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Thomas C. Gates, County Administrator; Daniel R.
O’Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Richard
Caywood, Assistant County Administrator; Ruth Ellen
Kuhnel, County Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information
Officer and Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the
Board
IN RE: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
1. Proclamation declaring April 9-15, 2017 as National Library Week
(Toni Cox, Acting Director of Library Services)
Proclamation was ready by the Clerk. Michael Ericson, RAL Automations
Coordinator and Emily Roble, Assistant Reference Librarian provided a PowerPoint
presentation on the new 3D printer.
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Supervisor Bedrosian commented on libraries and cautioned about the
costs as we embark on the new libraries.
Supervisor Peters commented on how well used the Vinton Library as
what an asset it is to the community. Good economic driver.
Supervisor McNamara commented on the various uses of today’s libraries
and to keep up the god work.
2. Recognition of Department of Social Services employee, Danita
Tucker, recipient of the 2017 Golden Halo Award (Joyce Earl,
Director of Social Services)
Joyce Earl introduced staff, Danita Taker, Sr. Family Services Specialist;
Shannon Brabham, Assistant Director of Social Services and Janet Belton, Family
Services Supervisor. Ms. Brabham outlined the award.
Supervisors Hooker, Peters and McNamara offered their congratulations.
IN RE: BRIEFINGS
1. Briefing to provide an update on the marketing of the Foster
Parent Recruitment Program (Joyce Earl, Director of Social
Services; Shannon Brabham, Assistant Director of Social
Services; Brittany Shrock, Family Services Specialist)
Joyce Earl introduced Shannon Brabham and Brittany Shrock. Ms.
Brabham provided the PowerPoint presentation and Ms. Shrock provided the overview
of the program.
Supervisor Bedrosian asked some clarifying questions. First, the approved
households (those in red on the presentation), are those the ones ready to take in a
foster child with Ms. Shrock advising in the affirmative. Next, he asked how many foster
children actually get into a home in a year. Is that number that is looked at? Ms.
Brabham advised it is difficult to say as it depends on how many homes we have
available at the time, the age of the children when they enter care, what their needs are.
When a child comes into care or a sibling group, they put out notices to the families.
Not only our families but also to treatment foster care agencies. Mr. Bedrosian then
asked if the number were cumulative with Ms. Shrock advising in the affirmative. Mr.
Bedrosian then asked how many other agencies were in Roanoke involved in foster
care. Ms. Brabham responded six to eight (6-8). Since they are in the valley, all the
children do not go into Roanoke County homes. Ms. Brabham responded a family can
be a foster family and they do not have to live in Roanoke County.
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Supervisor Hooker stated she had a couple of questions as she
appreciated what they are doing; needed work. First, when you have the community
events, what kind of numbers are they getting with people interested in finding out more
about fostering. Ms. Shrock advised this evening would be their second event. The first
meeting they had about four families and this evening there were 15-20 people who
have RSVP’d. Ms. Hooker stated she is pleased they are reaching out to the churches,
thinks a great way to connect with people that already see what is happening and want
to do what they can to help. She advised she is pleased with the number of young
people who are getting involved in the process, even before they have their own
children. On the private agencies, Ms. Hooker asked is it true that many times they are
harder to place, emotional issues, sibling sets, etc. with Ms. Shrock advising that the
treatment foster care homes are for those who have higher needs, but because of the
discrepancy, they tend to have children in homes that do not need the high level of care.
Ms. Hooker advised she appreciates what they are doing; we are the safety net and
appreciates working as a team.
Supervisor McNamara advised we are currently in budget time and wants
to thank Ms. Earl for such a good job last year at this time in convincing the Board to
keep the position in, which would improve the children’s lives and save us money.
Thanked Ms. Shrock, because they have right person to do the job. It is a very nice
story when we save money and improve the lives of our constituents. Next time, invite
the Board through Mr. Gates office.
2. Briefing to discuss Roanoke County's Legislative Program and
preparation for the 2018 session of the Virginia General Assembly
(Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, County Attorney; Tori Williams, Planner II;
Eldon James, Eldon James & Associates)
Ms. Kuhnel introduced Eldon James and Sue Rowland. Mr. James and
Ms. Rowland went through a PowerPoint presentation.
Supervisor Bedrosian asked if MVP had to follow rules that everyone else
follows in the County. Mr. James advised the MVP would need to enter into agreement
with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Localities do not have authority; it
is vested with the DEQ. The State agencies are responsible to the governor and all tax
payers. Ms. Kuhnel stated it is preempted by the Clean Water Act, federal, and
administered by DEQ. There is federal oversight of the state agency. Local
government does not have any enforcement power. Now, VDOT has the authority to
put an agreement in front of them that they have to sign as part of the process. In the
past, the General Assembly had not given that authority. Ms. Kuhnel advised the letter
with MVP is a commitment letter, but the agreement would be with VDOT and any
pipeline company. The bill is not specific to MVP.
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3. Briefing to update the Board of Supervisors on the Mountain
Valley Pipeline project (Richard Caywood, Assistant County
Administrator)
Mr. Caywood provided the update and advised the new date is September
16, 2019, to start the 90 day comment period.
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution approving the Regional Airport Commission budget
for fiscal year 2017-2018, upon certain terms and conditions (Tim
Bradshaw, Executive Director, Airport Commission)
Mr. Bradshaw provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Supervisor McNamara stated there had been some talk with the valley
governments concerning a stop-gap or to subsidize carriers’ initial entry into a new
marketspace. Has there been any talk with Frontier (Denver market). Mr. Bradshaw
advised the low-cost carrier rely on a heavy volume business model and if we can
generate enough traffic it would warrant them coming in. As far as a subsidy goes, they
try to stay away from that but there may be an incentive offer to cover their first year or
two of operations. In the long run, they do not want to get into that situation. Supervisor
McNamara stated that is not what he is recommending, but he has heard for years that
it will work. We only have to subsidize if not working. Mr. Bradshaw stated they
continue to have talks, but it is hard for the low-cost carrier to come into a market of this
size, especially flying from here to Denver on Frontier.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated we had talked two years ago about business
subsidies to the airlines, through advertisement. Does that work? Mr. Bradshaw stated
that some of the larger employers have offered to be a part of that, does not like the
word subsidy, it is more incentive, like business recruitment. There is significant interest
in the private sector to help us in that regard. Supervisor Bedrosian asked how would
they do it with Mr. Bradshaw responding there are two ways: a check or an agreement
to buy so many tickets. The next step is to bring them to the table.
Supervisor Peters thanked Mr. Bradshaw for the job he has been doing.
RESOLUTION 041117-1 APPROVING THE ROANOKE
REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION BUDGET FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2017-2018 UPON CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, Section 24.B of the Regional Airport Commission Act and Section
17.(a) of the contract between the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, and the Roanoke
Regional Airport Commission provides that the Commission shall prepare and submit its
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operating budget for the forthcoming year to the Board of Supervisors of the County and
City Council of the City; and
WHEREAS, by report dated March 28, 2017, a copy of which is on file in the
office of the Clerk of the Board, the Executive Director of the Roanoke Regional Airport
Commission has submitted a request that the County approve the fiscal year 2017-2018
budget of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia that the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget and proposed capital
expenditures for the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission as set forth in the March
28, 2017, report of the Commission Executive Director, a copy of which is incorporated
by reference herein, is hereby APPROVED, and the County Administrator and the Clerk
are authorized to execute and attest, respectively, on behalf of the County, any
documentation, in form approved by the County Attorney, necessary to evidence said
approval.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
2. Resolution approving the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority
(RVRA) budget for fiscal year 2017-2018 (Anne Marie Green,
Director of Human Resources: Dan Miles, CEO, Roanoke Valley
Resources Authority)
Ms. Green gave brief introduction. City of Salem has been included and
was a great transition. Mr. Miles provided a brief report.
Supervisor Hooker asked if there was a fifty percent (50%) increase in
tonnage with Mr. Miles confirming.
RESOLUTION 041117-2 APPROVING THE ROANOKE VALLEY
RESOURCE AUTHORITY BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
2017-2018
WHEREAS, Section 5.9 of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority Members Use
Agreement provides that the Authority shall prepare and submit its operating budget for
the forthcoming fiscal year to the Board of Supervisors of the County, the City Council of
the City of Roanoke, the City Council of the City of Salem, and the Town Council of the
Town of Vinton; and
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WHEREAS, the Chief Executive Officer of the Roanoke Valley Resource
Authority has submitted the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget of the Roanoke Valley
Resource Authority for approval.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA that the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget for the
Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, is hereby approved, and the County Administrator
and the Chief Deputy Clerk are authorized to execute and attest respectively, on behalf
of the County, any documentation, in form by the County Attorney, necessary to
evidence said approval.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
3. Resolution setting the allocation percentage for Personal
Property Tax Relief in Roanoke County for the 2017 tax year
(Laurie Gearheart, Assistant Director of Finance)
Ms. Gearheart outlined the resolution and stated this is an annual
requirement from the State.
RESOLUTION 041117-3 SETTING THE ALLOCATION
PERCENTAGE FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF IN
ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE 2017 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 and qualifying
vehicle with a taxable situs within the County commencing January 1, 2017, 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 56.14% tax relief.
3. That qualifying personal use vehicles valued at $20,001 or more shall
only receive 56.14% tax relief on the first $20,000 of value; and
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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 Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public hearing for citizen comments on the proposed fiscal year
2017-2018 Operating Budget and the proposed fiscal year 2018-
2027 Capital Improvement Program (Christopher R. Bever,
Director, Management and Budget)
Chairman McNamara opened and closed the public hearing with no
citizens to speak on this agenda item.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF TAX RATES
1. Public hearing for citizen comment on the following items:
Calendar Year 2017 Real Estate, Personal Property and Machinery
and Tools Tax Rates (Christopher R. Bever, Director, Management
and Budget)
Chairman McNamara opened and closed the public hearing. The
following citizen spoke:
Steve Rosenthal stated he wanted to ask the Board to pardon him on the
lack of understanding of the niceties. To him, the bottom line to this should be that the
County should really freeze the overall revenue and adjust the tax rate so as to do that.
He stated that he thinks the purpose of spending or overall spending should be held at a
constant level and the biggest priority should be the reduction of the debt that the
County has accumulated over the many years. It is his understanding that just the
interest on the debt of $180 million, the interest is $8 million a year. If the debt were to
be paid down substantially, the interest expense would be less, freeing up that money
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for many of the worthy programs that we heard about earlier today. Another thing that
concerns him as a citizen and he has no axe to grind because he is not in business.
Earlier today, the Pastor mentioned the importance of entrepreneurship or economy
development. He mentioned that in his invocation. Certainly, small business owners,
would really have a rough time when the County cuts into areas of business that the
private sector would most naturally do. So, again, he urges the County to not compete
with private business. Supervisor Bedrosian, over the last several years, has really
pointed out these issues very well. He would urge the rest of the Board to follow his
leadership in this area. He thinks that ultimately the County would be better off
economically when we can say to businesses around the County or local entrepreneurs
that we have a good business climate in the County and he thinks lowering that debt
and if anything lowering the real estate tax assessments and rate to facilitate. Also, at
the risk of being boastful, if the real estate tax bills go up, he personally would not have
a problem with that. They could go up 5% a year and he would not have a problem
paying it, but thinks it would be bad policy and he does know that some of his fellow
citizens with whom he has talked to about this issue would indeed have a problem
paying those increased property taxes each year.
2. Request to adopt the following tax rates:
(a) Order setting the tax rate on Real Estate in Roanoke County for
the calendar year 2017
Mr. Bever outlined the request to set the tax rate. Supervisor Bedrosian
offered an amendment to decrease the tax rate from $1.09 to $1.07. There was no
second and accordingly the motion failed.
Supervisor Bedrosian provided a real estate tax history spreadsheet. (A
copy of this spreadsheet is on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board.) He made a
copy of the presentation for each Board member. He took some time over the
weekend to investigate real estate taxes from 2000 to the current year of 2017. He
tried to simplify as much as possible onto one sheet. On the left column is the years
2000 to 2017; thanked staff for providing information. If he is says someone incorrect,
please correct him if there is anything wrong because he wants it to be absolutely
accurate. What we show here is every year from 2000 to 2017, the increase in the
market value of real estate in Roanoke County. The second column next to the year is
just the increase or decrease of the value of real estate. For example, in 2000 the real
estate values went up $133 million and this is all the real estate that we have in the
Roanoke Valley. It went up by $133 million. Every year, as you can see, all the way to
2017, in four years from 2011 through 2014, it went down. We had a decrease in the
value of real estate in those four years. If you go to the next column, that shows the
percentage. In 2000, we had an increase of $133 million that was basically 3.19
percent increase in the assessment of real estate in Roanoke County. If you go to the
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next column, which is the second to the last column on the right, you will see the tax
rate that we had at the time. So, again, looking from the bottom, the tax rates, which
have been discussed by the Chairman of Windsor Hills, we did have a rate of $1.12
back in 2000 all the way up to the year 2005. So, the rates were higher than they are
now, which is an absolute fact. We always tout that we lowered the taxes from $1.12
to $1.11 and to $1.09, but the interesting thing about that is we were still bringing in
lots of revenue because the assessments were way high. So you have two things you
are working with here, you have assessment of the property. If your assessments are
increasing, even though you may be decreasing the tax rate, we are still paying a
higher tax. So that final column on the very right is the actual amount that Roanoke
County citizens, as an aggregate, the entire population of Roanoke County is either
paying more in real estate taxes or less in real estate taxes. When you add all the
pluses and minuses, there are four years – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 – when actually
your bill as a whole (again some people may have gone up and others down) went
down. There were four years out of the 17 years. If you look at the very bottom right
corner, that shows you the next. From 2000 to 2017, the citizens of Roanoke County
have paid $27 million more in real estate taxes. So, when we talk on this Board that
we have reduced taxes before that is a partial truth. We have actually reduced the
rate. Again, it was $1.12 and went to $1.09, but the reality is even in those years we
were reducing the tax rates, we were actually paying more in taxes. Again, over the 17
years, we have paid $27 million more in taxes than the baseline, which basically when
you average it out, we are paying about $1 million to $1.5 million more each year than
the prior year, on average and he just thinks it is important. One of the biggest
surprises to him in government when he came to Roanoke County is the way we do
the budget. We already have a budget that is basically locked and sealed and now we
are looking at the tax rate. What makes it very difficult for someone to come up and
say, “Let’s take the tax rate down.” Where are we going to find the money to fill the
holes? He is looking at reducing taxes by two cents and this would give $1.6 million of
the taxpayers’ money back to the taxpayers. It is their own money, it is not our money,
it is their money, that gave it and we should be giving it back. We had a comment on
the Board at the last meeting that this would only apply to land owners and not renters.
Well, if you are renting a piece of property, your rates will also go up because in the
free enterprise system, if somebody owns property and they have a renter and their
costs go up, they just pass that cost down to the renter. So, whether you are a renter
or an owner of real estate, you are paying more in taxes. Just to close here, he knows
this Board is apt to go with keeping the rates the same, which basically will mean a tax
increase. Not a tax rate increase, but this will be a tax increase to the citizens of
Roanoke County. The citizens of Roanoke County, and these are the numbers offered
to me by County staff, the citizens of Roanoke County will be paying about $1 million
more this year. In 2017, it is $969,000 more in taxes. So, that is an increase, even if
you keep the rate the same, it is an increase. Again, the homework that he did over
the last 17 years shows that there has been $27 million in increases over the years in
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an aggregate and yes we have had declines in taxes given to Roanoke County but 13
years we have had increases, which way overwhelm any decrease that we have had
with a net of $27 million extra. This is his reasoning for asking that we give back to the
citizens of Roanoke County two cents, which would amount to $1.6 million.
Supervisor Peters stated he listened to that, but if you do the numbers,
and he does appreciate this worksheet, we are essentially working off of the same
revenues that we had in 2008. If you take all the plus and minuses, we are essentially
back to where we were in 2008/2009 year. He advised that he thinks we have
achieved a lot, kept the government moving forward. We have also had to hire people.
We all know about the fire and rescue issue and the other issues that we have had
across this County. He thinks that this Board and the prior Board has done a good job
through the recession and again if you look at these numbers, we are back looking at
what we were bringing in during 2008.
Supervisor Hooker asked Mr. Bever the current rate of inflation. She
stated she was doing a quick check and looked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and it
shows 1.7%. Is that about accurate for this area, are we in that range. Mr. Bever
responded that we would be in that range and are projecting anywhere from 2% to
2.5% at the end of 2017. Supervisor Hooker stated so it is a little more and when she
looks at our increase in market value being 1.1%, which is not even keeping up with
the rate of inflation. So, continuing on with what Supervisor Peters said, she thinks it is
important if we are going to do these things. We are fairly flat in our revenues and just
trying to keep up with the rate of inflation is quite the challenge, plus trying to add more
personnel as needed and petitioned by citizens.
Supervisor Assaid asked Mr. Bever to remind us of the increases in real
estate value; self-imposed by property owners. Mr. Bever advised the increase in
market value are based on the market value as to what the sales are in the
neighborhoods.
Supervisor McNamara stated he thinks this is a great chart, but it does
not say what you want it to say. It says Roanoke County has done a great job. When
you look at, he heard someone say, what they really want is for the tax bill to be the
same as it was last year. How about if your tax bill is the same as it was in 2008 and
that is what this chart says. If you add the last column over and you are going to back
to the rate that we were achieving in 2008. So, we are taxing at a rate the same as
2008. Every locality around us has raised their rates over that time frame, we have
not. We have lowered our rates. We have not lowered them as some people may
want and we did not lower this particular rate in that period of time, but we have
lowered our tax rates. We have resisted the urge and have not added trash pickup
fees, stormwater management fees. We have kept a very, very tight budget so it is
nice to see what happened back in 2008, but he would challenge anybody as he has
been in business since 2000 and one business is the exact same business as it was
17 years ago and he knows what he paid in 2000 for his employees and guess what,
first of all he would be breaking the law if he paid the people now what he paid them in
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2000. Secondly, nobody would come work for him. So, to put together analysis based
on nominal amounts without any appreciation to the change in the general price level
he thinks is misleading. Even so, he thinks it demonstrates beyond any shadow of a
doubt that this is a conservative Board, even though it might be colored otherwise.
This is a conservative Board that is making do on an inflation adjusted lowered amount
of revenue year after year after year.
Supervisor Bedrosian commented this was good discussion. He thinks
that looking at an arbitrary date or year does not help with your argument. You cannot
just say draw a line at 2008. He tried to give it a long enough history to really be far,
but what he could have done is look at the last three years and show millions more.
He put negatives and positives in there and really gave it some length and some
history. If you also average out the rates, the increases were almost at 4% over the
average of the last twenty years. In order to get really valid statistics, you cannot limit
the amount. You need the broadest amount of data points and we should respect that
on this Board and not pick and choose. This was done so we had a really good view
of it. We had a lot of people and Supervisor McNamara was on the Board at the time.
We spent a lot of money and had a lot of money coming in to the Board from 2000 all
the way to 2010 and we spent a lot of money, which has caused the fact that we need
to continue to spend. We continue to have our assessments and cannot give money
to the citizens by lowering the taxes. That is very important, again, look at the bottom
line figures. It is $27 million over the last 17 years. The other thing that you have to
look at is our debt. It is hard for him to put everything on this table, but if you look back
at about 2004 or 2005, we had debt of $125 million. That debt is now going to be, after
the Board approves the money for Cave Spring, close to $200 million again. So, when
you talk about taxes, that is one element of tax rates and taxes, which he thinks is too
high and should be lower but the fact that we are paying $8 million worth of interest
were before we did not is also another tax on the people, which because they paid the
money and they get nothing for it, just plain interest. So, if you couple those two things
together and history shows that over 17 years that we are spending more money than
we should be in Roanoke County and we should be giving some of this money back to
make the citizens of Roanoke County whole. We have had this discussion and he will
end with the discussion of employees in Roanoke County and how we have to make
them whole because of inflation and all these things and we want to give them raises
and health care subsidies to make them whole and yet the citizens of Roanoke County
are getting back $0.44. We passed the maximum tools the last time and that actually
amounts to $0.44 a person in Roanoke County. He is talking about giving the citizens
of Roanoke County back some real money by lowering the tax rate.
Supervisor Peters stated there were a couple of things he would like to
point out. One, if you remember back two years ago, just in our public safety arena,
we lost 26 employees. There is value in keeping employees whole because those 26
employees when they left, we had to hire new people. Our Chiefs told us that is cost
roughly $10,000 per person to train them. So, we gave up $260,000. So, is there
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value making sure our employees are whole, he would say so because we have the
numbers presented to us about how many employees have left Roanoke County and
subsequently we had to hire new people; we had to train them and the associated cost
involved with that. Secondly, he keeps hearing about the debt. What you won’t say is
that the debt has been reduced by $30 million in the time he has been on the Board.
This is a great thing, 17 years, but he was not here 17 years ago. He can attest to
what is happening during the time he has been on the Board and he thinks this Board
has been very knowledgeable with what the debt is and wanted to reduce. This has
taken place and you can review the notes for yourself. He added his last statement, as
he has heard this each year, we want to reduce the tax rate, but what has never been
presented to this Board and each one of us have more than enough time to review the
debt, is if we cut the debt, cut the tax rate, what are you going to cut? The numbers
are there. We have a budget that we have requirements from the State that we have
had to increase our CSA, other things have happened. If we cut those, we have to cut
somewhere else in our budget and that has never been presented. He has heard this
argument every year, but what has never been presented is if we do this, and in this
case it would be $1.65 million, what are the subsequent cuts within our budget?
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he appreciates the supervisor from Vinton
and wants to go over a couple of things. We say the debt has been reduced by $13
million since you have been on board. We postponed the debt, we are catching up
with it this time. He does not like it when we take slivers of years to accommodate.
Let’s look at the big, big picture. We will add almost $30 million this year from the $20
we saved over the last two years. So, let’s be truthful about that. He added that he
could give you four things right now that could take the place of that right now, but you
all have voted to put these things in our budget and he voted against them. First of all,
broadband, which adds with the debt and operating costs about $700,000 a year. The
Woodhaven property, which we got involved in the free market added another
$400,000. Outside agencies, which you will be voting on today, non-contractual ones
are about $330,000 and we increased the school budget by $250,000 on a declining
enrollment. He stated he does not think you should cut the school budget, but the
reality is why are we adding to it when the school enrollment went down 200 students.
So, if you add those numbers together, you have your $1.6 million you could use to
pay for this two cent tax cut.
Chairman McNamara stated we are not talking about a Capital Budget
right now, but the one that is proposed does not have Cave Spring High School debt
on it for this year as a point of information.
ORDER 041117-4 SETTING THE TAX RATE ON REAL ESTATE
SITUATE IN ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR
2017
April 11, 2017
171
BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, that
the levy for the twelve-month period beginning January 1, 2017, and ending December
31, 2017, be, and hereby is, set for a tax rate of $1.09 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 Peters to adopt the order, seconded by Supervisor
McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: Supervisor Bedrosian
(b) Order setting the tax levy on Personal Property situate in
Roanoke County for the calendar year 2017
Mr. Bever outlined the order.
Supervisor Bedrosian moved to approve at a rate of $3.40. There was no
second so the motion was declined.
ORDER 041117-5 SETTING THE TAX LEVY ON PERSONAL
PROPERTY SITUATE IN ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE
CALENDAR YEAR 2017
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, 2017, and
ending December 31, 2017, be, and hereby is, set for a tax rate of $3.50 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.
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, 2017, and
ending December 31, 2017, be, and hereby is, set at fifty (50%) percent of the tax rate
April 11, 2017
172
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 McNamara to adopt the order, seconded by Supervisor
Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: Supervisor Bedrosian
(c) Order setting the tax levy on a classification of personal property
- Machinery and Tools - situate in Roanoke County for the
calendar year 2017
Mr. Bever outlined the order.
Mr. Bedrosian provided an additional file. To put things in perspective for
our citizens. We set the max rate last week on the tools and took it down five center.
Basically, we allowed the free-market economy, this is the way he looks at it, allowed
the free market economy to keep $45,500 more of its own money. Basically, if we did
not do this, we would be taking the money into Roanoke County government. By
doing this, it is a good thing, a small thing, but tax reductions are good. If you spread
out what we did, it is forty-eight cents per citizens. Now, again, back to the
conversation the conversation he had prior. We talk about making employees whole,
and he absolutely agrees it is important. All employees want to feel like they are being
taken care of by their employer and he agrees with that. But, we make a big talk about
that and emphasize that a lot, but yet when it comes to the citizens of Roanoke County
and supposedly we work for them, which is interesting, but we cannot give them back
any money and make them whole. As inflation is two to three percent (2 to 3%), we
raise their real estate tax rate and they are getting hit by a lot, but we don’t give them
back any of their money. In essence, we are, forty-eight cents per citizen. So, the
family of our, you got about $2.00 back this year from the Board of Supervisors. This
is the tax cut we are doing, just to put into perspective.
There was no further discussion.
ORDER 041117-6 SETTING THE TAX LEVY ON A
CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY - MACHINERY
AND TOOLS - SITUATE IN ROANOKE COUNTY FOR THE
CALENDAR YEAR 2017
BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
April 11, 2017
173
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, 2017, and
ending December 31, 2017, be, and hereby is, set for a tax rate of $2.85 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
McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 041117-7 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM J- 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 10,
2017, designated as Item J - 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 – January 28, 2017; February 7, 2017
2. Resolution granting a waiver to Hollins University under Section 13-23 of the
Roanoke County Code to the provisions of the County’s Noise Ordinance, Article
II. Noise of Chapter 13. Offenses – Miscellaneous
3. Observance and Proclamation of Friday, April 22, 2017, as National Arbor Day in
Roanoke County
4. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County to Lois A. Roche, Deputy Circuit Court Clerk III, upon her retirement after
more than twenty five years of service
5. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County to Timothy L. Wyatt, Police Officer-Sergeant, upon his retirement after
twenty-five years of service
April 11, 2017
174
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION 041117-7.a GRANTING A WAIVER TO HOLLINS
UNIVERSITY UNDER SECTION 13-23 OF THE ROANOKE
COUNTY CODE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY’S
NOISE ORDINANCE, ARTICLE II. NOISE OF CHAPTER 13.
OFFENSES – MISCELLANEOUS
WHEREAS, Hollins University, a private university located in north Roanoke
County, will be holding an outdoor concert for the campus community on Saturday, April
22, 2017, ending at midnight on the grounds of the University in the back quad area;
and
WHEREAS, Hollins University is also having a spring cotillion near the chapel on
April 29, 2017, ending at midnight; and
WHEREAS, in order to accommodate the advertised time frame and to mitigate
economic hardship by enhancing students’ sense of connectedness with Hollins and the
Roanoke Valley through social interaction that supports recruiting and retaining students
that in turn affects the economic vitality of the University and Roanoke County with this
event, Hollins University is requesting a waiver of the County noise ordinance for (2)
hours from 10:00 P.M. till midnight, on Saturday, April 22, 2017, and two (2) hours on
Saturday, April 29, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Section 13-23 of the Roanoke County Code establishes certain
standards for the Board of Supervisors to grant waivers from the provision of the
Roanoke County Noise Ordinance to avoid undue hardship upon consideration of
certain factors set forth in sub-section (b) of Section 13-23 and after making certain
alternative findings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the provisions of Section 13-21. Specific acts as noise, sub-section
(5) and Section 13-20. General prohibition of Article II. Noise be WAIVED for a period of
two (2) hours until midnight on Saturday, April 22, 2017 and for a period of two (2) hours
until midnight on Saturday, April 29, 2017.
2. That this Waiver is granted specifically to Hollins University for the events
scheduled at the University on Saturday, April 22, 2017 and Saturday, April 29, 2017.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
April 11, 2017
175
NAYS: None
A-041117-7.b
RESOLUTION 041117-7.c EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO LOIS A. ROCHE, DEPUTY CIRCUIT COURT CLERK IV,
UPON HER RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE
(25) YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Lois A. Roche was employed by Roanoke County on March 16,
1979 through October 31, 1982; and was rehired on September 6, 1985 on a part-time
basis and September 20, 1999, on a full-time basis.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Roche retired April 1, 2017, after twenty-five years and three
months of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, during Mrs. Roche’s tenure with Roanoke County, she has served
as a County Police/Youth Officer in the Sheriff’s Office, Clerk Typist in the Sheriff’s
Office, Police Records Clerk with the Police Department and Deputy Circuit Court Clerk
I, II, III and IV in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court; and
WHEREAS, during Mrs. Roche’s tenure with Roanoke County she worked
tirelessly in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office’s Criminal Division, moving up from Deputy
Clerk I to Deputy Clerk IV/Supervisor.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County expresses its deepest appreciation and the appreciation of the citizens
of Roanoke County to LOIS A. ROCHE, for more than twenty-five (25) 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 McNamara to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION 041117-7.d EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO TIMOTHY L. WYATT, POLICE OFFICER – SERGEANT UPON
HIS RETIREMENT AFTER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Sergeant Wyatt was employed by Roanoke County on March 23,
1992; and
April 11, 2017
176
WHEREAS, Sergeant Wyatt retired April 1, 2017, after twenty-five years of
devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, during Sergeant Wyatt’s tenure with Roanoke County, he has
served as a Police Officer in the Uniform Division, the Traffic Enforcement Unit, and as
a School Resource Officer, as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, and as
a Sergeant in the Special Operations Division, and has served with professionalism and
dedication in providing services to the citizens of Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, during Sergeant Wyatt’s time with the Roanoke County Police
Department, he was an original member of the Department’s traffic unit. He was
promoted to the rank of Sergeant in November 2003 and was assigned to supervise the
Traffic Enforcement Unit in Special Operations until his retirement. He was pivotal in
ensuring the roads of Roanoke County were safe to travel on for the majority of his
career. He was an instrumental member of the Blue Ridge Transportation Board. In
2012, he created the Scan Ed program that he taught to high school students. The
Scan Ed program utilizes a crash car that teaches the students the dangers of
distracted driving to include Driving under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol. The crash
car has bar codes that the students can scan to explain to the student what danger that
each code was that caused that particular damage. In 2015, Sgt. Wyatt was given the
Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police
(IACP) for Traffic Safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County expresses its deepest appreciation and the appreciation of the citizens
of Roanoke County to TIMOTHY L. WYATT for twenty-five 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 McNamara to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: None
IN RE: CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The following citizen spoke:
Noah Tickle, Catawba Magisterial District; Roanoke Co resident since
1956. For the love of sharing ideas, I am a team player to the extreme. I study history,
my passion. I talk to lots of folks as I do with staff and reps here in county
administration. I hear this constantly from lots, "Why should I work harder, longer, make
more money, compromise life and limb, abuse my health, spend less time with my
family, ignore my congregation at church, my neighbors, my community, etc. The list
April 11, 2017
177
goes on and on. Considering all of this "WHY" does governance punish productivity by
taxing more, more and more, "perpetually?" That's like putting the brakes on WE the
People's obsession to be safe and prep for hard times as WE have done throughout
history. A punishing governance destroys productivity to the realms of socialism as is
with our foreign kin. Governance greed destroys productivity. This is history repeating
itself over and over into spaces of what we refer to as "The Dark Ages." "WHY?" Is
energetic productivity "NOT" rewarded? Governance should reward energetic
productivity "NOT" tax Punish. It destroys the harmony in society. The citizenry are very
forgiving as is a parent toward a greedy child till something has to be done as indicated
on the Virginia State Flag. The citizenry endures tax punishments till it can no longer be
endured. Our forebears come running to America to escape tyranny of this sort. At this
present time, we all have this credit card mentality. I am hearing, along with local
governance imposed tax, exists a huge debt of sorts. I am hearing like 200 million. On
top of this banana split exists the cherry on top INTEREST DEBT of $8 million, $8
million of the people’s money? How can this be and not have history repeat itself over
and over again. Rome of history, before and today Greece. How bout we have Clark
Howard or Dave Ramsey “show up” and teach us how to get out of debt. He would
appreciate that. Human nature cannot help but destroy the very THING it seeks to
preserve. “A TRUTH, ALWAYS”.
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor McNamara moved to receive and file the following reports with
Supervisor Hooker seconding. The motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report
2. Outstanding Debt Report
Supervisor Bedrosian asked for clarification of debt, stating we have had
discussion on the Board about debt for schools. At looking at our ten-year CIP, we are
borrowing some money this year and again the 2019. His question was in looking at the
outstanding debt as of April 11, 2017, $170, million. At this time next year, what will it
be if we do everything that is on the plan to do for fiscal 2017/2018. Ms. Owens
responded that we have one more principal payment between now and June 30, 2016,
on one of our outstanding bonds, so in additional to the almost $11 million that we are
deleting off of this current fiscal year, we will have approximately another $1 million. At
June 30, 2017, we will be at approximately $169 million of debt. Supervisor Bedrosian
April 11, 2017
178
stated if we do everything we are scheduled to do, it will be what? Mr. Bever responded
if you look on page 137 of the proposed CIP, there is a chart that lists the existing debt
issued through 2016 and then stacked on top of that an additional debt. This assumes
it will be about $187.4 million, but that assumed $20 million for Cave Spring would be
borrowed in fiscal 2018 and there has been discussion that borrowing would not take
until fiscal 2019 based upon the timing of that project. Supervisor Bedrosian stated we
did at one time propose at the end of fiscal 2018, we would have approximately $190
million in debt. Mr. Bever repeated on page 137, at the end of 2018 it would be $184
million. Supervisor Bedrosian stated and he following year, Cave Spring would have
additional funds and there was some more money, but we would be paying off debt so
we would be staying about the same for fiscal year 2019. Mr. Bever responded in fiscal
2019 it would drop about a million.
Supervisor Peters stated we would pay off another $10 million. Ms.
Owens responded that was correct, if we wait.
3. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of
January 31, 2017
4. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and
Encumbrances as of January 31, 2017
5. Accounts Paid - January 31, 2017
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Hooker advised there would be two work shops that she would
like to mention that Economic Development has been gracious enough to hand her the
information and to help publicize these worthwhile efforts. First is an IPAD Creative
,
workshop, which is going to be on April 252017, from 9:00 to 11:00 am in the Vinton
Library. It appears to be free, so it is great thing that Economic Development is doing
for our community and our businesses. Then on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, from 8:30 am
to 1:30 pm, there is going to be a career lifestyle fair at the Berglund Special Events
Center. It will be essentially a job fair. It is also free and would like to encourage our
citizens to take advantage of those worthwhile events. One other thing that she was
made aware of today, an email from Chief Simon, we had a tragic event over the
weekend where a young man fell on the trail going to McAffee’s Knob and we got a
great email from the family, really supportive, really appreciative of all that was done on
their behalf. Just a couple of sentences out of a lengthy email singing their praises and
from several departments. “Last, but certainly not least, they would like to give high
praise to all the Rescue personnel in sharing their talent in caring and professionalism.
To a person, each volunteer and career rescuer was excellent in his and her duties and
caring and communicated with us about what was happening and how the day would
progress.” Just kudos to that department and the Police Department got a great shout-
out too. She is proud of what our people do.
April 11, 2017
179
Supervisor Peters thinks with regard to citizens and what they are getting
for their tax rates, we need to bring back in perspective. We had over a thousand
citizens take part in our Strategic Plan. They laid out what they wanted us to be looking
at, what they wanted us as a government to achieve on their behalf and part of that was
economic development and broadband. Honestly, he is hearing more about this. He is
hearing people ask, “When are you going to expand.” Let’s put the brakes on at this
point. They have concerns is about recycling. He would like if the County Administrator
or General Services would put together something about more pickups or drop offs for
their recycling. He knows there is a problem in the Vinton area, people from Mt.
Pleasant. One he spoke with yesterday drives 12 miles to the William Byrd Middle
School to drop off his stuff and some days it is not there and other days it is running
over. He does have an issue being at our school, unfortunately because of the world
we live in. He does not know if he wants recycling bins at the schools, but if we are not
going to push for curbside recycling, then we need to make those items more
accessible to our citizens because they are asking for is. That is one of the top calls
that he receives is the recycling and the need for closer drop offs or however we can
work that out throughout the County. He would like to remind everybody that we have
achieved a lot with our budget. We have not borrowed money. We have taken into
account what our citizens have asked for. We are working on the 419 project, Explore
Park and we have also talked about taking our properties that have set in the market for
years, the old 419 library, the Vinton Library, the old schools and we have put those
back into the market, whether they are apartment, restaurants, health care facility at the
old Library on 419. He thinks we have done a lot over the last three years and whether
you want to admit it or not, we can talk about future projects all we want to, but this
Board has been mindful of the debt and as illustrated a moment ago by Ms. Owens, it
has been reduced by $30 million over the last three years. Lastly, he appreciates the
employees, he does have to say as many know he is a volunteer in Vinton for Fire and
Rescue and had a new appreciation last Wednesday night as he had not run calls in a
little while. He went on call at 6:00 pm and by 11:00 pm, they had already run eight
calls. He now has a new appreciation for what everybody is doing out there in our
community, not only with public safety but all of our employees and he thanked them for
what they do.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated first of all he appreciates the discussion on
taxes. That is our role in government, to make sure that we are really looking at how we
spend the people’s money and how much we take from the citizens to do the things we
do. He knows that it seems like we are getting into these hot debated conversation, but
he thinks it is good. It is our role, this is what we should be doing and the viewer and
those that are watching right here need to take it in and make the decision for
themselves. He had an appreciation when he looked over those 17 or 18 years; it gave
him a good insight into rates going up, down, the amount of revenue going into the
County. Quite frankly, he was kind of shocked himself that we did take in that much
more money from citizens at Roanoke County while we were lowering their tax rates. It
April 11, 2017
180
was good to see it on a piece of paper. So, even if your tax rates go down sometimes,
you are still putting money in. His thing, what he looks at, is how much is the actual tax
itself that you are writing a check for to the government. Rates and other things can be
deceiving. It was good to get that full history perspective. We all have our views up
here and know that we do all of these great things and the citizens are demanding it.
As a citizen, most of the time, 99.99% of the citizens do not pay attention to what we are
doing and that is the reality. They are living their lives doing the things that they do and
expect that we (the Board) are running this correctly and that we are watching out for
them. So, he would be leery to say citizens are demanding certain things from us. It
has been rare to see this room full and even when we have these great community
events, if we get a hundred people showing up that is big. We have 94,000 citizens in
Roanoke County, be careful there. One thing that he found very useful and he just kind
of stumbled into this. He actually had a constituent who he later found out lives in
Catawba, but they have a church campus and they are looking to do some things and
asked him if he could talk to somebody that could help him. Every Wednesday in this
building, we have the Community Development group with the Fire Chief and others
come into the room and have an hour meeting with anybody that wants to come in and
talk about plans that they may have for their property or business owner may have
questions, but the hour slot can be reserved and have everybody that you need right
there instead of one person coming out at a time. Everybody is right there. Somebody
is coming over this Wednesday and it will be his first time to sit with this constituent and
have everybody in Roanoke County that would need to be involved at what this person
is looking at doing, expansion, etc. As always, he likes to end to have people contact
the local United Way. This is big on the national news, we hear about it all the time.
The pro-life movement is getting stronger and stronger in America. In fact, the home
schoolers’ life group is collecting baby sock to take to Congress. He thinks right here in
the Roanoke Valley they have collected 888 pair for 888 babies that were aborted last
year and there is a nationwide group going to Congress. He thinks they are collecting
over 400,000 little baby socks. It reminds him that we give money to the United Way,
which gives it to Planned Parenthood and she should not do that. Please thank United
Way for all the good things they do, but please tell them to get out of the Planned
Parenthood business.
Supervisor McNamara congratulated again Social Services. It was a good
day for their employees; they represented themselves great. They all did a fabulous
job, thank you. We will be going into work session as we are not finished with the
budget. We appreciate anybody’s thought and ideas. Will our budget increase debt, it
may or may not, he would assume it would, but we will look at what the citizens needs
are: We look to be good stewards to that money.
th
At 5:24 p.m. Chairman McNamara recessed to the 4 floor for work
session.
April 11, 2017
181
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to review with the Board of Supervisors
departmental budgets, outside agencies, and fees and charges
for services as part of the County Administrator's proposed fiscal
year 2017-2018 operating budget (Thomas C. Gates, County
Administrator; Christopher R. Bever, Director, Management and
Budget)
Mr. Bever reviewed the PowerPoint presentation.
Supervisor Peters asked when we would hear about the federal grant for
the additional firefighters. Chief Simon responded approximately July of 2017.
Supervisor McNamara asked about a buyout for employees with over 20
years of service. Mr. Gates responded they are looking at.
Supervisor McNamara asked about the increase in the Registrar’s office
with Mr. Gates responding it was the increase in pay for election officials. Supervisor
McNamara then inquired if the Foster Program having an impact on CSA costs with Mr.
Gates responding in the affirmative.
Supervisor Hooker advised with regard to the outside agency requests
she is waiting on CCAP information because she would like to see what we are getting.
Additionally, she inquired about Mill Mountain Zoo. She added it is a valuable resource
and 80% attendance is Roanoke County residents. She would like staff to think about.
Mr. Gates advised staff is concerned about the long-term financial viability and added
they are not accredited.
Supervisor Peters advised his concerns were with CCAP and the Vinton
History Society.
Supervisor McNamara stated he was concerned about CCAP; changing
sends the wrong message. His suggestions was to stay at $150 and see what it takes
to expand. He suggest reducing the Vinton Historical slowly. With regard to the Zoo,
he would suggest looking at over several months, and take out of Board Contingency.
Mr. Gates reminded the Board that we are a month away from first
reading. There are plenty of opportunities to talk. He indicated that he has had a
conversation with Virginia Western and may have more certifications. Change can be
effectuated at any time. He is working on additional information.
Mr. Bever advised that they would make the changes and put out in the
next budget memo.
Supervisor McNamara stated the Board is not in agreement to fund a
person in the Treasurer’s Dept. Mr. Hutchens, Treasurer asked the Board to look at the
numbers. Supervisor McNamara stated there was no one on the fence; no additional
positions with the exception of fire and rescue.
Supervisor Assaid recommended outsourcing with Mr. Hutchens
responding the cost for outsourcing is 20%.
182 April 11 , 2017
The work session was held from 5:46 pm until 6:50 pm
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman McNamara adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m.
ubmitted by: Approved by:
4 ill�,40/1
Deborah C. Fs o eph P. McNamara
Chief Deput 'lerk to the Board airman