HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/19/2016 - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 6:30 P.M.
ON TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON
MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON,
VIRGINIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
Matthew S. Hare, Vice Mayor
Sabrina McCarty
Janet Scheid
MEMBER ABSENT: 1. Douglas Adams, Jr.
STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Interim Town Manager
Donna Collins, Human Resources Director
Theresa Fontana, Town Attorney
Richard W. Peters, Assistant Town Manager/Di rector of
Economic Development
Anita McMillan, Planning & Zoning Director
Joey Hiner, Acting Public Works Director
The Mayor called the Work Session to order to
hear the overview of the Interim Town M
Recommended Budget. Barry Thompson began
with his Power Point presentation and commented
on the priorities that were set for the FY 2016-2017
budget. Those were to maintain core services with
minimal reductions, develop funding for five-year
Capital Improvement Program, maintain focus on
economic development and the downtown
revitalization initiative and improve employee
benefits and competition with the competitive
market.
The total proposed budget is $12,607,693 with
$8,623,750 in the General Fund; $3,684,151 in the
Utility Fund and $299,792 in a newly created
Stormwater Fund.
In the General Fund there is a proposed change in
the transient occupancy tax from 2% to 7% which
would apply to the total amount of charge for the
occupancy of any room or space provided for fewer
than 30 consecutive days. This tax has not been
changed since 1982, Revenue items in the budget
with no change are the real estate, personal
property, machinery & tools and cigarette taxes.
The total General Fund revenue has decreased by
approximately $353,568 or 3.94%. This is due to a
decrease in the CDBG funding and the RSTP
funding for the Walnut Avenue project. The CDBG
funds will be spent and the Walnut Avenue project
will be completed by the end of the current fiscal
year. We are funding capital items of $85,000 and
the milling and paving is $289,693 in the General
Fund. There is additional milling and paving in the
Utility Fund of $85,291, for a total of $374,984.
Mr. Thompson next commented that the
contribution to joint local government services is
$49,145, which is a slight increase. The increase is
due to the addition of the Roanoke River Blueway of
$433 and an increase in the Roanoke Valley-
Alleghany Regional Commission and Roanoke
Valley CATV. Vice Mayor Hare asked about the
contribution for the Blueway and Mr. Thompson
responded that the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany
Regional Commission has asked for a contribution
to begin funding their efforts on the Blueway. Anita 11
McMillan commented that they are seeking
matching funds from all of the other localities for
them to apply for grant money for their tourism to
begin putting up signage. The Town will be getting
a sign at the Tinker Creek Greenway. Pete Peters
also commented they are looking to establish
branding for the Blueway to do some marketing and
to establish a separate website.
With regard to community organizations, the total is
$13,150. Since a separate cost center has been
established for the Vinton Historical Society -
Museum, this amount has been zeroed out. Also,
the contribution to the Needy Family Program was
increased by the additional $400 for the lease of the
additional property from the Town by Southern
States.
Mr. Thompson next commented on the Capital
Improvement Fund and the $55,000 to replace the
Medic 23 Ambulance. The $45,000 in this year's
budget will be rolled over. We have applied for a
grant and will be going to the grant meeting on
Thursday. If we do not receive the grant, we will
have the funds to go 50% with Roanoke County on
the purchase. If we get the grant, we will only need
to have 25% of the funding. Also, funded is
maintenance of the Garthright Bridge at $30,000,
The total cost estimate is over $300,000, but this
will get us started by putting the plates back into the
expansion joints. Vice Mayor Hare commented
that the bridge needs maintenance, but it is not to
the point of being unsafe.
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Under personnel, we have an increase in health
insurance premiums of 8.9%. In FY 2015-2016,
there was no increase and in FY 2014-2015 it was
8.7% increase. The VRS contribution rate
decreased from 12.70% to 10.74%. There are
proposed cost of living increases of 2% and market
adjustments based on an in-house compensation
study. There is no cost of living increase proposed
for members of Council.
Council Member Scheid asked if the compensation
study was completed and Mr. Thompson responded
yes. She then asked if there would be a time that
Council would be able to review it, Mr. Thompson
further responded that it was presented to the
Finance Committee and Vice Mayor Hare
commented that the Finance Committee will get
with the other Council members.
Under economic development, the downtown
revitalization is expected to be completed by
September 30, 2016. A total of $83,000 has been
issued through three Revolving Loans, two of which
are on the agenda for approval tonight. Also,
$310,283 of the CDBG funds remain to be spent
and they are programmed in the budget.
Debt service in the General Fund is $475,906 which
is made up of long term debt, lease purchases and
trustee costs.
Mr. Thompson next commented on the breakdown
of the General Fund Revenues total of $8,623,750
which is a 3.94% decrease from the FY 2015-2016
budget. He stated that Council is usually interested
in the amount of revenue in all of the categories that
are generated from the business community, which
is not a part of the power point presentation. The
percentage of the total revenue generated in the
General Fund by the business community is about
50.02%.
With regard to expenditures in the General Fund, he
commented on the breakdown and pointed out that
the decrease in the Public Works and Community
Development budgets were due to the transfers to
the new Stormwater Fund,
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