Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/13/2019 - RegularMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING BUDGET WORK SESSION OF VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 8:30WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2019, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Keith N. Liles, Vice Mayor Sabrina McCarty Janet Scheid Michael W. Stovall STAFF PRESENT: Barry W. Thompson, Town Manager Susan N. Johnson, Executive Assistant(Town Clerk Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager/Director of Economic Development Anne Cantrell, Finance Director/Treasurer I The items for the work session were budget presentations from the departments for FY2019- 2020. The Town Manager commented that the budget spreadsheets provided to Council include the requests from the departments and the expenses are not currently balanced with the revenues. The total revenues presented were $6,941,600 and the submitted department budgets total $7,303,566, leaving a shortfall of $361,966.78, Each member of the leadership team will be making a presentation on their request relating to changes in personnel, operating budgets and capital. After today's presentations, staff would like to have input from Council as to their priorities and visions for the FY2019-2020 budget as well as the future, This would ,2.ssist staff in preparing options to close the gap between the revenue forecast and the ,expenditure budget requests, The first presentation was on the Town Council/Town Manager budget. The Town Clerk reviewed a PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk's Office and will be made a part of the permanent record. With regard to the Town Council budget, an increase in the travel was requested for Council to be able to attend the VML Annual Conference in Roanoke from October 6-9. The 2020 election costs were also added to the budget. Under Community Contributions, the Town contribution of $1,500 to the Dogwood Mayor's/Queen's Luncheon was moved from Miscellaneous to Community Contributions, The Town has been makina this contribution for several vears-but due to the increqse4 cost of all # omnmINI' o"610 9_0 - Q W`1� agteea to 1111 Mill ir 17 11177577 71 MMM given in Pons -or *r cover the balance of the cost in 2020. DIN' MIN Community Center. The amount shown for the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department was the amount they requested and they will be making their presentation at the March 19th Council meeting. The Vinton Volunteer First Aid Crew will be making their presentation at the April 2"d Council meeting. With regard to Joint Local Government Services, the five-year contribution to the RVARC-Roanoke River Blueway Project will end in FY2020. The Town Manager commented that we received an invoice for the AEP Steering Committee last year after the budget was approved, which we did not pay and recommended that we add that amount back at approximately $1,000. Vice Mayor Lifes asked about the beautification fund of $20,000 that was donated to the To by Mr. Vinyard for 1982. The earned interest was supposed to have been used to beauti the Town and he asked how much interest was currently in the fund. Anne Cant commented she would have to look at the fund balance to see how it was allocated out and if is not accruing interest, it would need to be set up in a separate checking account. The To Manager responded that staff would research the matter and report back to Council. I The Town Manager commented that a new line item has been added for Parking Lot Maintenance and he had requested that $10,000 be put in that line item each year to maintain the surface treatment and striping for the Municipal Building, Farmers' Market and War Memorial lots. With regard to Public Transportation, the Town Manager commented that during the proce'" of alternating the bus route with Valley Metro, Kevin Price had given an estimate of $87,0 including paratransit as the annual cost to the Town. Since we have not received an invoice any documentation that would substantiate that amount, we have left the same amount in th line item. 11 IK two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . --------- • Council and staff took a ten minute recess. ItA 10 1 wit 57NOWN INM asu anu Ene 4 ,petRiTirg 17 rutt 17-171 triallualfiew WIM Me luflus Mat we currently have allocated. Mr. McClung commented that he would contact Public Works about the roller. With re ard to the increase for Board of Zonin A oe I e JUU I[ ILU r 11(;6 If ITesugailon as part oT a Teceral ruglurlai LIR Mice 7aiiUT-NrFr7A7- (High Intensity Drug Trafficking ♦ Being a part of this task force has a lot of benefits because the major drug investigations often result in the seizure of assets and drug money that would return back to the Town based on our percentage of the investigative effort. Council Member Stovall asked if he would work for the Chief and Chief Foster responded that he had indicated that if the Town puts an officer on the task force he wanted the work being done in the Town of Vinton so we benefit from that position. This position would not be considered as a promotion right now, but as a lateral move with no pay raise. The Town Manager asked if officers would be rotated in and out of this position and Chief Foster responded his initial feeling would be to rotate officers out every three years. Council Member Scheid asked if there is training involved in that particular position and Chief Foster responded the training needs can be met initially through Cardinal Academy and the Virginia State •# A crisis. The fact that we are being asked to consider between $75-100,000 in expenses to the citizens of this town to pay for a position that is specifically for narcotics enforcement is a direct result of the opioid crisis. She asked if there had been any discussion of the town entering into that type of litigation. Chief Foster responded there has not been any discussion, but perhaps it was an avenue we should to at. With regard to the comparison of the number of sworn officers and civilian employees with localities with similar populations, Vice Mayor Liles asked if we are comparing the same square miles. Deputy Chief Drumond responded they looked at department size and not so much land mass, He tried to keep it to towns that are familiar to everyone and their calls for sewice. Ms. Cantrell commented that she used a forecasting model to analyze the revenue data bas on what trend and value you put in. The Mayor asked if we had a windfall business, wou that be reflected in this forecast. Ms, Cantrell responded no and also anything new would n be accounted for, such as Macado's. The —Town iTlanager commented on setting goals for the next two, three and five years to be included in our budget document. Staff is requested that Council consider a change in the meals tax from the current five percent to 5-1/2 percent, The additional one-half percent could be set aside within the budget for capital improvements. Roanoke City's meal tax is 5-1/2 percent, Roanoke County's is four percent, City of Salem's is six percent, Town of Bedford's is 5-1/2 percent and Lynchburg's is seven percent. The increase would bring in approximately $110,000. 0 The next presentation was the Public Works Department. Joey Hiner reviewed a PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk's Office and will be made a part of the permanent record, Council Member Scheid asked if the contractual services for the Stormwater Fund Operations included funds towards hiring a consultant to assist in developing a stormwater managemen) fund. The Town Manager responded there is $15,000 in this year's budget for the engineer to start the study. Mr. Hiner commented that the increase also includes getting assistance with the annual reporting to DEQ. rr*771.111T TIVII't fe I METE*, 1171177 of the decision to going to the new truck and the carts was to justify the cost of the carts by eliminating a position and saving that salary over a five year period of time. Mr. Hiner next provided Council with a copy of the Public Works FY19-20 CIP quick list, a copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk's Office and will be made a part of the permanent record. Mr. Hiner next commented on the items contained on the CIP list, With regard to the Mountain View rebuild, Mr, Hiner commented that we have been applying for VDOT revenue sharing funds, which requires a 50/50 match. VDOT has indicated that we need to include this item in our CIP to let them know that we are serious about it, so we have included $200,000. The Town Manager commented that this is not the total amount to complete the rebuild from R With further regard to the personnel budget, Ms. Cantrell referred to the payroll spread sheet and the aggregate of increases and decreases being $230,000. The budget deficit is $361,000 with the largest amount being the request for 11 vehicles under the Enterprise lease for the Police Department and the increase in paving and striping for Public Works. The Town Manager commented that the next step would be another work session. Ms. Cantrell asked if the wrap-up sheets could be turned in by Monday for review by the Finance Committee at their meeting on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. She then reviewed the sheet and explained the •o. section. For revenue • staff wants to • if • wants to consider tax increases or decreases. In the General Fund, Utility Fund and • Fund, for payroll priorities, Council should comment on the positions requested and what you want to do concerning any type of • for employees. As far as operating priorities, list the items you think are a priority and need to be done as well as capital priorities Council want to be funded. In !• to a question about the computers •- in the budget, Ms. Cantrell responded they are listed on the CIP in the amount of $52,000. Ms. Cantrell next commented that she, Pete Peters and Brandon Gann would be going over the line items once they have received Council's input and brainstorming how to take those goals and develop something that is more balanced. It will then be taken to the Town Manager for a second review, then to Finance Committee and back to a Council work session. We would like to have the Public Hearing on the budget on May 7 th and bring it to Council for adoption on May 21 s', PC TiceATtayor Liles made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Count-4 Member McCarty and carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 5-0; Ye (5) — McCarty, Scheid, Stovall, Liles, Grose; Nays (0) — None. The meeting was adjourned 4:09 p.m. IW N Iwa a-V] N We Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST- 4A(,( Cj), Susan N. Johnson, C Town Clerk N