[00:00:02]
>> WELCOME EVERYBODY TO FEBRUARY 23.
[A. Call to Order (6:00 pm)]
BOARD SUPERVISORS. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT.HERE YOU GO, 13TH? I'M SORRY I GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF.
MS. KNIGHT CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> MR. CHAIR, I MOVE THE BOARD.
[B. Closed Session]
IT GOES INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 2.2-3711A1.DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS IS FOLLOWED RCJA AND THE SENIOR CITIZEN TASK FORCE AND VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 2.2-3711A8 FOR CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING A SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTER, ASSESSMENT OF LAND AND LAND USE.
>> MS. KNIGHT CALL ROLL, PLEASE?
>> OUR FOLKS, WE'RE IN CLOSED SESSION.
SHOULD BE BACK SHORTLY. FOLKS WE'VE BEEN IN CLOSED SESSION.
WE'RE WE'RE JUST RETURNING TO OUR REGULAR MEETING.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CERTIFY THAT THE ITEMS THAT WE WENT INTO CLOSED SESSION WAS ALL THAT WAS DISCUSSED AND CONSIDERED.
>> WE DID WHEN HE SAID SO WE MOVE. THAT'S OKAY.
WE'RE FINE. FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA IS INVOCATION.
[C. Business Meeting]
MRS. WAYMACK IS KIND ENOUGH TO DO THAT FOR US.YEAH, WE JUST VOTED THE WORST WE'RE GOING.
>> DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY BLESSINGS.
WE THANK YOU THAT YOU SPARED US FROM THE STORM.
PLEASE BE WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING DUE TO THE WEATHER.
DEAR LORD, WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THE RAVAGES OF ILLNESSES AND THOSE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES.
HELP US TO DO YOUR WILL IN YOUR HOLY NAME WE PRAY, AMEN
>> NEXT WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MS. KNIGHT, WOULD WE HAVE ANYBODY SIGN UP?
>> YES, SIR. MR. CHAIRMAN, THE FIRST PERSON IS JUSTIN KNOBLIN.
>> OKAY. IF YOU WOULD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> HELLO, BOARD? MY NAME IS JUSTIN KNOBLIN, 8724 CENTENNIAL ROAD.
I WANTED TO SPEAK AGAIN ON THE LAND USE AND ASSESSMENTS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW AS Y'ALL KNOW, I'M A MEMBER OF THE FARM BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I'M ALSO ON THE VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE STATE DELEGATION.
WE'VE BEEN GOING OVER THIS LAND USE ISSUE.
>> MR. KNOBLIN HANG ON JUST FOR A SECOND.
>> MS. JURY, CAN YOU RESET THAT OR MS. KNIGHT? WANT Y'ALL. SORRY FOR THE INTERRUPTION.
>> SORRY FOR INTERVENING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. THE REASON I'M SPEAKING TONIGHT IS THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE SURFACED WITH THE LAND USE PROGRAM AND THE ASSESSMENTS IN PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY.
I'VE HEARD FROM FARMERS AND COUNTY MEMBERS, THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE BEING REASSESSED IN A WAY THAT DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THE LANDOWNERS TAX LIABILITY.
IT EXCLUDES AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES AND FEATURES FROM THE PROGRAM, AND IN MANY INSTANCES,
[00:05:05]
COMPLETELY REMOVES PARCELS FROM THE PROGRAM WITHOUT APPROPRIATE CAUSE.WE'RE IN A TIME OF YEAR WHERE THE ASSESSMENTS ARE COMING OUT, AND AS YOU SEE BY OUR CROWD, WE'VE GOT SEVERAL UPSET MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THESE ASSESSMENTS.
I'VE GOT A PERSONAL PROPERTY THAT I BOUGHT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO THAT WENT UP 442%.
IT'S 32 ACRES WITHOUT AN EASEMENT TO IT, 90% OF IT IS SWAMP, ABOUT $80,000 WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS.
IF THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE IS USING COMPS, I BOUGHT THE PROPERTY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
THE COMP WAS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT HE APPRAISED IT FOR.
I'M ONE OF FOUR LANDOWNERS THAT TOUCHES A PROPERTY THAT IS THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE ANY USE FOR THE PROPERTY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE AN EASEMENT TO IT.
ON TOP OF THAT, I'VE SEEN THAT THEY'RE USING MASS APPRAISALS FROM THE IWAO, THEY'RE USING THE GIS MAP FOR THIS.
I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A FLAWED SYSTEM.
YOU HAVE TO DO SITE VISITS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THIS STUFF.
WHEN YOU APPRAISE HOUSES VERSUS OTHER HOUSES FOR COMPS AND YOU'RE NOT SEEING THE CONDITION OF THE HOUSE, THE UPDATES ON THE HOUSE, THERE'S JUST NO RELIABLE WAY OF DOING THIS.
WE'VE GOT RESIDENTS HERE THAT ARE GOING TO SPEAK THAT HAVE HAD THEIR PROPERTIES INCREASE AS MUCH AS 1,600%.
WETLANDS ARE NOT BEING ACCOUNTED, WATER AND SEWER VERSUS WELL AND SEPTIC IS NOT BEING ACCOUNTED.
THERE'S JUST NUMEROUS ISSUES HERE AND I SEE THE SITUATION.
WE'VE GOT FOUR BILLION DOLLARS IN TAXABLE PROPERTY.
THAT EQUATES TO ABOUT 32.6 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES ON REAL ESTATE.
FROM WHAT THE PAPERWORK HAS SAID, WE'RE RUNNING AT 92% AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO AN EVEN 100% THAT'S ABOUT 2.6 MILLION IN MISSING TAXES.
BUT WHEN YOU START GOING AFTER FARMERS AND BUY THE OWN PRESENTATION FROM THE LAST MEETING, WE'RE REDUCING COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS, BUT WE'RE INCREASING AGRICULTURE 36% ON AVERAGE.
IT JUST LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE TARGETING PEOPLE.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE TARGETING THE FARMERS TO PROMOTE BUSINESS.
IT'S NOT A POPULAR WAY TO GO ABOUT THIS.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF ANGRY RESIDENTS AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED OR PUT IN CHECK.
ON TOP OF THAT, THERE IS THINGS THAT ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED PROPERLY THROUGH THE CODE BOOK AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS WELL.
I'VE GOT COPIES OF THAT IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE THEM. THANK YOU.
>> YES, SIR. THE NEXT PERSON IS ANTHONY SYLVESTER.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ANTHONY SYLVESTER.
I LIVE AT 109 CRESCENT AVENUE IN THE CITY OF HOPEWELL.
AS A LOCALLY RETAINED AND COURT APPOINTED CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY, I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BODY WORN CAMERA EQUIPMENT BY PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS.
PRESENTLY, PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY FINDS ITSELF REGIONALLY AND ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AS AN OUTLIER AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE GENERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD REQUIRING OFFICERS WEAR BODY WORN CAMERAS.
ACROSS COMMUNITIES AND WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, NOT JUST THE ACCUSED, EXPECT POLICE OFFICERS TO WEAR BODY CAMERAS.
CANDIDLY, THE ABSENCE OF VIDEO FOOTAGE FOR CRITICAL INCIDENTS, INCLUDING ARREST DECISIONS, CHARGING DECISIONS ARE SURPRISING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, NOT JUST THE ACCUSED.
THE NUMBER OF CRIME GENRE MEDIA SHOWS THAT OVERWHELMINGLY INCLUDE VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM DUI INVESTIGATIONS TO ON SCENE STATEMENTS MADE BY DEFENDANTS AND WITNESSES.
INCLUDING STATEMENTS TO THE POLICE ABOUT OTHER WITNESSES ARE CRITICAL TO THE PROSECUTION AND TO THE ARREST DECISION.
NOT TO MENTION THE CHRONICLING AND THE CAPTURING OF POLICE CITIZEN ENCOUNTERS THAT OFTEN INVOLVE THE BREACH OF THE PEACE, OR THAT INVOLVE ACCUSATIONS UNJUSTLY MADE AGAINST YOUR VERY POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVING ABUSE.
EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS, IF CAPTURED BY VIDEO, IS CAPABLE OF OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS, CONSIDERATION AND REVIEW SIMPLY BECAUSE THE VIDEO IS AVAILABLE.
FOR THIS REASON, OVER THE YEARS, I HAVEN'T MET A SINGLE PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY POLICE OFFICER THAT OBJECTS TO THE WEARING OF BODY WORN CAMERAS.
NOT SURPRISINGLY, MANY OF YOUR POLICE OFFICERS COME FROM JURISDICTIONS WHERE IN THOSE PRIOR JURISDICTIONS THEY WORE BODY CAMERAS, SO IT'S FAMILIAR TO THEM, IT'S CUSTOMARY TO THEM.
[00:10:03]
AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY, I'LL MAKE A SURPRISING CONFESSION TO YOU.THE EXISTENCE OF VIDEO FOOTAGE OFTEN DISPENSES WITH DEFENSES THAT ONLY BREATHE BECAUSE THERE IS NO VIDEO FOOTAGE.
VIDEO FOOTAGE OF MY CLIENT OR ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, CLIENTS PERFORMING FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS IN A DUI QUICKLY DISPENSE WITH OUR CLIENTS, HOW SHALL WE SAY, IMPAIRED MEMORY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THAT TEST.
WHY IS THAT CRITICAL? BECAUSE ONCE YOU DISPENSE WITH THAT DEFENSE, THEN THE PROSECUTION THE CRIMINAL PROCESS ALL MOVES MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY TO A CONCLUSION.
IT OFTEN ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO TESTIFY.
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? WELL, BECAUSE POLICE OFFICERS DESERVE TO BE IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT IN A COURT ROOM.
IN SHORT, IF A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, A VIDEO IS WORTH A MILLION.
NOW, AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND AS A PARTICIPANT FOR OVER 30 YEARS IN THE COURT SYSTEM, BODY WORN CAMERAS ARE MORE THAN JUST A FISCAL EXPEDIENT.
THEY'RE AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT TO THE TRANSPARENCY OF A PROSECUTION AND AN ARREST.
FOR THESE REASONS, AND FOR MANY THAT AVOID MY ABILITY TO TALK TO TONIGHT BECAUSE OF TIME LIMITATIONS, I WOULD ASK THE COURT TO CONSIDER A BUDGETARY COMMITMENT TO INCLUDE OR TO CONTINUE THE FUNDING OF BODY WORN CAMERA.
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK YOU WRAP IT UP.
>> THAT'S IT. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND I APPRECIATE YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE COUNCIL.
>> MADAM CLERK. MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
>> THE NEW PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES HAVE A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT, ARE YOU CHECKING THAT WHEN PEOPLE SIGN UP?
>> OKAY, SO THEY HAVE A PRINCE GEORGE PROPERTY ADDRESS? WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF MR. SYLVESTER LIVES IN PRINCE GEORGE, BUT HE WORKS IN HOPEWELL.
>> I'M WILLIAM SHORT. I LIVE ON 106 CEDAR RIDGE LANE, PRINCE GEORGE.
I MAINTAIN A POND BESIDE MY HOUSE FROM WILTON HALL ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO.
UPON BUYING IT, THE TAXES HAVE GONE UP.
I MEAN NOT BAD UNTIL A PROPOSAL FROM LAST YEAR GOING TO THIS YEAR.
LAST YEAR 1.5 ACRES WHICH IS SWAMP LAND BEHIND THAT POND IS WATER BACAS WETLAND.
THE PROPOSED FOR THIS YEAR IS $60,000, A 156%.
THE POND ITSELF OVER THERE LAST YEAR WAS $58,600.
THE PROPOSED THIS YEAR IS $96,000.
YOU CAN'T BUILD ANYTHING ON IT.
THERE'S NO LAND, THERE'S WATER, THERE'S A POND, AND I THINK THAT INCREASE IS OUTRAGEOUS.
I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND IT'S JUST IT'S GOING UP SO HIGH.
IT'S 156% INCREASE OVER A YEAR, I THINK IT'S TOO MUCH.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THANK YOU.
>> THAT IS ALL I HAVE SIGNED UP, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> DO WE HAVE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK? CHARLES, SKY 6,002 COUNTY DRIVE, JUST TOWN, VIRGINIA.
[00:15:05]
I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ASSESSMENTS AND HOW THEY'RE DONE AND WHY THEY'RE DONE THIS WAY.I OWN A CENTURY FARM, WHICH MEANS I'VE BEEN ON FAMILY HAS OWNED IT FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ASSESSOR DECIDED, I'LL READ YOU THE LETTER HE SENT ME.
THE REAL ESTATE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE IS IN THE PROCESS, ASSIGNED UNIQUE PARCEL NUMBERS TO PARCEL THAT STRADDLE ROADS, STREETS, HIGHWAYS, AND OTHER PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS.
THE USE OF A SINGLE PARCEL NUMBER FOR PARCELS WITH SEPARATE AREAS IS PROBLEMATIC FOR PARCEL IDENTIFICATION.
BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024, THE ABOVE RESTING PARCEL WILL BE ASSIGNED THE FOLLOWING PARCEL NUMBERS THAT THEY GOT THEM DOWN HERE.
I GOT A QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS DIVIDED OUT.
HE ASSIGNS BETWEEN I HAVE A PROPERTY BETWEEN 460 AND THE RAILROAD HAS BEEN 14 ACRES EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE.
I'VE BEEN AROUND THE SUN 75 TIMES, INCLUDING NINE MONTHS UNDERCOVER.
YET ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GREW TO 21 ACRES.
HE TOOK AWAY MY LAND USE FOR SOME REASON. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
I GUESS I'M ONE OF THESE UNDESIRED PEOPLE BECAUSE I'M OLD AND I'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME AND HE JUST WANTS THE LAND.
IRONICALLY, IT'S VALUED AT 102,000 FOR 21 ACRES.
THE OTHER PARCEL IS VALUED AT 650,000.
THEY TOOK AWAY THE LAND USE VALUE ON THAT.
ONE OF THESE PARCELS, THE ONE THAT'S WORTH 102,021 ACRES IS INDUSTRIAL LAND.
IT WENT DOWN IN VALUE ON THAT.
THE OTHER PARCEL IS SWAMP LAND.
THE WETLANDS HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BY THE US GOVERNMENT, ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
I DON'T THINK HE WALKED THE PROPERTY.
AND THAT IS A TRIANGULAR PIECE, 1,000 FEET ON EACH LEG AND 80 FEET ON THE OTHERS.
THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN BUILD A HOUSE ON IT, PLUS YOU GOT HALF A MILE TO GET BACK TO IT AND I DON'T THINK YOU CAN EVEN WALK THROUGH IT.
HE'S OUT HERE PRAISING PROPERTY.
DON'T EVEN GO OUT THERE AND LOOK AT THE PROPERTY, SEE WHAT IT IS.
I KNOW I'M AN UNDESIRED PERSON AND Y'ALL TRYING TO GET RID OF THE OLD PEOPLE AND THE FARMERS, Y'ALL DON'T WANT THE FARMERS IN THE COUNTY.
THAT'S WHY THE ASSESSMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND IS GOING DOWN.
BUT FOR FARM LAND IS GOING UP, I QUITE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'RE ASSESSING LAND FOR A GOLF COURSE IS AGRICULTURAL LAND LAND.
FORGIVE ME, SIR. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK YOU TO WRAP IT UP, PLEASE.
THREE MINUTES. TRYING TO REAL QUICK.
I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN MY PROBLEM TO Y'ALL.
THE ASSESSOR WON'T LISTEN TO US.
HAVE YOU TALKED TO MR. ORDER IN PERSON? I'VE HAD A PERSON TO CONTACT THE ASSESSOR.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOU TOMORROW AND HEAR YOUR CONCERNS. THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
MY CHILDREN ARE HANDLES AS MY WIFE DIED, REALIZE WE WERE UNDESIRABLE IN THIS COUNTY AND I'M IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET LAND RESTED AND EVERYTHING.
WHY Y'ALL ARE DOING SO HARD, THE SURVEYORS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS HE'S HAVING WITH THE COUNTY.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE UNDESIRABLE.
AND I'LL GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU TOMORROW IF THAT'S OKAY.
I'LL GET MY CHILDREN IN CONTACTACT WITH YOU.
THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF IT BECAUSE I'M NOT AS EFFICIENT AS I USED TO BE, THAT'S WHY I'M UNDESIRABLE. PLUS, I'M A FARMER.
YOU DON'T WANT FARMERS IN THE COUNTY Y'ALL MADE THAT KNOWN.
AND WHAT ARE Y'ALL TRYING TO DO? JUST TO MAKE THE COUNTY ALL ASPHALT.
THERE IS NO INTENT FROM THIS BOARD OR MYSELF TO TRY TO CATEGORIZE SOMEBODY AS BEING UNDESIRABLE IN THIS COUNTY.
YOU'RE STILL A CITIZEN REGARDLESS OF YOUR INCOME, REGARDLESS WHERE YOU COME FROM.
I THINK YOU GO TO THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN RICHMOND.
SIR, YOU'RE THE ENTIRE UNDESIRABLE.
THAT'S WHAT HITLER TRIED TO GET RID OF THOSE THAT DIDN'T AGREE WITH HIM, THEY WERE UNDESIRABLE.
IT WASN'T JUST THE JEWISH CZECH SOX PROP EVERYONE OVER TO HELP THE JEWS PEOPLE, THEY WERE UNDESIRABLE.
[00:20:01]
MR. SCOLSKI, I HAVE ASKED YOU NICELY.TWICE. PLEASE LEAVE THE PODIUM AND LET SOMEBODY ELSE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
MS. ANDREA WILL GET WITH YOU TOMORROW. THAT'S THE BEST WE CAN DO.
SIR, ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM OVER THE BOARD.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
I LIVE AT 09:01 THREE POLE RUN ROAD, AND I THOUGHT I HAD A REAL CONCERN, BUT MY PROPERTY DIDN'T GO UP AT 86% BUT SOME OF THESE THAT I'M HEARING IS A WHOLE LOT HIGHER THAN THAT.
AND I'VE APPROACHED THE ASSESSOR ABOUT IT AND HE SAID HE ACTUALLY GAVE ME A 30% KNOCKDOWN ON THAT BECAUSE OF THE WEAPONS SWAMP LAND AND MY PROPERTY IS PROBABLY CLOSE TO 50% I LIVE RIGHT ON THE BLACKWATER SWAMP AND THAT SWAMP BACKS UP THE LAND THAT'S OPEN IS THE ONLY DESIRABLE LAND.
AND WHEN I PARKED ONE FIELD, IT'S ABOUT A 10.5 ACRE FIELD.
IT'S NOT BUT ONE PERK SITE ON THAT.
IT'S SWAMP GRASS GROWING IN THE LAND, CAN'T EVEN GROW HAY THERE.
I DO RENT IT ALL OUT AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ON THE LAND USE, NEVER DID CONVERT TO THAT, TELL YOU TRUTH, I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
AND WHEN YOU HAVE AN ASSESSOR THAT CAN ASSESS BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY WITHOUT REALLY GOING ON THAT SITE.
IT'S JUST UNREAL THAT THAT CAN BE DONE.
THAT PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE WALKED.
WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW HE CAME ABOUT THE WETLANDS, HE SAID FROM THE COUNTY'S SITE.
AND I THINK I HEARD SOMEBODY ELSE MENTIONED THAT, THAT IT CAME FROM THE COUNTY WEBSITE, WHICH IS NO WAY RIGHT.
AND WHAT IT'S SHOWING, IT'S NOT WHAT THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS LAID OUT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO START WITH.
HOW IT CAN HAPPEN IN ONE CYCLE LIKE GO UP THAT PERCENTAGE, AND IF YOU GO UP A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME, IT'S NOT TOO BAD, NOBODY WILL COMPLAIN.
AND IT NEEDS TO INCREASE AT TIMES, BUT NOT AT THAT RATE.
IF YOU'RE SAYING IT'S WORTH THAT MONEY, THEN SOMEBODY HAS MADE MISTAKES ALONG THE WAY AND HAVE I BEEN UNDERCHARGED, OVERCHARGED, I'M NOT SURE.
BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS IT BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE CHANGED THERE.
ASSESSOR, WHEN I WAS TALKING TO HIM, MADE A COMMENT, SAID WE'VE REALLY BEEN LOOKING AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES, IT'S 100 PLUS ACRES.
NOW, TO ME I'M SINGLED OUT BECAUSE OF THAT.
AND HE'S SINGLING OUT OTHER PROPERTIES FOR THE SAME REASON.
AND JUST TAKE A LOOK AT IT, AND I APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, AND I DO HAVE A PACKAGE TO CONVERT WHAT OPEN LAND I HAVE TO LAND USE.
I HOPE THAT GOES THROUGH AND I HOPE IT RELIEVES ME SOME BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND THAT.
DON'T WANT TO SELL THIS PLACE, BEEN IN THE FAMILY TOO LONG.
HOLD ON TO THIS PIECE OF LAND.
I TOLD MY DAD I WOULD AND I'M GOING TO STAND BY. THANK YOU ALL.
THANK YOU, SIR. ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO COME AND SPEAK? GOOD EVENING, BOARD. LEYLA MYERS, 8711 SECOND COURT DISPUTAN 23842.
A COUPLE OF ADMINISTRATIVE POINTS.
WOULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER REVERSING THE MEETING START TIME TO 6: 30, YOU DIDN'T COME BACK UNTIL 6: 25 FROM YOUR CLOSED SESSION.
IT'S REALLY HARD FOR THOSE OF US WHO DON'T WORK IN THE COUNTY TO MAKE IT HERE AND THEN SIT HERE FOR HALF AN HOUR WAITING FOR THE ACTUAL MEETING TO START.
ALSO, PLEASE LET THE RESIDENTS KNOW WHEN YOU PLAN TO HAVE COMMUNITY TOWN HALL MEETINGS, WHICH YOU PROMISED TO HOLD DURING THE ELECTION CYCLE.
YOU MUST HAVE A TRIPLE BUDGET INCREASE IN MIND BECAUSE THE ASSESSMENT INCREASES ARE ENORMOUS.
THE PRESENTATION SLIDE SAYS THAT THE AVERAGE INCREASE OF ASSESSMENT IN PRINCE GEORGE IS 7% BUT AS YOU'VE HEARD ALREADY, THERE ARE NOTICES WAS 10%, 18%,100%, 400%,800%.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT REALLY GOOD WITH 800% IN MATH, THAT MEANS EIGHT TIME INCREASE IN THE TAX RELIABILITY.
FROM THE REVIEW OF JUST A FEW DOZEN PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS,
[00:25:04]
THE GOING PRICE FOR LAND IN PRINCE GEORGE WAS SET AT A FLAT RATE FOR ACREAGE BRACKETS.FLAT RATE FOR ONE ACRES, FLAT RATE FOR FOUR ACRES, FLAT RATE FOR SIX ACRES, AND SO ON.
NO CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE FEATURE OF THE LAND, WHETHER IT HAS A SWAMP, WHICH SCHOOL IS TIED IN, AND SO ON AND ON.
THERE WERE 14,000 SOME NOTICES ISSUED.
AGAIN, OUT OF THE ONLY FEW DOZEN THAT I'M ABLE TO REVIEW, THERE WERE 16 NOTICES THAT HAD NO ACREAGE LISTED ON THEM.
MY TASK OF COMPARING THOSE ASSESSMENTS FOR APPEAL PURPOSES IS DAUNTING IN THE FACE OF A LACK OF ACCESS TO RELIABLE AND FREE ACCESS TO THE SAME DATA AS THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE HAS.
THE NEW TOOL, PROPERTY SALE SEARCH TOOL IS A DARK ROOM FOR THE RESIDENT.
ALL OF THE BUILDING DETAILS, THE DRAWINGS, THE FEATURES, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROPERTIES WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE DATABASE.
THERE'S NO WAY TO KNOW COMPARE PROPERTIES.
WE DON'T KNOW IF ANY PROPERTY HAS A GARAGE, POOL, DECK, PATIO, BASEMENT LINKED TO ALL THOSE DETAILS.
WHY WAS ALL THAT DATA TAKEN OUT? WE'RE TOLD WE'RE YEARS AWAY FROM HAVING THIS TOOL WORKING PROPERLY, BUT THERE'S NO DELAY IN TAXING US AT THIS ACCELERATED RATE.
THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE WILL BE ASKING YOU FOR MORE FUNDS, ADDITIONAL STAFF POSITION, FROM YOU.
BUT I DON'T TRUST THAT THROWING MORE MONEY ON THIS WILL GIVE US, THE RESIDENTS, ANY BENEFIT.
THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE IS CREATING ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON RESIDENTS BY INSTEAD OF PROVIDING EASY ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COM, PROPERTIES, WE HAVE TO PAY FEES FOR EACH PROPERTY CART EXCEPT FOR YOUR OWN.
THIS WAS THE FIRST ACT THE ASSESSOR TOOK WHEN HE CAME TO THIS COUNTY WHERE HE DESIGNED A PRICE LIST SELLING US THE INS INFORMATION LIKE WE ARE REALTORS, ALL OF US.
HE INTRODUCED THIS WITH A SIMPLE EXPLANATION THAT IS HOW IT'S DONE IN OTHER LOCALITIES.
I CHECKED WITH THE OTHER LOCALITIES.
THIS IS THE EXACT SAME EXPLANATION PHRASE TO PHRASE THAT HE GAVE TO THOSE OTHER LOCALITIES FOR THE FEW YEARS THAT HE GRACED THEM.
THERE NO ACTUAL MAY I PLEASE TO WRAPPING UP NO ACTUAL FACTUAL REASON WAS GIVEN FOR ANY OF THIS.
JUST BECAUSE IT WAS ABLE TO DO THIS IN HAMPTON OR PETERSBURG, DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT SHOULD FLY IN PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY.
JUST LIKE IF HAMPTON OF PETERSBURG, WILL DECIDE TO BAN THEIR RESIDENTS FROM RAISING CHICKENS, PRACTICING TARGET SHOOTING ON THEIR PROPERTY, IT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT TO PRINCE GEORGE JUST BECAUSE SO AS A GIVEN FACT.
MA'AM, I'VE ALREADY GIVEN YOU MORE THAN I'VE GIVEN YOU A COUPLE OTHER PEOPLE.
I NEED TO BE FAIR AND CONSISTENT.
THE YELLOW BLINKING LIGHT GIVES YOU A WARNING THAT YOUR TIME IS UP. I'M SORRY.
I'VE HAD THE GRACE OF THE BOARD ALLOWING ME TO JUST GO FOR TWO SENTENCES, SO BOTTOM LINE IS WE SHOULD HAVE THE ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND I ASK YOU TO SCRAP THIS PRICE LIST. THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING, MR. WEBB. MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. GOOD EVENING, JUDGE.
TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO START OFF WITH.
FIRST OF ALL, A BIG THANK YOU FOR SOME STAFF HERE.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS ISSUES WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE TODAY AND WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
I'M VERY PLEASED AND PERSONALLY I WANTED TO COME IN AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I SENT YOU INFORMATION, AND I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE GENEROUS, BUT I WANTED TO THANK BOTH OF THOSE PERSONS IN PUBLIC.
SECONDLY, VERY QUICK, I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE DIFFERENT SLANT ON THIS.
I JUST FIND IT AMAZING THAT WE, PROPERTY OWNERS WHO INVEST IN OUR PROPERTY, HAS TO FIGHT TO DEVALUE OUR PROPERTY SO WE CAN AFFORD THE TAXES THAT THIS COUNTY IS CHARGING US.
AGAIN, WE ARE THE FIFTH HIGHEST TAX COUNTY OF THE 21 COUNTY AREAS.
WHY DO I HAVE TO DEVALUE MYSELF SO YOU CAN SPEND MONEY? LOOK AT THAT.
LOOK AT IT THIS WAY THOUGH, FOLKS.
WE'VE GOT TO CUT THE SPENDING IN THIS COUNTY SO WE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.
WHEN I HEAR A GENTLEMAN TO SAY, HEY, I'VE GOT TO SELL BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT.
YOU KNOW, 800% I GOT ALL THAT.
THAT'S FINE. BUT FORGET ALL THAT, THAT'S WHAT HE'S GOING TO RETIRE ON.
I HAVE PROPERTY THAT I INVEST IN, I WANT TO RETIRE ON, AND I DON'T WANT TO DEVALUE THAT PROPERTY.
BUT I'M TIRED OF THE HIGH TAXES CUT THE SPENDING IN THIS COUNTY.
FOR THE TWO YEARS YOU HAVE SPENT MORE THAN YOU HAVE TAKEN IN, ACCORDING TO THE CHART THAT'S PUT OUT THERE ON THE PUBLIC INFORMATION FOLKS, YOU GOT TO SAY THERE'S COMES TO A POINT WHERE YOU GOT TO SAY NO END THE SPENDING, REDUCE THE TAXES IN THIS COUNTY SO WE CAN AFFORD TO STAY HERE.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU, SIR. ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
DANIEL V. TOMCO JUNIOR, 13521 OLD STAGE ROAD,
[00:30:04]
JOINS WITH MY MOTHER'S 13527 OLD STAGE ROAD, NORTH PRINCE GEORGE, VIRGINIA.USED TO BE HOPEWELL. THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS MY MOM'S 96 YEARS OLD.
AND THE WAY I LOOKED AT IT, HER TAXES, I'M NOT GOING TO QUOTE NUMBERS, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY PERCENTAGE OF WISE OR ANYTHING, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
SHE'S BEEN IN THIS COUNTY FOR ALL HER LIFE.
I MYSELF HAVE BEEN HERE JUST ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, NOT HER AGE WISE, BUT I MOVED AWAY, CAME BACK, AND THERE'S JUST SOMETHING THAT'S GOT TO BE DONE FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE YOUNGER FOLKS THAT ARE TRYING TO LIVE MAYBE BUILD A PLACE IN PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY WHEN THEY SEE ALL THIS STUFF MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT TO LIVE HERE.
IF THEY INHERIT IT, THAT'S THE MONEY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT AWAY TO TRY TO PAY THE TAXES.
SO THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS THANKS FOR YOU GUYS, SERVICE.
I KNOW YOU DO YOUR BEST AND THANKS FOR LISTENING.
THANK YOU, SIR. ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M DONNA COIN.
I LIVE AT 13620 TAYLOR DRIVE, DISPUTANTA.
I HAVE A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS ON MY MIND.
ONE IS, I UNDERSTAND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS UNDER REVIEW THIS YEAR.
I THINK THAT NOW THAT THE SENATE AND HOUSE BILLS FOR THE SOLAR STUFF HAS BEEN DEFERRED UNTIL NEXT YEAR, THAT THIS WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT TIME TO ALSO REVIEW OUR SOLAR SIDING POLICY ALONG WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING INVOLVED IN THIS.
THE OTHER THING IS GOLF COURSE DRIVE.
WE HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH SEMI-TRAILERS GETTING STUCK THERE ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS LATELY DUE TO THE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION THAT'S GOING ON THERE.
AT ONE END IS A VERY OLD RAILROAD TUNNEL THAT NO TRUCK CAN GET THROUGH AND WE EVEN HAVE RESIDENTS WITH LONG TRAILERS AND STUFF, THEY CAN'T GET THROUGH IT AND IT TIES UP TRAFFIC AND WE'RE LATE TO WORK, WE'RE LATE TO GETTING OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL, WE'RE LATE TO EVERYTHING.
THEN THE OTHER WAY IT COMES SWEET TO PUMP HOUSE AND THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING SAYING THAT THERE'S NO THROUGH TRAFFIC FOR SEMI-TRAILERS AND TRUCKS BECAUSE ONCE THEY GET OVER TO GOLF COURSE OFF PUMP HOUSE, THEY CAN'T TURN AROUND.
THE POLICE HAVE BEEN CALLED OVER OUT THERE TO ESCORT THEM OUT.
THEY HAVE TO GET TOWED OUT, AND ONCE AGAIN, THAT TIES ALL OF US UP THERE.
THERE IS A RAILROAD BRIDGE ACCESS ALSO THERE FOR THE FIRE TRUCK TO GET TO OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S THE ONLY WAY THE FIRE TRUCK CAN GET IN AND A LOT OF TIMES THE RAILROAD PARKS CARS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THAT GATE FOR DAYS, FOR HOURS, SO THERE IS NO ACCESS.
IT'S A BIG CONCERN THAT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN'T EVEN GET A RIG OVER TO HELP US PEOPLE OVER THERE.
THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS MY PROPERTY TAXES WENT UP 73%.
I BOUGHT OUR HOUSE THREE YEARS AGO.
WE SHOULD BE WITHIN THE MARKET NORMAL AVERAGE RAISES.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT INCREASED SO MUCH. THAT'S A BIG SHOCK.
I FEEL THAT THE COUNTY IS GOING TO TAX A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES.
THIS IS PRETTY CONCERNING AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS A GREATLY REDUCED TAX RATE THIS YEAR TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT, AND THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT FOR YOU. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.
ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M RICK TUTTERTON, 9750 BLACKWATER FARM LANE.
I HAVE TO SAY I FEEL LIKE I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF A SHOW FOR YELLOWSTONE.
WHEN I LOOK DOWN AND I SEE THE ASSESSMENT CHANGES SAY THAT MULTIFAMILY, WHEN WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RENTS IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, WENT DOWN 10.5 OR ALMOST 11% YET FARMERS WENT UP 36% ON OVER 100 ACRES.
I CAN'T HELP BUT UNDERSTAND NOW WHY SO MANY OF THEM WANT TO SELL PROPERTY TO ME.
WHY THEY WANT TO DO THE STUFF THAT I DO.
THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP THEIR PROPERTY.
THE SECOND THING I WANT TO TAKE ISSUE WITH, HE SAYS THAT RYAN HOLMES PAID $120,000 FOR THE LOTS OVER ON THE GOLF COURSE.
I HAD A BUILDER, FRIEND OF MINE WHO'S VERY CLOSE WITH MR. EMERSON THAT DEVELOPED IT, CALL HIM TODAY.
MR. EMERSON SOLD THE LOTS FOR $73,000.
THAT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ACCURATE.
[00:35:01]
I BELIEVE I'M CORRECT THAT CHAPEL CREEK JUSTIN SPOKE WITH BOYD HOLMES TODAY.I BELIEVE THEY'RE SELLING THEIR LOTS AT 80, HE SAYS 120.
NOW, THE INTERESTING PART ABOUT THIS IS MY PERSONAL LOT OUT ON 460 WHERE I'M DEVELOPING LAND WENT FROM, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE ASSESSMENT WAS, WENT UP TO $80,000.
I HAVE SEVEN COMPS ON THE SAME ROAD, SAME SIZE LOTS SOLD WITHIN THE LAST YEAR FOR $65,000.
HE'S NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT CERTAIN FACTORS.
THE FIRST FACTOR, HE'S NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, THEN GET 80,000 FOR THE LOTS OVER HERE IN CHAPEL CREEK.
IT'S SEWER AND WATER, $7,000 OR SO TAP FEE.
SEWER AND WATER IS ALREADY IN.
THE DEVELOPER SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR IT.
THAT'S NOT AN EQUAL COMPARISON TO A FIVE ACRE LOT WHERE YOU HAVE TO PUT IN A $12,000 WELL AND ANYWHERE, $20-40,000 THOUSAND SEPTIC SYSTEM.
HIS ASSESSMENTS ARE WAY OFF. THEY'RE BEYOND OFF.
IF HE CAN TEACH ME HOW TO SELL, I'VE BEEN AT THIS SINCE 1996.
IF HE CAN TEACH ME HOW TO SELL SWAMP LAND FOR WHAT HE'S ASSESSING IT FOR, I'LL SHAKE HIS HAND AND BE GLAD TO TAKE THAT COURSE BECAUSE I WILL BE A MIRACLE WORKER FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY IF I CAN SELL SWAMP LAND FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY.
I'M JUST TELLING YOU THERE ARE A LOT OF VERY OBVIOUS FLAWS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT ARE GETTING HURT BY THIS.
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN THE GUY THAT SELLS HIGH.
CHUCK CHAPELS HERE, HE WAS ONE OF MY FIRST BROKERS.
WHEN I WOULD BRING IN LISTINGS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE TABLE WOULD LAUGH BECAUSE I WOULD USUALLY BE HIGHER THAN MOST PEOPLE EVER THOUGHT OF BEING.
FOR ME TO COME UP HERE AND TELL YOU THAT HE'S WAY OVER ASSESSING AND I PROVIDED YOU WITH SOME FACTS THERE TO SHOW YOU HE'S WAY OVER ASSESSING, HE'S 50,000 HIGH, ALMOST ON THE ONES ON GOLF COURSE OVER WHAT THEY ACTUALLY SOLD FOR.
THEN I GOT A REAL PROBLEM WITH HOW HE'S PUTTING VALUES ON THIS AND YOU HAVE A REAL PROBLEM ON HOW TO CONTROL THIS AND GET CONTROL OF THIS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE SIZE MEETING YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IF THIS CONTINUES.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A MEETING THAT FLOWS OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT.
JUST LETTING YOU KNOW INFORMATION IS NOT ACCURATE, CERTAIN VARIABLES AND FACTORS AREN'T THERE.
YOU HAVE A ROOM FULL OF BUILDING INDUSTRY, REAL ESTATE PEOPLE, TONS OF PEOPLE IN THIS AREA THAT WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP WITH THIS BECAUSE I ASSURE YOU IF I COULD SELL FOR WHAT HE'S ASSESSING FOR, BOY, I'D BE EVEN BETTER THAN I AM. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYBODY ELSE? I SEE ONE COMING.
>> I'M GOING TO TRY TO WING THIS.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A TIMER.
>> CAN YOU DO THAT IN THREE MINUTES?
>> JIM QUIST, 9807 COUNTY LINE ROAD.
>> SOME OF YOU ALL KNOW MY BACKGROUND, BUT PART OF IT WAS WRITING BIG CONTRACTS FOR US GOVERNMENT.
MOST OF THEM US NAVY AND SHIP PROGRAMS. WE USED TO PUT TOGETHER WITH A TEAM OF THREE PEOPLE SEVEN YEAR FIXED CONTRACTS.
FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS WITH A SEVEN YEAR CRYSTAL BALL AND WE MADE MONEY DOING IT.
THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. WE WERE HUMAN.
THE FOLKS WORKING FOR YOU ARE HUMAN, BUT THEY'RE MAKING VERY HUMAN ERRORS.
I LEARNED TO BE AN EXPERT IN EXCEL.
THESE SEVEN YEAR CONTRACTS WITH 30,000 LINE ITEMS ON THEM WOULD HAVE 3.4% INCREASES OF ACCOUNTING FOR INFLATION.
IF I EVER RAN A SHEET AND YOU CAN DO A THING CALLED CONDITIONAL FORMATTING IN A SPREADSHEET FORMAT, RED, YELLOW, GREEN.
YOU START SEEING YELLOWS, YOU START PAYING ATTENTION.
YOU START SEEING REDS, 200, 300, 800% INCREASES.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO BE SLAPPED UPSIDE THE HEAD.
WHOEVER LET AN 800% INCREASE GO THROUGH IN A LETTER, IN WRITTEN FORMAT, UNDER COVER OF YOUR ADMINISTRATION, DESERVES A SLAP UPSIDE THE HEAD.
IT'S OUTRAGEOUS, AND IT NEEDS TO STOP.
THIS IS A SIMPLE SPREADSHEET EXERCISE WE PUT TOGETHER TWO YEARS AGO, LAST YEAR, THE ONE COMING UP, AND YOU LOOK AT A TREND.
IF IT GOES UP MORE THAN X, IT TURNS YELLOW.
IT TURNS UP MORE THAN X PLUS Y, IT TURNS RED.
YOU LOOK AT IT, AND YOU DON'T SEND THAT LETTER OUT. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
I'LL VOLUNTEER MY SERVICES IF YOU WANT IT.
I'LL COME IN AND FIX THIS THING FOR YOU IN A HEARTBEAT.
IT DOESN'T TAKE THAT LONG. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. APPRECIATE IT.
[00:40:01]
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK? ONE MORE TIME. ANYBODY WANT TO COME UP AND SPEAK? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE.
I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND TURN IT BACK OVER TO THE BOARD.
NEXT ITEM IS ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I SO MOVE THAT WE WOULD ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS SUPERVISORS COMMENT.
[E. Comments]
I'M GOING TO START ON MY LEFT TONIGHT, MR. COX.>> THANKS, SIR. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT COME OUT AND SPOKE TONIGHT.
I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO COME OUT AND SPEAK ON THE TOPIC YOU WERE SPEAKING ON.
BUT IT'S GOOD TO SEE PEOPLE ACT AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.
THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO DO WHAT WE CAN DO FOR ALL THAT'S WHAT WERE ELECTED FOR.
WE'RE REPRESENTATIVES OF YOU AND I WILL REACH OUT TO A LOT OF Y'ALL TO TALK TO Y'ALL INDIVIDUALLY.
IF YOU DON'T MIND TONIGHT, STOP BY AND MAKE SURE I'VE GOT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, BUT THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TONIGHT AGAIN. THANK Y'ALL.
>> I WANTED EVERYBODY TO BE REMINDED THAT FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH.
I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE REMINDED THAT YOU SHOULD TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
GO INTO YOUR PHYSICIANS FOR YOUR YEARLY CHECKUP.
GET YOUR VACCINES, AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BECAUSE HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER 1 KILLER IN AMERICA. THANK YOU.
>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO'S COME OUT TONIGHT ALSO, WHO'S REACHED OUT THIS WEEK, IN THE WEEK PRIOR TO ASSESSMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I, MYSELF AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ARE GOING TO BE SETTING UP A MEETING SO I CAN FURTHER GET SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO GET SOME ANSWERS BACK TO THE PUBLIC, SOME OF THE CONCERNS Y'ALL HAVE. THAT'S ALL THAT.
>> THE ONLY THING I WANT A LOT I COULD SAY, BUT I'M GOING TO REFRAIN.
THE BIGGEST THING, MS. WAYMACK, I WANT TO SAY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FOR TOMORROW.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO ALL OF THE LADIES IN THE AUDIENCE AND TO THE LADIES AND STAFF, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.
IT'S ALSO A REMINDER TO HELP ME NOT TO MESS UP TOMORROW, SO WE'RE GOOD.
>> I'M GLAD YOU STATED THAT BECAUSE I FORGOT IT. WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?
>> I HAVE NOTHING TONIGHT OTHER THAN TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN TO COME OUT.
I KNOW YOU'VE GOT SOME DEEP CONCERNS AND I WANT TO RESTATE I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF BUT I'M SURE THE BOARD AGREES WITH THIS.
THERE IS NO UNDESIRABLES IN PRESS GEORGE COUNTY UNLESS YOU'RE BREAKING THE LAW OR YOU'RE DRUG DEALER IN MY MIND.
I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. I'M GOING TO DROP BACK AND MOVE FOR A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> [INAUDIBLE] CALL A ROLL, PLEASE.
>> ALL RIGHT. NOW WE'LL MOVE TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS. COMMENTS.
FIRST OFF TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MISS KRISTEN PUDLO.
SHE'D STAND. MS. PUDLO BEGAN FEBRUARY 1.
SHE IS OUR NEW DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
SHE DOES TAKE THE ROLE WAS HELD BY JULIE WALTON WHO UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY.
NEXT FEBRUARY 15TH, VIRGINIA'S 04:00 PM, BURN BAN DOES TAKE EFFECT.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY COUNTY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY FEBRUARY 19TH FOR THE PRESIDENT'S DAY HOLIDAY.
WE ARE IN THE FY 25 BUDGET SEASON.
IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE, OUR FIRST BUDGET WORK SESSION WILL BE FEBRUARY 21ST, RIGHT HERE AT 06:00 PM AND THE NEXT ONE WILL BE MARCH 5TH, RIGHT HERE AT 06:00 PM. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. STOKES.
NEXT WE HAVE REPORTS, VEDA. MR. AARON FRENCH,
[F. Reports]
[00:45:01]
I THINK FILING FOR CRYSTAL.>> YES, SIR. MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF BOARD, GOOD EVENING.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING, MY NAME IS AARON FRENCH.
I'M THE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS MANAGER IN THE PETERSBURG RESIDENCY.
THIS EVENING, I'LL BE STARTING OFF WITH OUR ONGOING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY.
TOP OF THE LIST IS OUR TWO BRIDGE PROJECTS, GOLF COURSE DRIVE AND LONE OAK MILL ROAD, BUT BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS ARE STILL ON SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION IN THE FALL OF '24.
WE ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE DETOUR FOR THE GOLF COURSE ROAD PROJECT.
LOOKING AT DOING SOME IMPROVED SIGNAGE TO NOTIFY TRUCKERS THAT IT IS NOT A SUITABLE ROUTE.
ALSO KEEPING UP WITH THE CONDITION OF THAT DETOUR FOR GOLF COURSE ROAD AS WELL.
SPECIFICALLY SWEET, SOME ISSUES WITH PAVEMENT AND DRAINAGE WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT.
I WAS TALKING WITH MY MAINTENANCE GUYS THIS WEEK.
A COUPLE OF CLOG PIPES OUT THERE AS WELL HOLDING WATER IN THE DITCHES, AND WE'LL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE POTHOLES COMING UP OUT THERE AS WELL.
IF ANYBODY HASN'T NOTICED CONSTRUCTION STARTED AT THE BULL HILL AND COURTHOUSE ROAD ROUNDABOUT THIS WEEK, THEY'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE UTILITIES.
WE DID RECEIVE SOME CONCERNS REGARDING RESIDENTS ACCESS TO THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE RIGHT THERE ADJACENT TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE, AS FAR AS QUEUING TRAFFIC AND HOW IT IMPACTS THEM TO ACTUALLY GET IN OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THAT PROJECT MANAGER AND CONTRACTOR TO KIND OF PHASE THAT SO THOSE RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS THEIR PROPERTIES FREELY.
OUR RESURFACING SCHEDULE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN INITIATED FOR THE COMING PAVING SEASON.
NOT TOO MUCH ACTIVITY RIGHT NOW.
GIVEN WE'RE STILL IN FEBRUARY, THAT SHOULD RAMP UP AS WE GET INTO SOME WARMER WEATHER STARTING NOW.
ALREADY WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS WILL BE OUR SLURRY SEAL, OUR THIN TREATMENT MOBILIZATION.
I KNOW THAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO MOBILIZE TO THE RIVER'S EDGE SUBDIVISION WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO START SOME PATCHING BEFORE THEY DO A FULL TREATMENT IN THAT SUBDIVISION.
MY MAINTENANCE FOLKS ARE OUT THERE THIS WEEK REPLACING SOME PIPES AHEAD OF THAT SCHEDULE AS WELL.
WE WILL BE STARTING TO SEND A TWO WEEK LOOK AHEADS FOR THE PAVING SCHEDULES AS WELL AS THOSE RAMP UP.
THEY SHOULD BE PRETTY SHORT NOW IN A MONTH OR SO.
THEY'LL GET LONGER AS WE MOVE INTO OUR ASPHALT SCHEDULES AND SURFACE TREATMENT SCHEDULES.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH OUR MANAGER FOR THE BEN HARRISON BRIDGE THIS AFTERNOON.
YOU MAY HAVE SEEN SOME IMPACTS TO TRAFFIC OUT THERE.
THE LAST COUPLE DAYS, THEY WERE DOING REPAIR ON SOME GUARD RAIL THAT WAS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
LOOKING FORWARD, THEY DO HAVE ANOTHER PROJECT TO BEGIN IN THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS THAT WILL BE A SPAN LOCK PROJECT TO REPLACE THE MECHANISMS THAT LOCK THE SPAN TOGETHER WHEN IT IS IN ITS CLOSED POSITION.
THAT WILL RESULT IN SOME LANE CLOSURES THERE ON THE BEN HARRISON OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
LOOKING LONG TERM ON OUR PROJECTS, THE QUEEN STREET ROAD PROJECT, THAT IS STILL ON SCHEDULE TO GO TO ADD FOR THE SUMMER OF 2025 AND A LITTLE BIT FURTHER OUT, THE MIDDLE AND JEFFERSON ROUNDABOUT PROJECT IS PLANNED TO GO TO ADD IN FALL OF 2026.
MOVING OVER TO OUR MAINTENANCE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, SOME UPCOMING PROJECTS, WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR DRY WEATHER ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY.
OF THE THREE LOCALITIES THAT I SERVE, I HAVE BEEN TELLING EVERYBODY, JUST BE PATIENT WITH US BECAUSE WE JUST CANNOT MAKE THE WATER GO AWAY AND IT KEEPS ON COMING DOWN.
THE OUTFALL PROJECT AT HEINZ ROAD IS STAKED.
OUR GRADING LIMITS ARE STAKED.
WE ARE JUST WAITING TO GET TO DRY WEATHER.
IF WE PUT A TRACK PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN THERE RIGHT NOW, IT WILL BE A MESS.
OUR WOOD ROAD AND GOLF COURSE RIGHT THERE AT THAT INTERSECTION IS A CURVE IN THE LOW SPOT.
THAT'S BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
JUST TODAY I DID GET A SURVEY BACK, WE DID A FULL SURVEY OF THAT AREA.
SO I WILL INSTILL SOME OF OUR ENGINEERING WISDOM AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THE DRAYAGE OUT THERE AND COME UP WITH A PERMANENT SOLUTION.
IT'LL LIKELY BE GRADING THE DITCHES TO MAKE THEM FLOW BASED ON A PRELIMINARY LOOK AT IT, PROBABLY GOING TOWARDS 460 AND AROUND THE RADIUS AT THAT INTERSECTION OF 460 AND GOING DOWN THAT DITCH PARALLEL.
BUT ONCE I DIG FURTHER, ANOTHER SURVEY, I WILL CONFIRM.
MS. WAYMACK, I DID TOUCH BASE WITH CRYSTAL REGARDING THE ISSUE ON WHISPERING WINDS.
JUST TO REITERATE, WE ARE TAKING A LOOK AT THAT AND ADDRESSING IT WHAT WE CAN NOW AND CONTINUING TO DO MORE AS THINGS DRY UP. YES, MA'AM.
WE ISSUED A NOTICE TO PROCEED FOR A PRIMARY ROUTE TRASH PICK UP CYCLE THAT SHOULD BEGIN WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF TRASH ON OUR PRIMARIES, SO THAT SHOULD MAKE THINGS LOOK A LITTLE BETTER BEFORE WE DO A TRASH PICK UP AHEAD OF OUR MOWING IN THE SPRING AS WELL.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, A LINK WAS SENT OUT FOR THE NEWEST RENDITION OF OUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MANUAL.
FOR ANY OF OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS,
[00:50:01]
IT IS A GOOD RESOURCE TO LOOK AT SOME CALMLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THAT IS ALL I HAVE.>> I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. MR. FRENCH.
>> ONE OF IT IS IS A GUARD RAIL DAMAGE, A JACKSON'S PINE ON POLE RUN ROAD, AND I DON'T SEE RED X.
NORMALLY, WHOEVER COMES THROUGH TO IDENTIFY TO YOU, THEY PUT A RED X ON THE GUARD RAIL TO SIGNIFY IT'S BEEN RECORDED.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE GOT THAT ON YOUR FILE OR NOT.
THE SECOND THING IS WHEN YOU SAY NOT SUITABLE, I'M BACK TO PUMP HOUSE NOW IS THAT GOING TO BE NO THROUGH TRUCKS OR JUST NOT SUITABLE ROUTE? BECAUSE LADY IS RIGHT ABOUT THAT BRIDGE, IT'S TIGHT TO GET A WHEEL PICK UP THROUGH THAT, LET ALONE THE TRUCK.
>> OH, YEAH. SO IT IS IN A LITERAL SENSE IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR AN ACTUAL NO THROUGH TRUCK RESTRICTION.
YOU'VE GOT TO JUMP THROUGH, IT'S A LENGTHY PROCESS.
IT GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE COMMISSION OR THE HIGHWAYS COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD.
HOWEVER, IT MAY BE ABLE TO BE EXPEDITED DUE TO THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE SEEING OUT THERE, BUT AT A MINIMUM, IT WILL BE POSTED AS NOT RECOMMENDED.
>> IS THE REASON I ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT CAME UP LAST YEAR SOMETIME IT WAS REQUESTED TO BE NO THROUGH TRUCK AND I KNOW YOU'RE FILLING IN, SO IT COULD BE IN THERE IF YOU COULD.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW OR THE BOARD WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT IS, PLEASE.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. ANYBODY ELSE?
>> WE ACTUALLY HAD DISCUSSIONS BEFORE ABOUT AND WE WERE TOLD ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE WAS GOING TO BE PUT UP.
IT WAS TO LIKE HEIGHT RESTRICTION, LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY COULDN'T GET THROUGH AND IT WAS GOING TO BE POSTED ON BOTH SIDES, COMING FROM 460 UP TOWARDS THAT LITTLE TRUSTLE, AND THE OTHER WAY COMING THROUGH TWEET, YOU KNOW, SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T TURN.
IT WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD THAT MAJOR BLOCKAGE ON THAT ROAD WHERE AS SHE STATED, THERE WAS A TRUCK THAT GOT STUCK, THEN THE WRECKER GOT STUCK AND EVERYTHING.
SO MY OTHER CONCERN, AND FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT IT WAS SOONER THAN THIS, IS SO THE ROUNDABOUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MIDDLE ROAD, AND JEFFERSON PARK IS NOT GOING TO GO OUT UNTIL NOW.
>> HE'S TALKING ABOUT BOHILL, I BELIEVE.
>> NO, HE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT MIDDLE ROAD AND-
>> MIDDLE ROAD AND JEFFERSON PARK? YES, SIR.
>> SO, THAT I THOUGHT THAT HAD BEEN WELL,.
>> THE MONEY HAS TO BE SPENT BY 2026.
>> WE GOT YEAH, WE SECURED FEDERAL REQUIREMENT.
LAST THING WE DID WAS JUST SECURE IT SO THEY COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ENGINEERING, SO WOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT ON THAT.
FUNDING HAS BEEN SECURED FOR THE PROJECT.
WE'LL ENTER OUR PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING PHASE HERE SHORTLY, WHICH WITH RIGHT AWAY ACQUISITION AND THE FULL ENGINEERING DESIGN CAN BE A LENGTHY PROCESS, OKAY?
>> BUT EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE SET SO THAT THE MONIES WON'T EXPIRE BEFORE WE GET STARTED OF THAT.
I GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE EITHER WERE UNDERWAY OR WE JUST COMPLETED A TRAFFIC STUDY OVER BY EXIT 45 ON CRATER ROAD.
COULD YOU CHECK INTO THAT AND SEE WHERE WE'RE AT ON THAT? I KNOW WE'VE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS RECENTLY OVER THERE AT EXIT 45 AGAIN.
I KNOW YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH BAXTER ROAD.
WE GOT A LOT OF TRASH THROUGH THERE, WHICH YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKE OF, GETTING THAT.
BUT WHERE ARE WE AT ON THE WATER ISSUE THAT WE HAVE THERE EVERY TIME WE HAVE A RAINSTORM.
>> WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY HAVE TO RAISE THE ROAD SEVERAL FEET TO FIX THAT ISSUE.
THE STRUCTURE THAT IS THERE IS MORE OR LESS AT A HIGHER ELEVATION THAN THE ROADWAY IS.
LIKE I SAID, WE WOULD HAVE TO RAISE THE ROAD.
WE DO CONTINUOUSLY CHECK THAT STRUCTURE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS FREE FLOWING.
THAT WOULD UNFORTUNATELY BE A LONGER TERM PROJECT THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT WITH THE COUNTY AND INITIATING A PROJECT TO MAKE THAT IMPROVEMENT.
>> YEAH. BECAUSE I MEAN, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I'VE ALWAYS HEARD WHEN THE WATERS IN THE ROAD TURN AROUND, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO GO THROUGH IT.
AND THEN THE LAST THING THAT WE'VE SPOKEN QUITE A BIT TONIGHT ABOUT GOLF COURSE DRIVE, I THINK A QUICK FIX WOULD BE IF WE COULD PUT AN ELECTRONIC SIGNBOARD AT THE INTERSECTION OF SWEET AND PUMP HOUSE.
BECAUSE THOSE TRUCKS ARE COMING IN, THEY THINK THEY CAN MAKE IT.
THEY GET DOWN AND ACTUALLY WE HAD ONE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I RUN INTO WHEN I WAS GOING OUT, THE GIRL MADE THE TURN AND I ASKED HER WHERE SHE WAS GOING AND SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO GOLF COURSE AND TURN AROUND A GOLF AT CHESTER DRIVE.
AND TURN AROUND. WELL, THEN I HEARD LATER ON SHE GOT STUCK TRYING TO GO BACK OUT IF WE HAD SOMETHING TO LET THE TRACTOR TRAILERS KNOW THERE IS NO THROUGH FARE BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING AND THINKING THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING, HOW THEY COME OFF A THREE DRIVE AND GET DOWN IN THERE
[00:55:01]
AND WHERE THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.BUT I THINK THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY IF WE COULD GET MAYBE AN ELECTRONIC SIGNBOARD AT THAT INTERSECTION MAKING THEM AWARE OF IT.
THE TUNNEL AT THE OTHER END HAS BEEN THERE FOREVER.
AND THE PROBLEM YOU SPOKE OF IT, ARWOOD AND GOLF COURSE, I'VE BEEN IN THE COUNTY FOR 40 SOME YEARS, AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A MUDHOLE.
SO BUT THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
IF YOU COULD LET ME KNOW ON THAT TRAFFIC STUDY, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> YES, SIR. I WILL I DO BELIEVE THAT WE'VE KIND OF RECEIVED A PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THAT STUDY.
I'M GOING TO LOOK AT FINALIZING IT HERE SHORTLY, BUT I WILL CONFIRM THAT.
>> I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT, SIR.
>> TO TOUCH ON YOUR CONCERN WITH THE GUARD RAIL, MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT GUARD RAIL DAMAGE WAS DONE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.
I BELIEVE MY MAINTENANCE FOLKS STUMBLED UPON THAT ACCIDENT SHORTLY AFTER IT HAPPENED, AND I DON'T THINK THAT THERE WAS A REPORT DONE.
AND SO THAT THE PROCESS FOR WHICH WE HANDLE THE GUARD RAIL, AS NORMALLY THE WORK ORDER IS INPUT THROUGH CLAIMS PROCESS, BUT WE'RE WORKING ON DOING THAT OURSELVES.
SO IT'S BEING HANDLED A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY, JUDGE, BUT I WILL MAKE SURE THAT IT IS INDEED GOING TO BE ADDRESSED, JUDGE.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU, SIR.
OUR NEXT ITEM IS LAND USE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. MR. GORDON EAR.
>> CHAIRMAN, WEBB, VICE CHAIRMAN BROWN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MR. STOKE AND [INAUDIBLE] GOOD EVENING.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE TIME TO SHARE WITH YOU HOW WE ADMINISTER THIS PROGRAM AND DISPEL SOME OF THE MISSTATEMENTS AND EXAGGERATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM RECENTLY.
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES 1,285 PROPERTIES IN THE COUNTY.
THAT IS 9% OF THE REAL ESTATE PARCELS.
THIS PROGRAM DEFERS $297 MILLION IN ASSESSED VALUE, WHICH MEANS THAT IT'S ESSENTIALLY COSTING $2.4 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE.
THAT'S WHAT THEY GIVES UP BY OFFERING THIS PROGRAM.
THE AVERAGE TAX SAVINGS PER PROPERTY IS $1,836.
CURRENTLY, THE TAX RATE FOR THE COUNTY IS $0.82.
IF THIS PROGRAM WAS ELIMINATED, THE TAX RATE COULD BE REDUCED TO $0.77 JUST SOME BASIC FACTS ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND WHAT IT COSTS.
THE LAND USE PROGRAM WAS INTRODUCED IN 1971.
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE OF WHY IT WAS INTRODUCED, AND ACTUALLY THE CODE HAS BEEN CHANGED SO THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IS NO LONGER IN THE CODE.
I WANTED TO JUST COME BACK AND REVISIT IT.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, THIS WAS NOT A TAX RELIEF PROGRAM FOR PROPERTY OWNERS.
IT WAS A PROGRAM TO CONSERVE LAND.
IT WAS TO ENCOURAGE THE PRESERVATION AND PROPER USE OF SUCH REAL ESTATE IN ORDER TO ASSURE READILY AVAILABLE SOURCE OF AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, FOREST PRODUCTS, AND OPEN SPACES WITHIN THE REACH OF CONCENTRATIONS OF POPULATION.
TO CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES IN FORMS WHICH WILL PREVENT EROSION AND TO PROTECT ADEQUATE AND SAFE WATER SUPPLIES.
TO PRESERVE SCENIC NATURAL BEAUTY AND OPEN SPACES.
TO PROMOTE PROPER LAND-USE PLANNING AND ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF REAL ESTATE FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF AN EXPANDING POPULATION.
AND TO PROMOTE A BALANCED ECONOMY AND AMELIORATE THE PRESSURES WHICH FORCE CONVERSION OF SUCH REAL ESTATE TO MORE INTENSIVE USES AND WHICH ARE ATTRIBUTABLE, IN PART TO THE ASSESSMENT OF SUCH REAL ESTATE VALUES INCOMPATIBLE WITH ITS USE AND PRESERVATION FOR AGRICULTURAL,
[01:00:01]
HORTICULTURAL, FOREST, OR OPEN SPACE USES.THE CODE SPECIFICALLY DEALS WITH WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM AND IT IS LANDS THAT MEET PRESCRIBED STANDARDS FOR BONA FIDE PRODUCTION.
THESE STANDARDS ARE SET FORTH IN THE CODE.
IT IS FOR PRODUCTIVE AND NONPRODUCTIVE FOREST LAND, AND IT IS FOR LANDS THAT ARE USED OR PRESERVED FOR PARK OR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, CONSERVATION, FLOODWAYS, WETLANDS, RIPARIAN BUFFERS, HISTORIC OR SCENIC PURPOSES, OR COMMUNITY SHAPING PURPOSES, OR FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
THAT LAST CATEGORY DOES REQUIRE AN AGREEMENT.
THE VIRGINIA CODE, THAT'S WHERE THE PREREQUISITES ARE LAID OUT AND THOSE WOULD BE SIZE PARCELS HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE, THEY HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN ZONING AND THERE ARE DETAILS OF OWNERSHIP THAT ARE REQUIRED? THE STANDARDS ARE SET BY STATE AGENCIES SUCH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER.
THEIR EXACT NAME IS, I'M SORRY.
THEN THE RATES ARE SET FORTH BY SLEAC, WHICH IS A STATE BOARD.
HERE, JUST THE ITEMS IN THE VIRGINIA CODE THAT HELP US ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM.
THERE AREN'T TOO MANY, BUT I WILL SAY THAT IT IS A VERY COMPLEX PROGRAM AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINIONS GIVEN REGARDING LAND USE BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A DETAILED AND SPECIFIC PROGRAM.
THE COUNTY CODE HAS PROVIDED SOME DETAILS AS WELL FOR ADMINISTRATION AS TO SLEAC.
WE HAVE THE MANUAL FOR THE STATE LAND EVALUATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AND OF COURSE, THEY ISSUE RATES EVERY YEAR, WHICH I BRING TO YOU TO DETERMINE IF WE'RE GOING TO USE THE RATES AS GIVEN OR THE THREE YEAR AVERAGE.
THERE ARE THE PRINCE GEORGE RATES AS THEY HAVE EXISTED FOR THE LAST SOME YEARS.
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BE IN LAND USE, THE FIRST STEP IS TO COMPLETE AN INITIAL APPLICATION.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE HERE.
WE'RE FAIRLY PARTICULAR ABOUT THE SUBMISSION OF THESE APPLICATIONS.
WE REQUIRE ALL OF THE OWNERS OF RECORD TO SIGN IT AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE BEING STICKLERS.
IT'S BECAUSE WHEN YOU ENTER THE LAND-USE PROGRAM, YOU ARE CREATING A LIEN ON YOUR PROPERTY.
YOU ARE DEFERRING TAXES AND CREATING A LIEN.
SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE SIGNATURES OF EVERYONE, SO WE KNOW THAT ALL OF THE OWNERS HAVE AGREED TO CREATING THIS LIEN ON THE PROPERTY.
CRITERIA OWNERSHIP, AGAIN, WE NEED TO KNOW WHO THE OWNERS ARE.
IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES THAT ARE BEING APPLIED FOR, SO THAT THEY MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS, THE OWNERSHIP HAS TO BE IDENTICAL ON THE VARIOUS PIECES.
SIZE, THERE ARE THE MINIMUM SIZE REQUIREMENTS, FIVE ACRES FOR AGRICULTURE, 20 FOR FORESTRY, FIVE FOR OPEN SPACE, FIVE FOR HORTICULTURE.
ZONING THE PROPERTY CAN'T BE REZONED, HAVING BEEN REZONED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER TO SAY A COMMERCIAL USE AND BE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM.
THEN THERE ARE PRODUCTION STANDARDS FOR THE PROPERTY AS WELL.
THE FIRST STEP IS TO LOOK AT THE PROPERTY.
THE USE OF GIS IN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND ORTHO PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN ACCEPTED METHOD OF INSPECTION BY THE INTERNAL ASSESS OFFICERS.
THE COUNTY DOES PAY A CONSIDERABLE SUM TO HAVE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FLOWN EVERY TWO YEARS,
[01:05:05]
AND THIS PHOTOGRAPHY IS DETAILED DOWN TO FOUR INCHES, A FOUR INCH SCALE.WE LOOK AT THAT PROPERTY AND WE MEASURE OUT THE VARIOUS AREAS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE AREAS THAT ARE AGRICULTURE AND BEING CULTIVATED OR AN ORCHARD, IF FRUIT TREES PLANTED ON IT.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE FORESTED AREAS AND THEN WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE NON QUALIFYING AREAS.
TYPICALLY, THAT'S AN AREA WHERE THE PROPERTY OWNER MIGHT HAVE A HOME.
WE MEASURE THOSE OUT, WE THEN PUT THEM INTO OUR CALCULATOR, WHICH PROPORTIONS THE AMOUNT TO WHAT THE LEGAL ACREAGE IS.
THAT GIVES US THE AMOUNT OF ACREAGE IN EACH CATEGORY.
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TAKING THOSE MEASUREMENTS AND THE ACREAGE AND THEN APPLYING THE LAND USE RATES.
WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE HERE, SO THE LAND USE CALCULATION IS ON THE LEFT, AND YOU CAN SEE EACH OF THE ACREAGE CATEGORIES THERE, MULTIPLIED BY THE ASSESSMENT RATES THAT THE BOARD APPROVED, AND THAT GIVES YOU THE ASSESSED VALUE.
IN THIS CASE, THE LAND USE ASSESSMENT, $56,880 TAXES OF $466.
THEN OVER ON THE RIGHT IS THE FAIR MARKET VALUE ASSESSMENT.
THAT, OF COURSE, IS THE ASSESSMENT THAT WOULD BE ON THE PROPERTY IF IT WASN'T IN LAND USE.
THERE THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY IS 40 ACRES AND IT WAS ASSESSED AT $4,800 AN ACRE FOR THAT ASSESSMENT OF $192,000 WITH TAXES OF $1,574.
I WANT TO GO BACK, TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THAT.
THE LAND USE ASSESSMENT WAS 56,880.
THAT'S THE WAY WE ARE DOING IT NOW, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU THE WAY IT WAS BEING DONE BEFORE, WHICH DID NOT FAVOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
HERE, THE NEW APPROACH THAT WE USED, THIS YEAR IS ON THE LEFT AND YOU'LL SEE THE NON QUALIFYING AREA WHERE THE HOME SITE WAS.
IT'S ASSESSED AT THE ACREAGE RATE THAT IT WOULD BE IF IT WAS NOT IN THE PROGRAM.
THE PREVIOUS ASSESSORS HERE PICKED THE FIRST ACRE OUT AND CHARGED A MUCH HIGHER RATE.
THE LAST YEAR THAT WAS DONE THIS YEAR, THAT RATE WAS $36,000.
YOU CAN SEE THE NEW WAY METHODOLOGY THAT WE'VE EMPLOYED, TAXES ARE 466, AND THE OLD METHOD IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 689.
>> MR. GORDINEER. I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, SIR.
WOULD YOU MAKE SURE YOU'RE ADDRESSING US?
>> YOU'RE IN THE PROGRAM, YOU HAVE TO REVALIDATE EVERY YEAR.
EVERY SIXTH YEAR THERE IS A FEE ASSOCIATED $10 FEE, ACTUALLY $10 AND PROPERTIES OVER 100 ACRES OR MORE, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO RECOMMEND.
A LITTLE CHANGE ON THAT TO MAKE IT ALL $10.
BUT THAT REVALIDATION FEE IS ONLY ONCE EVERY SIX YEARS.
THIS YEAR WE HAD THAT APPLICATION, AND THERE WE GO, THE APPLICATION.
THIS YEAR WE INTRODUCED SOMETHING NEW TRYING TO MAKE THE APPLICATIONS EASIER FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
IN THE PAST, REVALIDATION APPLICATIONS WERE SENT OUT BLANK, SO PEOPLE HAD TO PULL THEIR APPLICATION OUT TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH ACREAGE THEY HAD IN EACH CATEGORY TO FILL OUT THE FORM FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
THIS YEAR WE SENT THE FORMS OUT.
THEY WERE PRE PRINTED WITH THE INFORMATION IN OUR DATABASE, WHICH WE FELT WAS A BENEFIT FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER, MADE IT EASIER TO FILL OUT THE FORM AND WAS ALSO A WAY OF QUALITY CONTROL.
IF THEY SAW A NUMBER THERE THAT THEY DIDN'T THINK WAS RIGHT, IT BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY COULD CONTACT US AND WE COULD CLARIFY AND CORRECT IT IF NECESSARY.
[01:10:08]
LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS THE FIRST REVALIDATION THAT I WAS HERE FOR, I FELT LIKE THERE WASN'T NECESSARILY A GREAT UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE PROGRAM OF ALL THE PARTICIPANTS.I THINK SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN IT SO LONG, THEY DON'T REMEMBER A LOT OF THE SPECIFICS ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
OUR TEAM PUT TOGETHER THIS LAND USE CRITERIA AND PROGRAM GUIDELINE AND THIS WAS INCLUDED WITH EVERY REVALIDATION APPLICATION.
PROPERTIES THAT NO LONGER QUALIFY.
LET'S SAY YOU'RE RENTING YOUR PROPERTY OUT TO SOMEONE THAT FARMS, THAT PERSON RETIRES, NOTHING IS HAPPENING ON THE PROPERTY, SO THE PROPERTY DOESN'T MEET THE PRODUCTION STANDARDS ANY LONGER.
OR LET'S SAY YOU DECIDE YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR 100 ACRES TO A DEVELOPER WHO'S GOING TO TURN IT INTO FIVE ACRE LOTS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS WOULD TRIGGER A ROLLBACK.
THE ROLLBACK IS TAKING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE FAIR MARKET VALUE ASSESSMENT AND THE LAND USE ASSESSMENT.
THAT DIFFERENCE THAT YOU DIDN'T PAY TAXES ON FOR THE CURRENT YEAR AND FIVE ADDITIONAL YEARS, AND THAT HAS TO BE PAID BACK TO THE COUNTY.
WE HAVE A SPREADSHEET THAT CALCULATES THAT, WE PUT IN THE LAND USE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS AND THEN THE FAIR MARKET VALUE ASSESSMENTS THAT CALCULATES THE TOTAL TAXES DUE.
FOLKS, THAT MAYBE STOP PRODUCTION OR IF THEY SUBDIVIDED THE PROPERTY INTO LOTS, THEY PAY THAT ROLLBACK IMMEDIATELY.
THERE ARE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT JUST DECIDE I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE PROGRAM ANYMORE, BUT I'M STILL GOING TO BE DOING FARMING.
THOSE PEOPLE THEY STILL HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE ROLLBACK RULES.
THEY COME OUT OF THE PROGRAM NOW, AND LET'S SAY IN THREE YEARS, THEY SUBDIVIDE IT.
AT THAT POINT, WE HAVE TO DO ROLLBACK TAXES FOR THE THREE YEARS BECAUSE THE ROLLBACK WOULD'VE BEEN DONE SIX YEARS.
BUT THEY STOPPED BEING IN THE PROGRAM THREE YEARS AGO, BUT THEY STILL OWE ROLLBACK FOR THREE YEARS.
WE HAVE THIS WATCH LIST OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT OF THE PROGRAM BUT SAY THEY'RE STILL DOING WHAT THEY WERE DOING TO QUALIFY ORIGINALLY AND WE JUST HAVE TO VISIT THOSE AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE PRODUCED.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTION ON THIS. NO, SIR. THANK YOU.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, MAY WE ASK A QUESTION?
>> NO, SIR. I'M SORRY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS THAT WOULD BE AN ODD OFFER TO YOU TO SET UP A MEETING AND WHATEVER QUESTION YOU HAVE DIRECTED TO MR. GORDON.
HE IS THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON IN THE ROOM TO TRY TO EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF I COULD JUST ASK ANYONE WHO HAS ANY QUESTION ABOUT THEIR PROPERTY.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN LOTS OF THINGS FLOATING AROUND ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND I'VE HAD ONE PROPERTY OWNER COME TO ME.
>> ONE PROPERTY OWNER. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, COME TO US.
THE PROGRAM IS SO SPECIFIC THAT YOU REALLY HAVE TO ADDRESS EACH PROPERTY INDIVIDUAL.
AND WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH ANY PROPERTY OWNER ABOUT LAND USE OR THEIR REGULAR ASSESSMENT AS WELL.
WE'RE WILLING TO LOOK AT THINGS, MAKE CHANGES IF NECESSARY.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. THAT'S ALL WE HAVE.
>> DO YOU WANT HIM TO REITERATE THE APPEAL PROCESS?
>> I THOUGHT ANDREA WAS GOING TO DO THAT; THE APPEAL PROCESS.
[01:15:04]
>> IT'S IN THERE. WE CAN REITERATE IT IF THAT WOULD HELP THE CITIZENS.
>> IF SOMEBODY IS INTERESTED IN APPEALING WHAT I WOULD.
>> THEY WERE THERE. YEAH, I'M SORRY.
WE HAD SOME SLIDES AT THE END OF THAT, AND I COMPLETELY FORGOT.
>> MR. GORDINEER, AND YOU CAN ADD TO THIS.
IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN APPEALING, IF THEY DISAGREE, THERE ARE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE CODE, BUT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT IN MEETING WITH YOU OR SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE THAT A DISPUTE COULD BE RESOLVED AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER?
>> CERTAINLY. I DID WANT TO ADDRESS BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS FLOATING AROUND AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THEM SPECIFICALLY REGARDING LAND USE.
THE FIRST IS OUR PROPERTIES BEING REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM AND ONLY RECEIVING A LETTER.
I CAN TELL YOU IN THE YEAR AND A HALF THAT I HAVE BEEN HERE, WE HAVE ONLY HAD FIVE PROPERTIES TAKEN OUT OF THE PROGRAM.
PROPERTIES OF FIVE OWNERS REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM.
EITHER MYSELF OR OUR REAL ESTATE TECHNICIAN, TIFFANY LEMONS, HAVE SPOKEN WITH EACH OF THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS BEFORE THE PROPERTY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE PROGRAM.
I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE I CAME HERE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT IS THE CASE SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE REMOVING SOMEONE WITHOUT SPEAKING WITH THEM.
IS THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE WORKING WITH PROPERTY OWNERS WHO NO LONGER MEET THE PROGRAM CRITERIA? YOU MIGHT REMEMBER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LAST YEAR I CAME TO YOU WITH SOME ORDINANCE CHANGES THAT ADDED SOME SPECIFICS ABOUT THE OPEN SPACE CATEGORY OF LAND USE.
I BROUGHT THAT TO YOU AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BECAUSE I WAS OFFERING OPEN SPACE. AS SOON AS I CAME HERE.
I SAID, WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE ANGRY AT US, [LAUGHTER]
>> AND IF WE CAN OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE THAT'S ACCEPTABLE TO THEM AND STILL GETS THEM A BENEFIT AND STILL MEETS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM, WE NEED TO DO THAT.
WE'D INTRODUCE THE OPEN SPACE ON TO PEOPLE AND OFFERED THAT TO THEM.
SPECIFICALLY WE HAD A PROPERTY OWNER THAT SHE SAID, OH, I CAN'T GET THE FARMER THAT USED TO FARM MY PROPERTY TO FARM ANYMORE AND IT'S JUST SITTING THERE FALLOW.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOESN'T MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR AGRICULTURE.
YOU HAVE TO BE PRODUCING, THAT'S THE STATE LAW, BUT IT COULD MEET THE OPEN SPACE.
THAT PERSON CHOSE NOT TO DO IT, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAD ANOTHER MEMBER, ANOTHER PROPERTY OWNER, WHO DECIDED TO DO THE OPEN SPACE, AND WE WORKED THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
THE COUNTY DOES HAVE ONE OPEN SPACE AGREEMENT, AND THOSE FOLKS THAT DO OPEN SPACE DO HAVE TO AGREE TO KEEP IT IN THAT PRESERVED STATE FOR FIVE YEARS.
THERE IS FLEXIBILITY. THE PROPERTY OWNER, WE DID IT WITH, WANTED TO RESERVE A HOME SITE FOR THEIR SON.
THE AGREEMENT SET ASIDE THAT AREA SO THEY COULD BUILD A HOME THERE AND THEY HAVE THEIR OPEN SPACE AGREEMENT.
ARE BARNS, SILOS, AND ROADS BEING EXCLUDED FROM LAND USE AT THE ASSESSOR'S DISCRETION? WELL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, LAND USE ASSESSMENTS APPLY TO AGRICULTURAL LAND IN PRODUCTION, AND LAND USE ASSESSMENTS DO NOT APPLY TO BUILDINGS.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT BRIAN GORDINEER CAN DECIDE, IT'S STATE LAW.
THE BUILDINGS DON'T GET INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM.
DOES THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE MAKE FIELD INSPECTIONS? THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE HAS VISITED EACH OF THE NO LONGER QUALIFYING FIVE PROPERTIES BEFORE THEY WERE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM.
WE VISITED EACH ONE OF THOSE IN PERSON.
WE DO USE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, AS YOU SAW IN MY EXAMPLE OF FOLLOWING THAT PROPERTY THROUGH THE PROCESS, WE DO USE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO DETERMINE
[01:20:03]
ACREAGES OF QUALIFYING AND NON-QUALIFYING AREAS.ARE THE MAJORITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS IN LAND USE ELDERLY OR ON FIXED INCOMES? THAT WAS A STATEMENT THAT I THINK WAS THROWN ABOUT AND THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE DOES NOT TRACK THE AGE OR INCOME OF ANY PROPERTY OWNERS, SO WE CANNOT COMMENT ON WHETHER MOST ARE ELDERLY OR ON FIXED INCOMES.
WHY WERE DOZENS OF PROPERTIES REMOVED FROM THE LAND USE PROGRAM FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES? IN 2023, JUST EIGHT PROPERTY OWNERS HAD THEIR PROPERTIES REMOVED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES AND THAT IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE PROGRAM.
YOU HAVE TO REMAIN CURRENT WITH YOUR TAXES.
IS THE PROPER SCHEDULE FOLLOWED FOR THE REMOVAL OF PROPERTIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES.
PRIOR COUNTY ASSESSORS WERE OPERATING THE LAND USE PROGRAM ON A CALENDAR SCHEDULE, ALTHOUGH FIVE YEARS AGO, THE COUNTY TRANSITIONED TO A FISCAL YEAR CALENDAR.
YOU MIGHT REMEMBER LAST YEAR I BROUGHT TO THE BOARD AN ORDINANCE REVISIONS FOR HOW WE PROCESS NEW CONSTRUCTION, SUPPLEMENT BILLING, CHANGING THE DATES FOR THOSE.
THAT WAS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE WAS OPERATING ON THE WRONG SCHEDULE ACCORDING TO STATE LAW.
>> WE HAD TO RECTIFY THAT THE SUPPLEMENTS WERE SOMETHING THAT WE WERE DOING EVERY MONTH.
I DEALT WITH THAT FIRST AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT HAVE NEEDED TO BE CLEANED UP IN OUR OFFICE BESIDES IMPLEMENTING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT YOU ALL BOUGHT IN 2018.
I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET TO ALL OF THEM, BUT WE'RE BRINGING YOU THE CALENDAR CHANGES FOR THE LAND USE PROGRAM THIS EVENING FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THAT IS THE END OF LAND USE. THANK YOU.
I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT JUST THE GENERAL REASSESSMENT, SO I DID TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT TOGETHER A COUPLE SLIDES HERE JUST TO CLARIFY BECAUSE AGAIN, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF MISSTATEMENTS AND EXAGGERATIONS AND I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THEM.
AS I THINK MOST PEOPLE KNOW, WE ARE BOUND TO DO WHAT WE DO BY THE CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA AND THE VIRGINIA CODE.
ALL ASSESSMENTS OF REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY SHALL BE AT FAIR MARKET VALUE.
FAIR MARKET VALUE, THE PRICE AT WHICH PROPERTY WOULD CHANGE HANDS BETWEEN WILLING BUYERS AND SELLERS, NEITHER BEING UNDER COMPULSION TO BUY OR TO SELL AND BOTH HAVING REASONABLE KNOWLEDGE OF RELEVANT FACTS.
WE LOOK AT EVERY SALE THAT OCCURS IN THE COUNTY, AND IN PARTICULAR, WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT SALE AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE ASSESSMENT AND AS I SHARED IN A LOT MORE DETAIL AT THE LAST MEETING, IT'S CALLED AN ASSESSMENT SALES RATIO.
IT'S JUST THE ASSESSMENT DIVIDED BY THE SALE PRICE AND THAT GIVES YOU A RATIO, 92%, 100 IS WHAT THE GOAL IS AND WHAT THE STATE WANTS US TO BE AT.
IF YOU'RE LESS THAN 100, THAT MEANS ASSESSMENTS NEEDS TO BE INCREASED.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE LAST ASSESSMENT SALES RATIO STUDY THAT THE STATE CONDUCTED FOR 2022, WE WERE AT 85%.
THAT MEANS, THEORETICALLY, WE SHOULD HAVE GONE UP 15% AND WE ONLY WENT UP 2.7.
FOR THOSE THAT THINK WE'RE BEING OVERAGGRESSIVE.
>> FOR THOSE THAT THINK WE'RE BEING OVERAGGRESSIVE, THE NUMBERS SHOULD SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
I'M SORRY. OUT OF CONTROL HERE, MAN.
HERE WE GO, YOU GOT THE WHOLE SHOWING IN 2 SECONDS.
AGAIN, JUST TO PUT US IN PERSPECTIVE, VIRGINIA HOUSING MARKETS UP 6.1% IN THE LAST YEAR, U.S. 4.9.
[01:25:12]
THESE ARE THE ASSESSMENT INCREASES FOR THIS YEAR IN OUR REGION, WE WERE ONLY 2.4% AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING ALL AROUND US.AT THE LAST MEETING, I POINTED OUT THAT THE NEGATIVES IN THE MULTI-FAMILY AND THE COMMERCIAL WERE NOT BECAUSE WE DID A REASSESSMENT AND MADE REDUCTIONS, IT'S BECAUSE WE RECORDED CERTAIN PROPERTIES DURING THE VISION SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION.
THAT RECORDING WAS JUST HOW WE ACCOUNT FOR THE PROPERTIES, IT WAS NOT COMMERCIAL VALUES, OR MULTI-FAMILY VALUES, THOSE REMAINED THE SAME.
FOLKS WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S DRIVING THE VALUES.
PEOPLE, DEVELOPERS ARE BUYING PROPERTY, NOT TO PLANT CROPS, TO PLANT HOUSES, AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.
WE DID HAVE AN INACCURACY ON OUR SLIDES, AND THE FIRST TEA LOTS SOLD FOR 66,000.
>> WHEN YOU SAY FIRST TEA, YOU'RE REFERRING TO IRON ACRES, CORRECT? FIRST TEA IS IN PETERSBURG.
>> THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE THIS LABELED ON OUR GIS MAPS.
>> IT SHOULD BE IRON ACRES, THAT'S THE NAME IT'S DESIGNATED TO IT.
>> THIS IS JUST A GOOD EXAMPLE.
DEVELOPERS ARE COMING IN HERE.
THIS IS VERY UNCHARACTERISTIC FOR RYAN HOLMES, BUT IT'S THE ONLY LAND AVAILABLE TO THEM.
THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF LAND IN HENRICO, CHESTERFIELD, HANOVER, THEY'RE COMING TO US AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.
I DID HEAR THE COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT THE VALUE ON CHAPEL CREEK, WE WILL CHECK INTO THAT.
THIS IS A PARTICULARLY TELLING EXAMPLE HERE.
HERE YOU HAVE A NATIONAL BUILDER WHO WOULD PROBABLY NORMALLY BUILD A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH 50 OR 100 HOUSES.
THEY'RE SO DESPERATE FOR LOTS.
THEY'RE GOING INTO EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUILDING TWO HOMES.
PRINCE GEORGE IS THE PLACE THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY PLACE TO GET LOTS, AND THEY PAID 80,000 FOR EACH LOT.
WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT DRAMATIC INCREASES IN CERTAIN PROPERTIES, AND THERE HAVE BEEN, AND SOME OF IT IS BECAUSE OF NEW INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE FOUND.
THIS PROPERTY WAS THOUGHT TO BE LANDLOCKED AND IT WAS NOT, SO THAT ACCOUNTED FOR WHY IT WENT FROM 60,000, 61,800, TO 92,400, IT HAD ACCESS RIGHTS, AND THAT CHANGED.
WE HAVE NUMEROUS LOTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAT HAD BEEN GIVEN DRASTIC REDUCTIONS BECAUSE THEY SUPPOSEDLY DIDN'T PERK.
WELL, OBVIOUSLY, THIS ONE DID PERK, BECAUSE THEY BUILT A HOUSE ON IT.
WE ARE REVISITING PROPERTIES LIKE THAT.
THOSE PROPERTIES, IF THEY ARE TRULY BUILDABLE, THOSE NEED TO BE ASSESSED THE SAME WAY THAT THE BUILDABLE LOTS ARE.
IN THE PROCESS OF THIS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW SOFTWARE, WE ARE TAKING A FRESH LOOK AT EVERYTHING.
WE'RE DEALING WITH AN ENTIRELY NEW STAFF HERE AND DEALING WITH AN ENTIRELY NEW ASSESSMENT SYSTEM.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE HICCUPS ALONG THE WAY,
[01:30:04]
SO I ENCOURAGE PROPERTY OWNERS, IF THEY THINK THAT WE'VE OVERLOOKED SOMETHING, PLEASE COME TO US.COME TO US, WE WILL TAKE A LOOK, AND WE WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NECESSARY.
AFTER YOU SPEAK WITH US, IF YOU STILL DON'T AGREE, WE HAVE OUR OFFICE REVIEW, AND THAT'S OUR INTERNAL REVIEW OF THE PROPERTY.
IF YOU'RE DISSATISFIED WITH THAT, OR IF YOU JUST WANT TO GO RIGHT TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, THAT'S AVAILABLE TOO.
ON THESE APPEAL APPLICATIONS, WE DON'T REQUIRE SOMEONE TO GO OUT AND GET AN APPRAISAL, BUT WE DO ASK YOU TO PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION, TELL US WHY YOU THINK THE PROPERTY ISN'T WORTH WHAT IT IS.
I HEARD ONE SPEAKER TONIGHT GIVE SOME VALUES OF LOTS THAT SOLD, GIVE US THOSE VALUES.
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WETLANDS OR YOU HAVE WETLANDS AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, GIVE US A COPY OF YOUR WETLAND DELINEATION, WE'LL MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THREE APPRAISERS WITH 14,000 PARCELS.
THAT'S A LOT OF PARCELS PER APPRAISER, 4,500 PARCELS PER APPRAISER.
ANY HELP THAT PROPERTY OWNERS CAN PROVIDE US IN GETTING US BETTER INFORMATION, WE WILL GLADLY ACCEPT.
>> WE'RE GOOD? IS THAT MR. [INAUDIBLE]? THANK YOU, SIR.
>> I DID HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR HIM.
>> WILL YOU COMMIT TO HAVE PEOPLE IN YOUR OFFICE WHEN PEOPLE COME IN? I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL BETTER.
I KNOW YOU PREFER APPOINTMENTS, BUT A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE CAN'T MAKE APPOINTMENTS.
THEY'RE IN THE AREA IN THE LAST MINUTE, THEY FLOOD TO STOP THEM.
>> IF THEY COME IN, WE'LL SPEAK WITH THEM IF WE'RE AVAILABLE, BUT I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WE HAVE 14,000 PROPERTY OWNERS, THEY'RE COMING IN WITHOUT APPOINTMENTS ALREADY.
IT'S ALSO HELPFUL SO WE CAN HAVE ADVANCED NOTICE TO PULL TOGETHER THE INFORMATION ON THE PROPERTY.
THERE'S NO SENSE IN US OR THEM SITTING THERE FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE WE'RE PULLING UP MAKING COPIES OF THINGS.
IT IS MUCH EASIER AND I THINK MORE EFFICIENT FOR BOTH THE APPRAISER AND THE PROPERTY OWNER IF WE CAN HAVE THE INFORMATION.
>> UNDERSTAND. WHO SETS THE APPEAL DATE? THE DATE THE APPEALS HAVE TO BE DONE BY.
>> THESE DATES WERE SET BY ME LAST YEAR.
IT'S A SCHEDULE OF 30 DAYS, WHICH IS RATHER GENEROUS, I THINK, IN MOST PLACES. IT'S LESS.
SOME PLACES HAVE TWO WEEKS FOR AN APPEAL PERIOD.
BUT THOSE WERE SET AND WE FOLLOWED THOSE LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR.
THERE WERE COMPARABLE DATES AND TIME RANGES PRIOR TO THAT.
>> JUST SOMETHING WE MAY KEEP OUR MINDS AND WE MIGHT LOOK AT EXTEND IF NEED BE. THANKS, SIR. THAT'S ALL I NEED.
IF I JUST MIGHT COMMENT, THEY REALLY CAN'T BE EXTENDED TOO FAR BECAUSE.
>> I'M NOT TALKING TOO FAR, I'M TALKING IF ANYTHING AT MOST, LIKE TWO WEEKS, IF WE NEED TO.
AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON HOW MANY WE SEE COMING INTO YOUR OFFICE.
>> OF COURSE, WE WORK ON A SCHEDULE WHERE WE HAVE TO DO CERTAIN NOTIFICATIONS BY STATE LAW AT SO MANY DAYS IN ADVANCE FOR THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, SO ALL OF THESE DATES ARE INTERRELATED.
>> I SAY IT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW YOUR OFFICE IS BEING HIT, IF WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE, SO THAT WOULD BE JUST, LIKE I SAID, FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
>> WE'LL MOVE INTO ORDER OF BUSINESS.
[G. Order of Business]
FIRST ITEM WE HAVE IS AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.IT'S A FOUR-YEAR GRANT CYCLE FOR NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. CHIEF EARLY?
>> YES. GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS.
MR. STOKE, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO COME BEFORE YOU.
[01:35:01]
>> THEY NEED TO BE QUIET, BEHAVE IN A QUIET MANNER.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S TRY IT AGAIN. IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO COME BEFORE YOU TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY AND SECURITY.
AND ON THAT NOTE, I'M HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO REQUEST YOUR AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR A DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER GRANT, FOUR YEAR CYCLE FOR NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
AND JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE HISTORY HERE, CURRENTLY WE HAVE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER ASSIGNED AT THE SEVEN OTHER SCHOOLS, THE FOUR OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL AND CLEMENTS.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE SROS AND EVERY SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY.
CURRENTLY THROUGH SCHOOL FUNDING.
WE HAVE A POLICE OFFICER AT NORTH EVERY SCHOOL DAY.
BUT IT'S NOT A PERMANENTLY ASSIGNED SRO.
THAT'S AN OVERTIME POSITION WITH OFF DUTY OFFICERS.
I THOUGHT ABOUT MENTIONING THE SRO PROGRAM, BUT IN TODAY'S TIMES, I'M CONFIDENT THAT EVERYONE HERE IS FAMILIAR WITH WHAT A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IS, WHAT THEY DO, AND THE VALUE THAT THEY BRING TO, QUITE FRANKLY, OUR SCHOOLS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR PARENTS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY IN GENERAL SO I WASN'T GOING TO DELVE INTO THAT TOO MUCH.
TALKING DOLLARS AND CENTS AND PHYSICAL IMPACT TO THE COUNTY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT PER YEAR THAT WE'LL BE APPLYING FOR IS $100,000.
THE GRANT REQUIRES A MATCH, AND THAT'S BASED ON THE COMPOSITE INDEX OF LOCAL ABILITY TO PAY FOR PRINCE GEORGE, AT 0.231 OR 23%.
SO, IF WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS GRANT APPLICATION, THE COUNTY WOULD RECEIVE $76,790 AND WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A MATCH OF 23,210 AND THAT MATCH CAN BE USED FOR END KIND EXPENSES.
THOSE EXPENSES WITH AN ADDITIONAL POSITION, IT WOULD REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL POLICE CAR AND ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR THAT OFFICER.
AND THE TOTAL FOR THAT IS APPROXIMATELY $62,968.98 AGAIN, THAT MATCH CAN BE USED TOWARDS THAT.
AND I'LL ALSO SAY, CONSIDERING THE SCHOOLS HAVE EXPENDED, I BELIEVE, OVER $30,000 FOR THE OFFICER AT NORTH YEAR TO DATE.
SO BY THE END OF THE YEAR IT'LL BE WELL OVER $40,000 THAT'S A CONSIDERATION ALSO.
THE EQUIPMENT CAR 60, SOME THOUSAND DOLLAR, THAT'S THE FIRST YEAR.
AND THEN THERE'S AT LEAST THREE MORE YEARS ON THAT GRANT CYCLE AND THERE IS A SAVINGS OF TAX DOLLARS, A SCHOOL SPENDING FOR THAT OFFICER THERE.
I DID MENTION IT IS A FOUR YEAR GRANT CYCLE.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES IS NOT GUARANTEED FOUR YEARS, SO WE HAVE TO REPLY OR WE HAVE TO APPLY FOR CONTINUATION FUNDING EACH YEAR.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE THREE SCHOOLS THAT WE'RE IN OUR FIFTH YEAR OF FUNDING FOR.
WE'VE ALREADY COMPLETED THE FOUR YEARS.
WE APPLIED FOR A FIFTH YEAR, RECEIVED IT RIGHT NOW THAT'S THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
I'VE NEVER SEEN FUNDING NOT PROVIDED FOR THE FOUR YEAR CYCLE IT'S POSSIBLE TO EVEN GO BEYOND THAT BASED ON THE MONIES THAT'S AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> ANY QUESTIONS, ANYBODY, SIR?
>> ALL RIGHT. IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM THE LEFT. CALL TO ROLL, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME, CHIEF.
NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
UTILITY, CASH RESERVE, TEMPLE AVENUE TANK AND PUMP STATION EASEMENT, ADDITIONAL GEO TECHNICAL SERVICES AND SITE PLAN REVIEW COSTS.
MR. FRANK HOLCOMB IS FOR 66,000.
GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF BOARD, MR. STOKE. [INAUDIBLE] IF I MAY GO OFF TOPIC JUST REAL BRIEFLY GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON OUR ROUTE TEN WATER LINE PROJECT.
BEACHWOOD MANOR AND CHAPEL CREEK ARE NOW CONNECTED TO OUR CENTRAL SYSTEM AS OF THIS EVENING.
SO YOU'RE NOW RECEIVING WATER THAT'S TREATED FROM THE APAMA RIVER WATER AUTHORITY AND NOW DISCONNECTED FROM THE WELL SYSTEM.
TOMORROW WE WILL CONNECT ECO PRESERVE IN JORDAN ON THE JAMES TO THAT SAME SYSTEM.
SO OUR STAFF WILL BE OUT THERE DURING MOST OF THE DAY DOING SOME FLUSHING.
THE CONNECTIONS ARE THERE, WE JUST NEED TO TURN SOME VALVES AND DO THE FLUSHING.
AND ALL OF THOSE CUSTOMERS WERE RECEIVING FRESH WATER FROM THE AFMEX RIVER WATER AUTHORITIES WATER SOURCE.
I'LL SHARE SOME GOOD NEWS BEFORE WE MOVE INTO THIS.
[01:40:07]
TODAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE WORKING ON SOME NEW INFRASTRUCTURE.WE HAVE THE TEMPLE AVENUE TANK AND BOOSTER STATION THAT WAS AWARDED FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES BACK IN 2022.
WHEN THAT PROJECT WAS ADVERTISED, IT DID NOT INCLUDE SERVICES TO PREPARE EASEMENT PLATS OR TO OBTAIN EASEMENT ACQUISITIONS.
SO THOSE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ADVERTISER.
THEREFORE, THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR A CHANGE ORDER.
THERE ARE 44 PLATS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT.
THERE ARE SOME PROJECTS THAT WE DO REQUEST EASEMENT PLATS UP FRONT FOR SMALLER PROJECTS.
SOMETIMES WE DO, SOMETIMES WE DON'T.
IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT THE UNKNOWNS ARE.
IN THIS CASE, THE PROJECT DID MOVE AT ALMOST A MILE AWAY FROM ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION.
WE KNEW WE HAD A COUPLE OF EASEMENTS, AND THEREFORE, THIS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT ADVERTISEMENT.
THAT ACCOUNTS FOR $40,000 OF A CHANGE ORDER THAT WAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND WE ARE LOOKING TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO COVER THAT COST.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE'S ALSO A CHANGE ORDER OF ABOUT $20,000 OR ALMOST $21,000 FOR GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES TO INSTALL ALL OF THE PIPE THAT'S LOCATED WITHIN THE RIGHT AWAY.
THIS IS A NEW REQUIREMENT THAT V DOT IS SING ON THE DESIGN STAGE VERSUS HAVENS A SPECIAL INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION.
THIS COST IS USUALLY COVERED, THE COUNTY IS STILL END UP PAYING FOR IT, BUT IT'S USUALLY DONE DURING THE CONTRACT SERVICES PHASE WHERE THE CONTRACTOR IS DOING THE INSTALL OF THESE PIPES, WHICH IS THE JACK AND BAR UNDER THE RUNAWAYS.
THERE USUALLY IS A COST BY THE CONTRACTOR FOR SPECIAL INSPECTIONS TO DO THAT GEOTECHNICAL WORK.
NOW V. DOT HAS REQUIRED US TO HAVE THAT SERVICE DONE PRIOR TO PLAN APPROVAL, SO THAT'S WHY THIS COST IS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD.
NOW, WE ARGUED THIS FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS AND NOW WE HAVE CONCEDED THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO APPROVE OUR PLANS UNTIL WE DO THIS WORK.
THE ADDITIONAL COST IS ALSO FOR OUR REVIEW FEES, WHICH WE DID NOT INCLUDE IN OUR BUDGET NUMBERS WHEN WE INITIALLY AWARDED THE PROJECT.
SO THOSE ARE THE TOTAL OF THE $66,000 THAT WE'RE REQUESTING TO APPROPRIATE FEES FROM OUR UTILITIES FUND TO OUR COUNTY CIP FUND, WHICH IS WHERE THE EXISTING PROJECT FUNDS EXIST NOW.
OUR REQUEST IS TO TRANSFER $66,000 TO THE CAPITAL CP FUND.
AND YOU'VE ALREADY STATED THIS IS COMING OUT OF THE UTILITY FUND, NOT OUR GENERAL FUND.
MR. CHAIRMAN. I SO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
NOW YOU GOT A MOTION IN A SECOND, PLEASE. CALL THE ROLL.
THE NEXT ITEM IS AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE CORRECTIONS TO LAND USE ORDINANCE, MR. GORDINEER.
>> JUST COMING TO BRING CHANGES TO BRING OUR CALENDAR DATES FOR LAND USE ADMINISTRATION INTO COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW, AND THAT WOULD BE WITH THE REVALIDATIONS TAKING PLACE IN SPRING WITH A DEADLINE OF MAY 1ST.
>> THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THIS YEAR OR THE REASSESSMENTS, IT'S JUST GENERAL CLEANUP WORK THAT REALLY PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE NOW.
>> WE'RE JUST GETTING IN LINE WITH US.
>> YES, SIR. IT'S JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT IT'S ON THE AGENDA THE SAME NIGHT.
>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION, MR. CORNER. FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY APPLIED JANUARY, WILL THEY HAVE TO REAPPLY AFTER AUGUST THEY CHANGE, OR ARE THEY GOOD TILL NEXT YEAR?
>> NO. THE FOLKS THAT HAVE APPLIED THE DEADLINE FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, APPLICATIONS WERE SENT OUT IN OCTOBER.
THE DEADLINE WAS NOVEMBER 1ST.
THAT GETS THEM IN THE PROGRAM JULY 1ST OF 2024.
WHAT WE WOULD THEN DO THE NEXT TIME PEOPLE WOULD APPLY IF YOU APPROVE THIS, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO APPLY UNTIL MAY 1ST OF 2025.
ANY QUESTIONS? I'LL TAKE A MOTION.
>> MADAM KNIGHT, CALL A ROLL, PLEASE.
[01:45:01]
>> NEXT ONE ON US IS A RESOLUTION BUDGET AMENDMENT TO APPROPRIATIONS OF SCHOOL DIVISION CARRYOVER FUNDING $54,814 IN [INAUDIBLE].
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS MR. STOKE AND MS. ERARD.
THE SCHOOL DIVISION MADE A REQUEST TO APPROPRIATE THEIR CARRYOVER FUNDS FROM FY23 TO TRANSFER TO THIS COMBINED HEALTH FUND TO COVER A PORTION OF THE ACCUMULATED DEFICIT THAT THEY HAVE IN THAT FUND.
THE AMOUNT THAT REVENUES EXCEEDED EXPENDITURES IN FY23 WAS $54,814 IN THEIR SCHOOL OPERATING FUND, AND THEY MADE THE REQUEST TO AGAIN, APPROPRIATE THAT TO THE COMBINED HEALTH FUND.
THERE'S A RESOLUTION IN YOUR PACKET ALONG WITH THE DOCUMENTATION THAT THEY SUBMITTED FOLLOWING THEIR JANUARY BOARD MEETING.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> MS. KNIGHT, CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> YOU MIGHT AS WELL TAP HERE YOUR NEXT.
>> RESOLUTION APPROPRIATION FOR GENERAL FUND FUND BALANCE FOR RETROACTIVE FIRING AND MASS OVERTIME ADJUSTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 53,362.
>> YES, SIR. I BELIEVE THE BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVED A COPY OF A MEMORANDUM FROM OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY REGARDING A REQUIRED CHANGE TO OUR OVERTIME PAY PRACTICES FOR OUR FIREFIGHTER MEDICS.
WE DID MAKE A RETROACTIVE ADJUSTMENT FOR TWO YEARS WORTH OF OVERTIME PAID AT STRAIGHT TIME.
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID AT TIME AND A HALF AND WE ARE REQUESTING AN APPROPRIATION FROM GENERAL FUND FUND BALANCE TO COVER THAT RETROACTIVE PAY.
>> MS. KNIGHT, CALL ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS A RESOLUTION REVISION TO THE PERSONNEL POLICY, SECTION 222.1 THROUGH 22.5.
ENTITLED OVERTIME AND PERSONNEL POLICY, SECTION 41.1 THROUGH 41.6.
ENTITLED EMPLOYMENT UTILIZATION AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. MS. HARD.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MR. STOKE AND MS. HARD.
WE'VE GOT TWO PERSONNEL POLICIES TONIGHT FOR REVISION.
THE FIRST ONE IS THE OVERTIME POLICY RIGHT BEHIND MISS JURY.
THE ONLY CHANGE WE'RE MAKING TO THAT IS TO CLARIFY THAT STATE LAW MAY REQUIRE SOME LEAVE TIME TO BE CONSIDERED HOURS WORKED FOR THE PURPOSES OF CALCULATING OVERTIME.
IN ADDITION, WE'VE ADDED LANGUAGE FOR FIRE PROTECTION EMPLOYEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 9.1-700.
THE BOARD WAS MADE AWARE THROUGH THE MEMORANDUM FROM MS. HARD AND VIRGINIA VIRGINIA GAP PAY ACT AND OVERTIME REQUIREMENTS.
THERE WERE NO FURTHER CHANGES TO THE POLICY.
>> OKAY. THE OTHER ONE I HAVE IS EMPLOYEE UTILIZATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
JUST A FEW VERY SIMPLE CHANGES IN THERE BECAUSE OF THE NEXT POLICY WE'LL TALK ABOUT AND THAT COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED THROUGH THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM.
IN SECTION 41.6 THERE WAS LANGUAGE ADDED TO REMIND STAFF JUST TO BRING THEIR CHARGERS, THEIR COUNTY ISSUED LAPTOP AND THEIR CHARGING DEVICES IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY, IF THEY NEED TO REPORT TO THE EOC OR FOR SHELTER OPERATIONS.
THAT'S ALL THE CHANGES FOR THAT ONE.
>> CAN BOTH OF THESE BE VOTED ON ONE TIME IT GOT TO BE SEPARATE?
>> YOU CAN DO IT ALL AT ONE TIME.
>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. IN THAT CASE, I'LL TAKE A MOTION.
>> ALL RIGHT. NEXT ONE'S RESOLUTION IS A REVISION TO ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY, SECTION 240.1 THROUGH 240.4 ENTITLED UTILIZATION OF CODE RED NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. MS. HARD.
>> YES, SIR. THAT ONE IT'S SEPARATE BECAUSE IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY. JUST TO CLARIFY.
[01:50:01]
WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS TO CHANGE FIRST THE TITLE OF THAT POLICY TO BE UTILIZATION OF EMERGENCY COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.THE REASON WE'RE DOING THAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM CODE RED GOING TO NICKEL.
THAT WILL BE THE PLATFORM THAT'S USED FOR BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND FOR EMPLOYEES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
WE NEEDED TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.
THEN THROUGHOUT THE POLICY, YOU'LL SEE THAT LANGUAGE WAS REMOVED REGARDING CODE RED BY NAME, AND UNDER SECTION 240.1 NUMBERS FOUR THROUGH 12 HAVE BEEN REMOVED.
THAT CHANGES BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY GOING TO BE A SELECT FEW WHO WOULD USE THAT EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.
WE REALLY DIDN'T NEED TO OUTLINE ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
THE DETAILS AREN'T NECESSARY BECAUSE THE DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR IS RESPONSIBLE TO ASSIGN ANYONE TO USE IT AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING THEM.
IN SECTION 240.2 LANGUAGE WAS ADDED TO STATE THAT COUNTY EMPLOYEES WILL NEED TO HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH OPTIONS TO BE NOTIFIED BY THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
THAT JUST GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WERE OUTLINED IN SECTION 41 OF OUR PERSONNEL POLICIES.
ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, THAT IS A NECESSARY REQUIREMENT FOR YOU TO BE AN EMPLOYEE HERE THAT YOU DO NEED TO RESPOND IN EMERGENCIES.
WE DID ADD THE PIO IN SECTION 240.3 AS A NON EMERGENCY POINT CONTACT PERSON FOR MESSAGING.
THE RESOLUTION INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET DOES INCLUDE LANGUAGE TO CHANGE BOTH THE TITLE OF THE POLICY AND TO MAKE THE SUGGESTED REVISIONS.
APPOINTMENT OF RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I MAKE A MOTION WE APPOINT MR. DONALD.
>> MS. CALDERON, CALL TO ROLL, PLEASE.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT ONE IS ACTUALLY TWO APPOINTMENTS.
A RESOLUTION TO APPOINT TWO SENIOR CITIZEN TASK FORCE MEMBERS.
>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE MS. WHITE AND MS. WALTERS.
>> ALL RIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BY MY PEN MARKS, WE ARE FINISHED.
I OVERLOOKED SOMETHING. TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN TO FEBRUARY 21ST AT 06:00 PM RIGHT HERE FOR THE FIRST BUDGET WORK SESSION.
>> MS. CALDERON, ROLL, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, FOLKS. WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.