[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:04]
I'D LIKE TO CALL THE FEBRUARY MARCH 13TH BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WORK SESSION TO ORDER, PLEASE.
MR. WEBB HERE, MR. BROWN HERE, MR. COX HERE, MR. PUGH HERE.
MRS. WAYMACK IS ABSENT THIS EVENING.
ALL RIGHT, MR. BROWN, YOU DO THE HONORS OF INVOCATION.
YES, SIR. MR. COX, WILL DO THE PLEDGE.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU THIS AFTERNOON TO SAY THANK YOU.
HEAVENLY FATHER, AGAIN WE ASK YOU TO WATCH OVER ALL OF OUR FIRE, EMS, POLICE, ALL OF OUR ADMIN STAFF THAT WORK HERE IN THE BUILDING, AS WELL AS ALL THE CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE WATCH OVER THOSE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH SOME THINGS, WATCHING AFTER THOSE THAT HAVE LOST SOME LOVED ONES, AND JUST ANYONE THAT'S HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME. JUST REACH OUT AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THAT YOU'RE STILL WATCHING OVER THEM TO PROTECT THEM.
AND WE ASK ALL OF THIS THIS AFTERNOON, IN YOUR NAME, AMEN.
AMEN. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU ALL. ALL RIGHT, NEXT WE GOT MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
SECOND. MRS. KNOTT CALL THE ROLL PLEASE I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION FIRST.
CAN EVERYBODY HEAR US IN THE BACK? I GOT QUESTION THE OTHER NIGHT, THAT SOMEHOW ANOTHER VOLUME MAY HAVE BEEN TURNED DOWN.
[B. WORK SESSION]
FIRST ONE IS BOARD CONSIDERATION OF REVENUE CHANGES IN SPENDING PRIORITIES GENERAL FUND [INAUDIBLE].GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN. BOARD MEMBERS, MR. STOKE AND MRS. ERARD.
I'LL BE STARTING WITH A FEW SLIDES AND A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
I WILL THEN GO TO A SPREADSHEET WHERE THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE RANKED AND SCORED THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE FY 25 BUDGET, AND THEN I'LL RETURN TO THE POWERPOINT TO COVER SOME STATE CHANGES.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS APPROVED A 3% INCREASE FOR STATE SUPPORTED POSITIONS.
AND THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT OUR STAFF REQUEST TO MOVE UP THE TAX RATE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND THEN WE WILL GO THROUGH SOME NON-GENERAL FUND BUDGET ITEMS. SO THAT IS ALL ON THIS SLIDE.
SO SO AGAIN, I'LL DO A BRIEF RECAP OF RESOURCES AND REQUESTS WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND NAVIGATE TO SPREADSHEET THAT YOU USE TO RANK YOUR PRIORITIES.
WE'LL DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S 3% PAY INCREASE FOR STATE SUPPORTED LOCAL EMPLOYEES, REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE IMPACTS ON THAT. AND THAT IS EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST.
AND DISCUSS A REQUEST TO HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF TAX RATES EARLIER SO THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE JUNE 5TH DUE DATE FOR OUR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX BILLS AND THEN GO THROUGH SOME NON-GENERAL FUND BUDGET ITEMS. WE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME FOCUSED ON THE GENERAL FUND, BUT I DID WANT TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE NON-GENERAL FUNDS AND THEN DISCUSS THE UTILITY BUDGET AND OUR REQUEST FOR A RATE CHANGES FROM MR. HALTOM. SO OUR RECAP AND RESOURCES.
THE BOARD RECEIVED AN UPDATED SUMMARY RECAPPING GENERAL FUND RESOURCES, REVENUE CHANGES WITH YOUR UPDATED REAL ESTATE TAX REVENUE PROJECTIONS USING THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023 ASSESSED VALUES FOR 2025 THE SAME AS IN 2024, AND WE WOULD CAPTURE NEW CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY INCREASE TO PROJECTED REVENUE.
SO OUR TOTAL INCREASED RESOURCES WENT DOWN BY $1.1 MILLION LEAVING THE TAX RATE AT $0.82 WHERE IT IS TODAY, OUR REAL ESTATE TAX REVENUE WOULD ONLY GROW BY $200,000 INSTEAD OF THE $1.3 MILLION THAT WAS PROJECTED
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INITIALLY. THERE WERE SOME INCREASES IN OTHER REVENUE SOURCES.OUR STATE COMPENSATION BOARD FUNDING, SOCIAL SERVICES, OUR POLICE HOUSE BILL 599 REVENUES, OUR POLL TAXES, PUBLIC SERVICE TAXES, LODGING AND RECREATION AND WILLS TAX, AS WELL AS INTEREST REVENUE.
THERE WERE ALSO SOME REVENUE REDUCTIONS, PERMITS, PLANNING FEES, OUR STATE COMMUNICATIONS TAX, WHICH SEEMS TO SHRINK EVERY YEAR, AND THEN OUR MOBILE HOME TAX REVENUE.
AND THEN WE HAD RECAPPED SOME MUST DO'S THAT TOTALED $1.615 MILLION.
AND A LOT OF THOSE WERE RELATED TO PERSONNEL AND MANDATED BENEFIT CHANGES.
OUR WE HAD A BASELINE REDUCTION COMPARING OUR CURRENT BUDGETED COMPLEMENT OF PERSONNEL TO THAT COMPLEMENT THAT WE BUDGETED FOR IN 2024.
THE IMPACT OF THE VRS HYBRID RATE SEPARATION, WHICH MEANS WE WILL PAY A HIGHER CONTRIBUTION FOR THOSE HYBRID PLAN EMPLOYEES, WHICH WILL VARY DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THEY CONTRIBUTE.
OUR MATCH VARIES WITH THEIR CONTRIBUTION.
WE ALSO HAVE A HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO OUR SHERIFF DEPUTY SCALES, AS WELL AS CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT SCALES TO MEET THE COMP BOARD MINIMUM PAY FOR THOSE FOLKS.
WE ALSO HAD INCREASED CONTRIBUTIONS FOR RIVERSIDE REGIONAL JAIL, THE CRATER HEALTH DISTRICT, A PIECE OF WHICH IS MANDATED, AND A PIECE THAT WAS A CHOICE WHETHER OR NOT TO ADD ANOTHER ENVIRONMENTAL POSITION.
AN INCREASE TO CRATER YOUTH CARE DISTRICT 19, COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD, OUR REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM, AND THEN RIVERSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY A LARGE STATE GRANT.
HOPEWELL, SURRY AND PRINCE GEORGE.
WE ALSO HAVE TO MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS BY ORDINANCE FOR OUR FIRE APPARATUS AND FIRE EQUIPMENT.
WE HAD A NUMBER OF INFLATIONARY AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION INCREASES THAT WE MUST DO.
THE RATES HAVE INCREASED IN GENERAL.
HEATING VEHICLE FUEL MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACTS WAS A LARGE INCREASE AS WELL AS SOFTWARE.
OUR GAME OFFICIAL TRENDING IS UP.
AND THEN SUPPLIES AND SERVICE COSTS HAVE INCREASED AS WELL.
WE ALSO WANT TO PREPARE FOR OUR L3 HARRIS PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC RADIO PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM.
THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THAT ANNUAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT, WHICH WILL BE PAID NEXT YEAR AND THE 18 YEARS FOLLOWING THAT, IS APPROXIMATELY $600,000. SO WE HAVE PRESENTED A NUMBER OF CAPITAL OR ONE TIME TYPE INITIATIVES TO DO AN FY 25.
WE WOULD REMOVE THEM IN FY 26 AND HAVE FUNDING TO PAY THAT $600,000 ANNUAL FEE.
OKAY. SO JUST TO WALK THE PUBLIC THROUGH WHAT THE BOARD MEMBERS HAD TO EVALUATE AS YOU WERE LOOKING AT REVENUES AND EXPENDITURE REDUCTIONS, THE CHOICES FROM WHICH YOU HAD TO PICK.
UNDERSTANDING NOW THAT IF WE USE THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023 ASSESSED VALUES, WHETHER OR NOT YOU STILL WANTED TO TRY TO DO A TAX REDUCTION THERE IS NO INCREASE IN ASSESSED VALUES.
THE BOARD HAD TO EVALUATE WHETHER OR NOT TO REDUCE THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEBT RESERVE.
ON JUNE 30TH OF 2023, THAT AUDITED RESERVE NUMBER WAS $3.6 MILLION.
WE WILL MAKE ANOTHER $841,000 CONTRIBUTION THIS YEAR.
SO OUR ESTIMATED YEAR END BALANCE IN 24 IS $4.4 MILLION.
WE WOULD HAVE ADDED ON ABOUT ANOTHER $1.4 TO THAT IN FY 25 USING THE SAME MODEL.
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MOU CALCULATION FOR FY 25, OR CONSIDER A DIFFERENT NUMBER, AND THEN WHETHER OR NOT TO PASS PART OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE TO EMPLOYEES AND THE BOARD MEMBERS WERE PROVIDED WITH TWO OPTIONS FOR FOR THAT PASS PASSING OF COST.AND THEN THE NON MANDATED THINGS THAT THE BOARD HAD TO CONSIDER OR REQUESTS THAT WERE MADE BY DEPARTMENT HEADS, A STEP INCREASE FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. SOME ADDITIONAL STEPS FOR FOLKS WHO SUBMITTED MORE RELEVANT SERVICE.
WE THEY WERE GIVEN ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY THIS YEAR TO SUBMIT THAT.
MARKET REGRADES FOR SOME OF OUR NON PUBLIC SAFETY POSITIONS, SUCH AS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS AND UTILITY WORKERS AND PERMIT TECHNICIANS.
THEN THERE WERE FOUR RECLASSIFICATION REQUESTS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BOTH TO RECLASS AND ADMIN PERSON TO AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.
THERE WAS A REQUEST WHICH IS REALLY AFTER CONSIDERATION, PROBABLY A MUST DO FOR A PERMIT.
TECH ONE TO MOVE TO A PERMIT TECH TWO.
THAT INDIVIDUAL HAS MET THE REQUIREMENTS TO MOVE TO A PERMIT TECH TWO.
AND THEN A REQUEST WAS MADE FROM RIVERSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY.
DEPARTMENT HEADS ALSO REQUESTED 36 ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.
THEN WHETHER OR NOT TO LEAVE THE GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY WHERE IT IS AND COUNTY VEHICLE REQUESTS WHERE THEY ARE TODAY, WHETHER OR NOT TO CONSIDER THE SCHOOLS REQUESTS FOR ABOUT ANOTHER $98,000 FOR SCHOOL BUSSES THEY'RE AT $543,000 TODAY.
THEY'RE REQUESTING THAT THAT GO TO $641,260.
THEN OUR GARAGE MANAGER AND OUR ANIMAL SERVICES MANAGER REQUESTED SOME ADDITIONAL PART TIME WAGES.
MISS JUDGE AND SOCIAL SERVICES REQUESTED TO HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN COMPLETED.
AND OUR GENERAL SERVICES DIRECTOR REQUESTED AN INCREASE IN REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE.
FIRE AND EMS REQUESTED AN INCREASE IN FIRE TURNOUT GEAR.
AND REALLY, THAT INCREASE WAS ONLY NECESSARY IF NEW POSITIONS ARE FUNDED.
AND THEN WE ALSO RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM CRATER HEALTH FOR A SECOND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES POSITION, AND THEY REQUESTED A $44,000 INCREASE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.
SO I WILL EXIT THE POWERPOINT AND MOVE TO THE SPREADSHEET.
SO THIS WAS THE RESOURCE CHANGE AND REALLY THE INITIAL SPREADSHEET THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVED HAD THE REVENUE CHANGES THE, THE ITEMS THAT CHANGED WERE THE REAL ESTATE TAX INCREASE. THIS WAS INITIALLY $1.3 MILLION AND IT IS NOW A $200,000 INCREASE.
AND THEN ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE.
TWO ITEMS CHANGE, AND I APOLOGIZE THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO SEE BECAUSE OF THE SHADING.
TWO THINGS CHANGED HERE FROM THE INITIAL SPREADSHEET THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVED.
BECAUSE THE VALUE OF THE PENNY IS FALLING.
OUR COMMITMENT OR WHAT YOU'RE REQUIRED TO TRANSFER TO THE CAPITAL FUND TO MEET THE TWO AND ONE PENNY COMMITMENT FOR APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT FOR FIRE AND EMS DROPPED ALSO.
SO SO REALLY THE BIG THE BIG TAKEAWAY IS THAT AFTER WE DO ALL OF THE MUST DO'S THAT ARE RECAPPED IN ONE OF THE FIRST SLIDES, THE BOARD HAS A $491,000 DEFICIT TO CONTEND WITH.
OUR RESOURCES ARE ACTUALLY SMALLER THAN THE EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS FOR FY 25.
SO THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO EXCEED THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
SO WITHOUT A SHIFT AND SOME OF SOME EXISTING EXPENDITURES WE WOULDN'T BALANCE THE BUDGET.
SO THAT DEFICIT CARRIED FORWARD AT THE TOP OF THIS SPREADSHEET.
[00:15:05]
THE EQUALIZATION RATE, HAD WE USED THE UPDATED ASSESSMENT, WOULD HAVE BEEN $0.03.BUT NO, NO BOARD MEMBER ENTERED TO REDUCE THE TAX RATE BELOW $0.82.
SO TO WHICH WOULD HAVE FURTHER REDUCED YOUR AVAILABLE RESOURCES WOULD HAVE MADE YOUR DEFICIT HIGHER.
THEN THE BOARD MEMBERS CONSIDERED WHETHER OR NOT TO W HETHER OR NOT TO REDUCE THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBT RESERVE TO MEET CURRENT NEEDS OR CURRENT PRIORITIES.
AS AS MOST BOARD MEMBERS ARE AWARE, AND I KNOW MR. PUGH, I PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TODAY.
DAVENPORT ASSISTED US A FEW YEARS AGO IN DEVELOPING A DEBT MODEL SO THAT WE COULD CREATE A RESERVE FOR SOME FUTURE PROJECTS THAT THE CIP COMMITTEE ACTUALLY SCORED IN 2021 WITHOUT OR MITIGATING OR MINIMIZING A FUTURE TAX INCREASE.
OF COURSE, A LOT OF THE PROJECTS THAT WERE ON THE LIST AT THAT TIME HAVE BEEN COMPLETED NOW, AND ARE SMALLER PROJECTS THAT YOUR CURRENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WOULD PROBABLY NOT RECOMMEND DOING A BORROWING FOR TO RESERVE YOUR BORROWING FOR YOUR LARGE FACILITY AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING FACILITIES.
SO EACH BOARD MEMBER DID RECOGNIZE THAT IN ORDER TO MEET SOME CURRENT PRIORITIES REDUCING THAT DEBT RESERVE IS NECESSARY, AND EACH BOARD MEMBER PROVIDED AN AMOUNT TO REDUCE THAT CONTRIBUTION BY.
BUT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT TO BALANCE BASED ON YOUR SCORING FURTHER DOWN THE SPREADSHEET WAS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER BECAUSE VARIOUS AND DIFFERENT BOARD MEMBERS SCORED DIFFERENT THINGS WITH A PRIORITY ONE.
AND I INCLUDED IN CONSENSUS ANY ITEM THAT THREE BOARD MEMBERS SCORED WITH A PRIORITY ONE.
IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN.
BUT THE NEXT ITEM IS THE SCHOOL FUNDING.
THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT HAS REQUESTED LEVEL FUNDING IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
WITH THE CHANGE IN REAL ESTATE PROJECTED REVENUES KEEPING THE TAX RATE AT $0.82, THE CALCULATED GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO SCHOOLS IS JUST OVER $18 MILLION $18,070,928, WHICH IS ACTUALLY AN $878,000 REDUCTION FROM LEVEL FUNDING, THE AMOUNT WE ARE PROVIDING TODAY.
AND BOARD MEMBERS PROVIDED INPUT ON WHAT THAT CALCULATION CHANGE SHOULD BE, AND THREE BOARD MEMBERS DID SCORE THAT OR DID INCLUDE AN AMOUNT TO MATCH THE MOU CALCULATION.
SO SO THAT IS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD.
THREE BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDED THAT AMOUNT.
THE NEXT ITEM WAS WHETHER OR NOT TO PASS PART OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE TO EMPLOYEES.
AND OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FORTUNATE.
I BELIEVE THE COUNTY WENT BACK BACK TO ANTHEM FROM CIGNA IN 2015, AND THEY HAVE NOT PAID MORE.
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS ABSORBED THE INCREASES SINCE THAT TIME, SO THE BOARD MEMBERS WERE PROVIDED WITH TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS OF AMOUNTS TO PASS ALONG.
OPTION ONE HAD THE LOWEST IMPACT TO EMPLOYEES.
THESE ARE THE MONTHLY IMPACTS TO EMPLOYEES FOR THE VARIOUS PLANS AND TIERS OF COVERAGE, DEPENDING ON WHO THE EMPLOYEE COVERS, WHAT FAMILY MEMBERS HE OR SHE MIGHT COVER.
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IF THIS IS THE OPTION THAT IS SELECTED, THE EMPLOYEE WOULD BEGIN PAYING $14 PER CHECK OR $28 A MONTH.AND THESE ARE THE INCREASES TO THE OTHER TIERS.
AND THE BOARD MEMBERS DID UNANIMOUSLY ELECT OPTION ONE AND A PORTION OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE, IF THIS ULTIMATELY IS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET, WILL GET PASSED TO EMPLOYEES AND THE COUNTY WOULD ABSORB THE REST.
OPTION TWO WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO BOARD MEMBERS, BUT BUT NO ONE SELECTED OPTION TWO, IT WOULD HAVE HAD A SLIGHTLY HIGHER IMPACT TO EMPLOYEES. SO SO THAT CONCLUDES THE RESOURCE PORTION OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION, AND THE VARIOUS BOARD MEMBERS HAD DIFFERENT DIFFERING AMOUNTS OF RESOURCES DEPENDING ON WHAT EXPENDITURE SHIFTS HE OR SHE SELECTED.
BUT ULTIMATELY THE RESOURCES BY CONSENSUS ARE $1,416,264.
AND THEN BOARD MEMBERS BEGAN TO SCORE EXPENDITURE REQUESTS FROM FROM THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENT HEADS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.
THE FIRST IS WHETHER OR NOT TO PROVIDE A STEP INCREASE TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AND FOUR OF THE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS SCORED THAT AS A ONE, SO THAT WOULD BE FUNDED.
THE NEXT ITEM WAS TO PROVE WHETHER OR NOT TO PROVIDE THE HANDFUL OF FOLKS WHO SUBMITTED ADDITIONAL SERVICE TIME T HOSE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
AND AGAIN, FOUR OF THE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS DID INCLUDE A PRIORITY ONE FOR THAT.
THE MARKET REGRADES FOR OUR NON PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES.
THOSE WERE UNANIMOUSLY SCORED WITH A ONE.
SO THOSE MARKET REGRADES FOR YOUR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS YOUR PERMIT TECHNICIANS, YOUR ANIMAL KENNEL ATTENDANT WOULD, WOULD PASS, WOULD BE FUNDED AND THEN THE 5% MARKET REGRADE FOR POLICE OFFICERS THAT WAS ALSO UNANIMOUSLY SCORED WITH A ONE ALONG WITH FOUR OF FIVE BOARD MEMBERS, SCORING A 3% MARKET REGRADE FOR FIRE MEDICS.
SO THAT WOULD BE FUNDED AS WELL.
AND THEN THE RECLASSIFICATION REQUESTS BECAUSE EACH BOARD MEMBER APPROVED A MARKET REGRADE WE GO DOWN TO THIS SECTION WITH THOSE COSTS TO LOOK AT SCORING.
AND FOUR OF FIVE BOARD MEMBERS APPROVED CHIEF EARLY'S REQUEST TO RECLASSIFY HIS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT POSITION TO AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.
THAT THAT INDIVIDUAL WOULD ALSO BE RECLASSED TO AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.
PERMIT TECH ONE WOULD BECOME A PERMIT TECH TWO, WITH THREE BOARD MEMBERS SCORING THAT WITH A ONE.
AND THEN RIVERSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES REQUEST TO MAKE ONE OF HER PROBATION OFFICERS A SENIOR PRETRIAL SLASH PROBATION OFFICER WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
SO THAT WOULD BE FUNDED AS WELL.
THEN OUR NEW POSITIONS, WE WILL MOVE DOWN TO THE SECTION WITH THE MARKET REGRADES.
A BUDGET MANAGER WOULD BE APPROVED.
THAT REQUEST WAS MADE NOT NOT AS MUCH TO ADDRESS MY WORKLOAD, BUT TO ADDRESS MR. STOKES WORKLOAD.
IF THAT POSITION IS ULTIMATELY INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET I WOULD TAKE ON THREE DEPARTMENTS FROM MR. STOKES, WHO CURRENTLY WILL HAD 19 DIRECT REPORTS UNTIL MISS PUDLO ARRIVED, AND SHE TOOK, I BELIEVE, FIVE DEPARTMENTS FROM HIS PLATE, AND I WOULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL THREE.
AND WE WOULD ALSO CHANGE OUR ENTIRE BUDGETING PROCESS.
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DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PLAN AND STRATEGIC GOALS.SO FOUR BOARD MEMBERS SCORED THAT WITH A ONE.
THREE BOARD MEMBERS SCORED A POLICE OFFICER.
ONE POLICE OFFICER WOULD BE FUNDED.
THREE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS WOULD BE FUNDED.
AND ONE SOCIAL SERVICES BENEFIT PROGRAM SPECIALIST THREE.
NOT MANY OF THE OTHER NON-SALARY ITEMS WERE PRIORITIZED WITH A ONE THERE WOULD BE NOT BE AN INCREASE IN THE SCHOOL BUS FUNDING, IT WOULD REMAIN WHERE IT IS TODAY AT $543,374. THAT'S IN THE AMENDED BUDGET.
WE WOULD NOT DO THE SOCIAL SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN IN FY 25.
WE WOULD NOT INCREASE OUR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE.
THE GARAGE PART TIME TEMPORARY PARTS CLERK WAS NOT FUNDED.
WE WOULD NOT INCLUDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL FRONT DESK WORKER AT ANIMAL SERVICES, NOR WOULD WE FUND ANOTHER POSITION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES HEALTH SERVICES.
AND SINCE NO ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS WERE FUNDED, WE WOULD NOT INCREASE TURNOUT GEAR.
ALL TOLD, THE RESOURCES OR THE REQUESTS ARE $1.416 MILLION.
AND WITH A REDUCTION TO THE DEBT SERVICE RESERVES OF $925,958, WE WOULD BE IN BALANCE.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ANY QUESTIONS? NO, NOT THIS TIME.
ALL RIGHT. WELL, IF THERE ARE NO RECOMMENDED CHANGES TONIGHT, THEN THAT IS THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET THAT MR. STOKE AND I WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH, WITH ONE EXCEPTION, WHICH I WILL DISCUSS WITH YOU NEXT.
IN THE LAST DAY OR TWO, WE HAVE RECEIVED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S ACTIONS, AND I JUST COMPLETED AN ANALYSIS WITH SOME ESTIMATES AT ABOUT 11:00 THIS MORNING, I MET WITH MISS HURT FIRST THING THIS MORNING.
SO I WILL WALK YOU THROUGH SOME ADDITIONAL CHANGES THAT MR. STOKE AND I ARE RECOMMENDING FOR INCLUSION, AND IT WILL IMPACT YOUR GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY.
OR COULD IT COULD AGAIN REDUCE THE, THE DEBT RESERVE.
BUT WE'LL WALK THROUGH THROUGH THOSE IMPACTS SHORTLY.
ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE I MOVE BACK TO THE POWERPOINT? QUESTIONS? I GOT ONE.
YES, SIR. THE ONE POLICE OFFICER CHIEF.
THE VIDEO THAT I WATCHED AND I WATCHED ALL OF THEM.
IT SHOWED BENEFIT TO HAVE THAT RECORDS PERSON TO FREE UP OFFICERS, WHICH IS TO ME IN MY IN MY UNDERSTANDING, THE WAY I READ THAT WAS PLURAL VERSUS ONE OFFICER.
AND AM I NOT CORRECT IN SPEAKING TO THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO SET UP ANOTHER SECTOR TO CUT DOWN THE THE SPACE, THAT OFFICER HAS TO COVER THAT YOU NEED A MINIMUM OF FOUR.
IS THAT A CORRECT STATEMENT? ALL RIGHT. I'M GONNA THINK ON THAT ONE WITH ALL DUE RESPECT ON MY PART.
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JUST MY PART. I'M SPEAKING FOR TJ.JUST TO BE CLEAR ON THE POLICE OFFICER.
YOU NEED IT. I'D RATHER GO ONE THAN ZERO.
SO I WOULD ADVOCATE FOR THAT ONE POLICE OFFICER.
WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE DETAIL FOR PRINCE GEORGE.
SO THAT COULD POSSIBLY CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY IF THAT FUNDING INCREASES ENOUGH, IT MIGHT BE THAT WE GET ENOUGH FUNDING TO FUND ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER AND WE WOULD BRING THAT TO YOU.
I'M NOT SURE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING IT TO YOU IN MAY OR WHEN WE GET THAT UPDATED INFORMATION FROM DCJS, BUT THAT MIGHT AFFORD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER OFFICER OR AT LEAST SOME PART TIME WAGES.
AS MR. EARLY IS OR CHIEF EARLY IS INDICATING WOULD BE ARE BENEFICIAL.
WELL, WE'VE WORKED HARD TO GET THE TAX RATE DOWN.
AND THE STATE WHEN WE GET INTO JULY LAST YEAR.
WELL, THEY'RE AT LEAST THEY AT LEAST ADJOURNED ON TIME AND HAD A BUDGET IN HAND WHEN THEY DID.
WHICH IS WHICH IS A REFRESHING CHANGE.
DIDN'T HELP US MUCH. BUT ANYWAY.
WELL ALL RIGHT, MY SECOND QUESTION.
SHERIFF A COUPLE OF YEARS, I THINK IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT, WE STEPPED OUT THERE AND FUNDED A SHERIFF, A DEPUTY SHERIFF, WITH THE HOPES THAT THE COMP BOARD WAS GOING TO COME BACK AND PICK THAT UP.
AM I WRONG IN STATING THAT THEY HAVE NOT COME BACK AND PICKED THAT UP? WELL, MY CONCERN IS ALL DUE RESPECT.
NOTHING TO DO AGAINST Y'ALL'S DEPARTMENT.
AND I'M CURIOUS AS TO HOW FAR THIS IS GOING TO GO IF WE'RE NOT CAREFUL, BECAUSE THAT ONE THAT'S UNFUNDED OR UNCOVERED IS TOTALLY RESTED ON THE CITIZENS.
OKAY, WELL, I APPRECIATE THE HONESTY.
I JUST NEED TO ASK, THAT'S ALL.
ALL RIGHT, MR. CHAIRMAN, CAN I MAKE A STATEMENT? YES, SIR. I JUST WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT.
OUT OF A LOT OF YEARS OF DOING BUDGET STUFF, THIS WAS PROBABLY THE HARDEST.
YES IT WAS. BECAUSE WE WE STARTED WITH AN ANTICIPATED NUMBER.
SO THIS WAS NOT AN EASY EXERCISE.
THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT A LOT OF US WANTED TO DO, BUT WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY.
AND WE DON'T WE DON'T DO THIS LIGHTLY.
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT.
BUT WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.
ALL RIGHT. MR. COX IS CORRECT ON THAT STATEMENT.
NO, WE'RE NOT STUCK TO THESE NUMBERS.
WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION AT A LATER DATE ONCE WE GET MORE NUMBERS IN AND ALL THAT.
IT NEEDS TO BE AMONG THE BOARD MEMBERS, THOUGH.
WE NEED TO HAVE GENERAL DISCUSSION AMONG US ALL.
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SO WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING.BUT BUT UNDERSTAND THESE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE PICKING UP TONIGHT IS WHAT'S GOING TO FEED INTO MR. STOKES. PRESIDENT, MR. STOKES PRESENTATION ON THE 26TH WHEN HE PRESENTS HIS BUDGET.
RIGHT. THESE CHOICES AND DECISIONS ARE THE BASELINE ARE THE BASELINE FOR THAT.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO UP TO WHAT WE'RE PUTTING IN THE DEBT RESERVE REAL QUICK IF YOU DON'T MIND.
CAN YOU SLIDE IT OVER? THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT.
I'VE GOT 695 AND WE'VE GOT 810 AND 753.
IS THAT AN AVERAGE NUMBER WE'RE DOING TO THE FAR RIGHT? NO, IT EXCEEDS WHAT EACH OF YOU PUT IN INDIVIDUALLY.
AND THAT IS BECAUSE DIFFERENT BOARD MEMBERS SCORED ITEMS WITH A ONE.
OKAY. AND THE COST FOR THE ITEMS THAT RECEIVED THREE SCORE ONES WAS HIGHER THAN ANYONE'S INDIVIDUAL.
OKAY. NUMBER ONE SCORING IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
YEAH. IT IS A LITTLE ODD TO SEE A NUMBER THAT'S HIGHER HERE THAN ANYONE'S INDIVIDUAL NUMBER, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE A DIFFERENT BOARD MEMBER SCORED A ONE THE SAME AS YOU, BUT ANOTHER ONE DIDN'T. AND OKAY, SO SO IT JUST SHOOK OUT.
[INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE I'M VERY, VERY CONCERNED.
THIS HELPS PAY FOR LARGE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT GET US AHEAD OF THE CURVE.
IT ALSO GOT US AWAY FROM THE PROJECT PROCESS OF LUMPING STUFF INTO A ONE BIG BORROWING TO MAKE IT FIT THE MOLD, AND THEN WE'RE PAYING THE INTEREST ON ALL OF THAT, RIGHT? IT'S THE SAME THING AS WHAT WE DID WITH THE $0.01 AND THE $0.02 TO TRY TO GET AHEAD SO WE DON'T GET HIT WITH LIKE A $1.2 MILLION REPLACE ALL THE SUVS AT ONE TIME, STUFF LIKE THAT [INAUDIBLE]. THE POLICE CARS, THE BUSSES WE STARTED PAYING CASH FOR.
SOME OF IT. WHAT WAS IT? $38,000 MIGHT BE AS HIGH AS $68,000 INTEREST PAYMENTS, BUT IT STILL ADDS UP AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR MONEY TO BE ABLE TO PAY CASH FOR IT UP FRONT.
SO THAT WAS THE PREMISE BEHIND IT.
I'M IN AGREEANCE WITH YOU WITH THE PAYING CASH AND NOT HAVING TO PAY INTEREST AND ALL THAT 100%.
IF WE DON'T PUT X INTO THE DEBT RESERVE, HOW FAR DOES THAT PUSH OUR CAPITAL CIP PLAN OUT? ARE WE A BUMP IN THE ROAD FOR A YEAR AND KEEP BACK ON TRACK? OR IS IT.
I'M GOING TO SAY IT'S GOING TO PUT US ON HOLD.
OKAY. AT LEAST UNTIL WE GET THE LIST UPDATED.
AND THEN WE SEE WHERE THE ASSESSMENTS ARE AT.
BECAUSE THE REVENUE IS, IF WE STILL GOT TO HAVE MONEY TO PAY AT THE END OF THE DAY.
YEAH, 100%. AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NEXT YEAR.
RIGHT. AND I THINK THERE WAS A NOTATION SOMEWHERE IN HERE IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL WHAT WE ADD TO THE BOTTOM LINE, WHICH I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT IT, WE COULD WIND UP HAVING TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR A 3, 4 OR 5 CENT TAX INCREASE JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT.
THAT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE, THE DECISION TO ROLL BACK TO THE 24 ASSESSMENTS.
BUT BECAUSE OF ALL THE BUMPS WE HIT, WE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE FAIREST WAY TO GO.
SO THAT'S AM I CORRECT IN THAT ASSESSMENT? [INAUDIBLE] YES, SIR.
CAN I CAN I ADD SOMETHING TO THAT WHEN WHERE WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL IS WHATEVER WE PULL OUT OF THE DEBT RESERVE THAT NOW WE'RE COMMITTING TO REOCCURRING MONIES AND THAT AFFECTS.
YEP, THAT AFFECTS US NEXT YEAR.
SO IF WE OUT OF THAT MONEY WE PULLED $600,000.
THAT'S $600,000 LESS NEXT YEAR UNLESS WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN ASSESSMENT OR SOMETHING THAT COMES IN THROUGH THE STATE, THAT GIVES US THAT ADDITIONAL MONEY BACK TO MAINTAIN THAT SAME LEVEL FOR THE DEBT.
AND I'M AND I'M IN AGREEANCE WITH YOU THERE.
I JUST DO YOU KNOW, EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND, THERE'S A NEW HOUSE GOING UP.
THERE'S THERE'S TAXES COMING INTO THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT A ONE FOR ONE, OKAY? BECAUSE WE SEE NEW HOUSES AND YOU SEE NEW CONSTRUCTION GOING ON, I WOULD JUST CAUTION THAT COMPARISON DOESN'T EQUATE TO THE, YOU KNOW,
[00:40:03]
OUR VALUE SHOULD BE MORE NEXT YEAR.BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH.
AND YOU KNOW, THE THE BOARD WILL.
AND AS MR. WEBB SAID, YOU KNOW YOUR BUDGET IS A SERIES OF CHOICES AND THEY ARE DIFFICULT CHOICES.
AND, AND REDUCING WHAT WE ARE SENDING TO THE DEBT RESERVE COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE FUTURE IN THE WAY OF A TAX INCREASE TO SUPPORT CAPITAL EXPANSION OR REPLACING A SCHOOL, REPLACING A FIRE STATION, BUILDING AN ADDITIONAL FIRE STATION.
YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT TO THE TAXPAYERS COULD BE GREATER IN 2027 THE NEXT TIME WE ARE LOOKING TO DO A BORROWING FOR FOR FACILITY ADDITIONS.
SO THE MODEL INDICATED THAT THE NEXT TIME WE WOULD CONSIDER A BORROWING WOULD BE IN 2027.
A LOT OF THE PROJECTS THAT WERE ON THAT INITIAL LISTING HAVE BEEN COMPLETED OUTSIDE OF BORROWING.
SO BUT CERTAINLY SOME OF THE PRIORITIES COULD HAVE CHANGED AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, THE THE LARGEST FACILITY IN 2027 WAS TO REPLACE BEASLEY ELEMENTARY.
THAT MAY NOT BE THE PRIORITY OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD OR EVEN THE FIVE OF YOU ON THIS BOARD.
IT MIGHT BE A HIGH SCHOOL, YOU KNOW.
SO AND THOSE PRICE TAGS ARE MUCH LARGER AND THE IMPACT IS MUCH GREATER.
SO SO UNTIL WE DO A REFRESH OF THAT MODEL AND THOSE PROJECTS AND HAVE UPDATED COSTS, WE REALLY COULDN'T QUANTIFY WHAT THE IMPACT OF THIS DECISION TODAY IS ON THE FUTURE TAXPAYERS.
IT WOULD BE CHALLENGING TO DO THAT.
THE BOARD COULD ALSO SAY, YOU KNOW, IF IN FACT, WE HAVE A COMPLETE REASSESSMENT DONE IN CALENDAR YEAR 2024 FOR OR CALENDAR YEAR 25 FOR FY 26.
YOU COULD COMMIT MORE TO THE DEBT MODEL BEFORE YOU DO OTHER CHOICES SO.
MRS. DREWRY IF I COULD THE STEP INCREASE.
WHAT DOES THAT EQUATE TO PERCENTAGE WISE? IT VARIES BY PAY GRADE, BUT IT RANGES FROM ABOUT 1.4 TO JUST ABOUT 2% FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE NOT GETTING A MARKET REGRADE. SO ABOUT 1.4 TO 2% OKAY.
BECAUSE I WAS HOPING WE COULD POSSIBLY FIND SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY TO INCREASE THAT A LITTLE BIT.
WE'RE HITTING THEM WITH INSURANCE.
THE DOLLAR DOESN'T BUY AS MUCH.
AS WE GET INTO IT IF WE FIND SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS LAYING AROUND, WE LOOK AT PUTTING TO THAT.
AND GIVEN A LITTLE MORE INCREASE IF WE CAN.
AND MY REASONING BEHIND THAT IS I THINK WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL WE GET A NEW FIRE CHIEF IN PLACE AND LET'S SEE WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS ARE ON WHAT THEY NEED, AND THEN ADDRESS IT AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
IF WE NEED TO PUT A PLACE MARK ON THE MONEY, PUT A PLACE MARK ON THE MONEY.
BUT I THINK WE NEED TO GIVE SOMEBODY THAT'S COMING IN, WHOEVER WE HIRE, A FRESH START AND ALLOW THEM TO SET UP WHAT THEY THINK WILL WORK FOR THEM, INSTEAD OF US GIVING THEM THE TOOLS THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK WITH.
SO KIND OF KIND OF PIGGYBACK ON MR. COX THERE. YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A COUPLE ONE TIME THINGS I WANTED TO SEE IF WE COULD BUDGET FOR.
CURRENTLY, STATION SIX IS IN A MOD.
IT'S A TRAILER OR WHAT HAVE YOU THAT WE'RE LEASING CURRENTLY.
TWO PEOPLE CAN STAY IN IT NO MORE.
AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE I WANT TO MAKE NOTICE TO THIS BOARD.
AN AMBULANCE COSTS $465,000, AND YOU'RE 30 MONTHS FROM GETTING IT AND A FIRE TRUCK YOU'RE 48 MONTHS FROM GETTING IT, AND [INAUDIBLE] IT'S GOING TO BE THREE YEARS BEFORE WE GET ONE.
ALL OF THOSE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED AND ONCE WE UPDATE EVERYTHING, THEY'LL BRING THEM BACK TO THE BOARD WE CAN CONSIDER IT, BUT THEY'RE ALL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND THEY'RE ALL LARGE EXPENDITURES.
THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT RIGHT NOW.
I'M ALL FOR IT. AS LONG AS WE FIND A WAY TO PAY FOR IT WITHOUT HURTING PEOPLE.
[00:45:01]
OKAY. OKAY, WELL, THANK YOU AND THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERING THESE REQUESTS AND PROVIDING YOUR INPUT.SO AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS APPROVED A 3% PAY INCREASE FOR STATE SUPPORTED LOCAL EMPLOYEES, AND THAT IMPACTS OUR DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES, OUR COMP BOARD FUNDED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE EMPLOYEES, AND THOSE ARE EMPLOYEES IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT.
A COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY, I APOLOGIZE.
AND THEN IT WOULD ALSO IMPACT OUR RIVERSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY EMPLOYEES, OUR REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, OUR SPECIFICALLY THE REGISTRAR HIMSELF AND THE ELECTORAL BOARD MEMBERS.
THOSE ARE THE ONLY FOUR FOLKS THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS.
WE WOULD RECEIVE SOME REVENUE TO OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS, BUT THERE IS A LOCAL PIECE TO THAT.
THE THE STATE AGENCIES PARTICULARLY THE COMP BOARD AND RCJA THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS GRANT, THEY REALLY DON'T PROVIDE A LOT OF FUNDING FOR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
AND WHEN WE PROVIDE OUR PAY INCREASE YOU KNOW, THERE'S ABOUT 26 TO 30% BENEFIT IMPACT THAT COMES ALONG WITH EACH PAY INCREASE OR EACH DOLLAR OF PAY EMPLOYEES RECEIVE.
SO THESE NUMBERS THAT I'M GETTING READY TO PROVIDE, YOU WERE NOT REFLECTED IN THAT SPREADSHEET THAT YOU HAD SCORED, BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO CONFUSE YOU BY SENDING YOU YET ANOTHER UPDATED SPREADSHEET WHEN YOU HAD ALREADY SCORED.
AND AGAIN, WE JUST HAVE RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION PRETTY MUCH YESTERDAY AND MONDAY AND YESTERDAY AND COMPLETED THE EVALUATION TODAY. SO THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO SEE, BUT BASICALLY I'VE CALCULATED OR PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF THE REVENUE INCREASE OVER WHAT IS IN THE SPREADSHEET THAT YOU RECEIVE FOR COMP BOARD FUNDING.
FOR THE COMP BOARD OFFICES THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS, THERE'S NO MORE REVENUE, SO TO SPEAK.
SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE GENERAL FUND IMPACT OF RIVERSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY.
AND THEN I HAVE PROVIDED THE COST AND IT WOULD HAVE A GENERAL FUND IMPACT, OR IT WOULD COST US ABOUT $44,572 MORE THAN THE INCREASED REVENUE WE ARE RECEIVING.
SO WE WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE THE GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY BY $44,572 FROM WHERE IT IS SLATED OR BUDGETED NOW AND IN THE SPREADSHEET.
SO IT WOULD DROP FROM $144,000 TO JUST UNDER $100,000.
OR WE COULD FURTHER REDUCE THE DEBT SERVICE CONTRIBUTION FOR RESERVES.
CONTINGENCY IS WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND.
WE MAY, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, GET SOME ADDITIONAL HOUSE BILL 599 FUNDING OR SOME ADDITIONAL INCREASES IN STATE REVENUE.
THAT WOULD HELP US RESTORE A LITTLE BIT TO THE CONTINGENCY PRIOR TO YOUR ADOPTING THE BUDGET.
WE HAVE TO HIT IT SOMEWHERE OR DEBT RESERVES.
AGAIN, WE WOULD RECOMMEND CONTINGENCY AT THIS POINT.
MR. PUGH MR. BROWN. YEAH. CONTINGENCY.
I'M GOOD. CONTINGENCY. OKAY, THEN THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO.
BUT WE WILL INCREASE REVENUES BY ABOUT $110,000 MORE THAN WHAT YOU SAW ON THE SPREADSHEET.
AND EXPENDITURES WOULD INCREASE BY ABOUT ANOTHER $155,000.
WE WOULD GET MORE GRANT REVENUE FROM THE STATE.
AND I'VE PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE THERE.
WE WOULD HAVE TO INCREASE OUR CONTRIBUTION TO RCJA BY ANOTHER $209.
WELL, THIS THIS IS A LIMIT OR A AMOUNT WE PUT IN THERE JUST FOR EMERGENCIES.
CORRECT. THAT'S WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.
CORRECT. WE HAD TO PULL FROM IT MAYBE ONCE.
[00:50:02]
WE DID, THAT'S WHAT IT WAS PUT THERE FOR, RIGHT? WE ACTUALLY WERE ABLE TO INCREASE THE CONTINGENCY WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED ITS DECEMBER 1ST RAISES, BUT THEN WE HAD TO REDUCE IT FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BILL, WHEN WE GOT IT.YES. SO WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT HOLDING OUR TAX RATE PUBLIC HEARING AT AN EARLIER DATE THAN WHAT WAS ON YOUR BUDGET SCHEDULE.
YOUR ORIGINAL BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE AND YOUR 25 FY 25 BUDGET CALENDAR LISTED OUR TAX RATE PUBLIC HEARING ON APRIL 23RD.
THIS DATE WOULD HAVE ACCOMMODATED THE ADVERTISEMENT WINDOW FOR ADVERTISING AND EFFECTIVE TAX INCREASE IF YOU DID NOT EQUALIZE FROM HAVING HIGHER ASSESSED VALUES.
WE WILL NOT HAVE AN EFFECTIVE TAX INCREASE.
AND THE ORIGINAL APRIL 23RD DATE WOULD HAVE ALSO HAD US ASK YOU TO MAKE OUR TAX DUE DATE JUNE 15TH RATHER THAN JUNE 5TH.
SO WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OF MOVING UP OUR TAX RATE, PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION TO APRIL 9TH SINCE THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE TAX INCREASE AND WE CAN KEEP OUR TAX DUE DATES AT JUNE 5TH, WHICH IS WHAT IS SPELLED OUT IN COUNTY ORDINANCE OR COUNTY CODE. YOU NEED A CONSENSUS ON THAT OR WHAT? YES, SIR. YOU CAN PROVIDE CONSENSUS.
MRS ERARD HAS INDICATED THAT YOU DO NOT NEED TO PASS A RESOLUTION.
IT HAS JUST BEEN A LONG STANDING PRACTICE FOR THE COUNTY BOARD TO HOLD THAT PUBLIC HEARING ANNUALLY, EVEN IF YOU'RE LEAVING TAX RATES AS THEY ARE. SO GENERALLY, THE TAX RATES, IF LEFT THE SAME, ARE PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET UNDER STATE LAW. AND IT'S FINE TO HAVE A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING ON IT.
AND IT'S YOUR PLEASURE HOW AND WHEN YOU WANT TO DO THAT.
AND I'M GOOD WITH MOVING [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE] WE NEED TO STAY STANDARDIZED ON WHAT WE'RE DOING.
[INAUDIBLE] ON APRIL 9TH OR FOR THE TAX RATES.
YOU STILL NEED A CONSENSUS ON THAT? YES, SIR. YES, SIR.
THANK YOU. SO WE DID WE DID WANT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AN OVERVIEW OF OUR NON-GENERAL FUNDS.
WE FOCUS LARGELY ON THE GENERAL FUND DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS BECAUSE THAT IS THE FUND WHERE YOUR REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY TAXES SUPPORT THE BUDGET.
AND THAT FUND DOES PROVIDE SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES.
IT PAYS THE DEBT SERVICE FOR CROSSPOINTE CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INDUSTRIAL PARK.
AND MAKES CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR RICHARD BLAND AND BRIGHTPOINT COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
THE BUDGET IS NOT SLATED TO CHANGE.
OUR TOURISM FUND IS SUPPORTED BY YOUR TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY OR LODGING TAX.
WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTER, 7.5% OF THAT TAX REVENUE.
WE ALSO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO PART THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND FOLAR.
[00:55:10]
ACTIVITIES. AND THAT FUND IS SLATED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT $50,000.OUR LODGING TAX IS TRENDING UP WHERE IT WAS TRENDING PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THOSE? OKAY, GOOD.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS AGAIN THAT OPERATION RIVERSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY IS SUPPORTED BY A LARGE GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, ALONG WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SURREY, HOPEWELL AND PRINCE GEORGE.
THE NUMBERS THAT YOU SEE HERE WILL INCREASE BECAUSE OF THAT 3% PAY RAISE.
IT WILL INCREASE BY ANOTHER $16,371 TO JUST OVER $1.3 MILLION IN FY 25.
THAT IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN AT $181,500.
ADULT EDUCATION, WE ARE THE FISCAL AGENT FOR ADULT EDUCATION, THE REGIONAL SPACE PROGRAM, AND WE BASE THE UPCOMING BUDGET ON THE CURRENT YEAR AMENDED BUDGET.
THEY DID HAVE A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN THEIR BUDGET WHEN THEIR STATE FUNDING WAS RECEIVED IN FY 24.
SO THAT IS GOING DOWN $33,250.
AND AGAIN, THAT DOESN'T REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON COUNTY OPERATIONS.
WE ARE JUST THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THAT PROGRAM.
THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, SPECIAL WELFARE FUND SUPPORTS SPECIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE. AND THAT WILL REMAIN AT $15,000.
BUT WE HAD PLANNED ON LEAVING THAT ESSENTIALLY AT LEVEL FUNDING.
BUT WE WILL BE REDUCING THAT IN THE INTRODUCED BUDGET.
THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND, THIS SUPPORTS IS SUPPORTED BY A GENERAL FUND TRANSFER FOR VEHICLE PURCHASES, SCHOOL BUS PURCHASES, AND THEN OUR CAPITAL TRANSFER FOR APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT FOR FIRE AND EMS. SO THAT WILL FALL AS WELL BECAUSE THE INCREASE IN SCHOOL BUS FUNDING WAS NOT SCORED WITH A ONE.
SO THAT WILL DROP BY ABOUT $98,000 FROM THE NUMBER SHOWN HERE.
UTILITIES AND STORM WATER FUND.
I BELIEVE MR. HALTOM IS IN THE AUDIENCE, SO I WILL BEGIN TO COVER THIS.
SO THE UTILITY BUDGET, THIS LOOKS LIKE AN ENORMOUS INCREASE BY ABOUT $29 MILLION.
AND THAT ENTIRE INCREASE IS PREDICATED ON BUDGETED REVENUE OF $30 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AND OR DEVELOPABLE DEVELOPER CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THAT ONE LARGE PROJECT SHOWN HERE.
AND ALSO SOME REDUCTIONS THAT COUPLE WITH THAT $30 MILLION CAPITAL ITEMS THAT WERE BUDGETED IN THE CURRENT YEAR THAT ARE ABSENT IN THE UPCOMING YEAR.
SO THAT $30 MILLION IS BEING BUDGETED.
IF THAT GRANT FUNDING AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS IS NOT RECEIVED, THEN THAT PROJECT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH CASH FUNDING.
WE NEED THOSE. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? YES. YES, MA'AM.
AND THE STORM WATER FUND, WE EXPECT ABOUT A $10,000 INCREASE IN STORM WATER FEES.
WE DO A BORROWING UNDER THE CURRENT MODEL EVERY FIVE YEARS, SIMILAR TO APPARATUS, AND WE USE THOSE STORM WATER FEES TO REPAY THAT ANNUAL DEBT SERVICE, MAKE THAT ANNUAL DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT.
AND THE STORM WATER FEE WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH OF 2014.
[01:00:04]
CHANGE IN THAT.BUT WE WILL BE BRINGING TO YOU A DECISION POINT IN THE COMING MONTHS ABOUT THE STORM WATER PROGRAM.
OKAY. SO A LITTLE MORE DISCUSSION ON THE RATES THAT MR. HALTOM IS PROPOSING.
WHAT HE IS PROPOSING IS A 3% INCREASE IN TIER TWO AND THREE WATER USER CHARGES, AND IT WILL HAVE A MINIMAL IMPACT FOR RESIDENTIAL, PREDOMINANTLY RESIDENTIAL USERS AND SOME BUSINESSES WHO USE LESS THAN 10,000 GALLONS PER BILLING CYCLE.
IT WILL BE ABOUT $0.60 A BILL FOR THOSE FOLKS.
HE'S ALSO REQUESTING A ONE PERSON INCREASE IN SEWER USER CHARGES, WHICH WILL ALSO HAVE A VERY MINOR IMPACT ON FOLKS OR BUSINESSES WHO USE 10,000 OR LESS, 10,000 GALLONS OR LESS, ABOUT $0.90.
SO THE TOTAL IMPACT FOR USERS WHO USE 10,000 GALLONS OR LESS IS ABOUT $1.50 PER BILL OR $9 A YEAR.
THE EXPECTED DOLLAR INCREASE FOR THOSE RATE ADJUSTMENTS IS ABOUT $198,000.
AND THESE RATE ADJUSTMENTS ARE NEEDED TO COVER INFLATIONARY INCREASES WITHIN THE UTILITY FUND, AS WELL AS TO PURCHASE NEEDED EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES TO MAINTAIN EXISTING UTILITIES ASSETS, AND TO PROVIDE BENEFIT INCREASES, AS WELL AS SALARY INCREASES FOR THE UTILITY EMPLOYEES. SO THE IMPACT FOR RESIDENTIAL OR FOR 10,000 GALLONS IS AGAIN $1.50 PER BILL, OR ABOUT $9 PER YEAR.
OKAY AND THEN SEWER IS SHOWN AT THE BOTTOM.
THE COMMERCIAL IMPACT IS MORE SIGNIFICANT, IF YOU LOOK TO THE WATER AND SEWER TO THE FAR RIGHT, YOU'LL SEE SOME FAIRLY LARGE PERCENTAGES FOR THOSE LARGER METER SIZES 40 UP TO 90%.
AND MR. HALTOM IS MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE THE FIRST OF A MULTI YEAR PLAN TO BRING THE RATE STRUCTURE BACK TO A MORE COMMON METHODOLOGY BASED ON VOLUME THAT WE HAD IN 22.
MR. HALTOM BROUGHT A RATE STRUCTURE CHANGE TO YOU IN FY 23, BUT WHEN WE COMPARE WHAT HE IS REQUESTING TO WHAT WE HAD IN 22 IT IS ABOUT ANYWHERE FROM A 1 TO A 6.3% INCREASE FOR FOR THOSE LARGER METER SIZES COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAD IN 22.
AND I WOULD WELCOME MR. HALTOM. COME FORWARD IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
ANYBODY GOT ANY QUESTIONS? NO, I DON'T [INAUDIBLE].
JUST CURIOSITY, MR. HOLCOMB, IF YOU GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE REAL QUICK.
ALL RIGHT. IT SAYS AT THE BOTTOM THESE RATES ADJUSTMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO COVER OPERATING INFLATION INCREASES, PURCHASE NEEDED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, AND TO MAINTAIN EXISTING UTILITY ASSETS.
IS THAT THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS ME AND YOU HAD DISCUSSED BEFORE, LIKE UP AND DOWN 460 OR WHAT IS THAT? IT IS ALL OF THE ABOVE.
WE HAVE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND WE HAVE OPERATING EXPENSES.
A LOT OF OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS ARE WRAPPED UP INTO OUR BUDGET.
SOME OF THEM ARE DEBT FUNDED, BUT MAJORITY OF THEM ARE THROUGH OUR OPERATING EXPENSES.
THAT'S ALL MY QUESTION I HAD OKAY.
HE IS ALSO REQUESTING AN INCREASE IN CONNECTION CHARGES FOR FY 25.
THIS PROVIDES THE CURRENT AND THE PROPOSED CONNECTION FEES, AND IT WOULD RESULT IN ABOUT $1,000 COMBINED SERVICES INCREASE FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMES THAT ARE NEWLY CONNECTED.
[01:05:09]
IS THIS NEW CONSTRUCTION OR EXISTING CONSTRUCTION, OR BOTH? IT WOULD BE NEW CONNECTIONS TO THE WATER, WATER AND SEWER UTILITY.WHY THE REASON FOR THE JUMP? SO WE LOOK AT OUR CONNECTION FEES ALL THE TIME TO SEE LOOK AT REVENUE GENERATION.
WE ARE LACKING IN REVENUE GENERATION.
SO WE ALWAYS TRY TO FIND DIFFERENT AVENUES TO INCREASE REVENUE.
SO WE LOOK AT THESE THESE RATES, THESE CONNECTION FEES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
LAST YEAR WE DID NOT DO AN INCREASE.
WE LOOKED ALSO AT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES AROUND US AND WHAT THEY'RE PAYING.
THEY CAN AND THEY HAVE NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS.
AND NOW, IS THIS THE COUNTY MAKING THE TAP, OR IS US JUST PROVIDING THE WATER METER AND A CONTRACTOR MAKING THE TAP? IT'S A GOOD QUESTION BECAUSE THAT IS A COMMON CONFUSION.
THE CONNECTION FEES ARE THE COST THAT WE RECOVER FOR THE ASSETS THAT WE BUILD.
OKAY. SO IT IS REALLY A RECOVERY COST.
BUT IT DOES PROVIDE ESSENTIALLY SOMETIMES THE METER IN MOST RESIDENTIAL CASES OKAY.
OKAY. JUST TO PROVIDE SOME BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS, WE MENTIONED THE $30 MILLION IN GRANT AND DEVELOPER CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDED FOR THE BLACKWATER REGIONAL INTERCEPTOR PUMP STATION FORCE MAIN PROJECT.
IT PROVIDES A STEP INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES MARKET REGRADES FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES LISTED THERE.
AND THEN TWO REPLACEMENT TRUCKS TO REPLACE AGING FLEET OWNED BY THE PUBLIC UTILITY.
SO MR. HALTOM'S RATE AND CONNECTION FEE CHANGES ALSO REQUIRE AN ORDINANCE CHANGE.
AND THAT DOES REQUIRE THE BOARD TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING.
SO MR. HALTOM, ON MARCH 26TH, FOLLOWING MR. STOKE PRESENTING THE BUDGET, WILL ASK FOR AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THOSE RATE AND CONNECTION FEE CHANGES.
JUST TO PROVIDE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET.
I PROVIDED THIS SLIDE DURING YOUR FEBRUARY WORK SESSION, AND I KNOW THAT MISS BARNES AND DR.
BUT THE THE SLIDE THAT I PROVIDED ON IN FEBRUARY SHOWS NET OF TAKING OUT THE ONE TIME STATE FUNDING THAT'S IN THE CURRENT YEAR BUDGET.
AND NOW WITH WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTIONS HAVE MADE, THEY'RE EXPECTING MORE THAN THAT BY AT LEAST $1,060,000.
AND DR. PENNYCUFF DID COMMUNICATE THAT HIGHER ESTIMATE TO MR. STOKE AND I.
SO IT WOULD BE ABOUT $6.6 MILLION IN NEW REVENUE, AND IT COULD BE DIFFERENT THAN THAT NUMBER WHEN THEY GET THE COMBINED STATE AND HOUSE COMPROMISE.
SO WE WOULD HOPEFULLY HAVE HAVE THAT BUDGET PRIOR TO MR. STOKE PRESENTING THE COUNTY BUDGET, WHICH WE DO INCLUDE THE SCHOOL BUDGET ON MARCH 26TH.
SO THIS JUST GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS PROPOSED.
[01:10:02]
AND AGAIN WE WE DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ON THE ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING THAT MIGHT BE PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.BUT THIS JUST PROVIDES A TOTAL A TOTAL BUDGET.
THE ADOPTED 24 BUDGET WAS THE OPERATING FUND WAS $78.3 MILLION, AMENDMENTS WERE MADE.
THEY DID RECEIVE ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTIONS IN SEPTEMBER SO THE CURRENT YEAR AMENDED BUDGET OPERATING FUND IS $83.75 MILLION AND THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSED BUDGET IS $84.6 MILLION.
SO THAT IS AN INCREASE OF $6.2 MILLION FROM THE ADOPTED, BUT $3 MILLION FROM THE AMENDED. THAT $6 MILLION HAS THAT GOT TO BE SPENT ON CERTAIN CRITERIA AREAS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? I BELIEVE IF YOU WATCH THE SUPERINTENDENTS BUDGET PROPOSAL, THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT DO COME WITH STRINGS ATTACHED.
ALSO SOME ADDITIONAL K3 FUNDING WAS RECEIVED, WHICH I BELIEVE THEY HAVE TO USE FOR ELEMENTARY INITIATIVES OR TEACHERS STAFFING. I REALLY AM NOT SURE OF ALL OF THE STRINGS THAT MIGHT BE ATTACHED TO EVERY NEW DOLLAR.
OKAY, BUT BUT I KNOW THEY ARE LOOKING TO USE THE INCREASE TO ADD SOME POSITIONS AND TO MAKE PAY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF ALIKE.
AT LEAST FROM THE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS THAT WE'VE SEEN.
ALL RIGHT. [INAUDIBLE] IS THIS GOING TO BE A ONE TIME FUNDING OR REOCCURRING? I BELIEVE IT'S REOCCURRING.
OKAY. SO THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR THE TONIGHT SCHEDULED WORK SESSION.
MR. STOKE AND I WILL BE WORKING TO GET THE BUDGET PUT TOGETHER PRIOR TO THE MARCH 26TH MEETING.
MARCH 28TH, APRIL 18TH AND MAY 7TH.
TYPICALLY, WE RECEIVE FINAL INFORMATION FROM THE COMP BOARD ON OR ABOUT MAY 1ST.
THE GENERAL THE GOVERNOR HAS UNTIL I THINK IT'S APRIL 8TH FOR VETO.
SO WE WE WOULD HOPE TO HAVE FINAL STATE INFORMATION PRIOR TO THAT MAY 7TH DATE TO ACCOMMODATE YOU HAVING YOUR PUBLIC HEARING ON MAY 14TH AND ADOPTING ON MAY 28TH.
BUT TWO DAYS FOLLOWING MR. STOKES PRESENTATION, WE MAY NOT HAVE A GREAT MANY UPDATES.
WE MAY HAVE UPDATED INFORMATION FROM THE SCHOOLS.
YOU COULD CERTAINLY INVITE THE SUPERINTENDENT TOO, TO PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL BUDGET, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, IF SHE IS AVAILABLE.
BUT THOSE THOSE ARE THE DATES THAT ARE SCHEDULED.
AND THE OTHER KEY DATES WOULD BE APRIL 9TH WOULD NOW BE THE TAX RATE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND MAY 28TH IS THE SCHEDULED ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO, MA'AM, I UNDERSTAND.
WE'VE GOT TO COME TOGETHER ON THAT SPREADSHEET.
WHETHER IT'S EITHER OFFLINE, OR WE TRY TO DO IT IN ANOTHER WORK SESSION, WHAT'S YOUR FLAVOR?
[01:15:02]
YOU'RE ASKING. YOU WANT TO LOOK AT SOMETHING NOW? WELL, I'M JUST SAYING.I MEAN, YOU LOOK AT THESE TIMELINES.
OKAY. I'M NOT READY TO DO THAT TONIGHT.
WELL, I'M NOT I'M NOT ASKING FOR.
[INAUDIBLE] I COVER EVERYTHING YOU GOT.
YES, SIR AND MR. STOKE AND I WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE THE BALANCING THAT WAS ON THE SPREADSHEET WITH THE IMPACT OF THE STATE STATE SUPPORTED EMPLOYEE PAY INCREASE.
OKAY. AND YOU SEND IT BACK OUT.
ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU AGAIN MR. ERARD FOR ALL YOU DO.
YEAH. YES. YEAH. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
GENTLEMAN WITH THAT BEING SAID THAT'S RIGHT. I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THAT.
SO MOVED. RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM.
GET A SECOND? YES, SIR. MRS. KNOTT CALL THE ROLL.
I'LL CALL YOU TOMORROW.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.