Board of Supervisors: March 27, 2008

March 27, 2008

Virginia:

AT A REGULAR MEETING of the Nelson County Board of Supervisors at 7:30 P. M. in the Board of Supervisors Room located in the Nelson County Courthouse.

Present:     Thomas D. Harvey, North District Supervisor
       Joe Dan Johnson, South District Supervisor
   Allen M. Hale, Vice Chairman, East District
       Constance Brennan, Central District Supervisor
       Stephen A. Carter, County Administrator
       Candice W. McGarry, Administrative Assistant/Deputy Clerk
       Debra K. McCann, Director of Finance and Human Resources


Absent:   Thomas H. Bruguiere, Jr. West District Supervisor


I.   Call to Order

Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. with four (4) members present to establish a quorum and Mr. Bruguiere being absent.

A.   Moment of Silence
B.   Pledge of Allegiance – Mr. Hale led the pledge of Allegiance

The Board considered item IV. Public Comments, prior to working on the FY08-09 budget.

II.   Unfinished Business

A.   FY08-09 Budget Work Session

Staff opened the work session by reviewing the Reassessment Analysis as it was at the conclusion of the previous meeting as follows:

Staff noted that as it stands only approximately $1.85 million will be realized in windfall amount that could be used to buy down the amount financed for the Courthouse, whereas the spreadsheet shows a use of $2.0 million. Variables such as actual cost of the project and financing terms were briefly discussed as influencing the annual amount required for the debt service. The Capital set-aside amount was noted to be a potential mitigating factor for any shortfall in the amount allotted for the Courthouse debt.

Mr. Harvey reported that there is no penalty for early payoff of the current bus leases and there is a 10-12 year lifespan per bus. It was uncertain as to whether or not interest would still have to be paid for early pay-off. The school division would prefer to get 5 new buses per year to stay on the current replacement track. Mr. Carter noted that the $.03 capital set aside monies would be the likely source of funds to buy out the leases and purchase the new buses.

The Board discussed paying one lease contract off per year until they are all retired and not initiating any new leases; using a phased approached. The leases would be retired in FY13. The Board discussed the particulars of the lease terms with Ms. McCann noting that the annual interest payments vary but the interest rate is fixed. Ms. McCann noted that it would cost an additional $267,610 from what has been budgeted to pay the four (4) existing lease payments for FY09 and purchase 5 buses. These costs per year would decline due to the phased elimination of new lease payments. The Board deferred action on this item pending the consideration of additional details.

Ms. Brennan reported on her meeting with the Library personnel concerning their budget request. She noted that the increase of $16,000 in salaries was for additional staff hours to increase the part-time person’s hours up from 30 to 40 hrs per week, making it a Full-Time position. It also included additional substitute hours. She stated that their first priority is getting the Full Time position and the additional substitute hours. She noted that the per capita costs for the library system to be lower than surrounding areas at $15 per person. She noted the backlog of 26 weeks of sick/vacation time of the employees. Library staff indicated that they may have to close for one (1) week to reduce the backlog in this fiscal year.

The Board asked staff to find out what their % pay adjustment is and the dollar amount. After further debating funding for the Library, the Board reached a consensus to add 4% or $9,272.

Mr. Hale reported that JAUNT’s requested increase was due to increased fuel costs and a 4% increase in the current cost of providing existing services. The Board’s consensus was to add 4% or $2,232 and noted that an increase in ridership may result from the increase in fuel costs to consumers.

Mr. Harvey noted that he was not yet ready to report on the EMS Council’s request.

The Board discussed Senior Meals adding 2% or $462 for all senior centers.

In conclusion, the Board added a total of $11,966 to the FY09 General Fund expenditures resulting in the following impact on the Reassessment Analysis:

The Board discussed the potential changes that could be made by the BOE that could impact the revenue. They also discussed the desire for the ongoing review and evaluation of agencies throughout the year, with Mr. Harvey suggesting that the Emergency Services need to be audited to identify areas where cooperative procurement can be utilized to save money overall. School funding was discussed with Supervisors noting that ways to cut expenses needed to be explored. The inequity in the Composite Index formulation as it impacts Nelson County was discussed with Mr. Johnson noting that half of the school population gets free or reduced lunch indicating a less than wealthy population. Supervisors indicated their frustration and expressed a desire to do something to change the situation.

Supervisors discussed the logistics of the upcoming public hearing on the tax rate on April 8th, requesting that staff research and confirm that the Board cannot change the Assessor’s assessment.

III.   Other Business (As May be Presented)

There was no other business considered by the Board.

IV.   Public Comments

1.   Cheryl Cooper, JABA

Ms. Cooper spoke to clarify the use of $18,000 that had been allocated for the adult day care program at the Nelson Center that had been closed due to lack of participation. She stated that the monies had been used in Nelson County to hire additional staff to keep ailing seniors participating and reiterated JABA’s need for funding to cover their increased costs anticipated in FY09.

2.   Donna Shaunesey, JAUNT

Ms. Shaunesey distributed the newly designed brochure for Nelson County funded by State grant money and asked the Board to consider fully funding their budget request. In response to questions regarding increasing their fares, she noted that for every $1 the fares are raised, $.50 in Federal funding is lost and 95% of their ridership has very little income and ability to afford a fare increase.

3.   Johnny Ponton, Board of Equalization Chairman

Mr. Ponton addressed the Board to request an extension of the June 1, 2008 deadline for the Board of Equalization to finish its deliberations. He noted the extension is requested due to the number of appointments already scheduled and the anticipation of having to look at more properties.

Mr. Carter noted to the Board that any adjustments made by the BOE go out in a fall supplemental billing and that the Code would need to be consulted as far as the process to extend the deadline. He stated that since the deadlines were established by Ordinance it was likely a public hearing would be required to amend the previous Ordinance for the extension of time. He stated he would check on the notice requirements for scheduling of the public hearing for April 24th. The Board agreed by consensus to authorize a public hearing on April 24th to consider comments on a proposed extension of sixty (60) days.

In response to the Board’s questions, Ms. Shaunesey of JAUNT noted that the drivers of the Charlottesville commuter routes have jobs in Charlottesville and run the routes around their work hours.

Ms. Brennan inquired of Ms. Cooper of JABA about use of the senior center. In response to questions, Ms. Cooper noted that the 13% increase in funds was related to the increased cost of meals and staffing costs at the Nelson center. She stated that the Center is open two (2) days a week with an average count of 33 per day with total enrollment of 55 people. She noted that last year 9,500 meals were delivered to 68 people at no cost to the client.

I.   Adjournment

At 9:05 pm, Mr. Hale moved to adjourn until the regular session on April 8, 2008. Ms. Brennan seconded the motion and Supervisors voted unanimously by voice vote to approve the motion and the meeting was adjourned.