Board of Supervisors: May 18, 2005

May 18, 2005

May 18, 2005
Virginia:

At a Continued Meeting of the Nelson County Board of Supervisors on May 18, 2005, 5:40 p.m., at the Courthouse in Lovingston, Virginia, thereof:

Present:   Gary E. Wood, Chair
       Harry S. Harris, Vice Chair
       Constance Brennan, Central District Supervisor
       Thomas H. Bruguiere, Jr., West District Supervisor
       Thomas D. Harvey, North District Supervisor
       Stephen A. Carter, County Administrator
       Fred M. Boger, Planning Director
       Virgie A. Carter, Deputy Clerk
       Debra K. McCann, Director of Finance and Human Resources
       Betty M. Fortune, Planning & Zoning Secretary

Agenda Item Number I. Call Meeting to Order
Supervisor Harris called the Meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. and relinquished the Chair to Supervisor Wood upon his arrival.

Agenda Item Number II. Review of Zoning Ordinance
The Board of Supervisors continued review of the Zoning Ordinance as follows:
Discussion included limiting division rights without a rezoning; a general business not being included in the Business District; added the following uses by Special Permit: automobile dealerships and sales establishments; lumber and millwork retail sales and storage yards; other uses which require outdoor storage of retail goods; and fast food restaurants; changed bed and breakfast lodgings to a by-right use and the phase “with or without drive-thru facilities” was added to by right Banks and Financial Institutions; Child Day Care Facilities was changed to Adult and Child Day Care Facilities; changed the maximum Floor Area ratio for non-residential uses from 1.0 to 2.0 with a building height limit of 55 feet; the 10 acre maximum district size shall be the by-right use in the Planned Shopping District; and changed the required landscaped open space from 15 percent to 7.5 percent of the site.

Agenda Item Number III. 7:30 P.M., Public Hearing on Proposed Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget
Ms. McCann provided a Power Point presentation on the proposed Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget.
The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 is $23,914,949, as compared to Fiscal Year 2004-2005 in the amount of $24,130,231, a decrease of $215,282.
The proposed Budget is broken down as follows:
-   General Administration       $ 1,410,023
-   Judicial Administration       $     574,485
-   Public Safety               $ 2,751,588
-   Public Works               $ 1,932,483
-   Health & Welfare           $ 2,184,913
-   Education               $11,288,225
-   Parks & Recreation           $     184,324
-   Community Development       $     482,374
-   Non-Departmental           $ 1,745,878
-   Capital Outlay               $ 1,358,033
-   Reserve for Contingencies       $         2,623

Total Expenditures                              $23,914,949

Ms. McCann stated that the proposed budget offers fiscal plan strategies as follows:
•   Maintain tax rates at current levels;
•   Continue to make education a high priority;
•   Maintain annual contributions for debt on new school facilities;
•   Maintain fiscal stability through an appropriately funded General Fund.

Concluding comments from Ms. McCann, Supervisor Wood opened the Public Hearing on the County Budget and Tax Rates.

Individuals speaking included the following:
Gordon Koerner thanked the Board for funding the Senior Centers and recommended the Board support the funding request of the Economic Development Authority.

Ed Buyneck, JABA Advisory Board, stated he is one of Nelson County’s representatives who represent needy citizens in Nelson County and is concern regarding JABA’s Meals Program at home and at the Nelson Center. Mr. Buyneck stated he would like to see additional funds allocated to support the needy.
May 18, 2005

Reverend James Rose thanked the Board for funding the Senior Centers and expressed concern regarding the length of time it takes to transport seniors to The Nelson Center. Reverend Rose stated that some of the seniors are in wheel chairs, on walkers, and canes, and noted they are discouraged because of the waiting time and that is why they do not attend the Nelson Center.

Pete Perdue, Rockfish Valley Senior Center, stated that time and distance is a problem for seniors traveling to The Nelson Center. Mr. Perdue thanked the Board for the funding they have allocated to the Senior Centers and reiterated Reverend Rose’s concerns.

Carlton Ballowe recommended the Board watch two numbers very carefully, per capita income and debt. Mr. Ballowe stated that the Board of Supervisors needs to work on capital improvements and plan accordingly; improve business involvement; and noted that the Emergency Medical Services is a great thing and questioned how much is the County willing to spend to help response time.

Concluding comments from Mr. Ballowe, Supervisor Wood closed the Public Hearing on the General Fund.

Supervisor Brennan thanked everyone for coming to the Meeting tonight. Ms. Brennan stated that she and Supervisor Harris are working on senior issues and that transportation will be addressed (the first meeting of the Senior Advisory Committee is scheduled for June); noted that the Board of Supervisors have requested the School Board to set up a capital improvement plan for the maintenance of schools; and noted that EMS requested the Board to do something regarding paid personnel and that paid personnel is needed for delivery of services.

Supervisor Harris stated that Supervisor Brennan addressed all the issues he had and reiterated that the Senior Advisory Committee will be meeting in June and will address transportation concerns expressed by Reverend Rose.

Supervisor Bruguiere stated that Supervisors Brennan and Harris have addressed several issues he had as well and noted that the proposed budget does not have a lot of fat in it and further noted that he does not agree with some of the things in it.

Supervisor Harvey did not expressed any comments.

Supervisor Wood stated that the issues he had have been covered and noted that he has talked with the Economic Development Authority and the County has attracted a few businesses and also is trying to help businesses that are here; stated that he agree the funds allocated to JABA are a little short and noted a plan is needed to address the concerns in the future; and noted he is happy with the funding for the capital projects in the schools.

Additionally, Mr. Harris commended the County Administrator and Finance Department’s Staff in securing grant funds for the County and their development of the Budget.

Concluding comments from Mr. Harris, Mr. Wood Closed the Public Hearing on the General Fund Budget and Tax Rates.

Mr. Wood opened the Public hearing on the School Budget.

Gordon Koerner spoke regarding the proposed budget for Buckingham County and the Composite Index.

Concluding comments from Mr. Koerner, Mr. Wood closed the Public Hearing.

Agenda Item Number IV. Other Matters

A.   State Homeland Security Grant Program – FY 2005

Mr. Carter presented a proposed Resolution for the 2005 State Homeland Security Program in the amount of $27,582.

Concluding Mr. Carter’s presentation, on a motion by Ms. Brennan, seconded by Mr. Harvey, with Ms. Brennan voting yes, Mr. Harvey voting yes, Mr. Bruguiere voting yes, Mr. Harris voting yes, and Mr. Wood voting yes, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Resolution for the Grant Program as follows:

Re: Approval of 2005 State Homeland Security Program – 2005 Grant, Designation of Applicants Agent

BE IT RESOLVED By the Board of Supervisors of Nelson County, Virginia, that Stephen A. Carter, County Administrator, is hereby authorized to execute for and in behalf of Nelson County, Virginia, a public entity established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this application and to file it in the appropriate State Office for the purpose of obtaining certain Federal financial assistance under the OJP, National Domestic Preparedness Office Grant Program(s) administered by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

THAT, Nelson County, Virginia, a public entity established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia hereby authorizes it agent to provide to the Commonwealth and to the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) for all matters pertaining to such Federal financial assistance any and all information pertaining to these Grants as may be requested.

B. Piney River III Project
Mr. Carter provided an update on the Piney River III Project and stated that Rural Development has indicated that they are looking at funding seventy-five percent and twenty-five percent loan. In order to make the County eligible for the seventy-five percent funding, the rate for the Project would have to be $26.00 (as opposed to $22.25) for the first 4,000 gallons and $6.10 (as opposed to $6.00) per 1,000 gallons over the 4,000 gallon base rate. The increased rate would bring the projected annual deficit for the County to $32,646, based on one hundred and eleven households hooking up to the service and paying the monthly charges at one hundred percent.

Concluding Mr. Carter’s presentation, the Board of Supervisors directed Mr. Carter to contact Rural Development to determine if they will award fifty percent grant and fifty percent loan if the monthly service rate were not increased; questioned if customers used over 4,000 would they be billed at the full $6.10 per 1,000 gallons or be pro-rated for the actual amount used; and requested including the average household water usage per month on the questionnaire to Piney River residents to see how many would actually hookup to the water system.

Agenda Item Number V. Adjournment

Re: Continue the May 18, 2005 Meeting to May 23, 2005

On a motion by Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mr. Harris, with Mr. Harvey voting yes, Mr. Harris voting yes, Mr. Bruguiere voting yes, Ms. Brennan voting yes, and Mr. Wood voting yes, the following Resolution was adopted:

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Nelson County Board of Supervisors does hereby continue the May 18, 2005 Meeting to May 23, 2005.

_____________________________________, Chair