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04-03-85 MinutesBOP-RD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES April 3, 1985 Supervisors in Attendance: Mr. G. H. Applegate, Chairman Mr. Jesse J. Mayes, Vice Chairman Mr. Harry G. Daniel Mr. R. Garland Dodd Mrs. Joan Girone Mr. Richard L. Redrick County Administrator Staff in Attendance: Mr. Steve Micas, County Attorney Mr. Lane Ramsey, Dir. of Budget and Accounting Mr. Applegate called the meeting to order at the Courthouse at 7:00 p.m. (EST). 1. INVOCATION Mr. Dedd gave the invocation. 5~. Applegate stated there would be three separate public hearings tonight--the proposed 1985-86 budget, the tax rate and the use of Federal Revenue Sharing funds. He stated there is a roster at the podium and requested that anyone wishing to speak please eo indicate. He stated each public hearing would be closed prior to the next hearing beginning, He stated that the Board would be receiving public input tonight but no action would be taken at this time. 2. PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 1985-86 BUDGET Mr. ~edrick introduced Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Ramsey stated the County Administrator's recon~ended budget has been duly advertised. He stated this budget is balanced, maintains existing service levels and presents staff'e be~t efforts to allocate resources fairly across the spectrum of services. He stated the Board's budget objectives have been the basis for the preparation of the document, they reflect the progressive thinking of the Board and recognize that Chesterfield County is a regional partner in the Metropolitan and Tri-Cities areas. He stated the priorities reflected in the financial plan are: 1. Education 2. Roads 3. Public Safety 4. Economic Development 5. Community Development 6. Utilities 7. Muman Services 8. ~anagement Support Services He Stated the needE have been evaluated in each of the program areas and the available resources have been allocated to live within our means. Ee stated the budget does not reflect incremental, arbitrary increases. He stated each department's request was thoroughly examined on the need and impact on service levels. He stated other issues that cross program lines with equal consideration are growth, economic development, regional efforts, and productivity. Me stated the total recommended budget is $246,859,000'with major increases to the school b~dget, 85-204 to the public safety departments, salary adjustments for County employees, increase in debt service, supplement to the nursing home, incneases due to inflation and additional positions with salaries and benefits. He stated the budget represents a $32,552,000 increase over the current year or 15.2%. He reviewed the budget in detail with regard te specific revenues and expenditures in various departments, the Capital Improvement Program, Federal Revenue Sharing funds, the School budget and the enterprise funds. Ee stated the budget presents a realistic work program which will continue the goal of community building and · mproving the quality of life to the County citizens. (A copy of the entire statement is filed with the papers of this Board.) Mr. Hedrick stated that staff is pleased to present a budget that does not call for a tax rate adjustment. Ee stated that does not necessarily mean that there will not be a tax increase due to inflation as far as the reassessment of residential and commercial property is concerned. He stated that the County has been able tO maintain operations within existing revenues and at the same time absorb the cost of a School bond referendum which increased debt service by $2,500,000 annually as well as $1,000,000 anticipated for the Capital Improvements Program and the Powhite =xtensien. He stated the school bond could have meant as much as 3-4¢ with the Powhite ~xtension being 5-6¢ but it was absorbed and no tax increase was realized. He stated in past years, revenue on real estate personal property has been averaging about 50% new growth and 50% inflation and this year,' it was 80% new growth and 20% inflation. He stated most of the new growth was residential and with that comes increased demands for County services. He stated our population is increasing by 8,000! annually and people feel we ought to be able to add enough employees to maintain the same number of employees per capita but people are not often aware that with increased population growth comes increased density. He stated that increased density increases the crime rate, the number o~ fir~s per capita, etc. and demands for County services increase faster than the population. He stated this has been absorbed because of productivity on efforts of the staff, the improved automation in County operations, volunteerism from County residents, etc. He stated the budget was compiled with thoughts of 3-5 years in the future. He stated staff tried to anticipate, because of the bond issues and continuing needs for.roads, that there may be a strong possibility to increase the tax Sate ~or which it was concerned. He stated if the growth rate and revenues continue as they are, there is a strong possibility that we will be able to meet, within existing services levels, those anticipated costs with existing revenues. He stated if ther~ are down turns in economy or revenues, services and demands should correspond and decrease as well. Ne stated that if it became necessary tO go to the public for roads or education over and above the $50,000,000 or the CIP that we have anticipated, there could be a tax rate adjustment but the public would have an opportunity to vote on that type of service expansion. He stated staff feels the County Ks in sound fiscal condition and it is now a matter of the Board analyzing the programs and determining if they are comfortable with the service levels. Mr. Vincent Burgess, representing the Chesterfield Citizens for the Retarded, stated they were concerned with the Mental ~ealth/Mental R~tardation budget as they feel what is incorporated in the budget is a maintenance level budget and does not meet the current needs for the mental health and mentally retarded citizens in the County. Ne stated this is especially so in the Chesterfield Vocational Services program as there is a large waiting list and he felt new positions and equipment should be budgeted; in the residential services which has a very large waiting llst; and Camp Baker which funds should be reinstated. He stated the costs of these issues would be $935,000. He stated 85-205 from fiscal year 1982 through 1985 the County budget increased approximately 52.1% with the Chapter 10 Board's budget increasing by 68%; however, the County's contribution only increased by 32%. He stated this year the County's budget increase is 15.2% with the Mental Health/Mental Retardation portion being 6.3%. He stated there are about 3,000 people in the County receiving or needing services for the mentally retarded and this figure will be increasing. He stated they are concerned that this proposal will not eliminate waiting lists and should addr%ss the issues as the clients will continue to need services, He stated he felt the Board should look at future planning for the special population groups. (A copy of his entire statement is filed with the papers of the ~oard.) Mr. Dcdd inquired about the client waiting lists. Mr. Burgess stated he felt it would be from 12 months to several years for clients to ~e served. Mr. Mayes znquired about the resources for Camp Baker. Mr, Burgess stated he did not have that information. Ms. Melanie Price stated she had t~ular sclerosis which is a disease that causes unpredictable seizures. She stated she is now no longer able to drive and maintain a job or he financially independent. She stated she is in need of transportation to help her obtain a job and live as independently as possible. Mr. Applegate stated he had discussed this situation with Mr. Masden, and hopefully, something could be worked out. Mrs. Grace Wright, President of the Chesterfield Education Association, stated with the Board's support of the proposed School budget, we can begin Chesterfield's year of excellence in education. She described the process of preparation of the budget which they supported. She stated with additional funds from the state, it was their feeling that this was a realistic budget. She stated that the BOard should stand firm on the amount of local money committed and if additional state money becomes available, the local contribution should not be diminished. She stated in fully funding the School Board budget, the Board will demonstrate its stated belief that education is the number one priority in the County. She stated the County must support excellence in education by providing the funding. M~e. Elaine Rubin, representing the League of Women Voters, complimented the Board on the progress in this financial plan. She stated the budget message p~ovides commitments to regional enterprises, projections of f~ture regional cooperation, efforts of the courts and police in juvenile justice, diversion and child protection; a partnership between the School Board and Board of Supervisors and future improvements to education. She stated they are in favor of three studies within the next fiscal year which would be on the County'z existing tax/revenue structure, general public transportation within the County and a cost analysis of a system of solid waste collection within the County all of which she outlined in detail. (A copy of the entire ~tatement is filed with the papers of this Board,) Mr. Dodd defended the machinery and tool tax because the County has just about doubled how it assesses this tax rate in the last few years and it fs One of the few incentives to industry to come into the County. He stated that there wam an experimental program on transportation several years ago in the County and it was unsuccessful. Mrs. Gall MeCants declined her oppDrtunity to speak to the Board. Mr. Marshall Butler, Director of the Richmond Area Association for Retarded Citizens (RAARC), stated he felt residential services is important in the County as it is a common interest to their work at Camp Baker. He stated the State Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation has adopted a policy and continued deinstitutionatizaticn of the mentally retarded and mentally handicapped persons and are placing them back in the communities. He stated those persons are living at home with their parents who are growing older, and Camp Baker enhance~ the 85-206 residential services. ~e stated Camp Baker's summer ca~p and fall through spring respite care program provides the mentally ~stardad person with a chance to get away from the home and ~amily and to be On tis own so when the parents are qone they can make that adjustment much better at the group home or wherever. He stated the deinstitutionalieed client, living in group homes or supervised apartments, would be provided with a break from their normal setting. He stated the RAARC, operator of Camp Baker, wants to be a part of the County's plans and the efforts to serve the citizens. He stated it is only 60 days before the Camp opens~ staff has been hired, reviewed the options avai%able if funds are not provided as anticipated, etc. 5e stated they cannot replace the funding anticipated at this time. He reviewed the budget of approximately $50,000 for Camp Raker and where the funds were obtained. Be stated he knows the County has a commitment to Camp Baker which has been expressed through a number of ways and requested that funding be approved. He stated if that were not possible, that the Board members personally help them pursue private resources. Mr. Applsgate stated that he and other members of the Board had been contacted by numerous people supporting Camp Baker and requesting rsinstatement of funds. He stated the determination for not funding Camp Baker was made by the Community Services Board and not by the Supervisors. He stated he hsd encouraged those people to contact the Community Services Board regarding this matter as there are approximately $165,000 of additional critical needs which the Department needs and Camp Baker was one' of the lowest priorities on the critical needs list. He stated if the Board gave an additional $10,500 to the Community Services Board, he was not sure that it would be channeled to Camp Baker. He encouraged M_r. Butler to discuss this with the Community Services Board and correspond with the Supervisors as well. He stated he did not feel the Board could instruct the Community Sez~ices Board On which programs to spend the funds allocated. Mr. Mayas stated he received the letters of concern also and he raised the question as to whether the County was doing its share for Camp Baker and it appears that only 20% of the mentally retarded come from the County, the County provides the Camp and the land, has surfaced roads, etc. and this made him feel better with regard to these contributions. Me inquired if the areas sending the other clients do their share. Mr. Butler stated that although the County residents c~mprise approximately 20% of the Camp, the respite care program from fall to spring which operates with no operational funding comprises approximately 50% from the County. Ee stated they do appreciate the County's support of the Camp and land as it would he impossible to do this without that support. He stated he would contact the Community Services Board regarding this matter. Be stated his staff had made several · nquiries regarding Camp Baker's funding and could not obtain an answer. Ee Stated until just recently when he received a letter indicating the support may be stopped, did he realize there was a problem because after 14 years of funding, you don't consider the program to be in any danger. Mr. Dodd and Mr. Mayas Stated they agreed, that after 14 years, why stop now. Mr. Elwood Elliott, Chairman of the Camp Baker Management Board, stated funding for Camp Baker was not included in the proposed budget. Be stated the County has supported the summer camp program for the past 15 years through the Community Services Board. He stated they were not notified until recently that funds were not recommended for funding and all efforts are being made to seek private funding for capital improvements for which they have been fairly successful. He requested that the funds he restored in the budget for Camp Baker and that they be allowed to meet with the Community Services Board to discuss this matter. Mr. Apptegate agreed that the two groups should meet to discuss this matter. Mr. A. C. McNeer, representing the Chesterfield County Council of P.T.A.'s, stated they were in support of the proposed School budget as presented as well as in support of the public input 85-207 and manner in which the School budget was prepared. Mr. Albert McCants, first Chairman Of the Mental Bealth/Mental Retardation Community Services Board, explained the history of the Community Services Board and Camp Baker, the renovations and improvements on site, and funding for Camp Eaker's operation. He stated there are only three camps such as this in the state and recommended continued funding of the program. Mrs. Yvette Ridley, Chairman of the Community Services Board, stated that when th~ Board develops its budget there are more needs than resourcas available. She stated it takes two years to get into the Chesterfield Vocational Services and three years to get into a residential program. She stated that after going over their budget and the needs; it would take an addlticnal $1,500,000 in order to fully meet the needs that were not proposed for funding. She stated they then wen~ back and reviewed the programs for additional critical needs for which $160,000 was necessary and Camp Saker was one of those. She stated, however, it was the last on the list, because people need to get into vocational services and into residential programs. she stated if the Board gives the Community Services Board $160,000 they will recommend funding Camp Baker. Mr. Mayes inquired if the Community Services Board has to service the people released from Central State. Mrs. Ridley stated they are completely responsible for the deinstitutionalized patients from Central State from Chesterfield Countv as well as the retarded mandated under 94.142 to get school s~rvlce until age 21. She · stated after 21 they go to the Community Services Board. She stated when people ars released there have to be places to ge and services to take up their needs at that time. She stated if they are not helped at this time when they need it so they can be independent and able to perform routine jobs, pay taxes, etc., the crime rates and social service rolls increase. She stated the Board does secure insufficient state funding. Mr. En%~ett Harper, representing the Chester Civitans, stated he has been working at Camp Baker for many years, last year the County wanted to take over Camp Baker, the County had $50,000 with which the County wanted to du certain things, and now the County has eliminated the $10,500 in financial support. Mr. Daniel stated he is sorry that there is a perception that the County wanted to take over Camp baker as that was not the case by any of the ~oard members. He stated there were some disagreements but there was never any overt move to take it over. ~e stated, he is sorry that individuals still have fha: feeling after agreements wer~ worked out to assure that the cross section of the entire County participated with the operation of Camp Baker. Ms. Cathy Grant, mother of a severely handicapped child, stated that Camp Baker is very important to her because of the respite care program. She stated that if it was not for respite care and the operators of Camp Baker, the entire family wo~ld s~ffer greatly as they do need respite. She stated that more respite is needed ahd not less. She stated she also realizes tho Vocational Services is very important because, hopefully, her sen would also be a participant ~n that program. She requested the Soard's support in this regard. There being no one else present to ~ddress the proposed 1985-86 budget, ~Lr. Applegate closed the public hearing. 3. PUBliC HEARING R~GARDING TA2~ RATE Mr. Applegate stated this date and time had been advertised to consider the proposed tax rate. There was no one present to address this matter. Mr. Applegate closed the public hearing. 85-208 PUBLIC EEARINQ O~ USE OF REVENUE S~IARING FUNDS Mr. Applegate stated thi~ date and time had been advertised to consider the use of Federal Revenue Sharinq funds. There was no one present to address this matter. Mr. Applegate closed the public hearinq. The Board expressed appreciation to those present for their comments during the meeting. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Mrs. Girone, seconded by Mr. M~y~s, th~ Board adjourned at 9:15 p.m. until 12:30 p.m. on April 9, 1985. Vote: Unanimous Riohar~d'L~ Hedri~k County Administrator 85-209