03-17-77 MinutesIrIRG~qIA: At a special meeting
of the Board of Supervisors of
Chesterfield County, held at
Meadowbrook Country Club, at
4:30 p.m., on March 17, 1977.
Present:
Mr. E. Merlin O'Neill, Chairman
Mrs. Joan Girone, Vice Chairman
Mr. J. Ruffin Apperson
Mr. C. L. Bookman
Mr. Garland Dodd
Mr. C. G. Manuel, Interim Co. Admin.
Also Present:
bks. Joan Dolezal, Secretary
Mr. Steve Micas, County Attorney
The Chairman calls the meeting to order.
On motion of Mr. Bookman, seconded by Mr. Dodd, it is resolved that this Board go into Executive
Session to discuss a potential business in the County that has not yet publicly been discussed.
Ayes: Mr. O'Neill, Mrs. Girone, Mr. Bookman andMr. Dodd.
Reconvening at the Courthouse for the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m.:
The Chairman calls the meeting to order and states that this time and date have been set for
a public hearing on the proposed 1977-78 Chesterfield County Budget. The Budget Message is
read by the secretary.
~-~s. Girone states that she has said all that she probably could in the letter which she had
distributed prior to the meeting. She adds that the main issue here is '~owmuch governnmnt
the people want and how n~ach do they want to pay for it." She states the citizens of her district
want the tax rate to remain the same as it was last year but after hearing from the public the
Board will have a week to make a final decision.
Mr. Sam Wagstaff states that Chesterfield County is in the worse shape it bas been for the past
45 years, he learned more in school 40 years ago then childrenare today, the people are
rebellious because of the reassessments, the people do not want the tax rate increased, the County
Government is inefficient and feels further that phone lines and staff should be cut.
Sir. EdAlten, Mr. Don Hodge and John Scherer are all concerned about the reassessment and tax
increases to support the budget. They state that mast assessments have gone up 17-24% and the
people, especially those living on fixed incomes and those earning average wages, cannot afford
these increases. Mr. Scherer suggests reducing services in order to reduce taxes. Mr. Allen
adds that he feels the Board did a good job in holding down the school budget. There are some
questions regarding reassessments and Mr. Falconer explains why and how he has to reassess
property. He adds that on March 30th at 10:00 a.m. the Board of Equalization will have a
meeting at which time people who feel their reassessments are unfair will have an opportunity
to discuss each individual case.
}'~. Janet Polo of C. E. Curtis School states that she feels the education budget should not be
cut to allow staggered hours in the elementary or any schools. She adds that children need
to learn early in the marningwhen they are alert and the traffic in the Curtis School areawould
be unbearable. She asks that the school budget be reconsidered. Mr. Micas and Mrs. Girone
explain that the Board of Supervisors has nothing to do withwhere the School System cuts items,
the Board is responsible for approving the dollar anmunt only. Mr. Bookman states that if the
tax rate were raised 11¢ the Schools could get the $8,000,000 that was cut but then other
departments needing additonal funds would also want theirs reconsideredand this would add
substantially to a tax rate increase.
Mr. Steve Clark states that the school budget should be readdressed and changed because there
are other areas that could be cut instead of the bus purchase, etc. Mr. Apperson states that
the budget is not set in concrete, changes can be made throughout the year to adjust different
categories.
Mr. Roy Staples states that he has lived in the County for many years but people are requesting
luxuries now that are not needed, for example, airconditioned schools, tennis courts, etc. He
states that he feels people are on Welfare that need not be. He adds that "our greatest
efficiency is our inefficiency." Mr. Apperson states that there are cases in the Welfare Depart-
ment that need help that have deep problems that cannot alway be seen by those who do not
understand the entire problem. Mr. Staples states that the only thing being raised on the land is
"taxes".
Mr. Garland Updike states that he wouldhate to see children have to walk to school and take
the chance on a child getting killed. He states that he feels the CountY has a good School Board
and a good Board of Supervisors but would hate to see bus service deteriorate.
Mr. Fred Bowington, Mrs. Virginia Staples, and Mr. John Burton discuss the reassessments and how
it is affecting them. They state they have not seen any increase in services but their taxes
are steadily rising.
Mr. CourtneyWells and Ms. Patricia Stewart s_ndMr. Sydnor Goode question some of the areas of the
budget such as school cuts, the miscellaneous category, the Welfare Department, the Animal Control
Department, the telephone category, the dues and subscription category, etc.
Mr. Apperson states that it is difficult to run away from the tax situation because if a person
were to go to an area where there is low taxes but services are not offered everyone will be
going there and soon the needed services will be necessary and someone will have to pay for them
RealthAV~nt~l Ra~l~dation budget is a newer service which will be required by ~e $~a~e Covern-
begt they ea~ do aft~ t~lking with each departr~nt head and going down e~ch line i~em ~ each
be penalized by the ~ho~-tez~z~$ moving in and ou~.
E. ~rlin O'Neill,