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03-12-2007 Minutes BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES March 12, 2007 Supervisors in Attendance: Mr. Kelly E. Miller, Chairman Mrs. Renny B. Humphrey, Vice Chrm. Mr. R. M. "Dickie" King, Jr. Mr. Donald D. Sowder Mr. Arthur S. Warren Mr. Lane B. Ramsey County Administrator .... 1. DINNER Staff in Attendance: Colonel Carl R. Baker, Police Department Mr. Allan Carmody, Dir., Budget and Management Ms. Marilyn Cole, Asst. County Administrator Ms. Mary Ann Curtin, Dir., Intergovtl. Relations Mr. William W. Davenport, Commonwealth's Attorney Mr. Jonathan Davis, Dir., Real Estate Assessments Mr. Robert Eanes, Asst. to the County Administrator Ms. Lisa Elko, CMC, Clerk Mr. Donald Kappel, Dir., Public Affairs Ms. Kathryn Kitchen, Asst. Supt. of Schools for Business and Finance Chief Paul Mauger, Fire Department Mr. R. John McCracken, Dir., Transportation Mr. Steven L. Micas, County Attorney Mr. Francis Pitaro, Dir., General Services Sheriff Dennis Proffitt, Sheriff's Department Mr. James J. L. Stegmaier, Deputy Co. Admin., Management Services Mr. M. D. Stith, Jr., Deputy Co. Admin., Community Development Members of the Board of Supervisors had dinner in Room 502 of the Administration Building prior to the meeting. Mr. Miller called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. 07-185 03/12/07 2 . WORK SESSIONS 2.A. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S FY2008 PROPOSED OVERALL BUDGET Mr. Carmody presented a summary of the County Administrator's proposed overall budget. He discussed budget objectives and provided details of changing demands in county population and general fund growth areas. He then provided details of service adjustments, including retiree healthcare reduction in long-term liabilities; increased system capacity for effluent discharge with a wastewater supply agreement; energy cost savings; switch to environmentally friendly biodiesel fuel; implementation of a consolidated facilities maintenance plan; wood waste debris grinding; updated medical dispatch guide; vehicle decal elimination; and staffing of an Employee Heal th Clinic, which will reduce time away from work and workers compensation claims. He reviewed FY2008 proposed budget tax rates, which includes a $0.99 real estate tax rate. He stated the FY2008 proposed budget totals $1,172,035,500. He reviewed FY2007 adopted versus FY2008 proposed general fund revenues; FY2008 general fund sources; FY2007 versus FY2008 general fund expenditures; contributors to general fund growth; uses of new money; and FY2008 proposed general fund expenditures. He provided details of various components of the proposed budgE~t that support the county's strategic goals. He reviewed new positions. Mr. Miller inquired about the number of new positions that are being requested as a result of mandated programs. Mr. Carmody stated when federal or state funding is received, programs have been evaluated and the funding is being provided to meet workload needs. He further stated staff would provide the Board with information relative to the new positions being requested as a result of mandated programs and those that are not. Mr. Miller requested that staff provide the Board, at some point, with a breakdown of programs that are mandated and others that are voluntary. Mr. Carmody reviewed proposed fee changes for FY2008 and ended the presentation by reviewing the remainder of the budget work session calendar. There was brief discussion relative to increased revenues and the percentage of increase in the overall budget. Mr. Miller thanked Mr. Carmody for the prE~sentation. 2.B. TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PROPOSALS Mr. Carmody provided details of c9vents that have occurred since the Board's November 2006 transportation summit. He stated more than 650 people attended the communi ty meetings to learn more about the transportation funding proposals. He reviewed locally controlled transportation funding proposals, including dedicat~d real estate revenue; dedicated BPOL revenue; transportation service districts; community development authorities; road cash proffers; future road referenda; and public/private partnerships. He stated citizens were generally supportivl8 of the initiative, but 07-186 03/12/07 - -' -' there was mixed reaction from the business community, mostly concerning the BPOL option. ,- Ms. Curtin came forward and provided an overview of House Bill 3202, the Transportation Reform Act of 2007. She stated there will be an additional statewide revenue stream of $760 million the first year, and approximately $600 million annually after the first year, but cautioned the Board that this funding would cover statewide construction, maintenance and pay-off debt service on new bonds. She further stated there will be a $2.5 billion state bond referendum, wi th approximately $300 million per year being issued beginning in FY2008. She cautioned the Board that there is approximately a $200 million annual maintenance deficit that is not addressed with the funding provided by House Bill 3202. She then reviewed the land use components of the transportation bill, including creation of a mandated urban development area by 2011; an option to establish urban transportation service districts; and a provision for subdivision street requirements. Mr. Ramsey clarified that urban transportation service districts do not replace existing transportation assessment districts. Ms. Curtin stated the bill requires VDOT to reassign their highway system classifications by January 1, 2009 and expressed concern as to whether this would change any funding formulas or responsibilities for maintenance. She stated citizens will be paying an additional $10 annually for vehicle registration. She provided estimates of anticipated funding for construction of prirnary and secondary roads. She stated the legislation includes the issuance of $300 million per year in bonds, with a total of $2.5 billion being issued by FY2016. She stated, although the Commonwealth Transportation Board must ensure that each district receives a proportionate share of the bond proceeds, there is no formula to determine Chesterfield's share of any bond proceeds. She further stated the county will be required to amend its comprehensive plan to include an urban development area by 2011. She further stated staff sees no benefit in establishing an urban transportation service district in its current format. She stated staff believes the subdivision street standards will be beneficial to the county in the future. Discussion ensued relative to VDOT regulations as a result of last year's legislation. Ms. Curtin stated the General Assembly passed a bill in 2006 that requires the county to submit subdivision, site, and other plans to VDOT for a traffic impact analysis. She further stated the regulations will become effective July 1, 2007. Mr. Ramsey stated either the county or the developer would be required to furnish a traffic study to VDOT for any site plan that generates a certain amount of traffic. He expressed concerns that this will be a lengthy process and will put the county at a disadvantage when competing for economic development. He noted that the regulations are being placed in the Richmond District first and will also impact expansion of existing businesses. 07-187 03/12/07 Mr. Carmody continued to review how the FY2008 budget addresses the Board's transportation initiatives. He stated the budget includes a balanced proposal to supplement, but not replace, VDOT funding for transportation. He reviewed dedicated real estate taxes and BPOL revenue proposed in the FY2008 budget for transportation a.nd stated the budget also includes funding for an incentive program to encourage expansion and sustainabili ty of existing businesses. He stated additional relief for retailers is presently not budgeted. He reviewed implementation steps of the transportation initiatives, including funding proposal selections/elimination; adoption of budgeted funding; selection of proj ects; CIP amendments; n~source adjustments; and referendum timing. - Mr. Miller thanked Mr. Carmody for the prE!sentation. 2.C. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS 2.C.l. SHERIFF Sheriff Proffitt presented an overview of the Sheriff's proposed FY2008 budget. He reviewed accomplishments in several areas, including video arra.ignment; the Child Support Enforcement program; inmate workforces; enhanced public safety partnerships; transportation cooperative; enhanced inmate medical operations; and increased 9rant activity. In response to Mr. Miller's questions, Sheriff Proffit stated approximately six illegal immigrants are housed in the jail each day, at an annual cost of over $200,000. He further stated the Sheriff's Office has secured approximately $145,000 in grant funding for the housing of illegal immigrants. He stated 35 illegals have been identified by the Sheriff's Office and deported. He further stated an increase in the number of illegal immigrants has been seen at the jail, and a daily report is provided to the u.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. He then continued to review accomplishments, including accredi tation and re- accreditation; enhanced training; automation; facilities; and the strategic planning process. He then reviewed future initiatives. He reviewed FY2008 critical funding issues, including courthouse securi ty staffing and a medical assistant position. - Discussion ensued relative to cost savings through the use of video arraignment and the need for additional deputies for courtroom security. Mr. Miller thanked Sheriff Proffitt for the presentation. 2. C. 2. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY - Mr. Davenport thanked the Board for its support in assisting the Commonwealth Attorney's Office in entering into the new millennium by transi tioning from a. medium to a large sized office. He provided details of attorney and support staffing in his office. He stated the Project Exile program helped to increase the camaraderie between the Police Department and the Commonwealth's Attorneys' Office and stated he hopes 07 -18,9 03/12/07 funding for the project will continue. He thanked Mr. Ramsey for his support over the years. Discussion ensued relative to the cost of funding the Project Exile grant. In response to Mr. Miller's questions, Mr. Davenport stated he has seen a tremendous influx of Hispanics in the criminal justice system, but he has no way of knowing whether they are legal or illegal. He further stated three new interpreters have been added to the criminal justice system. He stated if an assessment could be made of the percentage of Hispanics in the county that are illegal, t~hen a determination could be made as to the cost of his office to prosecute cases involving illegal immigrants. Mr. Miller expressed concerns that the state is doing nothing to assess the impact of illegal immigrants on taxpayers. Mr. Davenport capi tal case necessitating magnifying the stated his office is currently prosecuting a involving a Hispanic victim, which is interpreter services for witnesses and drain on the office's manpower. Mr. Miller thanked Mr. Davenport for the presentation. Mr. Miller requested a ten-minute recess. Reconvening: 2 . D. POLICE DEPARTMENT Colonel Baker thanked the Board for allowing him to serve as Police Chief and for their support over the past 11 years. He provided an overview of the Police Department's proposed FY2008 budget. He reviewed challenges and trends that are impacting the Police Department. He then reviewed accomplishments of the department during 2006 and provided statistics since 1999 for various key measures. He reviewed calls and assignments; Incident Base Reporting (IBR) Group A incident rate per 100,000 population; IBR Group A incidents; breaking and entering and robbery incidents; IBR Group A clearance rate; selected incidents clearance rates; average response times; a comparison of cost per capita for law enforcement services; and number of volunteer hours. He stated the proposed budget includes an additional funding request of $1,117,000 for 10 sworn officers, indicating that increased officer strength is necessary for beat restructure, minimum staffing, response times, upcoming facilities, task forces and the terrorism/intelligence unit. He further stated the proposed budget also includes additional funding for grant positions, a forensic supervisor, a records specialist and an automation analyst. He next presented an overview of the Animal Control Division's proposed FY2008 budget. He reviewed challenges and trends related to animal control. He stated there are no additional funding requests in the Animal Control's FY2008 proposed budget. He reviewed calls for service; animals impounded; animals adopted; and a 2005 locality comparison of anilual shelter statistics. 07-189 03/12/07 There was brief discussion relative to the status of the K-9 unit. Mrs. Humphrey thanked Colonel Baker for his leadership and expertise as the county's Police Chief. Mr. Sowder stated he received an e-mail from a citizen expressing appreciation for the way Officer Ferrell had handled a case. He thanked Colonel Baker for the professionalism of Chesterfield County police officers. In response to Mr. Miller's questions, Colonel Baker stated the Police Department is receiving a si~Jnificant number of calls in Hil3panic communities that are very officer demanding. HE~ further stated the PolicE~ Department cannot assess the nurr~er of calls that involve illegal immigrants. He stated the Sheriff's Office handles the booking of individuals who are arrested, and that is where the determination of legal residency status can be determined. He further stated there is no way of knowing whet.her persons with outstanding warrants are illegal immigrants. Mr. Miller thanked Colonel Baker for all that he has done for the citizens of Chesterfield County. 2. E. FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Mauger presented an overviE~w of Fire and Emergency Medical Services' proposed FY2008 budget. He highlighted Fire and EMS successes during 2006. He provided details of a comparison of department cost per capita and increased total county fire/EMS incidents. He reviewed total county EMS responses during FY2006; priority :1 fire/EMS response times; urban corridor EMS goal results; per capita property loss due to fire; and structure fires and fire fatali ties per 1,000 population. He thanked the Board for addressing several of the department's critical issues in FY2007 and stated the proposed FY2008 budget includes funding to address critical support staff positions and compensation issues. He provided an overview of 19 additional funding requests for the department. He summarized the depa.rtment's focus for FY2008 and thanked the Board for its continued su.pport. There was brief discussion relative to thE~ additional funding request for a Facility Maintenance Supervisor and the additional funding requests relative to volunteers. In response to Mrs. Humphrey's questions, Chief Mauger stated the additional funding requests are listed in the order of importance for the Fire/EMS system as a whole. He stated the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Technician would be responsible for maintaining and repairing the critical lifesaving devices that all firefighters are required to wear when performing their jobs in the field. He expressed concerns relative to potential injury or loss of individuals, as well as liability issues, if the county were not in compliance with its lifesaving equipment. Mr. Miller thcmked Chief Mauger for his leadership in the Fire and EMS DE!partment. 07-190 03/12/07 ......".." - - 3 . ADJOURNMENT On motion of Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Sowder, the Board adjourned at 8:34 p.m. until March 14, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. Ayes: Miller, Humphrey, King, Sowder and Warren. Nays: None. - ~~; 1:/ . ,h'tllx' ''1 Lane B. Ramsey County Administr tor 07-1.91 03/12/07