03-15-1978 MinutesBOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES
MARCH 15, 1978
Supervisors in Attendance:
Mr. E. Mmrlin O'Neill, Sr., Chairman
Mrs. Joan Girone, Vice-C~
Mr. J. Ruffin Apperson
Mr. C. L. 'Bookman
Mr. R. Garland Dodd
Mr. Nicholas Meiszer, Co. Axtnin.
Staff in Attendance:
Mrs. Joan Dolezal, Secretary
Mr, Steve Micas, County Attorney
Various Other Department Heads
Mr. O'Neill called the meeting to order at the Chesterfield
County Courthouse at 7:10 p.m. (EST).
Mr. O'Neill stated this time and date had been scheduled for
a public hearing regarding the tax rate to be set for FY 78-79.
.Mr. Meiszer stated that the tax rate was proposed~to remain the
same for the upcoming year as it was for"the past which was
$1.12 per $100 on real estate, $3.60 per $100 on personal
~=QPerty,~and $1.00 per $100.on machinery,' tools, etc.
Mr. Norman Garrett, Mr. John Scherer, Mr. Sam Wagstaff,
Mrs. Eva Phillips, Mr. John Burton,.Mr.'Luther Stringham,
Mr. Dick VanAmburg and Mr. Remer Bazemore complained of reassess-
ment of real, estate property and lack of services rendered by the
County, the County's interests in the airport and libraries
which were of very little use to'most residents in the County,
that with taxes going up as much as they had the residents of
the County were going to have to leave in Order to live, that
they were in favor of reduced services in the County except'
in the Fire and Police Departments and that too many people are
sent Qutto.pickuptrash~and'..doinspections...Mr. Richard Gale stated that
the County is trying to provide too many services to the
County which the residents do not want and added that the County
is getting out of being rural. There were sommc~ts regarding
the Social Service Departmentand its unwantedandunneeded programs.
There was a general question and answer period with Mr. Falconer,
the Real Estate Assessor, with residents asking questions regard-
ing how assessments were made, on what factors assessments were
based and how the assessments could be appealed. Mr. Meiszer
stated for the re~ord that at 8:00p.m. the'.budget hearing was scheduled
and Withthatannouncement the meeting continued withits citizen input.
Mr. Dodd stated that he did agree with the fact that final
building inspections could be made by one man in lieu of three,
that this is a proposed budget and he would like to see an
extra $1,000,000 cut, that he would like to pay the present
staff of the County moremoneyand not hire 115 additional employees,
that the Nursing Home and Airport which had been losing money in
past years were making money or at least paying their ownway, that
the budget has to be enough to allow adequate money for a surplus
because the County would have to otherwise borrow money at large
interest rates which will cost the taxpayers money, a~d that
the private businesses in the County are bearing the burden becau~e
homeowners are putting theburdenonthebudget.
Mr. Bookman stated that if residents feel their assessments are
too high they should appeal to the Board of Equalization,
that department heads have submitted their budgets and most want
the utlimate but cuts will be made, that 62% of the County
budget goes into the School System, that if additional personnel
were needed the Boardmay cormiderdelaying their employment in order to save
78-85
money, that there is a desperate need for space but in lieu of building
a $9,000,000 complex the Board is going with a $3,000,000
addition and that this will give'the needed space without any
frills.
Mr. Apperson stated that in answer to some comments regarding
the Social Services Department he would like to say that this
department is run as a corporation. He stated that this
Department deals mainly with the needs of the Very old and the
very young, that casesoccur frequently when children are the
ones left out in the cold and there has to be some relief. He
stated that it would be cheaper in the long run to take care
of children and raise them properly rather than paying for
their crimes and their support in a penal institution. He added
that in 1980 there will be no local funds going to the Welfare
Department and no local input. He stated further that he
felt more pressure should be applied to the federal and state
government as people do to the local level.
Mrs. Girone thanked the residents for attending the meeting
and sharing their views. She mentioned that for every $1.00 that
came to the Courthouse $5.00 went to Washington just to.give
the people a comparison.
Mr. O'Neill stated that the County may look like it is having
problems and it is but there are other areas that are in worse
shape tham Chesterfield.
There being"~o further discussion the Board thanked the people
for their interest and comments.
Mr. Meiszer stated that he would like the Board to formally
announce and hire the Director of Community Development.
Mr. Apperson indicated that he had thought this matter would
be discussed on March 22, 1978. After further discussion of
the matter, it was on motion of Mr. DOdd, seconded by
Mrs. Girone, resolved that this Board go into Executive Session
to discuss a personnel matter.
Vote: Unanimous
Reconvening:
On motion of Mrs. Girone, seconded by Mr. Dodd, Mr. Jeffrey B.
Muzzy was appointed Director of Community Development at a
beginning salary of $25,272.
Vote:
Nays:
Unanimous except for Mr. Bookman.
Mr. Bookman. He elaborated further by saying that he
was not voting against Mr. Muzzy but was in favor of
promoting Mr. Stanley Balderson to this position.
Mr. Apperson stated he did not think this matter was going to
be voted on tonight and had planned to make a phone call which
he did not have an opportunity to do, but regardless of the out-
come it would not have changed his mind.
On motion of Mr. Apperson, seconded by Mr, Bookman, the Board
adjourned at 10:20 p.m. until 11:00 a,m. on March 20, 1978.
Vote: Unanimous
~A~holas M. MeisZer/3 --
Admini s trator ~
Chairman
78-86