Loading...
03-21-1979 MinutesBOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES March 21, 19 79 Supervis. ors in Attendance: Mr. E. Mmrlin O'Neill, Sr., Chairmmn Mrs. Joan Girone, Vi~e Chairman Mr. J. Puffin Apperson Mr. C. L. Bookman Mr. R. Garland Dodd Mr. Nicholas M. Mmiszer Cotnty Administrator Staff in Attendance: Mr. Steve Micas, Co. Attorney Mr. Lane Rmnsey, Budget Director Mr. O'Neill called the meeting to order at the Airport Restaurant at 5:30 p.m. (EST) On motion of Mr. Dodd, 'seconded by Mr. Bookman, it was resolved that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss legal matters with legal counsel. Vote: Unanimous Re convening: ~he Board recessed for 10 minutes in order to travel to the ]ourthouse for the sched_uled public hearinz on the budget. Re convening: Mr. O'Neill stated there was scheduled three public hearings tonight--the first on the budget for 1979-80 scheduled for 7:00 p.m the second on the tax levy scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the third on the use of Revenue Sharing Funds at 8:00 p.m. Mr. O'Neill expressed the Board's sympathy that Mr. Sam Wagstaff, a very active and concerned citiZen in the County, who had passed away would not be present at this hearing to express his views as he had many times before. Mr. R. L. Bates stated he was concerned with the welfare of the County citiZens and the taxes which all citizens felt were too high. He stated that because of the fine geographical location and the responsible, capable people at the head of County government, the County should be able to seek out ways and means by which to reduce the taxes and still provide necessary services. He suggestec a budget efficiency committee be created to work on this matter constantly and 'investigate all possibilities for reducing govern- ment operations in order to relieve the tax hardships which are affecting everyone. He stated he would also like to see some consistency in reducing taxes--not only every four years but every ,e ar. Mr. E. D. Gregory presented the Board with a jar of honey and indicated that everything else had been taxed except his bees, and this was their contribution. Mr. Norman Garrett, Mr. John Sherer, Mr. Clarke Jones, Ms. Betty Pauline and Ms.. Eva Phillips generally discussed the reduction in County staff, the unnecessary services which the County is ~roviding that could be reduced and/or eliminated, the proposed ~e. rcentage of increase in the budget over last year's, the 79-126 elimination of further federal programs; that a study be initiated to analyze the need of all the County departments, their activities, operations and necessity for existence; and their support in favor of reducing services in order to reduce taxes. Mr. J. K. Timmons stated he was a member of a group called the Citizens for Limiting Governmental Expenditures. He stated he, as a private citizen, was concerned with the growth in the County 'and its cost and they would like the Board's help in reducing both. He suggested the Board cut the budget in half which would result in $109.50/citizen cost for government in lieu of the $200/citizen which would result if the budget is adopted as proposed. He presented the Board with a petition signed by approximately 600 residents requesting that the Board redUce the budget to the $109.50 figure, keep the increase per citizen in future budgets at a rate no more than the published cost of living index and appropriate funds to the School Board at a level that will hold the expenditure per pupil to $1,550 with the annual increase per pupil to be no more than the increase in the published cost of living index. He stated the County is almost the same size as it was 10 years ago but the rate has gone up drastically and that nothing will happen aa. the St. ate or Federal level unti! it~ happens at the local level first. Mr. Meiszer stated that in 'the proposed budget the cost will be $167 per citizen and in the current budget it is $163 per citizen Mr. Timmons questioned if those figures included debt service. Mr. Meiszer stated they did.,not include debt service. Ms. Peggy Ware, Mr. J. E. Adams, Mr. Sam Epps and Mr. Mason Ro Hays stated assessments .needed to be controlled, that people living on fixed income cannot afford to pay taxes when they continue to rise, that there has· not been any improvement in services for the additional taxes collected, that people in the County do not want nor expect the County to provide all of the services which exist and thHt the proliferation of government has gone haywire and we must begin controlling it at the local level now. Mr. O'Neill stated that a lot of the services being provided in the County have been requested by the citizens or mandated by the State or Federal Governments. and regardin~ assessments, the County is governed by the fair market value and the Code of Virginia. Mr. James Falconer, Real Estate Assessor, explained how the assessments are arrived at and if anyone disagreed with their assessments, there is a Real Estate Board of Equalization to which they can appeal the assessment. Mr. Apperson indicated that only 11% of the budget is not mandated. Mr. Stamie Lyttle stated the primary concern in the nation is growth of government and inflation. He stated that most feel very little can be done on the State or Federal level but it can begin at the local level. He stated the feeling of Propositio 13 is showing the attitude of people in the nation towards government going higher. He stated economy is a prerequisite for sound and efficient government. He stated he is also a member of the Citizens for Limiting Local Government, that they fought for previous bond issues excluding the November, 1978 Bond Issues, that they are sincere in their efforts to reduce government and governmental spending and they seek the Board's help towards the efforts of the group. Mr. O'Neill stated .that he would be open for any ideas as to where services should be reduced and would consider them when reconsidering the proposed budget. 79-127 Mr. Bill Gray, President of the Chesterfield Education Association cited ~figures indicating that the Chesterfield teachers are not keeping pace with the cost of living and that he hoped any adjustments which might be made, not be reflected in the ~eachers' salaries. Mrs. Dorothy Armstrong stated the School Board budget had never been included in the hearing and she felt that it should be next year, if possible. She stated she could not find some items in the budget when reviewing it and asked that it be simplified. She cited the increase in costs for patients at the Nursing Home as being high. Mr. Meiszer stated the costs were ~,nowhere near comparable when services rendered were consider in that Chesterfield's Nursing Home is more extensive. Mrs. Armstrong stated that she was not in favor of an extension to the ohrrent administration building because it would not be enough space for the future growth of the County. as well as there is not adequate space for parking. Mrs. Girone indicated the County owns 700 acres in the Courthouse Complex which should be adequate and at the present time we are spending approximately $200,000 in rental space for County departments. Mrs. Armstong stated she felt revenue funds should not be used for this building, that the County citizens who use it now and in the future should pay for it and that the County does not look like a stable County with trailers scattered in the area. She suggested another bond issue for the funds to build the proposed addition. She inquired where funds were proposed to come from fo~ the addition. Mr. Meiszer stated from the general fund. Mr. Bookman stated that funds are gained by using them in the operating budget. Mr. Raymond Heavener stated some hard decisions have to be made in the County and he felt that citizens have to expect less than in the past--that you may get less qluantity but we do not have to have less quality. He stated the Parks and Recreation Department has grown and is appreciated more since Mr. Philip Hester has become director but he feels that now it is where it should be and further expansion is unnecessary. He stated residents spent considerable money for recreation last year and this included volunteers which it should have and should continue to have rather than a burdensome staff. Mr. Leo Myers stated the time has come now for the County government to look at what is happening and stabilize and/or stop growth, services, etc. because it is what the people want. He suggested that the tax levy for real estate be cut not from $1.12 to $1.08 but to $.90. He stated if the Board gave it a real sincere effort it could be done. He added he realized there are limitations and mandates but there is too much State and Federal authority. Mrs. Maureen Hagen stated she would like the Board to consider giving the School Board enough money so that the $6.00 fee would not have to be collected each year from the parents .which is an inefficient way of collecting it. Mrs. Girone stated that with a budget as large as the School's, the amount of money needed for the $6.00 fee could be found if someone at the school system would just do it. She stated that the School System received $1,000,000 reimbursement last year from the State. and that she feels $180,000 which they put back into the General Fund could be found~ Mr. Ernest Woodcock stated he felt the budget should not be cut at all, that taxpayers would not stand for facilities to be built and th~n not have the staff to support them, that the people have indicated their wishes through the bond issue in November, 1978, and that there are only approximately 250 people in the County citing their opposition tonight so that must mean the other 121,000 are in support of the budget. He stated he felt the proposed budget was an absolute minimum. 79-128 Mr. Marshall Drisckoll stated some people do not know about certain services the County provides, that he feels there are too many employees in the County and he would like to see the general fund budget reduced. Mr. O'Neill explained that certain things cannot remain the same, i.e., the fire department. He stated volunteers are hard to find and paid men have to be hired, the equipment is more sophisticated and costsmuch more than years ago and there is now a certain amount of training that each volunteer has to undergo. He stated the public voted for these services in November, 1978, and it they wanted them, they have to pay for them. Mr. Norman Garrett inquired why there was such a large salary categOry for Social Services to give away money. Mr. Apperson explained that the State pays approximately 80% of salari'es for the Welfare Department and the County 20% and he explained other funding mechanisms and the conservative approach the Welfare Board has taken. Mr. Mac Graham pleaded with the Board to stop yielding to the demands and wishes of the people before the County went bankrupt as did the City of New York and the Federal Government. Mr. Apperson stated the City of New York did not go bankrupt because the governing body listened to the demands of the residents but because ~'f lack of financial Planning. He stated that the Board has presented a budget and are trying to be honest with the people and that he will consider all that has been said prior to final adoption. Mr. Bookman stated he will look further into the budget and whatever rate reduction is made, he wants to feel it will not be raised next year. He stated, the~.General Assembly has to take some action regarding real estate and its assessmentm. He added that~/.a lower rate will requir.e sound financial restraint that can be lived with next year and possibly they will be reduce~ further the next year. Mr. Dodd stated this is his third budget process. With the first he was new and not very familiar with the process, with the secon there was only a small surplus to deal with and this time he has been listening to the wishes of the people which seems to be to reduce the budget. He stated he will consider all that had been said tonight when reviewing the budget further. Mrs. Girone thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and for their input. She stated the theme of her monthly meetings has been "How much government do you want and how much are you willing to pay for it." She stated she will consider all that has been said tonight before a final decision is made. Mr. O'Neill stated people could make the most of government if they would try. He stated there is no free lunch--that it's got to be paid just as everything else, government is the same. He stated that it's up to the people to make their neighbors realize that if they want less taxes, they will have to expect less services. He stated he would be willing to meet with any- one regarding the budget, proposed cuts and reduction in services if they would contact him. Mr. Apperson stated that last year the Board and others went to the Governor to keep control of the Welfare Program aa the local govemnment level. If we cut services too much, that is when the State or Federal level wilil take over. Mr. Bookman stated that just recently the Board turned down five federal grants because they are ~malizing that.~ever~7.thing costs whether or not 79-129 it appears to be free. Mrs. Barbara Conley inquired if the entire Board was in favor of an addition. Mr. O'Neill stated all were in favor of additional space but he, would prefer a new location. Mr. Apperson stated the constitutional officers have'all but gone to the Judges for more space. There was some discussion by citizens regarding the current staff fo~ the COunty and if they were more efficient, additional space would not be needed. Mr. Meiszer indicated that the staff at the County was not as inefficient as stated, that they work under cramped conditions, that the~e is not even enough ro~ for Police Officers to take testimony from witnesses, etc. The Board t~anked all'those present for thei~ time and interest coming to the meeting tonight to voice their opinion and indicatec they would consider all said tonight before making a final decisi¢ on the budget. On motion of Mr. Apperson, secOnded by Mr. Bookman, the Board adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Vote: Unanimous Nicholas M. Meiszer~ County Administrator E. Merlin O'Ne~ll,~ Sr. - Chairman 79-130