2020-04-08 MinutesBOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES
April 8, 2020
Supervisors in Attendance (Virtual Platform):
Ms. Leslie A. T. Haley, Chair
Mr. Kevin P. Carroll, Vice Chair
Mr. James A. Ingle, Jr.
Mr. Christopher M. Winslow
Mr. James M. Holland
Dr. Joseph P. Casey
County Administrator
Ms. Haley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1. INVOCATION
The Honorable Kevin Carroll, Vice Chair, gave the invocation.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Matt Harris, Deputy County Administrator, led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MARCH 11, 2020 AND MARCH 25, 2020
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Winslow, the Board
approved the minutes of March 11, 2020 and March 25, 2020, as
submitted.
Ayes: Haley, Carroll, Ingle, Winslow and Holland.
Nays: None.
(It is noted a roll call vote was taken because the meeting was
conducted on a virtual platform.)
4. REQUESTS TO POSTPONE AGENDA ITEMS AND ADDITIONS,
DELETIONS OR CHANGES IN THE ORDER OF PRESENTATION
There were no requests to postpone agenda items, additions,
deletions or changes in the order of presentation at this time.
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S. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
S.A. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Dr. Samuel Alexander, Director of the Chesterfield Health
District, provided the Board with an update on the 2019 Novel
Coronavirus (SARs -COV -2), or COVID-19. He provided statistics
of the number of confirmed cases to date, noting Chesterfield
district has 145 cases and 4 deaths; Virginia has 3,645 cases
and 76 deaths; the United States has 401,166 cases and 13,007
deaths; and worldwide there are 1,446,557 cases and 83,149
deaths. He discussed the four categories of exposure types which
are community transmission (no known source); exposures from
outbreaks elsewhere; household exposures during quarantine; and
exposures in congregate settings such as long-term care
facilities, correctional facilities, and group homes. He
reviewed locations with multiple cases in congregate settings
within the county and the Virginia Department of Health's role
in managing those outbreaks. He discussed the current state of
testing capacity and continued shortages of personal protective
equipment. He stated there is growing evidence that COVID-19 is
being spread by individuals who are infected but who are
asymptomatic or presymptomatic. He reviewed essential
prevention practices for everyone which include wearing a face
covering when social distancing is difficult; adhering to social
distancing practices; staying home if among those most
vulnerable; and practicing personal protective measures. He
provided COVID-19 Call Center Resources as well as reliable
Internet resources.
6. BUDGET ITEMS
6.A. BUDGET UPDATE
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Mr. Harris provided the Board with an update on the Revised
FY2021 Budget and FY2021 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). He
clarified the FY2021 Proposed Budget was presented to the Board
on March 11, 2020, and the FY2021 Revised Budget is everything
presented in this meeting. He stated the difference between the
two is a decrease of approximately $50 million. He further
stated the FY2021 Revised Budget is approximately $10 million
less than the FY2020 adopted budget. He stated amendments will
be necessary, especially in May when staff will receive revenue
figures from the state. He reviewed projected revenue impacts
and assumptions, noting the largest revenue decreases occur in
real estate taxes, personal property taxes, other local sales
and lodging taxes, and interest income. He stated the revised
plan contains sustainable reductions with an emphasis on
minimizing negative impacts on core county services. He further
stated the revised plan preserves investment in education and
continues support for public safety front-line services. He
discussed reductions in the CIP, noting the revised plan
maintains compliance with the 2.5 percent major maintenance
policy; reduces pay-as-you-go funding and some major maintenance
funding; substitutes project reserves/state monies for pure
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local portion of local road program; delays some projects until
the financial outlook improves; and pauses the referendum
timeline. He reviewed capital projects which are going forward
including the new Magnolia Green area elementary school and
other school referendum projects from 2013 as well safety -
sensitive projects such as the Midlothian Fire Station. He
highlighted changes to personnel items including removal of the
two percent merit increase for all employees; delaying
implementation of pay study funding; freezing career development
funding; furloughing part-time county positions; and holding
vacant 40 additional full-time positions. He stated many
approaches were utilized to ensure that no one strategy fails
to produce savings. He discussed department adjustments which
include delayed implementation of most proposed additional
funding requests; reductions in travel and training expenses;
and reductions in other miscellaneous expenses such as vehicle
replacements and contingency funds. He noted the lodging tax
transfer expenditure decrease of $3.5 million is pass-through
revenue. He stated proposed enhancement items included in the
FY2021 Proposed Budget have been filed into three categories:
included in the FY2021 Revised Budget (approximately $3.7
million); to be considered in FY21 if funding becomes available
(approximately $5.9 million); and to be considered in future
years (approximately $3.5 million). He reviewed the next steps
which are ongoing monitoring of economic impacts; Facebook Live
events on April 9, 2020 and April 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.;
continuing efforts to receive citizen feedback through the
online form available at blueprint. chesterf ield.gov; budget
adoption on April 22, 2020; and clean-up of state budget topics
on May 27, 2020.
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In response to Mr. Winslow's question relative to the effect of
the unemployment rate on real estate taxes, Mr. Harris stated
the longer unemployment stretches into the spring and summer,
the longer it will take for recovery. He further stated staff
is working on additional reduction strategies should they become
necessary.
In response to Mr. Holland's question relative to real estate
revaluations, Mr. Harris stated the original FY2021 Proposed
Budget was based on a plus -three revaluation assumption, but
the FY2021 Revised Budget is based on minus two and a half. He
further stated the $0.95 tax rate is still prudent.
In response to Mr. Holland's question relative to state revenue
projections and the Schools budget, Mr. Harris stated the Board
will adopt the budget on April 22, 2020 based on the reduced
local transfer but with the same anticipated state figures, and
a clean-up will occur at the Board's May meeting once state
figures are known.
In response to Mr. Carroll's question relative to budget
forecasting for next year, Mr. Harris stated the commercial real
estate piece may need further downward revisions if this event
drags into late summer.
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6.B.
FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2020
Mr. Harris stated this ordinance will adopt the full slate of
tax rates for calendar year 2020, noting the recently lowered
Centerpointe (Powhite Parkway -Charter Colony Parkway
Interchange Service District) tax rate is reflected in the
ordinance. He further stated the $0.95 real estate tax rate
protects some of the vulnerability the county is likely to
encounter.
Mr. Winslow expressed appreciation for the Board action last
fall to lower the Centerpointe tax rate, especially in light of
the current economic downturn.
Mr. Carroll expressed concerns relative to those currently
unemployed and unable to pay their tax bill. He stated the Board
has been in communication with the School Board, and the School
Board is also looking at cutting its budget both now and in the
future.
On motion of Mr. Holland, seconded by Mr. Carroll, the Board
adopted the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE ANNUAL TAX
LEVY ON VARIOUS CLASSES OF PROPERTY FOR
THE COUNTY OF CHESTERFIELD
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Chesterfield
County:
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(1) That for the year beginning on the first day of January,
2020, and ending on the thirty-first day of December, 2020, the
taxes on property in all the Magisterial Districts of the County
of Chesterfield shall be as follows:
Sec. 1. Real Property and Mobile Homes.
(a) Except as provided in Sec. 1 (b), on tracts of land,
lots or improvements thereon and on mobile homes the tax shall
be $0.95 on every $100 of assessed value thereof.
(b) On tracts of land, lots or improvements thereon and
on mobile homes in the Powhite Parkway -Charter Colony Parkway
Interchange Service District the tax shall be the tax provided
in Sec. 1 (a) plus $0.05 on every $100 of assessed value thereof.
Sec. 2. Personal Property.
(a) On automobiles, trailers, boats, boat trailers, other
motor vehicles and on all tangible personal property used or
held in connection with any mining, manufacturing or other
business, trade, occupation or profession, including
furnishings, furniture and appliances in rental units, the tax
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shall be $3.60 on every $100 of the assessed value thereof. The
Personal Property Tax Relief percentage rate for 2020 will be
49%.
(b) On aircraft as defined by Section 58.1-3503 and -3506
of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the tax shall be $.50
on every $100 of the assessed value thereof.
(c) On motor vehicles owned or leased by members of
volunteer rescue squads, volunteer fire departments, volunteer
kw police chaplains and by auxiliary police officers as provided
in Section 9-57, Code of the County of Chesterfield, 1997, as
amended, the tax shall be $.96 on every $100 of the assessed
value thereof.
(d) On wild or exotic animals as defined by Section 58.1-
3506 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the tax shall
be $0.01 on every $100 of the assessed value thereof.
(e) On motor vehicles which use clean special fuels as
defined in Section 46.2-749.3 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as
amended, the tax shall be $3.24 on every $100 of the assessed
value thereof.
(f) On motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers with a
gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more used to transport
property for hire by a motor carrier engaged in interstate
commerce, the tax shall be $.96 on every $100 of the assessed
value thereof.
(g) On motor vehicles which are specially equipped to
provide transportation for physically handicapped individuals,
the tax shall be $.01 on every $100 of the assessed value
thereof.
(h) On computer equipment and peripherals used in a data
center as defined by Section 58.1-3506(A)(43) of the Code of
Virginia, 1950, as amended, the tax shall be $0.24 on every $100
of assessed value thereof.
Sec. 3. Public Service Corporation Property.
(a) On that portion of real estate and tangible personal
property of public service corporations which has been equalized
as provided in Section 58.1-2604 of the Code of Virginia, 1950,
as amended, the tax shall be $0.95 on every $100 of the assessed
value thereof determined by the State Corporation Commission.
(b) The foregoing subsections to the contrary
notwithstanding, on automobiles and trucks belonging to such
public service corporations the tax shall be $3.60 on every $100
of assessed value thereof.
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Sec. 4. Machinery and Tools.
On machinery and tools used in a manufacturing or mining
business the tax shall be $1.00 on every $100 assessed value
thereof.
Ayes: Haley, Carroll, Ingle, Winslow and Holland.
Nays: None.
(It is noted a roll call vote was taken because the meeting was J
conducted on a virtual platform.)
7. FIFTEEN -MINUTE CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD ON UNSCHEDULED
MATTERS
No citizen comments were received through the online portal.
Ms. Haley expressed pride in her colleagues on the Board noting
each of them is in a separate location while the meeting is
being conducted on a virtual platform. She asked citizens for
their continued patience as the county extends opportunities
for public comment.
8. ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Holland, the Board
adjourned at 6:57 p.m. until April 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. for a
work session in the Public Meeting Room or at such other place
or using such other means of communication as may be selected.
Ayes: Haley, Carroll, Ingle, Winslow and Holland.
Nays: None.
(It is noted a roll call vote was taken because the meeting was
conducted on a virtual platform.)
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Xes'iie A. T. Haley
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Chairman
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