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[A. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America]
TO WELCOME EVERYONE HERE TONIGHT FOR THIS SPECIAL BOARD MEETING.AND IF YOU WOULD ALL RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE.
AND BEFORE WE START THIS PUBLIC HEARING, IT
[Additonal Item]
IS NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TECH, HELLA COMMUNICATIONS WEEK.ANOTHER FANCY WORD FOR, WE WANT TO HONOR OUR DISPATCHERS.
SO AT THIS TIME, UM, WE HAVE SOME OF OUR DISPATCHERS.
CAN'T GET THEM ALL HERE TONIGHT.
CAUSE SOMEBODY HAS TO WORK THE PHONES, SEAN DEEM, IF YOU'VE COME UP WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, CAUSE WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOU.
I KNOW I'M PUTTING YOU ON SPOT, BUT YOU GUYS DO, UH, YOU'RE ALL COMING UP.
SO YOU'RE JUST FIRST ON THE LIST, BUT WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOU.
UM, AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO UP HERE, CARRIE GIBSON FACING THEM.
SEE, I DIDN'T TELL YOU THIS GNARLY SHIN NICKENS, GNARLY SHIN NICKENS, HONEY, YOU GOT TO COME UP TO JESSICA FATIGUE.
KIMBERLY BRILL, DOMINIC COZAAR IS NOT HERE.
I THINK HE'S WORKING DIDN'T YOU HE'S WORKING.
LOGAN ATKINSON IS, UM, WORKING AS WELL.
AND THEN WE HAVE ASHLEY WOODALL WHO'S ON MATERNITY LEAVE, BUT THESE ARE SOME OF THE DISPATCHERS THAT WHEN YOU CALL IN, THEY ANSWER THE PHONE AND THEY'RE YOUR FIRST, UM, AVENUE OF GETTING THE HELP YOU NEED.
AND WE APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.
UH, THAT YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A STRONG WHEEL AND PATIENCE AND CALMNESS, AND THAT'S HARD TO BOTTLE UP, BUT YOU LADIES DO AND GENTLEMEN DO A GOOD JOB OF IT AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.
[B. Public Hearing – Proposed Warren County Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and Tax Rates for Calendar Year 2022 – Matt Robertson/Ed Daley]
SO AT THIS TIME, WE'LL DO OUR PUBLIC HEARING AND IT'S THE, FOR THE PROPOSED WARREN COUNTY BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 20 22, 20 23 TAX RATES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022, MR. ROBINSON AND DR.DALEY, TURN IT OVER TO YOU, BRAINS AND LUX AREA AGAIN, WHAT AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT TO SAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY TO SHOP.
SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE PRETTY BRIEF, UH, PRESENTATION ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET, BASICALLY SIMILAR VERSION, WHICH YOU GOT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WHENEVER WE TALKED ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
SO YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE ARE NODE INCREASES IN REAL ESTATE OR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES IN THIS PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE GENERAL FUND INCREASE TO 1.5, 7%.
AS WE MENTIONED, A LOT OF OUR SURROUNDING LOCALITIES ARE LOOKING MORE BETWEEN 10 AND 15% AND THEIR INCREASES, THE SCHOOL OPERATING FUND BUDGET IS INCREASING BY 11% OVERALL, THERE IS A NEW DETAILED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND AN ASSET REPLACEMENT FUND SO THAT WE CAN TRACK OUR LARGER PURCHASES AND SPECIFIC FUNDS AND PLAN BETTER INTO THE FUTURE THERE'S FUNDING FOR THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT INTO PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL.
SO IT'S 11 NEW POSITIONS IN PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THEN THERE'S FUNDING FOR THE CREATION OF A DRUG, A DRUG RECOVERY PROGRAM.
THESE ARE THE TAC RATES FROM CALENDAR YEAR 21.
AND WHAT IS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR TAX YEAR 22? YOU'LL SEE, THERE IS NO CHANGE.
THIS IS OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES.
SO THIS TELLS YOU A LITTLE BIT OF WHERE ALL OF THE REVENUES COME FROM THAT EXISTS IN THE GENERAL FUND.
YOU'LL SEE THE MAJORITY OF THEM DO COME FROM TAXPAYERS SOURCES WITH SOME OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE DOLLARS THROWN IN.
CURRENTLY WE'RE LOOKING AT PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RATES.
AS I MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT BEFORE, UM, VALUATIONS CAME IN HIGHER THAN THEY WERE EXPECTED.
SO WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.
UH, AS WE DO ADJUST THOSE, YOU WOULD EXPECT THE GENERAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE TO ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
YOU'RE ALSO LOOKING AT ABOUT A $200,000 DECREASE IN, UH, REVENUE FROM USE OF MONEY AND PROPERTY
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THAT'S DUE TO DECLINING INTEREST RATES.UH, SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE SEEN THOSE KIND OF JUMP UP THIS MONTH.
SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT KIND OF PROJECTS INTO THE FUTURE.
BUT OVERALL, WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT GAINING LESS FROM INVESTMENTS THAN WE HAVE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
THERE'S SOME LOSS IN STATE REVENUE.
THAT'S DUE TO THE REVENUE SHARING PROJECTS, MOVING OUT INTO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND.
AND THEN, UH, THE FUND BALANCE IS DECREASING FROM ONE AND A HALF MILLION TO 1.1 MILLION, WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN.
WE'RE REQUIRING LESS OF LAST YEAR'S MONEY TO FUND US INTO THE FUTURE.
SO AS YOU A LITTLE BIT OF WHERE ALL OF OUR EXPENDITURES GO, SO YOU SEE THE LARGE MAJORITY GO TO THE SCHOOL DIVISION, WHETHER THAT'S THROUGH THEIR OPERATING FUND OR THROUGH THE DEBT SERVICE THAT WE PAY FOR THEM.
AND THEN THE NEXT BIGGEST CATEGORIES ARE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH AND WELFARE, WHICH COVERS THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THIS BUDGET.
THERE ARE 14 NEW POSITIONS FOR THE COUNTY.
THOSE INCLUDE THOSE 11 POSITIONS IN PUBLIC SAFETY THAT I MENTIONED.
AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE A NEW POSITION IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND AIRPORT MANAGER, AND THEN TWO HALF-TIME PEOPLE AND COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY AND THEY CSA OFFICE IN THE SCHOOL DIVISION BUDGET.
THERE'S A TOTAL OF 24 AND A HALF NEW PEOPLE IN THERE, A BUDGET YOU'LL ALSO SEE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT WE HAVE SOME COLA INCREASES FOR STAFF AND THAT'S MATCHING WHAT THE STATE IS GIVING RIGHT NOW.
SO THAT'LL BE SUBJECT TO THE STATE, APPROVING THEIR BUDGET AS TO WHAT WE COULD FUND IN TANGENT TO THAT.
RIGHT NOW THAT'S A 5% COLA FOR ALL OF COUNTER STAFF.
AND THEN ON THE SCHOOL SIDE, THEY'RE HAVING 5% COLA AND STEP IN GRADE FOR A YEAR, AN EXPERIENCE AND A $752 BONUS.
AND THEN OUR VRS AND HEALTH INSURANCE RATES ARE INCREASING AS WELL.
IT'S PROJECTED TO BE ABOUT 500,000 FOR COUNTY CONCESSIONS.
HM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT WAS PROPOSED INCLUDES $14.8 MILLION.
SO THE SCHOOL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND THAT THEY REQUESTED IS $18.4 MILLION.
SO YOU SEE WHAT THAT WOULD COME UP FROM IS 8 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING, 2 MILLION FROM THEIR SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND A MILLION FROM CARRY OVER THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND THEN 7 MILLION FROM GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.
WHAT THE COUNTY IS REALLY LOOKING AT FOR THAT $7 MILLION QUESTION THAT'S OUTSTANDING IS RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD COME FROM A DEBT FINANCING SCENARIO THAT WE'D LOOK AT OR POTENTIAL CARRY OVER FROM LEFTOVER MONIES THAT THE SCHOOL DIVISION HAS REMAINING WHEN THIS FISCAL YEAR IS OVER.
WOULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN? YES.
SO THERE'S 18.4 MILLION IS WHAT THE SCHOOL IS, HAS REQUESTED FOR THEIR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
WHAT THAT REALLY LEAVES FOR THE COUNTY GENERAL FUND TO ABSORB WOULD BE 7 MILLION FROM OTHER NON GRANT TYPE SOURCES OR SPECIAL PROJECTS FUNDS.
SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS WHENEVER WE GET TO THE END OF THE YEAR, THE SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET MAY NOT BE COMPLETELY USED.
SO IT WOULD HAVE SOME CARRY OVER FUNDING MAY BE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO GO TOWARDS THAT PURPOSE.
AND IF NOT, YOU WOULD LOOK AT DEBT REFINANCING TO COME UP WITH THAT $7 MILLION DELTA.
ABSOLUTELY OTHER PROJECTS IN THE CIP INCLUDE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS FOR PARKS AND REC.
YOU CAN SEE THE MAJORITY OF THAT IS GRANT FUNDED.
IT'S 930 IS COMING FROM GRANTS 58 FROM SPECIAL PROJECTS AND 174 FROM GENERAL FUNDS.
THERE'S 1.7 MILLION IN PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
THAT INCLUDES 25,000 IN GRANTS, A MILLION FROM SPECIAL PROJECTS AND 650 ISH FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
AND THEN THERE'S 3 MILLION FOR FIRE AND RESCUE PROJECTS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE 3 MILLION IN DEBT FUNDING AND 400 FROM GENERAL FUNDS AND THE ASSET REPLACEMENT PLAN.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION.
THE MAJORITY OF THAT 2 MILLION ABOUT IS GOING TO GO TOWARDS SHERIFF OFFICE AND FIRE AND RESCUE NEEDS.
SO THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE THE RADIO EQUIPMENT UPGRADES, UH, POLICE CARS, POLICE EQUIPMENT, AND THEN THE FIRETRUCK FOR FIRE AND RESCUE ABOUT 1 MILLION OF THAT IS GETTING FUNDED FROM SPECIAL PROJECTS.
THE REMAINDER WOULD BE COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND THAT SERVICE THIS YEAR IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT $11.1 MILLION.
7.8 IS IN PRINCIPLE 3.3 AS AN INTEREST AND OF THAT DEBT.
10.3 MILLION IS RELATED TO SCHOOL PROJECTS, MOSTLY ACTUALLY SCHOOLS.
AND THEN 0.8 IS FROM COUNTY UNRELATED CIP PROJECTS.
AND THEN THAT BRINGS US TO THE TAX DOLLARS.
SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHERE ALL OF THE TAX FUNDING GOES.
ONCE WE TAKE OUT THE STATE REVENUE, THE FEDERAL REVENUE OR GRANTS, THIS IS REALLY JUST WHERE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE GOING TOWARDS.
SO YOU SEE, 56% OF EVERY TAX DOLLAR GOES TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
20% GOES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND THEN THE REST GETS SPREAD AMONG THE OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT WE HAVE.
ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? I ALWAYS HAVE A QUESTION.
SO THIS SLIDE, YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK.
SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT FOR INSTANCE, SOCIAL SERVICES IS
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FUNDED MAJORITY FUNDED, FEDERAL DOLLARS, CORRECT, NOT LOCAL DOLLARS, BUT WE'RE ALL FEDERAL AND STATE TAXPAYERS.SO WE STILL, I MEAN, IT IS OUR MONEY, UH, BUT IT'S A LITTLE MORE DILUTED IN THAT, UH, THE STATE AND THEN YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE SHARING IT AND OTHER LOCALITIES, BUT THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE IS THIS INCLUSIVE OF JUST WHAT IS GIVEN BY LOCAL TAX DOLLARS OR DOES THAT INCLUDE GRANTS AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS? NO.
SO THAT'S WHERE IF YOU LOOK AT OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES, THAT'S WHY HEALTH AND WELFARE, WHICH IS MAJORITY DSS.
SO THAT'S WHY THEY GET 13% OF EXPENSES, BUT THEN WHENEVER YOU GET TO THE LOCAL TAX FUNDING, OOPS, I WENT TOO FAR.
YOU GET TO THE LOCAL TAX FUNDING, IT'S DOWN TO 4% BECAUSE THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ACTUALLY SUPPLYING THAT.
SO NOW THIS TAX DOLLAR REFERS TO ONLY THE LOCAL TAXPAYER DOLLAR.
IT DOESN'T REFER TO WHAT YOU WOULD PAY AN INCOME TAX OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
AND THEN WE RECEIVED THE MONEY DOWN THROUGH THAT.
SO THE COMMUNITY IS PAYING 56 CENTS OF EVERY DOLLAR TAX DOLLAR COLLECTED FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS 20 CENTS OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR.
AND THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS A COMBINATION FIRE AND RESCUE AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
AND THAT ALSO INCLUDES THEIR CIP PROJECTS AND ASSETS.
SO IT'S NOT JUST THEIR FUNDING FOR DEPUTIES IN TERMS OF SALSA, FIRETRUCKS, AND RADIO UPGRADES AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
I WANTED TO THAT BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO DIFFERENTIATE, I THINK.
AND I'M SURE I JUST HAVE A QUESTION.
THE, UH, SO THERE THERE'S TWO, TWO TAXES THAT, UH, MOST FOLKS PAY AROUND HERE, YOU KNOW, TO LOCAL TAXES THAT YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX FOR THE COUNTY.
AND THEN OF COURSE YOU REAL ESTATE TAX.
SO DOES ALL OF THAT GO INTO JUST ONE FUND THAT DOES THIS? OR, OR COULD YOU SAY THAT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX GOES TOWARDS ONE PORSCHE PRIMARILY TOWARDS ONE PORTION AND SAY LIKE YOUR REAL ESTATE TAXES GOES TOWARDS YOUR SCHOOLS.
SO THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENTIATIONS IN REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
IT ALL GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH FUNDS ALL OF THIS.
SO THERE'S NOT A DIFFERENTIATION MADE, BUT JUST THINKING, ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IS WITH LIKE THE MEALS AND BEVERAGE TAX GOES TO TOURISM PURPOSES, WE DO TRACK THOSE FUNDS SEPARATELY TO MAKE SURE THE AMOUNTS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING, THEY STAY WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND.
SO THEY'RE REPORTED IN THESE FIGURES, BUT THEY GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND AND WE TRACK THE AMOUNTS THAT ARE RECEIVED SPECIFICALLY.
SO WE KNOW THAT WE'RE EXPENDING THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO GO INTO THE TOURISM EFFORTS.
MA'AM TO GO BACK TO YOUR QUESTION REGARDING, UH, SOCIAL SERVICES.
I THINK I SAW MR. MARKS BACK HERE, UH, IN YOUR BUDGET IS $5 MILLION SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL MONEY IS APPROXIMATELY 80 MILLION, 84 MILLION MAIL.
SO THE FIVE YOU PUT IN GENERATES THE 84 DOESN'T SHOW UP IN THE DOLLAR.
AND JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS THAT 5 MILLION AND MR. MARTS CAN SAY THAT STAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT PEOPLE THAT NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S REALLY NOT ACTUALLY 5 MILLION NUTRITIONAL GET FUNDING.
SO THE LOCAL FUNDING SENDING A MILLION, A MILLION AND A HALF HERE.
I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. ROBERTSON AT THIS TIME? HE'S LOOKING AT THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT.
I DON'T HAVE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS.
SO AT THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MRS. SHIRAKI HAS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? YES.
AND I'VE, I'M GOING TO READ THE PUBLIC HEARING THING BECAUSE EVERYBODY I'M SURE KNOWS IT, BUT I LIKE TO MAKE EVERYBODY AWARE.
ALL COMMENTS WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, NOT TO THE AUDIENCE, BE CONSIDERED A, YOUR FELLOW SPEAKERS.
THERE SHOULD BE NO APPLAUSE, BOOING OR OTHER AUDIBLE DISRUPTION OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
SO A SHOW OF THE CHAIRMAN MAY ASK FOR A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR COMMENTS, MAY BEST SPEAKERS, PLACARDS POSTERS, AND OTHER MEANS OF VISUAL DISPLAY.
A COMMENTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED IN THE BOARD MEETING ROOM.
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NOT INCLUDE INFORMATION OR MATERIALS USED AS PART OF A FACTUAL PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD AT THE HEARING.AND THE BOARD WILL NOT TOLERATE PERSONAL ATTACKS BY ANYONE ON ANY OF THE PETITION PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROCEEDINGS.
AND IF, UH, EVERYONE WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES AND IF YOU WOULD SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, WE'D APPRECIATE IT.
HI MARK EDGAR 1 0 2 EAST FOURTH STREET.
UM, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE LARGEST PORTION OF THE COUNTY BUDGET.
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, YOU SHOULD GIVE THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM, EXACTLY $0 FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
THIS IS A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT CONTINUES TEACHING WISE TO THE CHILDREN.
I SPOKE BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD LAST JULY ABOUT THESE LIES, BUT AT THEIR NEXT MEETING, THEY VOTED TO TEACH LIES.
ANYWAY, THEY'RE TEACHING THE CHILDREN THAT A BOY CAN BECOME A GIRL AND A GIRL CAN BECOME A BOY.
I'M NOT GOING TO USE THE NONSENSICAL TERM.
TRANSGENDER GENDER IS A GRAMMATICAL TERM NOUNS IN SOME FOREIGN LANGUAGES HAVE A GENDER.
THEY HAVE A SEX AND IT'S EITHER MALE OR FEMALE.
THIS IS SIMPLE SCIENCE, SIMPLE BIOLOGY, BUT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM REFUSES TO TEACH THE TRUTH TO THE CHILDREN AND CONTINUES TO TEACH THE LIE.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO WHO OR WHAT IS BEHIND THIS GENDER AGENDA OR WHETHER THE SCHOOL BOARD, ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS ACTUALLY BELIEVE THE LIE THEY ARE TEACHING TO THE CHILDREN.
IF SO, THEY ARE COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT AND THEIR EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE TERMINATED.
MAYBE SOME OF THEM ARE GOING ALONG WITH THE LIES BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF LOSING THEIR JOBS.
IF THEY SPEAK THE TRUTH, IMAGINE A TEACHER BEING FIRED FOR TEACHING SCIENCE.
WOULD YOU FUND THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM? IF THEY WERE TEACHING THAT THE EARTH IS FLAT OR THAT THE MOON IS MADE OF GREEN CHEESE, YOU WOULDN'T GIVE THEM A PENNY, BUT THIS LIE IS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS THAN THAT.
IT'S DESTROYING THE MINDS, BODIES, SOULS, AND SPIRITS OF THE CHILDREN, AND IT MUST BE STOPPED.
THIS BOARD, YOU ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP IT AND YOU SHOULD STOP IT.
NOW, DO NOT GIVE THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM SYSTEM ONE PENNY UNTIL THEY STOP TEACHING THIS INSANITY TO THE CHILDREN.
ANYONE ELSE WAS SHOW ROCKY? UH, YES.
MA'AM MICHAEL WILLIAMS. MY NAME IS MICHAEL WILLIAMS. I LIVE AT 1405 JEFFERSON AVENUE IN FRONT ROYAL.
I'M GOING TO DEFER WITH THE GENTLEMEN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
UM, GOD BLESS HIM AND GOD LET THIS COUNTRY FOR FREEDOM.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL WILLIAMS AND I LIVE IN THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL AS A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 25 YEARS, I HAVE WITNESSED FOR ALL OF THAT TIME, THE UNACCEPTABLE AND MANY WOULD ARGUE DISCRIMINATORY MANNER IN WHICH THE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AT EAGLESON MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONTINUE TO BE TREATED IN OUR BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I INVITED OUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND OUR SCHOOL BOARD OVER TO ED WILSON TO SEE FIRSTHAND THE UNACCEPTABLE PHYSICAL PLANT CONDITIONS AND THE GLOWING LACK OF PARITY WITH THE OTHER PUBLICLY FUNDED SCHOOLS IN OUR COUNTY.
MANY GRACIOUSLY CAME OVER, INCLUDING SOME THAT ARE STILL ON THE BOARD TODAY.
SOME IMPROVEMENTS HAVE OCCURRED, AND THIS IS ENCOURAGING.
HAVING SAID THAT TODAY YOU WILSON REMAINS THE ONLY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN OUR COUNTY WITHOUT A TRUE GYMNASIUM.
NOT TO MENTION THE INADEQUATE LEARNING SPACE.
DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE CIRCUIT.
1920 AUDITORIUM, JUST SITTING IN ONE OF THE SPLINTERED WOODEN SEATS THAT HE, WILSON MORRISON HIMSELF SAT IN, THAT WERE THERE.
WHEN HE, BEFORE HE WAS AND THE CURTAINS, HE MAY VERY WELL HAVE PUT UP AND SELF IN THE 1950S.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE, PLEASE SEE ME.
WE WON'T USE THE BARELY WORKING ARCHAIC ELEVATOR PROPS AND SHOUT OUTS TO OUR MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENTS FOR KEEPING THIS PLACE STANDING.
THIS IS TRULY THE SCHOOL THAT HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN IN TIME.
BY THE WAY, PLEASE DON'T THROW THE SUPERINTENDENT OR ANY CURRENT ADMIN UNDER THE BUS.
THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN THERE FOR WELL OVER HIS TIME.
THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT OF THOSE TWO PLUS DECADES.
THAT IN MY VIEW IS TAKEN THE ONGOING NEEDS OF E WILSON MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
SERIOUSLY ENOUGH TO BRING THEM TO LIGHT AND ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS AND RECTIFY THEM.
OTHERS WOULDN'T EVEN PUT IT ON THEIR MASTER PLANS.
THE SUPERINTENDENT SHOULD BE APPLAUDED, NOT VILIFIED.
THE KIDS, EDDIE WILSON DON'T WANT ANYTHING SPECIAL.
THEY JUST WANT FAIRNESS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN AND TREATED LIKE THE UNWANTED STEPCHILD.
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DO ONTO THESE CHILDREN AS WE WOULD WANT DONE UNTO OUR CHILDREN.LET US TRULY LOVE THESE CHILDREN.
AS WE WOULD WANT OUR OWN CHILDREN TO BE LOVED FOLKS.
I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO JUST HAPPENS TO ALSO BE AN EDUCATOR.
I PAID TOWN AS WELL AS COUNTY TAXES LONGER THAN MOST PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM.
I'M ALL FOR SAVING A BUCK, ESPECIALLY IN TODAY'S INFLATION DRIVEN WORLD.
JUST NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR KIDS, MY SOUL, A POLITICAL NARRATIVE, OR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY.
COULD YOU IMAGINE THE LONG-TERM POSITIVE POTENTIAL OF A PUBLIC GYMNASIUM SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN AT THE WILSON MORRISON ELEMENTARY? DARE I SAY, WARREN COUNTY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER, PLEASE.
LET'S PUT KICKING THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD, HAVE THE COURAGE TO SET POLITICS ASIDE AND DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY.
DEAR MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MA'AM DOC ME FOR THEM ON THE AGENDA POSTED FOR TONIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FYE 2022 TO 2023 WARREN COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET DOES NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION FOR THE SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT.
THERE APPEAR TO BE NO FIGURE STATED FOR REVENUES, WHICH SHOULD BE COMPRISED OF SEVERAL CATEGORIES.
THERE SHOULD BE AROUND A MILLION DOLLARS IN SANITARY DISTRICT FEES, PLUS SOME OTHER AMOUNTS FOR EQUIPMENT RENTAL, LOT FEE, DELINQUENCY SALES AND SO FORTH.
THERE APPEAR TO BE NO FIGURES FOR EXPENDITURES EITHER.
THUS, THERE IS NO WAY SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT RESIDENT TAXPAYERS CAN EVALUATE THAT PART OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET PAGE FOUR OF THE AGENDA STATES OF FIGURE OF $810,000, $810,093 AS A GLOBAL FIGURE.
BUT THERE ARE NO LINE ITEM BREAKDOWN FOR ANY OF THESE EXPENDITURES NOR ANY MENTION OF AMOUNTS TO BE PAID TO OR ON BEHALF OF POS F INC, WHICH IS THE PROPERTY OWNERS OF SHANANDOAH FARMS, INC.
A PRIVATE CORPORATION, WHICH OWNS MANY PROPERTIES WITHIN THE SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT, AND ALSO SERVES AS THE SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.
AT LEAST THROUGH JUNE 30TH THAT WE KNOW OF, AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES RELATING TO THE TERMINATION BY POS F INC OF ITS CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY TO SERVE AS THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT.
ONE QUESTION IS WHETHER POS F INC HAS BEEN PAYING SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT FEES FOR THE 70 OR SO PROPERTIES POS F INC OWNS INCLUDING A VERY LARGE PARCEL.
ANOTHER ISSUE IS WHETHER POS F INC HAS BEEN PAYING REAL ESTATE TAXES ON ANY OF ITS PROPERTIES.
MOST OF WHICH WOULD PROBABLY NOT QUALIFY FOR NON-PROFIT REAL ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION, EVEN IF POS F INC HAD APPLIED FOR THAT ON ANY OF ITS PROPERTIES, WHICH THERE IS NO PUBLIC EVIDENCE THAT IT HAS.
IN FACT, THERE IS NO PUBLICLY AVAILABLE EVIDENCE THAT PLSS INKS OWNERSHIP OF THOSE PROPERTIES IS EVEN ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE'S REAL ESTATE OFFICE.
THUS, THERE IS AT LEAST A POSSIBILITY IF NOT A PROBABILITY THAT POS F INC OWES DECADES WORTH OF SANITARY DISTRICT FEES, FOR WHICH THERE IS NO NONPROFIT EXEMPTION.
ANYWAY, AS WELL AS REAL ESTATE TAXES ON AT LEAST SOME OF ITS PROPERTIES, PLUS PENALTIES AND INTEREST, THEREFORE, AND I SUBMITTED THAT THIS TO YOU THIS MORNING, THIS IS A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PURSUANT TO ITS RULES.
THAT IMMEDIATE ACTION BE TAKEN TO ONE SUSPEND ANY FURTHER ACTION ON THE SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT, PROPOSED BUDGET, PENDING PUBLIC RELEASE AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR ALL SIGNIFICANT REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ITEMS AND TO SUSPEND ALL INVOLVEMENT OF AND PAYMENTS TO POS F INC, RELATING TO ITS APRIL 5TH, 2011 CONTRACT TO SERVE AS THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE SHENANDOAH FARM SANITARY DISTRICT, PENDING COMPLETION OF INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION OF ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES.
AND THIS IS A COPY OF WHAT I SENT YOU THIS MORNING FOR THE RECORD.
AND THEN DENNIS WILLINGHAM, 7 92 BELMONT ROAD IN FRONT ROYAL, AND I HAVE ONE BIG CONCERN.
YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, YOU VEHICLE
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VALUES ARE GOING UP.YOU SAY, YOU'RE KEEPING IT FLAT.
YOU'RE RAISING OUR TAXES AND NOT LETTING ANYBODY KNOW HOW YOU'RE DOING IT.
MATTER OF FACT, HE DID LAST YEAR, BUT THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR YOUNKIN HAS ALREADY SEPARATE, SEPARATED THE PERSONAL PROPERTY FILM TO AUTOMOBILES.
SO WHY CAN'T YOU SET THE AUTOMOBILES BACK DOWN SOMEWHERE NEAR THE LEVEL THEY WERE THE YEAR BEFORE YOU SLIPPED IN THE BACK OF THE WARRANTS LAST YEAR? UH, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S SO HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
I'M SITTING HERE ON A FIXED INCOME AND HAVE FINALLY BEEN ABLE TO BUY A HALF DECENT VEHICLE.
I WON'T SAY THAT ELABORATE A DECENT ON THE LOW INTEREST RATES, BUT NOW YOU'RE TRYING TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME.
SO IT SOUNDED LIKE I MIGHT HAVE TO GO BACK AND BUY AN OLD CLUNKER THAT IT WON'T PAY, COST ME ANY TAXES AND THEN HOPE A PART OR SOMETHING.
DOESN'T FLY OFF, GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT ONE OF Y'ALL GO THROUGH YOUR WINDSHIELD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND IF IT DOES GO BAD OR WHATEVER, IT DOESN'T DO ANY DAMAGE, TAKE A PHOTO OF A SIDE OF THE ROAD, TAKE THE TAGS OFF AND WALK AWAY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, BUT YOU ARE RAISING OUR TAXES.
THERE'S NOT LEAVING THEM FLAT.
LIKE THIS PAPER SAYS, THIS IS ABSURD.
I JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE GOT TO KEEP PAYING AND PAYING AND PAYING.
MY FIXED INCOME IS NOT GOING UP.
MY COST OF LIVING IS NOT GOING UP.
MY RA IS NOT GOING UP, BUT MY BILLS ARE SEVENTIES.
I'M GOING I'M UP MY BANK ACCOUNT.
WHAT A LITTLE BIT SITTING THERE ANYMORE IS GETTING LESS AND LESS AND LESS EVERY DAY.
EVEN BACK TO FORMER BOARD, WHEN THE REAL ESTATE TAX WOULD GO UP OR THE REAL ESTATE BABY GO UP, THEY WOULD LOWER THE TAXES BACK.
THEY MAKE IT A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, BUT Y'ALL, DON'T SEEM TO CARE HOW HE WANTS TO GET IT, WHAT YOU CAN GET OUT OF HER POCKET.
AND SO YOU HAVE MUCH, YOU CAN PUT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT SOMEBODY STOOD UP AND TOOK NOTICE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING CARE OF US, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING YOU SAY IT COMES FROM THIS GRANT, DEAD GRANDMA.
WHERE'S ALL THESE GRANTS COME FROM.
IT COMES OUT OF OUR POCKETS TO START WITH.
SO I REALLY FEEL THAT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING I'M NOT, I DON'T HAVE A COLLEGE EDUCATION.
MOST OF Y'ALL PROBABLY DO, BUT I THINK I GOT MORE COMMON SENSE THAN EITHER ONE OF YOU.
JUST TO BE HONEST, WHEN IT COMES TO THE DOLLAR.
I MEAN, I, I HATE TO BE SAY THAT, BUT THAT'S WHEN IT COMES TO THE DOLLAR, I TRY TO NOT BE TIGHT, BUT I TRIED TO BE CONSERVATIVE, BUT ANYMORE IT'S GETTING TO BE WHORE.
I DON'T, HE CAN'T EVEN BE THAT.
SO ANY WAY YOU COULD DO ANYTHING WITH THE TAXES, I WOULD CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT.
LESLIE MATTHEWS, PULL IT DOWN.
SO SOMETIMES SO SHORT, THAT'S FINE.
AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT MR. WILLINGHAM WAS GOING TO SAY, BUT I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT ON THAT LINE TOO.
I LIVE ON MATTHEW'S LANE IN BENTONVILLE.
AND THE FIRST THING I'M GOING TO SAY IS CUT YOUR BUDGET.
AT LEAST 2.8 OR 3.2 MILLION, WHICHEVER THE AMOUNT YOU ANTICIPATED COLLECTING THROUGH THAT INCREASED VALUE ON OUR USE VEHICLES THIS YEAR.
NOW THIS ISSUE CAME UP LAST YEAR.
AN OPTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT, UM, PRIOR TO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS.
WE'RE ALL TO LABOR, BOTH IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON.
AND WHEN WE RECEIVE GOOD RAISES AND WHEN THINGS WERE GOOD, UM, WE OFTEN BECOME DISCOURAGED WHEN THINGS ARE NOT THAT CASE WHEN IT'S NOT SO GOOD RIGHT NOW.
SO I WANT YOU GUYS TO PICTURE THE SPOKES ON A WHEEL.
EACH SPOKE REPRESENTS THE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS OF HARD WORK.
IT TAKES EVERY ONE OF THOSE SPOKES TO BE IN PLACE TO STRENGTHEN AND STABILIZE THAT WHEEL.
AS IT TERMS, TODAY'S ECONOMY IS IN NO SHAPE TO ADD AN INCREASE BURDEN TO THE CITIZEN, TAXPAYERS OF WARREN COUNTY, WHILE GRANTING SOME WORKERS DO DESERVE HIGHER SALARY INCREASES.
MANY DEPARTMENTS HERE RECEIVED COVID BONUSES LAST YEAR.
AND IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN ALL SALARY LEVELS IN THIS COUNTY, THE RATE OF INFLATION THAT IS INCURRED AND OCCURRING RIGHT NOW IS A HUGE BURDEN UPON ALL OF US.
I STAND ON THE PREMISE THAT THE SALARY INCREASES AND SCALES SHOULD AND MUST BE CONGRUENT TO WHAT IS RIGHT AND PROPER AND RELATIONSHIP TO THEIR IMPACT UPON TAXATION.
THE ONLY INCREASE THE MAJORITY OF WARREN COUNTY CITIZENS WILL RECEIVE THIS YEAR WILL BE THE CONTINUED HIKE OF INFLATION.
SO I ASKED THAT YOU PLEASE REVIEW YOUR WORKING BUDGET AS NOW, COMPOUNDED AND CUT IT TO THE LEVEL NEEDED
[00:30:01]
AND NECESSARY TO OPERATE THIS COUNTY IN SUCH A MANNER THAT PROVIDES ALL OF ITS HARDWORKING CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AND THRIVE HERE.WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? YES, MA'AM.
I'M LINDA MCDONOGH AT 1205 HIGH TOP ROAD, LYNDON.
AND I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I AGREE WITH EVERY SPEAKER THAT'S COME UP HERE AND SPOKE THE CITIZENS.
UM, THE GUESTS, THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE THAT'S THE BENEFIT FOR THE CHILDREN, BUT ALSO TO THE BUDGET.
IT SEEMS TO ME AS THE SCHOOL THAT THEY HAVE TO TEACH THE TEACHERS, UH, TO TEACH THE KIDS THAT THERE'S NOT BOYS OR GIRLS, OR THERE'S NOT THE FAMILY OR THE PARENTS.
SO THEY'RE SPENDING A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY ON THE DOCUMENTS, BOOKS AND ALL THIS KIND OF STUFF.
AND THE CLASSES THAT THESE TEACHERS HAVE TO LOOK AT TO ABOUT, OH, ALL THEIR PRONOUNS THAT THEY HAVE.
THIS IS JUST ABSOLUTELY INSANITY AND SAME.
I AGREE WITH THE GENTLEMAN THAT COME UP AND SPOKE ABOUT THE, UM, THE, UH, TAX ON OUR OLDER VEHICLES GOING UP AND A YOUNG LADY THAT GOT UP HERE AND SPOKE EARLIER.
I HAD SOME, I LOVE THE IDEA VERSUS SPOKE ON THE WHEEL BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
WE HAVE TO TAKE STUFF AWAY TOO.
UM, I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO OREGON TO VISIT MY 87 YEAR OLD MOTHER THIS YEAR BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAS GONE UP SO MUCH, BUT MY HUSBAND'S WAGES, HASN'T, UH, FOOD, EVERYTHING HAS.
AND SO WE HAVE TO GET DOWN TO THE BOTTOM LINE.
AND I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH MELISSA CHAPEL WHITE AND THE PROPERTIES THAT SHANANDOAH FARMS INC OWNS, AND THEY'RE NOT OUR COMMON PROPERTIES.
AND THEY HAVEN'T PAID REAL ESTATE AND ALL, NOT JUST SHANANDOAH FARMS, BUT OTHER BIG PEOP PARCELS THAT HAVE NOT PAID IN ALL OF THESE YEARS, UH, AND EVERYTHING THAT THERE WOULD BE A, PROBABLY A PRETTY GOOD WINDFALL IF THOSE THINGS WERE ACTUALLY LOOKED AT.
WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? YES, SIR.
I LIVE AT 180 OVERBROOK LANE IN SHANANDOAH SHORES.
I'D LIKE TO START OFF WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IN THE PAST, BUT I WANT YOU TO ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE WHAT I SEE TO BE A BRIGHT FUTURE.
UM, IN THE SHORES, WE HAVE ISSUES AT OUR FIRE STATION ON THE PRESIDENT OF OUR VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, AS WELL AS THE DEPUTY CHIEF UP THERE.
WE HAVE NO CAREER STAFFING IN THE SHORES WHATSOEVER THOUGH.
WE SAY WE SHARE THE SAME TAX ISSUES THAT, UH, UH, THAT ALL THE OTHER DISTRICTS DEAL WITH.
UM, WE UNDERSTAND ALSO THAT WE'RE LANDLOCKED IN OUR PART OF THE COUNTY AS WELL, ONE WAY IN ONE WAY OUT AND DO THAT FACT, WE FEEL THAT WE NEED TO HAVE CAREER STAFFING 24 7, 365 IN ORDER TO AGAIN, MAKE SURE THAT OUR CITIZENS OUT IN THE SHORES ARE SAFE ALL THE TIME.
I DID SOME RESEARCH THIS AFTERNOON, CHRISTIAN DOME, WHICH IS ALMOST A CITY IN ITSELF.
UH, THEY HAVE 539 STUDENTS AT THAT COLLEGE WITH APPROXIMATELY 140 ADDITIONAL THAT ARE, UM, POST-GRADS AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATIVE PEOPLE.
WHAT WE HAVE AS FAR AS MANPOWER UP AT SHENANDOAH SHORES ARE FIVE ACTIVE MEMBERS.
THREE OF THESE MEMBERS ARE CAREERS, FIREFIGHTERS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
AND THEN WE HAVE A COUPLE OF US, THE CHIEF, MYSELF WHO ARE ALL VOLUNTEERED, AND WE JUST WANTED TO KIND OF PUT OUT HERE WHAT, UH, WE ARE DEALING WITH.
[00:35:01]
I UNDERLINE THAT THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT WITH WHAT I'VE SEEN THIS EVENING IN REFERENCE TO THE BUDGETS.AND WHAT'S GOING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SECOND CALL.
ANYONE ELSE LIKED TO SPEAK THIRD AND FINAL CALL.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DID YOU WANT TO MAKE ANY CLOSING COMMENTS? WE HAVE, UM, THREE BIG GLOWERS OUT THERE ON THIS BUDGET AND MA'AM, UH, ONE OF THEM IS WHAT THE BOARD LOOKS AT FOR THE FINAL DETERMINATION ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET.
AND THE SECOND ONE IS WHAT, WHEN THE STATE COMES BACK INTO SESSION, WHEN THE LEGISLATURE'S BACK INTO SESSION, WHAT THEY DETERMINE ALL OF THE FINAL OPTIONS ARE WITH PERSONAL PROPERTY.
WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE REDUCING THE RATE OR THE RATIO.
WE'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW YET UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT THAT, WHAT THAT ARRANGEMENT, WHAT THE AUTHORIZATION IS.
UH, WE DON'T WANT TO JUMP TOO QUICK UNTIL WE KNOW THE FINAL.
UM, AND THE THIRD ONE IS THE STATE BUDGET BECAUSE THE STATE BUDGET HIGHLY IMPACTS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND IT IMPACTS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
AND WHAT WE WILL BE PROPOSING TO YOU IS TO ADOPT THE TAX RATES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY NEXT WEEK, SO THAT THE TREASURER CAN BEGIN THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND BILLINGS AND SO FORTH THAT COME BACK DUE IN JUNE.
UH, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK WHEN THE LEGISLATURE, AFTER THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE WITH PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND WE'LL KEEP WORKING ON THOSE AS TO SEE HOW THAT FITS.
UM, THOSE ARE THE THREE BIG PIECES OF THE PUZZLE THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
AND I UNDERSTAND CAUSE I, I PAY THAT TAX ON MY VEHICLES AS WELL.
UM, WE DON'T HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OVER THOSE TAXES, THE STATE, WELL IT'S, UM, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO ACROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE WE HAVE OVER 37% OF OUR VEHICLES ARE ASSESSED FOR 20, 22 LESS THAN THEY WERE IN 2021.
NOW, IF WE TAKE THE OTHERS AND WE REDUCE THEM, THEN IT ALSO REDUCES THESE OVER HERE.
SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TOTAL PICTURE AS TO HOW WE DO IT.
AND, UM, THERE, WHAT MR. ROBERTSON TOLD YOU BEFORE AT THE LAST PRESENTATION WAS THERE IS AN ADJUSTMENT IN THE LINE ITEM ESTIMATE FOR THIS NEXT YEAR.
IT'S NOT NEARLY AS INCREASED AS MUCH AS IT WAS ANTICIPATED THERE BECAUSE THIS YEAR WAS ABOUT A MILLION, FOUR BELOW WHAT IT ACTUALLY BE COMPARED TO 20 TO 2020.
SO THAT IT'S GONNA, THAT HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED IN THERE FOR THE ADJUSTMENT.
INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THE TWO YEARS, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ONE YEAR AND GO BACK TO SEE WHAT WE ACTUALLY RECEIVE.
WELL, I GUESS WHEN I WANT THE CITIZENS TO KNOW IS THAT WE, WE ARE AWARE AND WE ARE WORKING TO DO OUR BEST TO SO THAT YOU'RE NOT HIT HARD WITH THOSE.
UM, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO BEST DO THAT.
IT'S IT IT'D BE EASY TO SAY HAD, AS WE WE'VE TALKED, IF THE STATE WOULD JUST SAY, WE'RE GONNA NOT CHARGE ANYBODY CAR TAX THIS YEAR, THAT'D BE GREAT.
THAT WAS, UM, WHAT WAS GOVERNOR GILMORE, IF AT ONE POINT THAT EVENTUALLY CARTEX WAS GOING TO BE PHASED OUT.
AND THEN OF COURSE, AS EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW, THAT IDEA WENT AWAY, BUT WE, WE ARE GOING TO WORK TO MAKE THAT, UM, TO THE, YOU KNOW, AS BEST WE CAN, THAT PEOPLE AREN'T HIT WITH THAT ENTIRE, WE'RE NOT AN UNAWARE OF HOW HARD IT IS ON PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THAT ARE LIKE YOURSELF ON A FIXED RATE AND WE'RE DOING OUR BEST AND KNOW, AS FAR AS SLIDING IT ON AND LAST YEAR, MAYBE WE DIDN'T DO AS GOOD
[00:40:01]
A JOB EDUCATING.UM, BUT WE'LL, WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO, TO EXPLAIN IT.
IT'S, IT'S DIFFICULT TO, TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE TELLS ME AND TELLS ME AGAIN, UM, YOU KNOW, AND HE'S VERY GOOD AT MAKING IT MAKE SENSE.
SO WE'LL, WE'LL GO THROUGH IT AGAIN ONCE WE FIGURE IT OUT.
SO PEOPLE HAVE AS GOOD AN IDEA OF WHAT WE'RE DOING TO LOWER THAT WITHIN THE STANDARDS OF THE STATE AND SO FORTH.
SO I I'VE, I'VE SAID A LOT AND DIDN'T SAY MUCH EITHER.
I JUST, IT JUST BOTHERS ME THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT WE'RE NOT UNAWARE OF THESE TAXES AND HOW THEY AFFECT YOU.
WE ARE, UM, WE JUST DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE CONTROL OVER HOW TO WORK WITH STATE TO MAKE THOSE THINGS BETTER.
THE MIGHT MENTION ALSO THE QUESTION REGARDING THE LINE ITEM IN SHENANDOAH FARMS, UM, THAT 810,000, THERE WAS A LINE ITEM BUDGET THAT I SENT IN IS WHITE TODAY.
THAT WAS WHAT WE WOULD USE WHEN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WAS DOING PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES IN SHENANDOAH FARMS, SUCH AS THIS YEAR, THAT'S WHERE THE NUMBER COMES FROM BECAUSE THAT'S, WHAT'S COLLECTED MINUS THE 5%.
THAT'S THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE WITH THE DISTRICTS THAT WE DO NOT WORK IN.
THEN THEY RECEIVE THE DOLLAR A MILE, WHATEVER THAT AMOUNT IS.
AND IN YOUR, THEY RANGE ANYWHERE FROM ABOUT $15,000 TO THIS 800,000 AND WHATEVER THAT AMOUNT IS, THEN THEY RECEIVE THAT AND THEIR ADVISORY BOARD, THEIR BOARD DETERMINES HOW TO SPEND THAT MONEY AND THEN SENDS A REPORT EACH YEAR TO THE BOARD.
THE BOARD DOES NOT ADOPT A BUDGET PER SE, A LINE ITEM BUDGET FOR EACH OF THOSE DISTRICTS, ONLY THE DISTRICTS WHERE WE WORK IN.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS JUST LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE STATE? UM, SO THE INCREASES THAT, THAT ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS MENTIONED IN, UM, SALARY WE'RE MANDATED BY THE STATE.
THEY WERE NOT A DECISION MADE LOCALLY.
THAT MONEY SAID, THEY SAID TO US, YOU NEED TO GIVE THESE PEOPLE 5% AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE IT TO EVERYBODY, JUST CERTAIN, CERTAIN SECTORS.
SO WE HAD TO EQUALIZE THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WAS PAID FAIRLY.
SO SOME OF THESE THINGS WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER STATE MANDATES ARE THE NUMBER ONE REASON TEXAS GO UP, STATE MANDATES ARE THE NUMBER.
ONE REASON THAT BUDGET WENT UP BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE US TO DO WHAT THEY, AND WE, AND WE IN THIS STATE HAVE NO WAY TO COUNTER THAT BECAUSE WE ARE A DILLON RULE STATE AND YOU GUYS CAN LOOK THAT UP, WHICH MEANS THAT IF IT COMES OUT OF RICHMOND, IT'S REQUIRED, WE HAVE TO GO SAY, MOTHER, MAY I, IF WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT AND NOT.
AND SO THEN, BUT NOW ONE OF THE OTHER, UM, AREAS I'D LIKE TO TOUCH ON IS ON THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX.
AND I HAVE TAKEN THIS ON AS A, AS A STUDY.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT, UM, THEY ARE FULLY AWARE ABOUT THIS.
IT, AND IT IS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE HISTORY, UM, OF THE STATE THAT VEHICLES HAVE APPRECIATED IN VALUE.
INSTEAD OF DEPRECIATED, YOU GUYS KNOW THAT NORMALLY IF YOU BUY A NEW CAR AND YOU DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT, IT DEPRECIATES $10,000, BY THE TIME YOU GET HOME.
WELL, THAT IS NOT THE CASE CURRENTLY.
AND IT'S BECAUSE OF SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS. AND SO THE, WHAT THE STATE IS TRYING TO DO IS FIGURE OUT A WAY TO EQUALIZE IT ACROSS THE BOARD SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHOSE VEHICLES HAVEN'T INCREASED IN VALUE, DON'T GET A TAX DECREASE.
CAUSE THAT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO YOU.
SO WE'RE, THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S EQUITABLE TO EVERYBODY.
AND, UM, SO IT, WE'RE WORKING ON IT THOUGH.
WE'RE WORKING ON A FAIR WAY TO APPROACH THIS.
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS.
YOU SAID IT MUCH BETTER THAN I DID.
BUT, UM, AND, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES, WHICH MEANS THEY SAY YOU SHALL DO THIS, FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR IT.
THAT THEY'RE GOOD AT VERY GOOD AT.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF THEM STAFFING INCREASES.
UM, LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE WE WERE REQUIRED TO HIRE ANOTHER COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY, UNFUNDED STATE DIDN'T GIVE US A DIME FOR IT.
AND ACTUALLY WHEN IT CAME IN, IT WAS AFTER WE ALREADY HAD OUR BUDGET SET.
SO THEN WE HAD TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT.
[00:45:01]
SO LATE THIS YEAR WITH THEIR BUDGET, WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH.WE KNOW THEY'VE TAKEN THE GROCERY TAX AWAY.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO HURT US BECAUSE THAT'S REVENUE, THAT'S NOW LOST TO US.
SO WE, WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF UNKNOWNS AND, UM, YES, WE HAVE INCREASE IN STAFF, BUT I THINK ANYONE THAT, UM, HAS CALLED 9 1 1 REALIZES AND HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RESPONSE TIME.
IT'S BECAUSE THESE GUYS ARE WORKING ON SKELETON CREWS AND WORKING A LOT OF OVERTIME.
UM, WE PUT IN FOR, UM, A GRANT AND YET GRANTS ARE, UM, NOT FREE.
USUALLY THE LAST COUPLE WE'VE GOTTEN WITH FIRE AND EMS HAVE BEEN NOT FREE TOTALLY BECAUSE WE PICK IT UP AT THE END, BUT THEY'VE BEEN PRETTY DARN GOOD GRANTS.
AND WE WERE HOPING TO GET ONE, TO FUND MORE STAFF.
UM, BUT WE STILL NEED THE STAFF.
SO THAT'S WHY WE, WE MADE THAT A PRIORITY.
AND A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT YOU HEARD TONIGHT ARE NOT GOING TO BE DONE ALL THIS YEAR.
IT'S SPREAD OUT OVER TIME AS WELL.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN TO, TO RESOURCE NEW EQUIPMENT IN A LOT OF THESE DEPARTMENTS.
WE HAVE A CURE MET PERSON AND A PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AS WELL, BUT IT'S ALL A WORK IN PROGRESS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
IT'S LIKE BEING BORN AGAIN AND TRYING TO LEARN TO WALK.
SO, UM, AND, AND, BUT I, I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COMING OUT AND VOICING YOUR CONCERNS.
THAT'S HOW WE LEARNED TO GET ON THE RIGHT ROAD.
MA'AM YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT YOU WERE.
I JUST WANT TO ASK THE QUESTION HERE.
SO WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT WE'LL KNOW WHAT THE STATE BUDGET WILL BE? WELL, 60,009 QUESTION.
LET ME, LET ME REMIND YOU THAT I WOULD NOT, UH, I WOULD NOT STAY AWAKE WAITING FOR THAT BUDGET.
MA'AM I THINK ONCE YOU GO BEYOND ABOUT 21 DAYS OR SO WITHOUT SLEEP, IT STARTS TO GET REALLY DRUG OUT.
I SOMETIME IN EARLY MAY, MAYBE SOME PEOPLE THINK IT WILL BE CLOSER IN JUNE.
UM, WE DON'T, WE WILL BE ABLE TO NARROW THIS DOWN, BUT UNTIL THEY START TAKING SOME ACTIONS DOWN THERE AND WE GET SOME FINAL OPTIONS, IF YOU WILL.
UH, THE EXAMPLE BEING THIS BUDGET HAS THESE 5% IN THERE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, BUT THAT'S BASED ON THE STATE MONDAY AND THE STATE MANDATE.
IF THE STATE MONEY AND THE STATE MANDATE GO AWAY, THEN THE RAISES GO AWAY WITH IT.
SO YOU, WE DON'T HAVE A FINAL ANSWER UNTIL SOMETIME IN JUNE, THE STATE IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO HAVE A BUDGET BY JUNE 30TH, BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST STATE THAT FAILED TO DO SO.
SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, I THINK CLOSER TO IT, I THINK AT LEAST 30 DAYS FROM NOW, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND 60.
SO HAVE WE PREPARED? WHAT KIND OF BUDGET CUTS? IF THE STATE BUDGET COMES IN LESS THAN WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING, THEN WE TAKE THEM, WE WILL BE TAKING OUT THE ITEMS THAT ARE FUNDED WITH STATE FUNDING OR STATE REQUIREMENTS.
WE'LL BE PULLING ALL OF THOSE BACK OUT AND WE'RE JUST MAKING OUR OWN LITTLE, UH, LIST.
IF YOU WILL, NON SHOPPING LIST PERHAPS WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO CALL IT.
IT'S NOT REALLY A SHOPPING LIST.
IT'S THE THINGS WE'RE PUTTING BACK ON THE SHELF.
SO WE WOULD ONLY BE LOOKING AT THESE THREE BUCKETS, IF YOU WILL.
SOCIAL SERVICES, THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS IN THE SCHOOL BUDGET.
NO, I WOULD SAY THE BUCKET IS MUCH LARGER THAN THAT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE THE STATE MAY DO.
AND IF THE STATE REDUCES OTHER REVENUE OPTIONS, THE GROCERY TAX IS A MILLION TO APPROXIMATELY THAT WE LOSE AND WE HAVEN'T ACCOUNTED FOR THAT YET.
SO WE, IF WE DO, THEN THAT LOSS WILL BE MORE REFLECTIVE ACROSS, UH, ACROSS THE ENTIRE BUDGET.
AND, UH, WE ARE MAKING A CONTINGENCY PLANS TO GO AND WE'LL SEE HOW FAR WE HAVE TO GO WITH THAT.
EACH DEPARTMENT IS MAKING, UH, SOME PREPARATIONS AS TO WHAT THEY WOULD OFFER TO PUT INTO THE POT
[00:50:01]
THAT NEEDS TO GO AWAY.IS THAT ONE OPTION? IS THERE ANY OTHER, WELL, NO.
I MEAN, CAUSE I'M, I, THE WAY I LOOK AT IT, IF WE, THE STATE COMES BACK AND WE ARE NOT GETTING AS MUCH AS WE THOUGHT WE WOULD, I THINK THERE'S SOME AREAS IN OUR BUDGET THAT WE CAN CUT BACK RATHER THAN ASKING ALL THE DEPARTMENTS TO COME UP AND HAVE A CAT BECAUSE OF IT, BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOKING AT A MILLION DOLLARS KNOW OUT OF A, YOU KNOW, 80 MILLION BUDGET, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T, I DON'T, I, AS AN EXAMPLE, I DON'T SEE WHY, YOU KNOW, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY FOLKS WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK AND HAVE A CUT.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE FUND A LOT OF THINGS AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT MAYBE ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT THINGS WOULD BE TO FOCUS ON SOME OF THE MONEY THAT GOES TO OTHER, YOU KNOW, LIKE NONPROFITS.
NON-PRO, IT'S LESS THE REGIONAL STUFF.
BUT THERE ARE SOME NONPROFITS THAT WE GIVE, YOU KNOW, TO HELP OUT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND, AND WHATNOT.
SO, UM, I DUNNO, I I'M, THESE ARE JUST OPTIONS, YOU KNOW, THAT I JUST WANNA, YOU KNOW, PUT OUT ON THE TABLE THAT HOPEFULLY THAT WE WILL BE SMART IF HE GOT DOWN TO THAT POINT OF HOW TO REDUCE THE OVER OVERALL BUDGET.
WE'RE NOT, WE WOULD NOT WANT TO REDUCE THE BUDGET JUST BROAD ACROSS THE BOARD.
I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE WOULD BE MORE LOOKING AT THAT DOLLAR.
YOU SEE OVER THERE AND SEE WHERE THE BIGGEST PIECES ARE AND SEE WHERE WE CAN MAKE REDUCTIONS WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF IMPACT ON PUBLIC SERVICES.
UH, EVERYTHING THAT'S PUT INTO THIS BUDGET BY YOUR DEPARTMENTS WAS DONE BECAUSE THEY FEEL THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE.
AND WHEN THE BOARD WENT THROUGH, WE MADE A NUMBER OF REDUCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
UH, WE CUT THIS BUDGET OVER $10 MILLION FROM WHERE IT STARTED AND WE CAN MAKE MORE CUTS AS THEY BECOME NECESSARY.
WE'RE AT THE LEVEL POINT WHERE WE FEEL AS APPROXIMATELY WHERE WE SHOULD BE FOR, TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES.
UM, ANYBODY NEEDS ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T THINK THINKS THAT THAT BUDGET IS TOO HIGH NEEDS TO SIT AND LISTEN TO THE SCANNER SOME NIGHT AND LISTEN TO IT.
RON AND SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GO OUT TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND SEE SOME OF THE NEEDS OUT THERE.
AND SO W WE WOULD LOOK AT THIS STRATEGICALLY IF WE REDUCE FURTHER AND WE DON'T, WE WANT TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE STATE DOES WITH THAT.
WE THINK IT'S, UH, PREMATURE FOR US TO ADOPT A BUDGET AND THEN TO BE REDUCING IT RATHER THAN WAITING A LITTLE BIT TO REDUCE IT AS WE GO.
DALEY, IS IT, UM, IS IT IN CODE THAT IF THE BUDGET CHANGES DRASTICALLY FROM, UM, WHEN THE STATE'S BUDGET COMES BACK AND WE HAVE TO MAKE DRASTIC CHANGES THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING, OR IS IT, UM, IS ONE PUBLIC HEARING SUFFICIENT, OR WOULD WE BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ANOTHER, THIS WAS THE CAP, OKAY.
THIS 89 MILLION GENERAL FUND HERE, AND THE OTHER BUDGETS, THAT'S THE CAP.
YOU MAY REDUCE ANYTHING YOU WANT BELOW THAT.
WHAT WE ARE SAYING, PARTICULAR YOU, BY ASKING YOU TO SET THE TAX RATES EXCEPT PERSONAL PROPERTY, IS THAT THAT'S THE LIMIT.
THAT'S THE HIGH LIMIT AND WHATEVER THE STATE DOES, WE'LL MAKE IT WORK TO REDUCE FROM THERE.
THE STATE IS NOT GOING TO PUT US IN THE POSITION WHERE WE GO ABOVE THAT AMOUNT.
WE MIGHT COME DOWN 87 OR SOMETHING, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE GOING TO 91.
THAT'S OUR, THAT'S OUR CEILING.
AND THAT'S A 1.5, 7% INCREASE OVER THE LAST YEAR.
WELL, I JUST HOPE WE'RE SMART WHEN WE WILL, IF WE GET TO THAT POINT, QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK WITH THE, WITH THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET, BEING ABLE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUTTING SOME OTHER THINGS IN THERE AND KEEP THE TOTAL INCREASE TO ONE AND A HALF PERCENT,
[00:55:01]
QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK MR. ROBERTSON AND THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ALL TOGETHER DID A VERY SMART JOB.AS YOU WOULD SAY, THEY, TO BE ABLE TO ADD THAT IN AND KEEP THE TOTAL DOWN, I THINK IS GOOD.
SO THERE OBVIOUSLY ARE OTHER PLACES IN THERE THAT WE HAVE MADE REDUCTIONS THAT THE BOARD'S AWARE OF AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH THIS PAST YEAR.
REMEMBER THE BOARD STARTED THIS BUDGET IN JANUARY.
MA'AM ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.
WELL, ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.
AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND ALL OF THE FIRE AND EMS PEOPLE THAT CAME