Board of Supervisors March 12, 2020 Sheet 1  March 12, 2020  County of Greene, Virginia  THE GREENE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MET ON TUESDAY, MARCH 12,  2020, BEGINNING AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE COUNTY MEETING ROOM.  Present were:  Bill Martin, Chair Marie Durrer, Vice Chair Steve Bowman, Member Dale Herring, Member Davis Lamb, Member  Staff] present:  Mark B. Taylor, County Administrator Patti Vogt, Deputy Clerk Tracy Morris, Director of Finance Melissa Meador, Director of Emergency Services  RE: COVID-19UPDATE  Ms. Meador said there are 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Virginia. There are no cases in the Thomas Jefferson Health District or Greene County. There is a total of 1,573 cases and 40 deaths in the United States. She continues to operate in planning phase while working on an incident action plan and developing a local incident management team. Information will be sent to department directors tomorrow regarding the continuity of operations and essential VS. nonessential work elements. The Governor declared a State of Emergency this afternoon. Ms. Meador said she does not anticipate declaring a local emergency here until there is a confirmed  case in the Thomas Jefferson Health District. RE: DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED BUDGET  Mr. Taylor said the State budget is still not available at this time. Received information from the Compensation Board about constitutional officer budgets which calls for a 2% one-time Mr. Lamb said there are a lot of positions to fill in the Sheriff's Office and other offices. Mr. Bowman said he would like to discuss salary increases, increasing the reserve, preparation for potential Fire/Rescue Chief and study results, prioritizing capital projects, discuss  salary bonus in December 2020 and a salary increase the following year. He did not agree with approving thej part-time position for Emergency Services.    Board of Supervisors March 12, 2020 Sheet 2  all positions funded in the budget (Commonwealth Attorney part-time position, County Engineer/Clerk ofthe Works, EMS part-time position and position at Social Services Department) Mrs. Durrer said she would like to discuss positions, salaries, and capital reserve. Mr. Herring agreed with discussion of salaries, the reserve, positions, and he added the Ride Share Program. The County has never funded the Ride Share Program even though there are Greene County residents who participate because wel have Greene County Transit. Mr. Martin said the Board needs to discuss raising taxes this year. Mr. Herring said the rate set tonight would be the maximum amount. The Board can approve the advertised rate or Mr. Lamb said citizens have said "do not raise taxes, not even one cent". He agreed with Mr. Herring said there was a 5-cent tax increase last year and 3-cents of that was to catch up on mis-projected revenue. He feels confident that revenue projections this year are accurate and conservative. The Board needs to discuss budget priorities prior to talking about the tax rate. Mr. Bowman said he is very conservative and that local government has been forced by federal and state governments to spend more money on local services. He looked at tax rates since 2005 which ranged from $.841 to $.69. Ift the tax rate had been increased aj penny or SO every: year, Mr. Martin said he would like to see the bottom line maintained but would be in favor ofa Mr. Bowman thought salary increases should be 2.3% for all employees. Mr. Taylor said the salary increase for appointees of the constitutional officers' totals approximately $30,000. If that amount is taken from the contingency, it would leave us at a dangerously low level for emergencies. Mr. Taylor said appointesofcomsilutionl officers arei not employees ofthe county government and compensation and staffing levels are addressed by the Virginia Compensation Board. The County has generously supplemented various constitutional offices with both extra positions funded entirely by local funds and funds toj pay constitutional appointees more than the salary set by the Virginia Compensation Board. Our constitutional officers have a strong tradition ofmanaging their operations individually. Aside from the yearly appropriation the Board makes, there is no ongoing obligation or commitment for Greene County to provide any supplemental funds for salary increases or additional positions for the constitutional offices. Constitutional officers and their appointees are not subject to, nor do they get any benefit of, County personnel policies. They are fully independent operations with each officer setting office hours, work schedules, workloads, and other operational parameters. Practices of individual offices vary In the interest of normalizing operations, Mr. Taylor said he circulated a draft memorandum of understanding to constitutional officers seeking to bring their practices in-line with county policy. Hel has had no substantive response to the proposed MOU. He comprehended from the lack of response that the constitutional officers want to continue operating in their established individualized mode and that is fine. The proposed salary adjustment for these offices is probably best viewed as a place holder pending final action by the Compensation Board. Mr. Taylor felt is it appropriate for Greene County to follow the State's prescription for compensation  lower.  that comment and said he supports the current tax rate of$.82.  we would now have the funds we. need and be in ai much better position.  tax increase ifiti is saved for capital projects.  widely.    Board of Supervisors March 12, 2020 Sheet 3  adjustments for constitutional officers and their employees rather than continuing to adjust their pay as if they were county employees. He did not see that we have the capacity in FY 2021 to provide for the appointees ofthe constitutional officers to any degree beyond that the State appears Following the Compensation Board's prescription for compensating constitutional officers and their appointees will help to avoid confusion. Because payroll for these appointees are paid through the County payroll, they have from time to time sought to appeal to administration for relief from discipline by their constitutional officer but they are not subject to Greene County In response to a question from Mr. Bowman, Mr. Taylor said there is one County funded position in the Treasurer's Office, two in the Clerk of Circuit Office, one: in Victim Witness, one in the Commonwealth's, Attorney Office, seventeen in the Sheriff's Office, three School Resource Officers, seven in the 911, and two in Animal Control. The County funds these positions but does Mr. Herring said he understands the constitutional officer can direct and control the hours of operation, hiring of employees, vacation schedules, benefits, etc. He has a problem if a constitutional officer requires employees to work less time than county employees are required to work. Mr. Herring was also concerned that constitutional office employees will take home less pay due to thei increase fori insurance. Mr. Herring said he sees deputies as county employees. Mr. Lamb agreed. This Board has the power to make it fair. Mr. Taylor said he did not know what to do with the proposed 2% bonus for constitutional officers and employees. It would be fair to everyone to give a 2% bonus to county employees. Mrs. Durrer said at one time constitutional office employees were paid less than county employees. Mrs. Morris said that was prior to constitutional office employees being placed on the county pay plan. Mrs. Durrer agreed that constitutional office employees should be on same level. Mrs. Morris clarified it would be a 1.3% raise for any constitutional office employee whether funded by the Compensation Board or the County. The County can choose to do a raise but would have to do the bonus in order to seek reimbursement from the Comp Board. Mr. Bowman did not think all employees of constitutional It was the consensus ofl Board members to apply a 2.3% salary increase for all employees. The estimated figure would be $30,000 plus cost of benefits to add 1% salary increase to The Board next discussed positions requested which included a part-time position for the Commonwealth's Attorney Office, Clerk of the Works/Engineer, part-time position for EMS, Social Services worker, and possibly a Fire Chief, depending on the study outcome. Itv was the consensus of the Board to include the Commonwealth's Attorney part-time Mr. James Howard, Director of Social Services, said his department is understaffed and a full-time position is needed. He suggested hei might be able tol hire a Human Services Assistant II orl III position rather than a Family Services Specialist and that would save money. Mr. Bowman expressed frustration with the federal government noting the annual increase in federal spending is roughly 7%. Mr. Lamb commented on the $1 trillion deficit.  tob be providing.  personnel policies.  not control or manage them.  officers would receive the 2%1 bonus. constitutional office appointees.  position.    Board of Supervisors March 12, 2020 Sheet 4  Mr. Herring thought providing administrative assistance to EMS would be helpful. Mr. Bowman agreed saying hel knows Ms. Meador needs help. Ms. Meadorsaid administrative support inl her office and for volunteer agencies would be extremely beneficial. There has been discussion about this position also taking on grant writing. Ms. Meador said a Fire and EMS Chief would require assistance also. Mr. Martin said the County has been looking for ways to help volunteers. Mr. Herring said the Ride Share Program coordinates individuals sharing transportation. There are park and ride sites at the school and Walmart. Greene County Transit provides services in the county and to Charlottesville. Nine Greene County residents currently participate in the Ride Share Program. Greene is the only locality that does not fund the program. Mr. Martin suggested seeing how the first year with. JAUNT: running Greene County Transit goes. Mr. Bowman spoke on the prioritization of capital projects and thought an annual plan for projects would be appropriate. Ifa tax increase is approved, those funds should be set aside for There was a consensus of Board members to set the salary increase for all employees at 2.3% which will require an additional $20,0001 to fund. Consensus toi include thel Engineer position, the part-time position for the Commonwealth Attorney, part-time position for EMS and aj position for Social Services with status to be determined. Push off Ride Share until next year.  cash reserve, fund balance, and a capital program.  The Chair called a short recess.  Mr. Herring said the advertised rate is not necessarily the rate that would be approved. He suggested an increase of2 cents to 84 cents be advertised. That would be the maximum rate but a lower rate could be approved. Mrs. Durrer and Mr. Bowman agreed. Mr. Lamb said he did not  agree and supported the current tax rate of8 82 cents.  Mrs. Morris read the proposed resolution to advertise the proposed tax rates. Upon motion by Dale Herring, second by Marie Durrer and affirmative roll call vote, the  Board approved the resolution as presented. (See Attachment "A")  Recorded vote:  Bill Martin Marie Durrer Steve Bowman Dale Herring Davis Lamb  Yes Yes Yes Yes No  Motion carried.  Mr. Taylor suggested the budget be advertised with a tax rate of$.84 with the difference Dr. Andrea Whitmarsh said she appreciated the magnitude of the decisions the Board of Supervisors has to make and asked ift there will be further discussion regarding the budget at this time as shel had information to share about how information was presented previously. Without discussion, the Board is effectively cutting the School's budget by $215,000 and she wanted to make sure all: members are aware oft that. The schools are still facing significant challenges within Mr. Martin noted the requested increase by the schools would equal 2.5 cents on the tax levy and Board members had reached a consensus that the request could not be approved. The Board has made really good progress with the school budget in recent years as evidenced by better performance by students, more competitive with teacher salaries, perceived higher morale of  shown in a special line item for capital reserve.  the system and she thinks there should at least be some discussion.    Board of Supervisors March 12, 2020 Sheet 5  faculty and staff, and a $28 million construction project which was a huge contribution from the Mr. Herring pointed out that the Board can have further discussion on the budget right up The public hearing to consider the proposed budget will be on April 28 with adoption  community that will bej paid for over the next thirty years. to approval but cannot go above the advertised tax rate.  scheduled on May 12. RE: ADJOURN meeting was adjourned. Recorded vote:  Upon motion by Davis Lamb, second by Steve Bowman and unanimous roll call vote, the  Bill Martin Marie Durrer Steve Bowman Dale Herring Davis Lamb  Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes  Motion carried.  ALL hade William Bryan Mtrtin, Chair Greene County Board of Supervisors  Mark B. Taylor,  Greene County Board of Supervisors  MBE    Board of Supervisors - March 12, 2020 - Attachment "A"  RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ADVERTISING OF THE CALENDAR  YEAR 2020 TAX RATES (FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021)  WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has discussed the tax rates for calendar year 2020 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Greene County Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the County Administrator to advertise the following tax rates for calendar year 2020  (Fiscal Year 2021) during their budget workshop,  (Fiscal Year 2021) and to do all things necessary to give this resolution effect:  Real Estate Public Service Corp. Personal Property  $0.84 $0.84 $5.00 $0.00 $2.50  Except Farm Machinery & Livestock Industrial Machinery & Tools  Adopted this 12th day ofl March, 2020. Motion: Dale Herring Second: Marie Durrer Recorded Vote: Steve Bowman Marie C. Durrer Dale R. Herring Davis Lamb Bill Martin  Yes_ Yes Yes No Yes  ATTEST:  Wahai B-Ahaf William Bryan Martin, Chair Greene County Board of Supervisors  A  Mark B. Taylor, Clerk Greene County Board of Supervisors