Board of Supervisors March 9, 2023 Sheet 1  March 9, 2023  County of Greene, Virginia  THE GREENE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MET ON THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023, BEGINNING AT 4:30 P.M. IN PERSON IN THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING MEETING ROOM AND BY ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATION  Present were:  Dale Herring, Chair Marie Durrer, Vice Chair Steve Bowman, Member Abbey Heflin, Member Davis Lamb, Member  Staff present:  Brenda Garton, Interim County Administrator Jim Frydl, Director of Planning and Zoning Melissa Meador, Director of Emergency Services James Howard, Director of Social Services  RE: BUDGET WORK SESSION  Mr. Herring said that Mr. James Howard, Director of Social Services, was present as requested by Mr. Lamb. Mr. Howard said that he was. happy to answer any questions. The Board and Mr. Howard discussed the space needs and safety updates that are needed at their current offices. They discussed the overwhelming number of children currently in foster care. They also discussed the problems that citizens who utilize the benefits provided by Social Services would face once the pandemic comes to an end and the extra funds cease. Mr. Howard said that their office is dealing with workforce and staffing issues, as well, and thanked the Board and Ms. Garton for approving the salary study. He said that he is constantly losing staff to surrounding localities  because of] pay.  The Board thanked Mr. Howard for all that he does for the community.  Ms. Garton reviewed the requests and changes the were made to the budget at the last budget meeting. She said that the Board must approve a tax rate to advertise and explained that she always recommends advertising at a tax rate higher than the one the Board wants to settle on. She shared the additional savings that were found by staff or offered by department heads which could potentially reduce the tax rate by $.02. The Board discussed funding the contingency fund  and the CIP fund.    Board of Supervisors March 9, 2023 Sheet 2  Ms. Heflin asked for clarification on some of the requests in the EMS budget. Ms. Meador explained that, even though the EMS building is new, it seems as though they are already outgrowing it and need to add additional bunks to house the growing staff. She explained that most of their overtime costs are coming from trying to staff the third truck 24/7. Ms. Meador said that they do not allow part-time employees to work over 291 hours per week. The Board discussed whether it would make sense to approve another full-time position to cut down on the overtime costs. Ms. Morris explained that the full-time position would cost more with the addition of the benefits. Ms. Heflin explained that she is having a hard time agreeing toi fund the additional request of$1.5 million from the schools because they expended about a million dollars less than what was given to them last year. Dr. Whitmarsh explained that it was about $695,0001 that was unspent and that happens because they have such a large budget, and the revenues are constantly fluctuating because of State payments and such. She said that it is only about 2% that was unspent. She said that it would be incredibly challenging and somewhat financially irresponsible if they were to spend to the penny. Dr. Whitmarsh said that she encourages the Board to commit additional funds to the schools and promises that, as things change, the request would likely be reduced. Ms. Spencer further explained Dr. Whitmarsh's points. She also explained that they got more money  last year because of the school nutrition plan funds.  The Board again discussed the proposed tax rate and funding the CIP. Mr. Herring reminded the Board that we are currently at $.08 above the equalized rate. All members were in favor of putting a penny towards the CIP. Mr. Bowman said that he feels we should advertise the tax rate at $0.76 and try to get it down to $0.74 or $0.75. Ms. Heflin agreed. The Board discussed the personal property tax rate and whether they should consider lowering that. They decided that ity was not a good idea to take anything away from the contingency fund and agreed to leave that at $250,000. This means that there is still $196,819 that needs to be found to reduce the tax rate $0.02. They discussed that they had not taken anything from the schools. Dr. Whitmarsh said that the 1% bonus or the 5% increase would have to be taken away or adjusted if there were any cuts  made to their request.  Upon motion by Steve Bowman, second by Marie Durrer and unanimous roll call vote, the Board approved the resolution to authorize the advertisement of the tax rates for 2023 and the  proposed real property tax increase as presented.  Recorded vote:  Marie Durrer Dale Herring Steve Bowman Abbey Heflin Davis Lamb  Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes  Motion carried.  The Board gave Ms. Garton further clarification as to where they would like to see the budget balanced to. Dr. Whitmarsh offered an additional $80,391. The Board asked Ms. Garton tov work the changes up and to ask Ms. Tate for further clarification on the personal property tax.    Board of Supervisors March 9, 2023 Sheet 3 RE: ADJOURN Board meeting was adjourned. Recorded vote:  Upon motion by Steve Bowman, second by Davis Lamb and unanimous roll call vote, the  Marie Durrer Dale Herring Steve Bowman Abbey Heflin Davis Lamb  Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes  Motion carried.  DR 7h Dale Herring, Chair  kimbenlymmin Kimberly L. Morris, Deputy Clerk Greene County Board of Supervisors  Greene County Board of Supervisors