* - * Agenda Budget Worksession #1 * Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM Administration Building Auditorium 79 414 North Main Street, Madison, Virginia 22727 ilson Colss Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance & Moment of Silence Determine Presence of a Quorum/Adoption of Agenda Public Comment FY26 Budget Worksession 1. Schools' Budget Presentation - Anna Graham & Tina Cropp 2. Review FY26 Priorities, Goals & Strategies - County Administrator 3. Additional Budget Presentations a. Board of Supervisors' Budget Presentation b. County Attorney's Budget Presentation C. County Administration's Budget Presentation d. Finance Department" S Budget Presentation Public Comment Closed Session Adjourn MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' MEETING Date: 3:00PM Thursday, February 27, 2025 Location: Admin. Building Auditorium, 414 N. Main Street MEETING #08 February 27th At a Budget Workshop (#1) ofthe Board of Supervisors on Thursday, February 27th at 3:00PM in the Admin. Building Auditorium: PRESENT: R. Clay Jackson, Chair Carty Yowell, Vice-Chair Jud Buchanan, Member Dustin Dawson, Member James Jewett, Member Jonathon Weakley, County Administrator Jennifer Warren, Finance Director Kimberly Turner, Deputy Clerk ABSENT: Hannon Wright, County Attorney CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF SILENCE Chairman Jackson called the Board to order. Chairman Jackson stated he would like to start with the Pledge of Allegiance and follow with a moment of: silence. DETERMINE PRESENCE OF A QUORUMIADOFTION OF AGENDA Chairman Jackson advised that a quorum was present. Chairman Jackson inquired if anything needed to be added to the agenda. The County Administrator suggested reviewing the Board of Supervisors, County Administration, County Attorney, and the Finance Departments' budgets iftime allows. Chairman Jackson advised amending the following to the agenda: ADDED Board of Supervisors, County Administration, County Attorney, and Finance Departments' Budget Presentations Supervisor Dawson made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Supervisor Buchanan. Aye: Jackson, Yowell, Buchanan, Dawson, Jewett. Nay: (0) Abstain: (0) Absent: (0). PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Jackson opened the floor to public comment. John Folev: Mr. John Foley, Turner Drive resident, expressed concerns about zoning regulations, found in the Zoning Ordinance section 14-4.2, that allowed a fifteen times per year waiver before getting a special use permit. Mr. John Foley expressed conçerns with a neighbor holding unpermitted weddings. Chairman Jackson explained the process of sending issues to the Planning Commission for consideration before the Planning Commission would make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. Vice-Chairman Yowell provided historical context for Seasonal & Brief" that allows a fifteen times a year limit, noting it was derived from seasonal activities like vegetable sales. Vice- Chairman Yowell stated he was not inclined to send this to the Planning Commission. John Foley: Mr. John Foley clarified his concern is with special use permits for events like summer camps and private parks, not farm stands. Mr. John Foley requested the Board take away the exemption. With there being no further public comment brought forth, the public comment opportunity was closed. FY26 BUDGET WORKSESSION 1. Schools' Budget Presentation - Anna Graham & Tina Cropp Ms. Anna Graham, the Madison County Public Schools' Superintendent, and Tina Cropp, Madison County Public Schools' Director ofFinance, were both present and presented the Madison County Public School's budget listed below: 1) Competitive Pay for Staff to Address Retention & Recruitment a. 3% salary increase for all staff (partially offset by the state budget). b. Pay adjustments for teachers at 5 and 10 years. C. Increase starting pay for CDL bus drivers to $20/hr. 2) Absorb Health Insurance Increase a. 3.9% health insurance cost increase this year 3) Technology & Security Investments a. A new website, required, contract expired. b. Verkada security camera licenses to enhance school safety. C. WiFi controllers to support digital learning and school operations. 4) Cover Rising Operating Costs for Basic Services a. Utilities, special education services, grounds maintenance (mulch), and custodial supplies have all increased. 5) Cover Loss of State Funding Due to Enrollment Decline a. The FY26 budget is built on 1,520 students, 100 fewer than FY25 budget, causing a $370,000 reduction in state basic aid. b. This continues a long-term trend-enrollment has dropped from 1,921 students in 2007-08 to 1,542 in 2024-25. Total: $959,461 (Includes expected $240,628 due to elimination of Support Cap and lower than expected health insurance increase) Vice-Chairman Yowell questioned the school's enrollment projections, noting discrepancies with state estimates. Vice-Chairman Yowell discussed the schools' funding needs, including fixed and variable costs, and the potential impact of enrollment drops. Ms. Anna Graham and Ms. Tina Cropp explained the school's realistic enrollment estimates and the impact of decreased enrollment on budgeting. Vice-Chairman Yowell calculated the schools' funding needs and provided a document he created that showed his calculations. Vice-Chairman Yowell reviewed his calculations and stated he calculated the County needed to fund $10,672,926. Which is an increase of $351,851 over last year. School Board member, Chris Wingate, suggested for the future to receive Vice-Chairman Yowell's calculations document beforehand, SO the school has time to review it further. Ms. Anna Graham agreed and stated it was not fair. Chairman Jackson mentioned that went both ways since they just received the schools' new numbers. Ms. Anna Graham emphasized the need for increased funding to maintain current programs and avoid further cuts. Ms. Anna Graham inquired which programs and positions Vice-Chairman Yowell wanted them to cut. There was further discussion on potential budget adjustments and the rollover from last year's budget. Mr. Chris Wingate suggested a prior meeting to exchange information before public discussions to avoid gaps in understanding. Vice-Chairman Yowel agreed. Ms. Tina Cropp explained the challenges ofp preparing the budget due to recent changes in health insurance costs and state funding. Supervisor Jewett suggested the School Board consider a restructuring plan to address declining enrollments, similar to university-leve! restructuring. Mr. Chris Wingate agreed to consider this for the future. Supervisor Buchanan inquired about potential areas for cost-cutting, specifically food services. Ms. Tina Cropp explained how the Food Services program was its own entity, and the operating funds did not support it. Funding was provided by the state and federal. Supervisor Buchanan inquired ifthe buses' routes could be rerouted to save money. Ms. Tina Cropp stated Transportation has lost five to six routes this year and it is a daily issue. Ms. Tina Cropp & Ms. Anna Graham discussed ongoing efforts to reduce costs through grants, maintenance contracts, and other measures. Vice-Chairman Yowell mentioned bus drivers, food services, personnel/teachers are direct cost and suggested looking at indirect cost for places to cut such as administration. Ms. Anna Graham emphasized the need for their administrator positions. There was discussion regarding the potential impact of health insurance increases and the need for a balanced approach for budget adjustments. Ms. Tina Cropp mentioned the potential of using the County's fund balance. Chairman Jackson stated they use it every year and gave examples. The Board and the Schools' staff discussed the schools' Capital Budget and the work done by the CIP Committee. 2. Review FY26 Priorities, Goals & Strategies County Administrator The County Administrator presented the past goals and priorities for FY25, including improving broadband access and completing major capital projects. The County Administrator recommended continuing the following goals and priorities for FY26: 1. Improve access to broadband services 2. Complete major capital projects a. Hoover Ridge Outdoor Recreation Center The Board discussed the progress on economic development initiatives, which are on the FY25 goals and priorities, and the need for a public hearing to adopt the plan. After discussion, the Board agreed to maintain the following on the FY26 Goals and Priorities: 3. Enhance Economic Development Resources and Strategy (Pending the report) The Board discussed adding a goal for public utilities and following discussion the Board agreed to add the following to the FY26 Goals and Priorities: 4. Public Utilities a. Water and Sewer project timeline provided by 6/30/26. b. Establishing a service area and service connection policy and procedure C. Sewer Plant completion timeline The Board discussed the importance ofkeeping taxes low and increasing revenue without expanding the government footprint. Carl Kerby: Mr. Carl Kerby recommended having the developers put in their own septic systems. The County Administrator mentioned that ordinances guided the development based on the number of1 houses and the possibility of private or HOA maintenance. Chairman Jackson and the County Administrator discussed the potential for USDA funds to support public water system upgrades. 3. Additional Budget Presentations a. Board of Supervisors' Budget Presentation The County Administrator reviewed the Board of Supervisors' budget, which did not include a 3% COLA. The County Administrator discussed the impact of COLA on salaries. The County Administrator explained the health insurance costs and the impact of the 3.9% increase on the budget. The Board agreed with the Board ofSupervisors' Budget. b. County Attorney's Budget Presentation The County Administrator and the Finance Director reviewed the County Attorney's budget, detailing the salaries, health insurance, and legal services costs. The Board agreed with the County Attorney's Budget C. County Administration's Budget Presentation The County Administrator reviewed the County Administration budget, including the 3% COLA and other adjustments. The County Administrator discussed the health insurance costs and the impact of the 3.9% increase on the budget. The County Administrator and Deputy County Administrator explained the costs associated with the new radio system, including annual maintenance and additional services. The County Administrator and Chairman Jackson discussed the costs associated with advertising and the potential for moving to a new media group. Chairman Jackson advised using the new media group for advertising rather than the Madison Eagle, except for advertising the budget. The County Administrator further explained the costs associated with various line items. The Board and staff discussed the opioid funding and how the offset was represented. d. Finance Department's Budget Presentation The Finance Director reviewed the Finance Department's budget, including auditing and accounting services expenses. The Finance Director discussed the impact of the 3% COLA on salaries. The Finance Director explained the costs associated with health insurance and other benefits, including the impact oft the 3.9% renewal. PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Jackson opened the floor to public comment. With there being no further public comment brought forth, the public comment opportunity was closed. CLOSED SESSION None. ADJOURN With there being no further business to conduct, Supervisor Dawson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Supervisor Jewett. Aye: Jackson, Yowell, Buchanan, Dawson, Jewett. Nay: (0) Abstain: (0) Absent: (0). R. Clay Jackson, Chairman Madison County Board ofSupervisors Jonathon Weakley, Clerk Adopted on: March 25, 2025.