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WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER 22ND, 2022 SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.[Call to Order]
GOOD TO SEE YOU FOLKS TONIGHT.WE HAVE A QUORUM SO WE'LL BE CONDUCTING OFFICIAL BUSINESS TONIGHT.
WE HAVE A FULL BOARD. MR. THROWER,
[1. Conduct Closed Session]
[INAUDIBLE] IS NECESSARY THAT WE HAVE A CLOSED SESSION.>> YES, SIR. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEMBERS, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE BOARD TO NOW CONDUCT A CLOSED MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS SET OUT IN CODE OF VIRGINIA 1950, [NOISE] AS AMENDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2, 3711A3, ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AS IT RELATES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSPECTIVE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SITES.
AND TWO, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711A5 DISCUSSION WITH STAFF FROM FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCORPORATED CONCERN, CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS, AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL PROSPECTS OR THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES WERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE PROSPECTS OR BUSINESSES INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
THREE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2, 3711A 7 7 AND 8, CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL AND BRIEFINGS BY STAFF REGARDING SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE PROJECT DELAYS AND THE JOHN DAVID WILLIAMS SENIOR FOIA LITIGATION MATTER.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. WE NEED A MOTION TO DO SO.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> WE'RE GOING TO GO IN A CLOSED SESSION.
SUPERVISOR [INAUDIBLE]. DO YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION IS ABOUT COMING BACK IN?
[2. Return to Open Session]
>> YEAH, I MOVE THAT WE COME BACK INTO OPEN SESSION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> WE ARE NOW BACK IN OPEN SESSION. [INAUDIBLE].
>> WHEREAS THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
[3. Certification Resolution]
CONVENED A CLOSED MEETING ON THIS DATE PURSUANT TO AN AFFIRMATIVE RECORDED VOTE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.WHEREAS SECTION 2.2-3712D OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES A CERTIFICATION BY THE BOARD THAT SUCH CLOSED MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH VIRGINIA LAW.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THIS CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION PLIERS AND THE ONLY SUCH PUBLIC MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, AND CONSIDERED BY SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
MR. CHAIRMAN MOVE THAT THE RESOLUTION BE APPROVED.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BEFORE WE DO THAT.
IT'S LIKE TO SAY THAT PLEDGE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYBODY.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY SOME JURISDICTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAVE TAKEN GOD OUT OF THE PLEDGE THAT WAS PUT IN THERE IN 1954 BY PRESIDENT DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER.
LET'S STAND AND RECITE THE PLEDGE.
>> LET'S PRAY. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE JUST THANK YOU THAT WE CAN GATHER HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THIS GATHERING.
WE JUST THANK YOU THAT WE AS CITIZENS, CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND BE HEARD AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES FOR OUR FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF OUR DESCENDANTS.
HEAVENLY FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR THIS PLACE WE CALL HOME.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
THERE ARE MANY TOWNS SKILLS THAT HELP US GO AND DO THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO.
NOW WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD HELP US TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS
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OURSELVES SO WE CAN BE A COMMUNITY THAT WORKS TOGETHER IN ALL THINGS.THESE THINGS WE ASK IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.
>> [NOISE] WE MOVE ON TO NUMBER 4,
[4. Actions Arising From Closed Meeting]
ACTIONS ARISING FROM THE CLOSED MEETING.WE DID HAVE ONE ACTION, SUPERVISOR WHITE, I THINK THAT'S IN YOUR DISTRICT, SIR.
>> YEAH. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOS, LLC IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
>> IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION?
>> DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
MR. [INAUDIBLE] HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO DO THAT.
NUMBER 5, CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
[5. Citizens Comment Period]
THE STARTING NOVEMBER 25, 2013.I SAID IN EVERY MEETING YOU CAN GET UP AND TALK HERE.
YOU CAN'T DO IT ENRICHMENT OR WASHINGTON.
YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO GET UP AND TALK HERE AND IF YOU SEE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS, THAT SUBJECT WOULD BE COVERED THERE.
IF YOU SEE A SUBJECT THAT'S NOT COVERED BY PUBLIC HEARING AND THAT'S THE TIME FOR YOU TO GET UP AND COMMENT ON THAT SUBJECT.
WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME FORWARD, GIVE HER NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIGN UP. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD, I'M ERNEST [INAUDIBLE] FROM CAPRON 1832F SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY.
I'VE TONIGHT TO THANK YOU THAT THE LAST MEETING, I STOOD HERE AND I ASKED SOME QUESTIONS I THINK ABOUT THREE OF THEM.
I THANK YOU BECAUSE THOSE QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED.
FIRST ONE IS WENT UP WITH WHETHER OR NOT YOU COULD RUN, IF YOU WERE APPOINTED.
I THINK YOU'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.
MR. RILEY, I THINK CLEAR THAT UP IN A VISITING.
I'D ALSO COMMAND MR. RILEY BECAUSE HE DID AS UNPOPULAR THESE DAYS.
HE ACKNOWLEDGED PUBLICLY THAT HE MAY HAVE ERRORED IN HIS EARLIER DECISION.
I THINK THAT WAS GREAT ON HIS PART.
WE THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US AND THAT WAS CLEAR.
THE SECOND ONE WAS ABOUT NINE THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND I KNOW THAT'S AN ITEM IN PROGRESS AND THAT CAN'T BE ANSWERED RIGHT NOW, BUT I'M FINE WITH THAT.
THE THIRD QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE AUDIT FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I THINK WHEN I ASKED THE QUESTION, MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU STATED THAT QUESTION MAY BE ANSWERED BEFORE YOU LEAVE HERE AND IT WAS.
MRS. LOW IF I MAY AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.
YOU DIDN'T JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION.
YOU ANSWERED THE QUESTION THAT A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THIS ROOM AND A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BECAUSE WE HAD HEARD SOME THINGS FOR MONTHS, AND YOU CLEARED THAT UP AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
WE THANK YOU. THE OTHER THING MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU SAID SOMETHING EARLIER THAT WE WERE KEEPING GOD INVOLVED AS WE DO THIS AND WE WON'T ALLEVIATE FROM IT.
THE OTHER ONE THAT YOU ALLOW PRAYER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING THAT SAYS TO ME AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS SOMEBODY GREATER THAN US. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS KEITH WILSON, I LIVE ON SEACOCK CHAPEL ROAD 35395.
I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THIS LICENSED TAX THAT WE'RE PAYING.
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FOR THE STICKER WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT AND WILL NO LONGER GET THE STICKER, BUT WE STILL CAN AT $20.CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT TO HAVE IT REMOVED OR WHATEVER? PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT WE NO LONGER GETTING ITS COST ME $140 ON MY VEHICLE ON TOP OF MY TAXES.
CAN IT BE ANSWERED TODAY OR WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
>> EVERYBODY FROM THE TREASURES OFFICE.
>> CAN YOU ALL ANSWER THAT QUESTION?
>> THE BOARD IS THE ONE WHO VOTED TO KEEP THAT $28 FEE AND NOT FOR THE DECALS TO THE WINDSHIELD.
THAT DIDN'T COME FROM THE TREASURE'S DECISION.
>> IF I CAN, THAT FEE IS WHAT MOST OTHER CITY COUNTIES AND TOWNS DO STILL CHARGE.
YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY STILL DID USE TO HAVE THE STICKER, BUT MOST LOCALITIES HAVE GOTTEN AWAY FROM THE PHYSICAL STICKER, BUT IT'S STILL A CHARGE ON THAT MOST CITIES AND COUNTIES AND TOWNS STILL DO CHARGE AS YOUR REGISTRATION FEE.
>> OKAY. BEING THAT YOU STILL CHARGING, I THINK THEY SAID RICHMOND IS NO LONGER CHARGING.
SO WHY ARE WE STILL BEING CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING THROUGH? COULD YOU ANSWER THAT?
>> I WAS JUST RESPONDING TO THE BOARD'S QUESTION, BUT THAT IS A LOCAL OPTION, I CAN'T SWEAR THAT EVERY, BUT MOST CITIES AND COUNTIES AND TOWNS STILL CHARGE IT.
IF YOU DIDN'T CHARGE THAT, YOU WOULD HAVE TO FIND THAT REVENUE IN ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE SOURCE.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO THAT WE CAN GO FOR A VOTE TO GET IT REMOVED OR YOU ALL JUST FINDING SOME OTHER WAY? BECAUSE IT'S LIKE PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE NOT GETTING.
YOU GO TO MCDONALD'S, YOU PAY FOR FOOD, YOU WANT YOUR FOOD.
WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS, IT WAS FOR THE STICKER.
WE WAS PAYING FOR THE STICKER.
PRICES KEEP GOING UP ON IT, BUT WE'RE NOT GETTING A STICKER.
>> THE DECAL FEE IS AUTHORIZED BY STATE CODE AND AGAIN, MOST CITIES AND COUNTIES AND TOWNS STILL DO CHARGE THAT.
YOU AREN'T ACTUALLY PAYING FOR THE ACTUAL STICKER, YOU'RE PAYING BECAUSE IT IS ALLOWED BY CODE THAT MOST LOCALITIES STILL CHARGE THAT FEE.
BUT AGAIN, THAT'S ULTIMATELY A BOARD DECISION.
>> THEY DID AWAY WITH THE STICKER JUST BECAUSE OF THE COST OF HAVING TO DISTRIBUTE THE STICKERS.
IT WAS BETTER ABLE TO UTILIZE THE MONEY THAT THE COUNTY WAS GETTING FOR THE LICENSE FEE.
>> TOWARDS WHAT? THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TAXES FOR THE CAR.
IF WE PAY TAXES ON THE CAR FOR EACH CAR.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT. I AGREE WITH YOU.
>> WE GOT TO LOOK AT IT IN THE NEXT BUDGET.
THAT'S ALL PART OF THE BUDGET OF THE COUNTY.
>> ALL RIGHT. WHO ELSE? GOT PLENTY OF TIME.
I'M FROM IVOR VIRGINIA 37151 GENERAL, MAHONE BOULEVARD.
I'M BASICALLY UP HERE FOR THE SAME THING ABOUT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX.
THIS YEAR, 900 FOR THE SAME TWO VEHICLES WITH MORE MILEAGE ON IT.
I WAS TOLD DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THE REASON WHY IT WENT UP.
ONE THING THEY WENT TO ANOTHER DIFFERENT BOOK TO RATE YOUR CAR.
THEN I ASKED THEM HOW DID THEY KNOW HOW MANY MILEAGE I HAD ON MY CAR.
THEY TOLD ME, MAYBE YOU CALLED.
A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY DO NOT KNOW.
WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT YOU GO ONLINE TO LOOK AT YOUR MEETINGS.
I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I TALKED TO MY REPRESENTATIVE, AND HE TOLD ME WELL YOU CAN SEE THAT ONLINE.
THAT IS POOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU'RE REPRESENTING.
IT'S BAD WHEN SOME OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES CANNOT LOOK AT YOU IN YOUR FACE WHEN YOU'RE TALKING.
YOU'RE NOT PAYING FOR THE STICKERS NO MORE BUT YET YOU'RE CHARGING US FOR THE STICKERS.
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THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THANK YOU.>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE AGENDA TONIGHT, NUMBER 19, THIS TOPIC [NOISE] BE DISCUSSED THAT YOU BROUGHT UP.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF TIME.
WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND WE'LL MOVE ON
[6. Approval of Minutes]
TO NUMBER 6 WHICH IS THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES.FIRSTLY, THE SPECIAL SECTION, OCTOBER 13TH, 2022.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY PROBLEM TO THE MINUTES, DELETIONS, CORRECTIONS?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> NOW, THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 25, 2022.
>> THE SECOND? OKAY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> OKAY. NUMBER 7, HIGHWAY MATTERS.
[7. Highway Matters]
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY HIGHWAY MATTERS IN THEIR DISTRICT COUNTY OR ANYWHERE ELSE THEY LIKE TO BRING UP?>> RIDLEY ROAD NEAR DAVIS RIDLEY HUNT CLUB, A REAL SHARP CURVE HAS A HOLE IN THE CURVE.
>> ALL RIGHT. I GOT AN EMAIL THIS WEEK ABOUT THE TRUCK TRAFFIC ON 650.
WE DID A NO-THROUGH TRUCK, BUT WE'RE STILL GETTING TRUCKS THROUGH THERE.
I HADN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO JOSH, BUT MAYBE WE CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT.
IT'S THE ONLY THING I HAD. WE STILL GOT TRUCKS COMING TO THAT.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO A MATTER THAT THE SHERIFF BROUGHT BEFORE OUR BODY SEVERAL MONTHS BACK REGARDING A HAZARD TO TRAVELING MODE OR IT'S JUST SOUTH OF BERLIN INTERSECTION THERE ON ALBA ROAD WHERE THE TREE WAS LEANING PRETTY PRECARIOUSLY OVER THE ROADWAY.
THAT HAS SINCE BEEN MITIGATED AND IS NO LONGER PRESENTING THE HAZARD THERE.
>> ALL RIGHT. NOBODY HAS ANY FURTHER CONCERNS, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE MONTHLY REPORTS.
[8. Monthly Reports]
I'M JUST GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS LIST, SO WHEN I NAME WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, YOU NEED TO JUMP UP AND COME UP HERE.>> YEAH, I'LL BE HERE MOST CERTAINLY. GOOD EVENING.
I JUST WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PERCENTAGE RATES FROM LAST MONTH TO THIS MONTH.
AS FAR AS THE REAL ESTATE, IT HAS REMAINED THE SAME AT 99.83 PERCENT, SO WE'RE LOOK INTO COLLECT $330,300.02.
AS FAR AS THE PERSONAL PROPERTY, IN OCTOBER WAS AT 97.7 PERCENT.
IT'S CURRENTLY AT 97.75 PERCENT.
WE'RE LOOKING TO COLLECT OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $1,000,160.83.
AS FAR AS THE SOLID WASTE FEE, IT REMAINS THE SAME AT 79.21 PERCENT.
IT WAS AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $1,056,372.15.
>> HOW IS THAT PERCENTAGE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR?
>> I COULD GO BACK AND PULL THAT FOR YOU.
>> YEAH, THEY'RE DEFINITELY UP.
I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE EXACT FIGURES, BUT I CAN DO THAT IF YOU LIKE.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. REGARDING MR. WILSON AND MRS. WISE'S QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THE $28 REGISTRATION FEE THAT WE USE TO PROVIDE THE STICKER FOR, AND I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO HAVE THIS ANSWER FOR US TONIGHT, BUT IF YOU COULD GET TO US WHAT TYPE OF REVENUE IS GENERATED FROM THAT PARTICULAR FEE AND JUST GET TO US AT SOME POINT SO WE HAVE SOME IDEA, PLEASE.
>> I'LL LOOK INTO THAT FOR YOU.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MS. EDWARDS? THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. WE'LL CONTINUE ON THE LIST.
ANIMAL CONTROL, [NOISE] COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, BLACK-WATER ORIGINAL LIBRARY,
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SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES, PERSONNEL. MR. THROWER.>> YES. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WE DID HAVE ONE NEW EMPLOYEE HIRED, CARRIE FROELICH, IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.
WE HAD THREE EMPLOYEE RE-CLASSIFICATIONS ALL IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE; MICHAEL GREEN, JAMAL HURT, AND BECKY ARMBRUSTER.
WE DID HAVE TWO EMPLOYEES SEPARATE FROM SERVICE, TANYA SCOTT CHAPELL AND KIMBERLY SMITH.
TANYA IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE AND KIMBERLY SMITH AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS ONE COMPENSATION BOARD ADJUSTMENT, FOREST HART, IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. THROWER? OKAY, WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 9,
[9. Financial Matters]
WHICH IS FINANCIAL MATTERS.THE FIRST ONE IS THE FY23 SEMIANNUAL APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION, WHICH IS APPROPRIATES A TOTAL OF $33,989,979. THIS WAS APPROVED AT THE JUNE MEETING.
MS. LOWE DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT?
>> THE SEMI-ANNUAL, WE NORMALLY BREAK UP THE BUDGET INTO SIX-MONTH INTERVALS AND THIS IS JUST MAKING THE SECOND HALF OF THE BUDGET AVAILABLE FOR USE.
>> DR. EDWARD, I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE FISCAL YEAR 23 BUDGET BE PUT ONLINE.
>> IT'S IN THE MAIN MINUTES, BUT IT'S NOT ON THE WEB FROM THE HOME PAGE.
>> ON THE WEB PAGE, I WILL HAVE TO LOOK.
>> MISS I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION SECOND TO THAT.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> THE FIRST ONE WE NEED TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE DISCUSSING MOTION REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE SEMIANNUAL APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION.
>> BACK HIM. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> UNANIMOUS. B, YEAR 23 DEFERRED REVENUE APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION.
THE RESOLUTION APPROPRIATES $960,173.56 IN DEFERRED REVENUE FROM EXPENDITURE REFUNDS AT VARIOUS DONATIONS TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. LOWE ON THAT? MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> I'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER C, RESOLUTION OF WHICH APPROPRIATES $1,496,392.89 IN CARRYOVER REVENUE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES AND PROGRAMS. OF THIS SUM, $131,938.57 IS APPROPRIATED TO THE GENERAL FUND AND $1,360,454.32 IS APPROPRIATED TO THE SCHOOL FUND.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE A QUESTION TO MS. LOWE ON THAT? MOTION APPROVED.
>> SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE DO EVERY DECEMBER [NOISE] AND THERE'S A SEEKING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE EARLY PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS FOR ALL THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN DECEMBER AND THE REQUESTED IS TO ISSUE PAYROLL CHECKS TO ALL EMPLOYEES FOR THE DECEMBER PAY PERIOD ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 2022.
>> SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
PAY THE BILLS, THE COUNTY BILLS, DID ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BILL LIST?
>> I'LL MOVE WE PAY THE BILLS.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT. RESERVATION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF PAYING THE BILLS SAY AYE.
>> THAT'S UNANIMOUS. PAY THE BILLS.
I MOVE ON TO NUMBER 10 WITH THE APPOINTMENTS.
[10. Appointments]
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FIRST ONE IS THE BZA, THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.WE HAVE ONE VACANCY IN THE FRANKLIN DISTRICT.
SUPERVISOR, WHY DO YOU HAVE ANYBODY COME UP WITH THAT?
>> SAVING FINE WOMAN NEXT MEETING.
>> WE HAVE TWO MRS. ELMO BROWN FROM BOYKINS AND BRIAN DARDEN FROM THE NUISANCE DISTRICT, WHO WISH TO CONTINUE.
>> I'D LIKE TO REAPPOINT BRIAN DARDEN.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THAT'S A SECOND TO MS. BROWN.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
SECOND IS THE BOARD OF BUILDING CODE APPEALS.
MR. BOB EDWARDS HAS EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN CONTINUING TO SERVE ON THAT.
I THINK THAT BE VERY APPROPRIATED IF I MAKE A MOTION.
>> SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> IT'S UNANIMOUS. ALL THE SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY.
HART COUNCIL PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE COUNTIES ALTERNATIVE EX OFFICIO MEMBER ON THE SOUTHEAST PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITIES SPSA, BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
STAFF PROPOSES YOU APPOINT TO MR. BRIAN THROWER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.
MOVING FORWARD, I'M SURE MR. THROWER'S OVERJOYED.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> I KNOW IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA UNDER APPOINTMENTS, BUT I'VE GOT SOMEBODY I'D LIKE TO APPOINT TO THE TRASH COMMISSION FOR THE FRANKLIN.
I KNOW I APPOINTED SOMEBODY LAST MONTH, BUT I NEED TO REPLACE THEM AND ORRIS LANE SENT ME AN EMAIL SAYING SHE'D LIKE TO SERVE ON IT.
>> EVEN THOUGH SHE GOT DALLAS COWBOYS HAT ON I STILL [LAUGHTER].
>> ANYWAY, I GUESS SHE'D GET OUR INFORMATION.
>> IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION?
>> YOU HAVE BEEN APPOINTED MUM.
[11. Public Hearing]
WHICH IS A BUDGET AMENDMENT, AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.AS YOU ARE AWARE, THE COUNTY WAS AWARDED $3,424,615, AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.
IT WAS CONCERNING TO BE USED THE COUNTY WANTS TO USE THAT IN TWO PROJECTS.
NUMBER 1 IS THAT BROAD BRAND PROJECT FOR $1 MILLION AND THE OTHER ONE IS WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS FOR $2,424,615.
RILEY, YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THAT?
>> YEAH. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.
ANYTIME YOU AMEND THE BUDGET, OVER 1 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES, YOU NEED TO GET THROUGH OUR PROCESS TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING THEM INTO THE BUDGET AND THIS IS JUST AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE THAT WOULD APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS FOR THOSE USES SPECIFIED IN THE BUDGET.
>> WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
DOES ANYBODY LIKE TO COMMENT ON THAT SITUATION COME FORWARD? ANYBODY WANTS TO COMMENT? THEN WE WILL [BACKGROUND] YES.
>> YES. I JUST WANT TO BRING YOUR MEMORY UP TO DATE.
IF YOU REMEMBER A WHILE BACK, THERE WERE GRANTS AND STUFF GIVEN THROUGH THE BUGS ALLEN TELEPHONE TO BRING BROADBAND TO THE COUNTY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT PAID BIG SALARIES AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY BROADBAND IN THIS COUNTY.
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU VOTE TO SPEND THOSE FUNDS.
BECAUSE I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.
>> TO BE SLOW, BUT HOPEFULLY SURE.
>> WELL, I KNOW COMMODITY PROJECT MANAGERS ON
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THIS BROADBAND AND THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPENED.THE AGENT MATERIAL WAS ALL AROUND THE COUNTY AND ONE OF THEM LOW STORAGE PLACE FOR SOME EXCUSE, DICE ADD A COLON.
THEY GOT ORDERS, CAME RAILS OUT THERE.
NOW, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY GET SOMETHING DONE THIS TIME AND HE WAS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED.
>> ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO COMMENT?
>> I WAS WONDERING WHAT AREAS OF THE COUNTY THAT MAY BE DOING WATER.
>> YES SIR IF YOU LOOK IN YOUR PACKAGE THERE THERE ARE TWO PROJECTS.
BEFORE I GOT HERE, YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED, AT LEAST IN A FORMALLY ONE WAS THE INFLOW AND INFILTRATION PROBLEMS THAT THE COUNTIES HAVE IT IN THE EDGE HILLS SUBDIVISION THAT'S CAUSING ISSUES AS FAR AS I'VE BEEN TOLD, AND THE CITY OF FRANKLIN AND THE HOSPITAL.
THAT'S ONE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST AND ALSO REHABBING THE SEWER LINES ON MAIN STREET AND BOYKINS THAT BOTH AT THE TOP OF YELLS AT LEAST THE STAFF'S LIST AND MAYBE DISCUSS WITH YOU-ALL ALSO.
THOSE ARE THE TWO THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED AT THIS POINT.
THERE POSSIBLY COULD BE OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE THIS FUNDING FOR AFTER WE COMPLETE THOSE TWO, BUT THOSE ARE THE TOP TWO THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED AT THIS POINT.
>> I MIGHT ADD EDGE HILLS NEED OF THAT THEIR SYSTEM FACED BY CATHOLIC, THE 1953 IT'S PRETTY OLD.
WELL, WE HAVE THAT FOR DISCUSSION.
NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION?
>> SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
UNANIMOUS. WE WILL MOVE AHEAD WITH THAT.
[NOISE] THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING IS EASEMENT FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM PROJECT.
REQUESTS TO APPROVE SCHOOL SYSTEM INTENDS TO INSTALL ELECTRICAL FACILITIES ON COUNTY PROPERTY AS PART OF ITS ELECTRICAL BUS CHARGING STATION PROJECT.
SUBJECT PROPERTY IDENTIFY ATTACKS, PARTIAL, 60 DAYS 10 THE ADDRESS OF 21340 PLANK ROAD, WHERE THE CURRENT SCHOOL BUS GARAGE IS ALREADY LOCATED.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ANYBODY LIKE TO COMMENT ON THAT BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[NOISE] WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ALL OF THAT. I LIKED TO SPEAK PRO OR CON OR WHATEVER ON THAT SITUATION.
[NOISE] I'M LIKE, HOW MANY ELECTRIC BUSES DO WE HAVE?
>> SUPPOSED TO BE TWO STANDARD RECEIVED.
>> I BELIEVE THEY ARE THEY'RE GETTING A GRANT OR GRANTS TO FUND THESE BUSES AS MY UNDERSTANDING.
>> THAT'S ALL PART OF THAT DEAL FROM VOLKSWAGEN.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY FUNDING BUSES ACROSS THE NATION BECAUSE THEY WE BLUDGEONED N DIESEL EMISSIONS SO THEY ARE PAYING FOR IT.
>> IF YOU SEE ON THE PLANET IS A VERY SMALL LITTLE PORTION OF THAT CORNER, THEY NEED AN EASEMENT SINCE WE'RE TECHNICALLY THE PROPERTY OR THROUGH DOMINION TO INSTALL THOSE FACILITIES SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THAT.
>> I KNOW THE COST OF AN ELECTRIC BUS VERSUS A REGULAR BUS.
>> I CAN GIVE YOU RUNNING NUMBERS.
I DON'T QUOTE ME OR HOLD ME TO IT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, BUT MR. BASS MAY RECALL AS WELL FROM THE MEETINGS, BUT SOMEWHERE AROUND 800,000 DOLLARS.
I THINK AS IT COMPARES TO 150,000 DOLLARS GAS SCHOOL BUS, I BELIEVE.
>> IT ISN'T THAT SERGEANT COUNTY?
>> WE DIDN'T PAY FOR THESE BUSES.
>> CERTAIN THEY GAVE US. THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WE GOT IT.
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE MEAT AND OTHER NIGHT CARL AND I WERE AT SCHOOL SYSTEM, THEY ARE IN RECEIPT OF ONE OF THEM AND THEY ALL ANTICIPATE RECEIVING THE ONE.
>> USE ELECTRICITY OVER GAS, I THINK THIS WILL BE SOME SAVING.
>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S ISSUE IS PRETTY HOT IN OUR COUNTRY.
IT TAKES A LOT OF CARBON FOOTPRINT TO MAKE A BUS.
THAT'S ALL DONE WITH DIESEL, FOSSIL FUELS.
ELECTRICITY 60 PERCENT OF ELECTRICITY TO CHARGE CARS IN THIS COUNTRY IS MADE FROM FOSSIL FUELS.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE MECHANICS, YOU'VE GOT TO MOVE SOMETHING FROM POINT A TO POINT B IT'S GOING TO TAKE
[00:35:01]
AS MUCH ENERGY TO DO THAT IF YOU HAVE THAT.THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT.
DON'T JUMPY INTO IT FULL FORCE WITHOUT LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE ARE SOME ROCKS IN THE WATER.
WE STILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT? [NOISE]
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD CAN EARN 18,000 BOUGHT WAY.
IN REGARDS TO WHAT MR. WHITE SAID THERE ABOUT IT AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, IT WAS REPORTED THAT EITHER THEY HAD ONE OF THE BUS WAS ON THE WAY SINCE YOU BOUGHT WERE GETTING IT THROUGH A GRANT.
I STAND TO SUPPORT IN ORDER THAT WE'D BE ABLE TO CHARGE THE BUS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? [NOISE] KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO GET TWO FREE ELECTRIC BUSES VALUED AT $800,000 A PIECE.
DOWN THE ROAD, WE'RE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO BUY ALL ELECTRIC BUSES AT $800,000 A PIECE.
WE'RE ALREADY PAYING 57 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET FOR OUR SCHOOLS.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO FUND ANOTHER FIVE OR $6 MILLION IN BUSES? WE'RE GOING BE AT 65 PERCENT OR MORE, 70 PERCENT FOR SCHOOL.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY MR. THROWER'S SALARY? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY JOSH AND HIS POLICEMAN'S DEPUTIES SALARIES? IT'S GOING TO BE BAD. IT'S JUST LIKE EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE, THE GOVERNMENT GIVES YOU A LITTLE, THEN REQUIRES A LOT AND THEY DON'T ALWAYS GIVE YOU A WAY TO FINANCE IT AND WE'VE GOTTEN PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TAXES AND WE'VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT [NOISE] WHERE WE MAXIMIZED ON THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY.
UNLESS WE CAN BRING SOME BUSINESSES, EITHER COMMERCIAL ALLY INDUSTRY OR SOMETHING TO HELP ACT WITH SOME TAX REVENUE, WE GOING TO BE IN A MESS IN THE FUTURE.
WE NEED TO LOOK SERIOUSLY TRYING TO GET ANY IMPROVEMENTS INTO THE COUNTY.
YOU GOT TO HAVE GOOD SCHOOLS BUT YOU GOT TO HAVE AMENITIES AND IF YOU PAY ALL YOUR MONEY FROM YOUR SCHOOLS AND YOU CAN'T DO ANY AMENITIES [NOISE] YOU'RE NOT OFFERING MUCH, AND IT'S HARD TO GET ANYBODY TO COME.
I USED TO THINK SUSSEX, NORTH HAMPTON AND ALL THOSE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING.
COMPARE WHERE THEY'VE GOTTEN TO WHERE WE'D GOT, JUST RIGHT ABOUT LOOK WHAT THEY'VE GOT AND THEY GOING TO KNOW, WHAT WE'VE GOT, AND THEY'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE RAINBOWS, ALL WHITES, TREMENDOUSLY, MORE.
WE'RE LAGGING BEHIND AND AS BAD AS PROGRESS CAN BE, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT TO PAY THE BILLS JUST MY [INAUDIBLE].THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE ON THIS SUBJECT? ALL RIGHT, LAST CALL AND I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC [NOISE] HEARING ON THE SUBJECT.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THE BOARD. ALL RIGHT.
I GUESS WE NEED A MOTION TO REQUIRE TO GRANT THE EASEMENT TO THE MANY ENERGY FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM PROJECT. IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[12. Resolution to Withdraw Petition to Conduct a Special Election]
[NOISE] AS YOU REMEMBER MR. CLAUDE MADE REFERENCE TO THIS ABOUT THE SPECIAL ELECTION OR NOT.[00:40:04]
[INAUDIBLE].THE CIRCUIT COURT HAS DETERMINED THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION IS NOT REQUIRED IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE.
FOR STATE CODE SECTION 24-24.2-26C, [NOISE] 24 THEIR NO ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANCY SHALL BE ORDERED OR HELD, IF THE GENERAL ELECTION AT WHICH IT HAS TO BE CALLED IS SCHEDULED IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THE TERM EXPIRES.
MR. RILEY DO YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT? THIS WAS DRAWN SPECIAL ELECTION AND MY JUDGMENT IS VERY MUCH IN EVERYBODY'S BEST INTERESTS.
THE FUNNY THING IS, WE SUBMITTED THE PETITION FOR A WRIT, THROUGH THE COURT AND THE COURT CAME BACK, IF YOU WILL RECALL, AND SAID, THEY WOULDN'T DO I, THEY WOULDN'T DO IT WHEN WE WANTED, BUT THEY WOULD DO IT IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY WE HAD CHOICE.
THEN I DID SOME MORE RESEARCH AND I'VE TAUGHT SOME PEOPLE THE STATE BOARD BULLAE, AND LO AND BEHOLD, I CONCLUDED AND DISCUSS IT WITH BRIAN TOO.
THAT WE DIDN'T NEED A SPECIAL ELECTION.
I WENT BACK TO THE COURT AND PERSUADED JUDGE EASTON THAT WE DIDN'T NEED IT GAVE HIM THE CODE SECTIONS AND HE GAVE ME A LETTER OPINION THAT I WAS RIGHT.
THIS SO STEP FORWARD, THIS IS WITHDRAWING THE PETITION AND THE APPLICATION OF FOUR, RID OF WHATEVER IT IS.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH JUST CLEAN IT UP, NICE.
[NOISE] IT'S BEEN DECIDED WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION AND TO CLEAN IT UP, WE NEED TO WITHDRAW [NOISE] OUR PETITION FORWARD AND THAT'S WHAT WE ASKED YOU TO DO.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. RILEY? I THANK HIM FOR HIS RESEARCH [NOISE], AND I MOVE TO APPROVE THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION TO WITHDRAW THE PETITION. [NOISE] SECOND.
[NOISE] ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE OPPOSED.
THE MOTION TO WITHDRAW THE PETITION SAY AYE.
[NOISE] NUMBER 13, CODE OF ETHICS.
[13. Code of Ethics]
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO SIGN EVERY YEAR.EVIDENTLY WE DID IT IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR, I LOOKED AT IT AND WE COULD DO THAT TONIGHT.
I THOUGHT MAYBE TALKING WITH SOME OF THE OTHER THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE MOST APPROPRIATE TIME TO DO IT WOULD BE IN JANUARY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR RATHER THAN AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
BUT I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO WHATEVER YOU FOLKS LIKE.
I MAKE A MOTION TO PUT IT OFF TO JANUARY.
ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IT'S ABOUT 1820 PAGE [NOISE] COLUMN THING. EVERYBODY OUT THERE.
IT COVERS JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] [NOISE].
WE CAN GET A COPY OF THIS IF YOU LIKE IT TONIGHT.
[14. Fireworks Display by Newsoms Ruritan Club]
ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.JUST TO BE CLEAR ON THAT ONE, I WON'T PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, BUT YOU CAN SIGN IT AND GIVE IT BACK TO ME IN JANUARY IF THAT'S YOUR PLEASURE.
YEAH, THAT'S THE SAME TIME WE HAVE THE CONFLICT OF INTERESTS.
OKAY. FIREWORKS DISPLAY BY THE NUISANCE ROADS AND CLUB.
THEY HAVE COME WITH THEIR REQUEST TO APPROVE.
WE USUALLY APPROVE [NOISE] LIKE THIS.
RANDOLPH COOK NUISANCE ROUTING CLUB.
YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT WE FEEL LIKE PROPER PAPERWORK.
WE HAVE HIRED A PYROTECHNICS EXPERT TO DO THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR US TO SOME DECENT CHANCE TO HAVE TO HAVE PARADES.
THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR US TO COOKER.
THEY ALSO HAVE IN HOT DOGS AND CHIPS AND DRINKS THAT'S GOING.
[00:45:02]
FREE FOOD.ALL RIGHT BETTER THAN MOTION TO APPROVE IT, THE SECOND.
UNANIMOUS SO WE GO WITH THE FIREWORKS.
[15. Helena Purchase and Sale Agreement ]
THAT'S THE LATEST PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT THAT WHICH WERE REQUESTED TO APPROVE, AND WE HAVE OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESENT HERE, MR. CARL ECHO, WILL COME FILL US ALL ON THE SITUATION HERE.THE CALENDAR AGREEMENT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO PURCHASE ABOUT 25 ACRES IN THE COMMERCE AND LOGISTICS CENTER.
IT'S THE FRONT CAR, SO CLOSEST TO ROSE VALLEY ROAD, HELENA WILL BE INVESTING ABOUT $4 MILLION IN THE PROJECT INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING, ABOUT $800,000 WORTH OF EQUIPMENT, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RAIL SPUR AS THEY'LL BE CONNECTING TO THE CSX RAIL LINE AND A NEW FACILITY THAT WILL ALLOW THEM MORE CAPACITY TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE MORE PRODUCT.
THEY'LL BE ADDING ABOUT FOUR NEW EMPLOYEES SLOWLY BUT SURELY THEY'LL BE DECOMMISSIONING THE PROPERTY THAT THEY HAVE ON US 58 AND THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY SELL THAT ONCE THE OTHER PLACE IS UP AND RUNNING.
BUT THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD AND THEY'RE ASKING TO PURCHASE LAND IN THE E-COMMERCE LOGISTICS CENTER.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS FOR MR.ECHO.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, SIR. ANY DISCUSSION BEFORE WE, MAYBE IDEA OF WHAT THE REVENUE THIS REPRESENTS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY FIGURES ON MACHINERY, TOOLS OR REAL ESTATE OR ANY OF THAT, BUT WE CAN TRY TO CHECK ON THAT.
UNDERSTAND THEY WILL BE BLENDED FERTILIZER SO THAT WILL BRING IN INCOME.
YEAH, THE BUILDING IS ABOUT $3 MILLION AND MACHINERY AND TOOLS ARE ABOUT 800,000 WITH THE BUDGET AGAINST.
I WAS IN THE ENTERPRISE ZONE, SO THEY WILL HAVE A REBATE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.
BUT EVEN WITH THAT, THEY'LL BE A NET GAIN TO THE COUNTY, ABOUT 12,000 IN MACHINERY TOOLS.
OKAY. [INAUDIBLE] FERTILIZER, IS EXPENSIVE THING, I UNDERSTAND.
IT'S MADE FROM FOSSIL FUELS, MAINLY FROM PROPANE.
WE CERTAINLY NEED A LOCAL DISTRIBUTION AREA IN THIS COUNTY.
ANYBODY ENTERTAIN TO MOTION IT?
>> [INAUDIBLE] SECOND TO THAT MOTION?
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO SALES AGREEMENT WITH HELENA, SAY AYE.
[16. Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. Strategic Plan]
NEXT ONE IS THE WESTERN TIDEWATER FREE CLINIC.THEN WE HAVE MR. BOB HAYES, HE'S THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD THERE, TO GIVE US A RUN DOWN ON THAT TONIGHT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
>> I'M SORRY. I OVERLOOKED YOU THERE.
>> NOT THAT I DON'T WANT TO STAY.
NOW, SO WE HAVE A PRESENTATION OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WHICH OUR BOARD AND STAFF HAVE DEVELOPED ALONG WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WE START WITH OUR MISSION STATEMENT WHICH HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE ORIGINAL THAT WE HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE, WHICH IS TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY, CREATE HIGH-QUALITY JOBS AND PROVIDE A FUTURE FOR THE FAMILIES AND YOUTH TO FRANKLIN AND SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
>> WE HAS [INAUDIBLE] A STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS THAT FSEDI HIRED CINDY THOMASON, A LOCAL PERSON THAT IS AN EXPERT AT STRATEGIC PLANNING TO HELP US WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDY.
WE HAD A STAKEHOLDER STUDY WHICH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
[00:50:02]
FILLED AS WELL AS CITY COUNCIL OR WARD MEMBERS AND OUR STAFF.OUR BOARD HAD TWO FOCUS SESSIONS WITH CINDY AS WELL.
THEY DEVELOPED THE PLAN AND YOU'LL BE SEEING THE GOALS AND STRATEGIES, WHICH THERE ARE FOUR GOALS.
IF YOU CAN FLIP TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
FIRST GOAL IS TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY.
THAT COMES WITH FIVE STRATEGIES THAT COVER A LOT OF OUR EXISTING PROGRAMS. OUR FIRST STRATEGY IS TO MARKET EXISTING COMMUNITY ASSETS AND DEVELOP NEW ASSETS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS.
SECOND IS TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY NEEDS REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BUSINESS VENTURES.
THIRD IS TO ENCOURAGE ACTIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN EDUCATORS AND INDUSTRY, THAT WILL RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION OF SKILLED LOCAL WORKFORCE.
THE FOURTH ONE IS TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND BRING AWARENESS TO EXPAND RESOURCES FOR EXISTING AND ENCOURAGE NEW BUSINESS LIKE WHAT YOU JUST APPROVED.
THE FIFTH ONE IS TO FOSTER NEW AND EXISTING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH.
THAT COVERS A LOT OF THEIR BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION.
THEY WORK WITH THE INDUSTRIAL PARKS OR STARTUP AND INCUBATOR PROGRAMS. IF YOU HIT THE NEXT ONE.
THE SECOND ONE'S A BUSINESS FRIENDLY CLIMATE, WHICH WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AND WE WILL BE ENLISTING THE HELP OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HELP HAPPEN.
THERE ARE THREE STRATEGIES INVOLVED.
ONE IS TO CREATE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND WHAT CONSTITUTES A BUSINESS FRIENDLY CLIMATE.
THE SECOND IS TO COMMUNICATE, EDUCATE, AND MARKET FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON'S POSITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS.
THE THIRD IS TO FORM AND SPONSOR DIVERSE, NON-PARTISAN BUSINESS FRIENDLY COMMITTEE THAT CONSISTENTLY THEY WORK WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES TO INFLUENCE POSITIVE CHANGE, LOOK AT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO BETTER AND MAKE THE AREA MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY.
THE THIRD ONE, YOU ALL PASSED THE ART FOR TOURISM PLAN WHEN ASHLEY WAS HERE LAST MONTH.
WE'VE BECOME A LITTLE MORE ACTIVE ON TOURISM SIDE.
TOURISM IS AN ACTUAL GOAL IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WITH FOUR STRATEGIES.
THE ONE IS TO ALIGN FSEDI WITH THE CITY TOURISM DEPARTMENT AND SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
MARKET, PROMOTE AND SPONSOR LOCAL TOURISM INITIATIVES, EVENTS, AND ASSETS.
NETWORK WITH THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS.
FSCDI IS INVOLVED WITH THEIR COASTAL VIRGINIA TOURISM ALLIANCE AND THE SALTY SOUTHERN ROUTE, AMONG OTHERS.
COLLABORATE WITH CITY AND COUNTY TO ENSURE CITIZENS ARE PREPARED TO EMBRACE TOURISM AND WELCOME TOURISTS.
WE'RE ALSO ARE TRYING TO WORK ON MORE FACILITIES OF VARIOUS TYPES TO HELP THE TOURISM EFFORT.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A FOCUS THAN WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.
IF YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE NEXT ONE, THAT'S OUR VISIT FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON LOGO.
WE HAVE SEPARATE VISIT FRANKLIN AND VISIT SOUTHAMPTON LOGOS THAT WE'RE USING IN CERTAIN APPLICATIONS AS WELL IN SOME OF THE PICTURES THAT YOU SEE.
OUR LAST ONE IS A BOARD GOAL FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE.
THERE'S THREE STRATEGIES THERE DEVELOPING AN INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE FSEDI BOARD TO REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SKILLS, BACKGROUND, GENDER, AND ETHNICITY.
THE CURRENT FSEDI BOARD HAS FIVE MEMBERS, EACH OF WHICH IS HELD BY A STAKEHOLDER, LIKE THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, THE CITY FRANKLIN, AND THE TWO FOUNDATIONS AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THAT MAY EXPAND A LITTLE BIT IN ORDER TO MEET THAT GOAL.
STRATEGY 2 IS TO EXECUTE A STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS ARE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.
THE THIRD ONE IS TO INCORPORATE THE PROCESS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AS AN ONGOING BUSINESS FUNCTION.
THE LAST SLIDE, LIKE I SAID, WE DID TWO FOCUS GROUPS AMONGST CITIZENS ONE IN CORTLAND AND ONE IN FRANKLIN THIS FALL.
THEY'LL BE A THIRD ONE THAT'S MINORITY FOCUS THAT'S PLANNED FOR JANUARY THAT WE'RE RECRUITING FOR.
IN THOSE FOCUS GROUPS, WE CAN ASK PEOPLE IF THEY'VE HEARD OF US, WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE TRYING TO FIND PEOPLE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, THAT ARE INSIDERS, I GUESS IS THE RIGHT WORD.
THERE MORE AVERAGE CITIZENS THAT CAN GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK.
SINCE WE PUT THIS TOGETHER A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT WE [NOISE] ADDRESS IT EARLY THAT'S A [NOISE] [INAUDIBLE] DOCUMENT THAT [NOISE] [INAUDIBLE] AND WE CAN CHANGE, AND AMEND THE SITUATION'S CHANGE.
THAT'S BASICALLY OUR PRESENTATION.
WHAT WE'RE DOING IS THE NEXT STEP IN TRYING TO INFORM COMMUNITY OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HOW WE INTERACT WITH EVERYBODY.
[00:55:01]
>> THANKS, CARL. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU. I HAVE A LOT OF RIBBON CUTTINGS NEW BUSINESSES.
>> WE TRY AND THANK YOU, MA'AM.
>> I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT. REALLY APPRECIATE THE GOOD JOB YOU ALL ARE DOING.
YOU GOT A LOT OF IRONS IN THE FIRE.
WE GOT BIG PROSPECTS INCLUDE COME TO FRUITION AS IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S HAPPENED SINCE YOU GOT ON BOARD WITH US. WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> NO, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A GOOD TEAM AND WE KEEP WORKING, BUT APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS.
>> IF PEOPLE THINK THE STUFF LATER, JUST LET US KNOW, SO THERE'S NO ACTION STEP TONIGHT.
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT'S TOUGH JOB.
>> THANK YOU. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE.
>> NOW WE GET ANOTHER 7-8, WHICH IS WHAT?
[17. Western Tidewater Free Clinic ]
THE TIDEWATER FREE CLINIC PRESENTATION BY BOB HAYES, WHO'S THE BOARD CHAIR. WELCOME, MR. HAYES.THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN, DR. EDWARDS, OF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEMBERS CAN ADMINISTRATE THEM AS THOR AND COUNTY STAFF.
AS THE AGENDA STATED, I AM TAD WATER FREE CLINIC.
I AM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD THERE, AND I DO NOT HAVE A PRESENTATION.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME UPDATES ON WHAT'S GOING ON THERE, AND WHAT SERVICES WE PROVIDED YOUR RESIDENTS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING US IN YOUR BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2022, 2023 AT THE AMOUNT OF $25,000.
WE DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THAT.
IT COSTS US ABOUT $1,450 TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR PATIENTS, AND THE PATIENTS THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO, SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDED IS FREE TO OUR PATIENTS IF THEY QUALIFY FOR THE SERVER, WE MAKE SURE THAT WE SEND BOTH THROUGH ALL OUR PATIENTS HAVE TO GO THROUGH WITH ELIGIBILITY AND WALK BACK.
IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF [NOISE] 2022.
WE HAD WE PROVIDE A SERVICE TO WE HAD 530 RESIDENTS FROM SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY COME TO OUR CLINIC FOR SERVICES, IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2022.
THOSE PATIENTS RECEIVE FREE MEDICATION AT A RETAIL VALUE OF $138,000 FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
THE SERVICES THAT THEY WE'RE RECEIVE COST $101,000 FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, [NOISE] OR A COUPLE OF UPDATES FOR YOU.
WE KNOW THAT DENTAL WE HAVE A GREAT DEMAND FOR DENTAL SERVICES, WE'RE EXPANDING WE HAVE THE FUNDING TO EXPAND OUR DENTAL SERVICE.
WE'RE GOING FROM TWO CHAIRS TO FOUR SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE SERVICES TO MORE PATIENTS AND THEY DO NOT WAIT THREE MONTHS TO GET DENTAL CARE.
WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING FROM THREE DENTURES, TO DISTRACTIONS, TO ROOT CANALS.
JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING I DID THIS WOULD PROVIDE.
SECOND THING IS OUR PATIENTS HAVE TO CALL US, AND QUALIFY FOR THE SERVERS, IN SOME CASES, THEY HAVE TO COME TO OUR LOCATION WHICH IS IN FRANKLIN TO COMPLETE THEIR ELIGIBILITY.
WE ARE NOW DOING ELIGIBILITY IN FRANKLIN AT THE HATE AND VILLAGE CENTER IN FRANKLIN.
PATIENTS DO NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY TO SELL TO GET THOSE TO QUALIFY.
WE ALREADY HAVE FUNDING FROM OVERSEA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION TO BUY THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES TO PATIENTS [NOISE] MADISON COUNTY IN FRANKLIN, AND DENTAL SERVICES IN FRANKLIN, THAT OUR PATIENTS THAT ARE NOW TRAVELING TO SUFFOLK, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THEM NOW, AND COMPLICATED ISSUE FOR THEM WILL BE ABLE TO STOP AT FRANKLIN AND PROVIDE THAT SERVICE.
IN THE FUTURE, HOPEFULLY BY LATE 2023, OR EARLY 2024 WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT UP AND RUN IT THROUGH FRANKLIN.
AGAIN I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN WESTERN TIDEWATER FREE CLINIC.
EVERY DOLLAR THAT YOU GIVE US, WE TURN IT INTO $7 OR FOR SERVES AS A GOOD RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT.
[01:00:03]
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE TO YOUR RESIDENTS IN SOUTHAMPTON, CANADA.>> WE HAVE A PAID DENNIS ON STAFF.
WE WERE USING VOLUNTEERS WHEN WE FIRST STARTED IN 2007.
BUT NOW WE HAVE THE FUNDING AND THE NEED TO HAVE OUR OWN DENTISTS.
WE ALSO HAVE A DOCTRINES, THEY ARE GETTING THE SAME SERVICES THAT THEY WOULD GET IT AS A PRIVATE PHYSICIAN, OR PRIVATE.
>> YOU HAVE FOUR CHARIOTS AND ONE DENTIST.
>> WE HAVE TWO CHARIOTS RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE FOUR BY THE SUMMER OF 2023, AND WE DO HAVE ONE DENTIST.
NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN, BUT ASSISTANT THAT CAN DO THINGS ALSO, AND IF THE NEED OF THE VOLUME INCREASE WILL FILL THAT IN WITH VOLUNTEERS, AND OR HIRE A PART-TIME DENTIST.
WE ALSO WORKED WITH THE COLLEGES IN THE AREA.
VCU HAS A DENTAL PROGRAM, AND STUDENTS WILL COME DOWN, FOR THEIR INTERN TRAINEE.
GOOD QUESTION. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
[18. Project Updates]
[NOISE] COURTHOUSE RENOVATION.QUICK UPDATES ON A FEW THINGS.
COURTHOUSE RENOVATION CURRENT SCHEDULE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION.
IT'S NOVEMBER OF 2023, FINAL COMPLETION DECEMBER OF 2023.
THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, INCLUDING CHANGE ORDERS, STANDS AT $22,021,483.74 CENT.
YOU DO HAVE THE LATEST PAY APPLICATION AND WE'VE AT THIS POINT PROCESSED THE FIRST 12 PAY APPLICATIONS, AND PAID HEARTLAND $7,897,519.40 CENTS.
THE INSURRECTION TRAIL PROJECT SUPERVISOR UPDIKE MIGHT HAVE SOME UPDATES FOR YOU, BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE TEMPORARY OPENING OF THE REBECCA VAUGHN HOUSE ON SUNDAY THE 30TH.
I WASN'T NICE EVENT. OCTOBER 30TH.
WE ALSO ARE COORDINATING THE INSTALLATION OF THE TRAIL SONS WAS SURPLUS, SEE AT THIS POINT, HOPEFULLY, THOSE WILL BE GOING UP SOON.
WE'RE TRYING TO CLOSE OUT THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE PROJECT WITH GRAY AND SONS CONSTRUCTION WITH V DOT.
WE'VE BEEN MOVING FORWARD ON THAT, THE NUISANCE HOUSING, AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF HOPEFULLY MOVING FORWARD ON TO HOUSES, AND THAT AREA WITH BLUEPRINT BUILDERS, WE'RE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING EASEMENTS FOR THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT AREA.
I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS WORKING ON THAT.
WE DID HAVE A COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP THAT WAS HELD OCTOBER 8TH THROUGH THE 16TH.
AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE DID, THE COUNTY AND CITY DID RETAIN CTA CONSULTANTS, LLC TO LOOK AT SOME OPTIONS FOR US ON THIS PROJECT.
WE DO HAVE A STAKEHOLDER MEETING ON MONDAY THE 28TH WITH STAFF, AND THE STAKEHOLDERS TO REVIEW THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE PROJECT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE US SOME POTENTIAL, ALTERNATIVES MOVING FORWARD, AFTER WE FURTHER DEFINE THAT, THEY'LL PUT A DRAFT REPORT TOGETHER, AND AT SOME POINT WILL BE COMING TO THE FRANKLIN COUNSELING, AND Y'ALL TO UPDATE YOU ON WHERE WE STAND WITH THAT.
THOSE ARE JUST SOME QUICK UPDATES.
>> THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB ON THAT. REBECCA VAUGHN HOUSES, SO VERY NICE.
[19. Personal Property Assessment Process]
[NOISE] QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX.[NOISE] THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SETS THE RATE.
WE DECREASE THE RATE THIS YEAR ANTICIPATING THERE WOULD BE A CHANGE FROM FIVE DOLLARS TO 4.60.
THE ASSESSMENT IS DONE BY REGISTRAR AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR REVENUES OFFICE, AND WE THOUGHT THAT THERE WOULD BED QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS,
[01:05:02]
AND THEN WE INVITE MR. CARL TONIGHT TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE US A RUNDOWN ON WHAT'S GOING ON.>> GOOD EVENING. YOU'VE ASKED ME HERE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THE VEHICLES ARE ASSESSED, BUT I WANTED [NOISE] TO START WITH JUST TALKING ABOUT THE INCREASE IN ASSESSMENTS THIS YEAR.
JUST A LITTLE BIT. THE VALUES ARE INDICATIVE OF THE MARKET.
I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE NORMAL THINGS ABOUT THE INTEREST RATES BEING CUT IN 2020 AND THEN COVID HIT IN MANUFACTURING, AUTO PLACES ARE CLOSING, AND MICROCHIP SHORTAGE AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
I THINK JUST FOR THE SAKE OF KEEPING IT SIMPLE, WHICH WE COULD JUST SAY THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF DIFFERENT FACTORS AND THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT HAVE CAUSED THIS.
THERE WERE UNLIMITED NUMBER OF NEW VEHICLES AVAILABLE, [NOISE] THE PRICES OF NEW VEHICLES JUMPED, AND WHEN THE VIRUS COULDN'T AFFORD THE NEW VEHICLES, THEY TURNED TO USED VEHICLES.
THE STRONG DEMAND FOR USED VEHICLES MADE THE USED AUTOMOBILE PRICES SOAR EVEN HIGHER THAN THE NEW ONES.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE LEFT WITH THE HIGH DEMAND AND LOW SUPPLY.
THIS OF COURSE PRODUCED THE HIGHER PRICES WHICH WAS ADOPTED IN THE HIGHER ASSESSMENTS.
YOU ASKED HOW DID WE VALUE OUR VEHICLES HERE? WE ASSESS THE VEHICLES USED IN THE J.D.
POWER GUIDEBOOKS THAT WAS FORMERLY NADA.
WE DID NOT CHANGE BOOKS, J.D. POWER PURCHASED NADA.
IT'S JUST A NEW NAME, BUT SAME SYSTEM, SAME METHODOLOGY OF PRICING.
J.D. POWER USES OVER A MILLION TRANSACTIONS TO ARRIVE AT THEIR PUBLISHED VALUES AND THEY PUBLISH THEM BY REGION.
WE ARE REQUIRED BY STATE CODE TO ASSESS THE VEHICLES AS OF JANUARY THE 1ST, SO WE USE THE JANUARY 1ST BOOK OF THE EASTERN EDITION OF J.D.
POWER. WE HAVE PROVIDED THREE VALUES: THE RETAIL VALUE, TRADE IN, AND LOAN VALUE.
WE USE THE LOAN VALUE, WHICH IS THE LOWEST OF THE THREE.
THE OTHER TWO ARE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER.
IN AT THE TIME THAT OUR CITIZENS RECEIVED THE TAX BILLS, THOSE VALUES ARE ALREADY NINE OR TEN MONTHS OLD BECAUSE WE'VE ASSESSED IT AS OF JANUARY 1ST.
THE SECOND PIECE OF THE EQUATION IS THE TAX RELIEF.
THIS IS THE AMOUNT OF RELIEF THAT THE STATE WILL EFFECTIVELY PAY FOR THE TAXPAYER.
$2,346,260 IS GIVEN TO US EACH YEAR [NOISE] TO THIS DATE.
WE HAVE TO ESTIMATE EVERY YEAR THE TAX ESTIMATES ON QUALIFYING VEHICLES TO SEE WHAT PERCENTAGE THAT ARE MADE OF MONEY WILL COVER.
OF COURSE, HIGHER TAXES EQUALS LESS COVERAGE, WHICH EQUALS LESS PERCENTAGE OF RELIEF FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
OUR RATE THIS YEAR DROPPED FROM 38.64 PERCENT TO 27 PERCENT.
[NOISE] IN EFFECT, THE TAXPAYER WAS HIT FROM BOTH SIDES THIS YEAR, THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE WENT UP, THE TAX RELIEF WENT DOWN.
OF COURSE, THIRD PART OF THE EQUATION IS THE TAX RATE WHICH YOU SET.
NOW, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE THIS COMMON.
WE KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE MARKET.
LAST FEBRUARY THE 10TH, I SUBMITTED A LETTER ASKING THAT WE BE PROACTIVE IN FACING THE SPIKE IN THE MARKET AND ADDRESSING THE MANNER IN WHICH OUR CITIZENS WOULD BE AFFECTED.
I STATED TWICE IN THAT LETTER THAT THEY WOULD NOT ONLY BE HIT WITH HIGHER ASSESSMENTS, BUT A DRAMATIC DECLINE IN THE PERSONAL PROPERTY RELIEF AS WELL.
I PROVIDED FIVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT WE COULD CONSIDER TO LESSEN THE IMPACT ON OUR CITIZENS.
THOSE OPTIONS WERE ONE, LOWERING THE TAX RATE, WHICH YOU DID.
TWO, INCREASE IN THE TAX RELIEF, WHICH WOULD BE USING LOCAL MONEY INSTEAD OF STATE MONEY.
THREE, USING AN ASSESSMENT RATIO, WHICH I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD THAT THAT'S WHAT CITY OF FRANKLIN DID.
FOUR, ADOPTING THE EMERGENCY LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWED US TO SET VEHICLES IN A CLASS AT A SEPARATE RATE THAN OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY.
FIVE WAS SIMPLY GIVING A DISCOUNT ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE ON THE BILL.
I SUBMITTED THE SAME LETTER AGAIN ON FEBRUARY THE 26TH
[01:10:02]
AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE REVENUE PROJECTIONS THAT I GAVE YOU FOR THE BUDGET PROCESS.YOU ALL RESPONDED BY LOWERING THE TAX RATE FROM 5 DOLLARS TO 4.60 DOLLARS, AND FOR THAT, WE'RE THANKFUL.
HOWEVER, IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER REVIEWING THESE OPTIONS AGAIN FOR NEXT YEAR.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I GOT ONE. WHAT'S THE TREND LOOKING LIKE FOR NEXT YEAR? IS IT GOING TO STILL LEVEL OFF OR INCREASE?
>> THEY ARE GOING TO LEVEL OFF.
IT'S NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE COVID, BUT I DON'T THINK IS GOING TO INCREASE.
I THINK WE MIGHT SEE A 8-10 PERCENT DECREASE, WHICH IS STILL NOT GOING TO PUT US BACK TO WHERE WE WERE I SHOULD SAY.
>> DOES THE GUIDE YOU USE, IS THAT A NATIONAL THING?
>> IT IS NATIONAL, BUT IT'S BROKEN DOWN BY REGIONS.
>> IT'S BROKEN DOWN BY REGION?
>> YEAH, SO WE USE THE EASTERN.
>> THAT INCLUDES PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY?
>> I BELIEVE SO. I'D HAVE TO DOUBLE-CHECK.
>> AS FAR VIRGINIA MIGHT NOT BE WORTH AS MUCH AS IT'S WORTH IN NEW YORK, I BELIEVE THAT'S A CONSIDERATION THAT BOTHERS ME A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.
THE BEST, EASIEST WAY TO DO THIS, BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE, IN THIS WAY THE ECONOMY IS GOING NOW, THE TROUBLE WE'RE HAVING INFLATION [NOISE] MAYBE GET DOUBLE DIGITS IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.
WHO KNOWS? I THINK OUR REVENUES GO DOWN.
I THINK SOME PEOPLE JUST GOING TO GIVE UP AND SAY THE HECK WITH IT.
WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST BEING THE BEST PROCESS FOR US TO GO BY? YOU LISTS FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS.
>> WELL, YOU COULD TAKE A COMBINATION OF ANY OF THOSE FIVE.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JUST ONE.
PROBABLY THE EASIEST WOULD BE USING THE ASSESSMENT RATIO OR REDUCING THE TAX RATE.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S THE EASIEST, IT'S JUST REDUCING THE TAX RATE ON EVERYTHING.
THE SECOND WOULD PROBABLY BE THE USING THE ASSESSMENT RATIO THAT WOULD BE FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> HOW MUCH MORE REVENUE DO WE ANTICIPATE GENERATING?
>> WELL, IN JUST PERSONAL PROPERTY CATEGORY, I ASSESSED 1.9 MILLION MORE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE.
>> I HAVE BEEN FROM THE QUESTIONS TO COMMENTS.
>> I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE THIS YEAR BEING ABLE TO PAY THAT PERSONAL PROPERTY.
>> I AGREE, THAT'S MY BIG CONCERN.
I THINK TELL PEOPLE JUST GOT TO GIVE UP AND SAY THE HECK WITH IT.
I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THIS YEAR, NOT PUT OFF TO NEXT YEAR.
PEOPLE ARE MAKING A CHOICE NOW BETWEEN THEIR MEDICATIONS AND PAYING THEIR FUEL BILL.
THE WAY THE SITUATION'S GOING IN THE COUNTRY, LIKE YOUR, TURKEY DINNER WENT FROM $4.40, $2.50 UP TO $78 THIS YEAR AND I JUST DON'T SEE THAT WE COULD STAND ON THE PERSONAL PROPERTY SETUP AS IT IS, NEXT YEAR TOO LATE.
>> OBVIOUSLY, PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES ARE SO MUCH MORE THIS YEAR.
AS FAR AS THE COUNTY IS CONCERNED, WHAT POSITION DOES THAT PUT THE COUNTY AND IS THERE A WAY THAT WE CAN GIVE SOME RELIEF?
>> I'LL TRY TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION BECAUSE THIS IS A BLEND BETWEEN AMY'S OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION.
YES, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT THE COUNTY COULD DO VERY FEW LOCALITIES THAT I KNOW OF ARE DOING THIS.
I PULLED THE CITY AND COUNTY MANAGERS AND HAMPTON ROADS, AND NONE OF THEM ARE DOING THIS, AT THIS POINT YOU CAN'T DO TAX REBATES.
THEY DID AN INQUIRY THROUGH THE VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT AND THERE'RE ONLY A COUPLE THAT RESPONDED BACK THAT THEY WERE DOING REBATES.
MOST OF THE LOCALITIES THAT DID ANYTHING UPFRONT DID THESE LOWER ASSESSMENT RATIOS THAT AMY JUST REFERENCED, LIKE IN THE 80 PERCENT RANGE OR AND LOWER THE TAX RATE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT IF Y'ALL WANTED TO CONSIDER THIS NEXT YEAR DURING THE NEXT BUDGET PROCESS, WE LOOK AT THAT.
[01:15:03]
BECAUSE WHEN YOU START GETTING INTO REBATES, THAT'S GOING TO BE A COMPLICATED PROCESS LOGISTICALLY TO TRY TO WORK OUT AND TWO, WE NEED TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT AND SEE WHAT THE ACTUAL REVENUE IS THAT COMES IN THIS FISCAL YEAR.GOING FORWARD, I GET THE CONCERN WITH THE ASSESSMENTS GOING UP, BUT THIS IS A STATEWIDE AND NATIONWIDE PROBLEM THAT EVERY OTHER LOCALITY IS DEALING WITH.
IF THAT'S SOMETHING THE BOARD WANTS TO DO, I WOULD AT LEAST RECOMMEND YOU ALLOW US TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE A LITTLE BIT MORE, BRING BACK SOME OPTIONS AND A RECOMMENDATION.
WE'VE HAD TO DO THAT, BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND AT THIS POINT THAT THE BOARD JUST LOOK AT SOMETHING FOR NEXT YEAR ON THAT.
>> CAN WE EXTEND THIS DEADLINE FOR 90 DAYS TO GET PEOPLE THROUGH CHRISTMAS?
>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST.
>> THAT'S A BAND-AID ON AN ARTERIAL BLEED.
>> [OVERLAPPING] YEAH, I'VE GOT A RECOMMENDATION THAT I'VE BEEN RECOMMENDING FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND LET'S DO AWAY WITH THE SOLID WASTED.
YOU'VE COLLECTED ENOUGH MONEY WITH THIS ADDITIONAL PERSONAL PROPERTY TO DO AWAY WITH THE SOLID WASTE BAG, AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE BUILT UNTIL JANUARY.
YOU COULD DO AWAY WITH IT, THAT'S $200 PER HOUSEHOLD RIGHT NOW.
IT IS HARD TIME BUT IT'D BE DONE.
>> YEAH, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE.
THE BOARD SAID THEY WILL GO DOWN WHEN THE TIPPING FEES WENT DOWN, THEY DID NOT.
THEY ALSO SAID THEY DO AWAY WITH IT, THEY DID NOT.
YOU KEEP SPENDING MORE MONEY AND YOU BLAME IT ON HAVING TO PAY SALARIES AND THIS AND THE OTHER MAJORITY OF THE SALARIES IN THIS COUNTY COMES FROM THE STATE COMPENSATION BOARD.
I'M JUST TELLING IT LIKE IT IS, DO AWAY WITH SOLID WASTE, THERE YOU GO. ANOTHER QUESTION?
>> LET'S FIGURE AND THINK ABOUT AND COME BACK IN DECEMBER AND DECIDE.
>> THE PROBLEM I SEE IS NOT NEXT YEAR, IT'S NOW.
YOU PUT THIS OFF TO NEXT YEAR, BUT IT'S NOT HELPING ANYBODY NOW.
I THINK WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO WHEREVER, HOW MUCH PROBLEM IT IS WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING NOW.
NOT NEXT YEAR, IF YOU'VE GOT TO COME UP WITH $3,000 AND YOU GO GET 250 BACK NEXT YEAR, YOU STILL GOT TO COME UP WITH A $3,000 NOW, DIDN'T GO TO HELP YOU THAT YOU CAN GET 250 BUCKS BACK NEXT YEAR.
>> YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER DOING AWAY WITH THE VEHICLE LICENSE FEE THAT THE PEOPLE HAD DISCUSSED TONIGHT.
>> DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH REVENUE THAT BRINGS IN?
>> [OVERLAPPING] YEAH, THE LICENSE FEE BRINGS IN ABOUT 597,000.
>> I SEE IT'S WORTH A LITTLE OVER A MILLION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> I KNOW THAT'S A LOT BUT THE TRASH FEE IS STILL $400,000 SHORT ON PAYING THE BILL TO TRASH.
[OVERLAPPING] WE'VE BEEN JUST TO DEATH EVERY YEAR.
>> SEVENTY SEVEN PERCENT I THINK SHE SAID SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WELL, WHAT WOULD THE BOARD LIKE TO DO? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING DONE THIS YEAR.
>> DO YOU WANT TO COME UP HERE?
>> JOHN SCOTT, 33306 JAUNDICE BRIDGE ROAD.
I REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO HAVE TO PAY THE DECAY OF FEE AND THAT WENT AWAY AND THE PRICE STILL REMAINED, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S $23 OR $26, $28 PER CAR.
I HAVE THREE CARS, THAT'S ALMOST $100.
I THINK WE COULD ELIMINATE THAT DECEMBER 5TH OF THIS YEAR.
THAT WOULD HELP ME AND I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO THE BOARD TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. THANK YOU.
[01:20:02]
>> I LIKE TO SAY A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY PAID THAT $28 AND AS FAR AS HAVING TO GO BACK AND CREATE WORK AND ISSUE REFUNDS, NO, THAT'S NOT A THING.
WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE DOING THAT.
>> HAVE WE OVERTAXED THE CITIZENS SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY $1.9 MILLION.
AM I LOOKING AT THAT RIGHT [BACKGROUND]?
>> I WOULD ALSO TO MR. WHITE'S POINT, WHEN YOU'LL PUT THE BUDGET TOGETHER I WASN'T HERE, BUT I DON'T THINK THE COUNTY FACTORED IN THE INFLATION WE'RE SEEING AT THIS POINT NOW THAT WE ALSO HAVE TO PAY BILLS ON INFLATIONARY COSTS RISING AS WELL, I JUST ADD THAT TO A POINT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION WHERE WE GET BILLS.
WE'RE NOT GETTING REDUCTIONS ON OUR BILLS THAT WE HAVE TO PAY TO ALL OF OUR VENDORS EITHER.
PLEASE KEEP THAT IN CONSIDERATION.
>> INFLATION HAS HIT IT [OVERLAPPING] EVERYBODY ELSE? I MEAN, IT'S A BAD TIME. I WISH I HAD THE ANSWER.
>> ISSUING REBATE CHECKS ISN'T AN OPTION.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTION I AGREE WITH YOU THAT DAY.
IT WAS JUST SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR CANDIDATE, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? I MEAN, AT A MINIMUM, WE CAN DEFER THE PAYMENT FOR 90 DAYS. AGAIN, A BAND-AID.
>> WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS, BUT WHAT CAN WE DO RIGHT NOW?
>> RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT, THE ONLY THING THAT I REALLY SEE YOU CAN DO IS EXTEND THE DEADLINE AND RELIEVE PENALTY AND INTEREST AT SOME POINT AFTER THAT DEADLINE.
>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE LATE TO TRY TO DO ANY REBATE.
A LOT PEOPLE ALREADY PAID THE TAXES.
I'VE ALREADY PAID MINE, A LOT OF PEOPLE ALREADY PAID THEM.
THE PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T PAID IT.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO EXTEND IT AND NOT CHARGE ANY PENALTIES AND WORK WITH THEM AND HOPEFULLY, THEY CAN GET CAUGHT UP, AND THEN WE'LL LOOK AT IT AT NEXT BUDGET.
THAT'S THE MOST FEASIBLE THING TO DO.
IF YOU GO DO A REBATE IS GOING TO COST THE COUNTY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
>> I DON T THINK YOU GOT THE EXTRA INCOME FROM THE INCREASE TO HANDLE THAT.
>> WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DID AWAY WITH THE TRASH FEE FOR ONE YEAR?
>> YOU GO UP IN A GIGANTIC CAN UNWIND.
THAT MAY CAUSE LOOK, YOUR TRASH IS COSTING MORE MONEY NOW TO GET RID OF THOSE AVOCADOS.
>> I DON'T WANT TO BE UP HERE AND TRY TO BRING IT BACK IN LECTURE. [LAUGHTER]
>> ONE THING DIESEL FUEL HAS ALMOST TRIPLED.
I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I RAN TRUCKS FOR 43 YEARS.
IT WENT WHEN DONALD TRUMP WAS IN OFFICE.
IT WAS $1.87 GALLON, RIGHT NOW IS 559.
THE COUNTIES HAD TO ABSORBED THAT.
THE WHOLE WORLD HAS HAD TO, WHOLE COUNTRY HAD TO ABSORB IT.
BECAUSE IT IS CRAZY, PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON THAT HAVE INCREASED, THEY CUT-OFF OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION.
WE'RE DEPENDENT ON RUSSIA AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S SUPPLIES AND THEY WERE PAYING $6 A GALLON FOR DIESEL FUEL NOW IT IS NOT AN ANSWER. WE'VE GOT TO PAY.
WE'VE GOT TO HELP ME STABLE, GIVE 90 DAYS.
NEXT YEAR IF IT'S STILL HIGH LET US REDUCED THE RATE AGAIN.
WE CAN ABSORB ANOTHER 3 OR $400,000.
YOU RUN THE SCHOOL BUSES, THEY PAY $6 A GALLON FOR DIESEL FUEL.
NO. TRASH TRUCKS ARE PAYING $6 A GALLON FOR DIESEL FUEL, THE TOP TRUCK TIRES HAVE GONE FROM $200 A PIECE TO 600, THAT'S NOT MUCH TRUMP POWER THOUGH.
YOU RUN OF THE SUBWAY WITH A TRUCK AND BURST THE TIRE TO 600 BUCKS.
WE'RE NOT SITTING UP HERE ROBBING EVERYBODY IS COSTING US A FORTUNE TO RUN THIS EQUIPMENT.
>> IT WAS ALL MAN-MADE [OVERLAPPING].
EVERY BIT OF IT WAS MAN-MADE AND IT AMAZES ME HOW MANY PEOPLE OVERLOOK THAT IT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE.
TO CUT THAT GAS LINE OFF TO START WITH WAS PURPOSEFUL.
THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT AND IT'S CAUSING A LOT OF PAIN FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
[01:25:02]
AND IT JUST AMAZES ME THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE ALLOWED IT TO GO HOME, BUT THEY HAVE AND IT'S ALL MAN-MADE.IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, IT IS NOT SANDIE'S FAULT, BUT WE'VE GOT TO MANAGE WITH WHAT WE'VE GOT AND THERE'S NO OTHER WAY OUT TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
THERE MAY BE, IN MY MIND SOME SOLUTIONS COMING UP IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR ONCE WE HAVE ALL THE NUMBERS IN, BUT TO SIT HERE RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM THAT CAN PREDICT THE INFLATION RATE IN THREE TO FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS FROM NOW.
IF YOU CAN STAND UP AND TELL ME WHAT IT WILL BE.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO THAT.
WE'VE GOT TO LIVE WITH THAT INFLATION RATE.
THAT 1.9 MILLION MORE ACCESS THIS YEAR MIGHT GO DOWN TO ZERO IN FUEL COSTS AND WE SIT HERE TONIGHT.
I DON'T KNOW, THE INFORMATION THAT'S OUT THERE RIGHT NOW WITH WHAT COULD HAPPEN GOING WITH THIS GREEN ENERGY PLAN THAT'S NATIONWIDE THAT COULD HAPPEN WITH BATTERIES AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SPENT BATTERIES AND IN OUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE COST TO DO AWAY WITH THEM AND WE THINKING THAT THAT'S A WAY TO GO WITH ENERGY IS JUST SIMPLY FOOLISH AND IT PUTS LOCALITIES IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION AND IT'S ALL MAN-MADE BY DESIGN.
>> THEN I TAKE IT, WELL, WE CAN DO THIS HERE IS WORK WITH EVERYBODY.
CAN YOU EXTEND WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THAT? WORKING WITH SOMEBODY COMES UP THOSE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND SAY, I DON'T HAVE IT WHAT DO YOU DO?
>> WE WILL OPEN UP PAYMENT PLANS AND PREPAYMENT PLANS FOR THREE YEARS.
IF YOU OWN A PAYMENT PLAN, YOU AUTOMATICALLY AS LONG AS YOU'RE MAKING YOUR PAYMENTS, THEN YOU'RE NOT SENT TO COLLECTIONS SO THAT RIGHT THERE, HELPED YOU.
>> PUT IT OFF. YOU HAVE NINE MORE DAYS AND THEN GO TO THE PAYMENT PLAN.
>> WHERE DO YOU GET AN ELECTRIC CAR AND SEE WHAT YOUR STETHOSCOPE? [LAUGHTER] CHANGE, A BATTERY THREE-YEAR FOR $16,000, IT TAKES HALF A MILLION CUBIC YARDS OF MILAGE TO MAKE ONE OF THOSE 1,000-POUND BATTERIES.
>> IS THERE A NEGATIVE REPORTS TO THE COUNTY IF WE EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FOR 30 DAYS? AS FAR AS RECEIVING THOSE TAX PAYMENTS.
>> IS THAT BY CODE? DEADLINES THE FIFTH MY CODE, I THINK YOU WOULD, TO FORMALLY EXTEND IT, YOU WOULD HAVE TO AMEND THE CODE AND HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
I DON'T KNOW TIME TO DO THIS [OVERLAPPING].
>> CAN WE GO AWAY WITH THE $28 FOR NEXT YEAR? [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'LL LOOK AT IT IN THE BUDGET.
WE GOT TO SEE WHAT SHAPE WE'RE IN WHEN WE DO THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.
THE $28 AIN'T JUST FOR STICKERS.
[BACKGROUND] [OVERLAPPING] I KNOW YOU USED TO PUT STICKERS ON CARS TO SHOW THAT YOU PAID.
THAT'S WHAT THAT STICKER WAS FOR.
WE DID AWAY WITH THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS A HUGE COST TO GET STICKERS.
BUT THE $28 IS A REVENUE STREAM FOR THE COUNTY THAT THE COUNTY NEEDS.
JUST THE WAY YOU GO, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A REGISTRATION FEE IN WHATEVER COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY YOU'RE IN.
MOST EVERY ONE OF THEM HAVE THEM.
>> IT'S JUST A REVENUE STREAM FOR THE COUNTY.
>> INSTEAD OF CALLING IT [NOISE] INSPECTION STICKER, IT NEEDS TO BE CALLED SOMETHING ELSE.
>> ON INSPECTION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IN FACT, IT WAS FASCINATING TO BE CALLED THAT.
>> THE COUNTY USED TO GIVE OUT METAL TAGS.
THAT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO DO.
[OVERLAPPING] SO THEY QUIT DOING THAT.
>> BUT WE ARE BEING PAID TO CHARGE AS CITIZENS, [NOISE] FOR AN ESTIMATE THAT WE DON'T GET OR NEED. [OVERLAPPING]
[01:30:07]
>> BUT IT'S BASICALLY A REGISTRATION FEE.
>> WELL, MAYBE CONGRESS RATES FEE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE DON'T NEED TO CALL IT [INAUDIBLE]
[OVERLAPPING] WE'RE NOT SITTING HERE WITH 2-3 EXTRA MILLION DOLLARS JUST WITH NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
>> BUT WE NEED TO CALL IT WHAT IT IS.
>> THEN THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THEIR MONEY WENT.
>> ON THE BILL, WHAT IS IT CALLED?
>> IT'S CALLED A VEHICLE LICENSE FEE.
>> THEN IT WOULD BE CALLED TAX.
>> WELL, IT'S BASICALLY A TAX. IT REALLY IS.
>> NO NEED TO CALL IT THAT. IF YOU EVER WANTED TO PAY YOUR TAXES [INAUDIBLE] THEN YOU GOT A LICENSE TAX THAT YOU'RE PAYING SEPARATE.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S ALL DICTATED IN VIRGINIA STATE CODE OF WHAT IT'S CALLED AND HOW YOU SPECIFY IT AS A SEPARATE FEE OR TAX ON YOUR BILL.
THAT'S THE WAY MOST OTHER LOCALITIES, CITIES, TOWNS, AND COUNTIES BREAK OUT THE FEES AND TAXES ON THEIR TAX BILL.
>> DOES IT LOWER YOUR PAYCHECK? [LAUGHTER]
>> WE CUT OUR SALARIES BY 10 PERCENT LAST YEAR AND AGAIN THIS YEAR.
>> GET BACK TO THE TRASH FEE OF 200 BUCKS, STILL GETS SUBSIDIZED ABOUT $90-$100.
IT COSTS ABOUT $290 FOR THE COUNTY TO TAKE CARE [NOISE] OF SUPPLIES FROM EACH HOUSEHOLD.
THE CITIZENS ARE PAYING THE FULL BILL.
I KNOW IT'S AN HONORARY TAX TO PAY, BUT YOU'RE NOT PAYING THE FULL WAY, YOU'RE GETTING SUBSIDIZED A LITTLE BIT ON THAT.
>> WE'RE IN TOUGH TIMES, SO WE JUST HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.
THIS BOARD UP HERE AND OUR PEOPLE IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES WHO'LL TALK TO YOU TONIGHT ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU.
WE'RE IN THE SAME BOAT. WE CARE ABOUT YOU.
WE DON'T WANT ANYMORE DUE HARDSHIP [NOISE] THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS OR WHATEVER IT IS.
>> YOU ALL JUST PAY THE BILL. YOU DON'T EVEN LOOK AT IT.
I USED TO HAVE A DUMP TRUCK TOO AND I NEVER PAID NO $600 TAX.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO PAY IT NOW? [LAUGHTER] HE GOING TO PAY IT NOW.
ASK ANYBODY IN THE TRUCKING BUSINESS.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS? [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUT I AGREE WITH SUPERVISOR WHITE.
I THINK OUR BEST OPTION IS TO TRACK THE NUMBERS AND SERIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT WHERE WE CAN TRIM THIS BUDGET DOWN TO ABSORB THE LEAST AMOUNT OF PAIN.
IT'S THE ONLY WAY I SEE HOW TO MANAGE IT.
>> YOU HAVE TO ALSO REALIZE THAT WE ONLY CONTROL ABOUT 20-22 PERCENT OF THE BUDGET.
FOR US TO HAVE IT TOP MANDATED BY THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMES DOWN HERE WITH NO MONEY BEHIND IT.
WE CAN'T DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS BECAUSE WE HAD TO DO A PUBLIC HEARING?
>> YEAH. IT'LL BE TOO LATE BY THEN.
>> THE TRUTH IS EVERYBODY THAT'S SITTING UP HERE ON THIS BOARD AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GOING AND PAYING THEIR TAXES EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE HIGHER THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR.
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CAN'T DO THAT.
I KNOW PROBABLY IF WE NEED TO DO A PUBLIC HEARING OR WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO MOVE TO DAY, THAT WOULD REALLY HELP THOSE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
>> CAN WE REMOVE THE PENALTY [INAUDIBLE] MEET THE DEADLINES [INAUDIBLE] [BACKGROUND]
>> I THINK WE JUST ASK THE TREASURER NOT TO ASSESS ANY LATE FEES FOR THREE MONTHS.
DON'T CHANGE THE DATE BUT JUST TELL PEOPLE DON'T BE LATE FIRST. SEND THE LETTER OUT.
>> I CAN'T CHANGE THE CODE OF VIRGINIA EITHER.
[01:35:01]
>> YOU HAVE TO ASSES LATE FEES PER CODE? THAT WAS JUST A SUGGESTION. I THOUGHT IT WAS UP TO THE COUNTY WHETHER OR NOT TO ASSES LATE FEES AMOUNTING.
>> A BRIGHT SIDE, THE REAL ESTATE TAX DIDN'T GO UP.
IT STAYED AT 89. IN FACT, LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE DROPPED FROM 89 AND A HALF BACK TO 89.
>> BE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT YEAR SINCE THE ASSESSMENTS DON'T HAPPEN IN SPRING.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE VALUE OF YOUR HOUSE IS STARTING TO GO DOWN NOW.
WHAT CONCLUSION HAVE WE COME TO TONIGHT? [BACKGROUND]
>> IS THERE EVERYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP THESE PEOPLE OUT? WELL, I KNOW IT'S TOO LATE TO CHANGE THE CODE.
WE JUST GOT TO HELP THESE PEOPLE OUT. DO THE BEST YOU CAN.
SET UP PROGRAMS. TRY NOT TO ASSESS.
GIVE PEOPLE EXTRA 30 OR 49 DAYS, WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO HELP THEM OUT.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO AT THE DECEMBER MEETING?
>> THE PENALTY IS IN OUR LOCAL CODE.
IF YOU WANT TO AMEND THAT, IF I'M LOOKING AT THE RIGHT SECTION REALLY QUICKLY ON MY PHONE, IT'S ON OUR LOCAL CODE.
YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO A PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS AND ADVERTISE PROPERLY TO WAIVE THAT.
>> IT'S TOO LATE. IT'S IN OUR CODE.
>> DECEMBER 5TH IS TWO OR THREE WEEKS FROM NOW.
>> WELL, PEOPLE DON'T READ THE TAB.
THERE'S REALLY NO NEED TO PUT IN THERE.
BUT AGAIN, HAVE A PRINT ON THE WEBSITE ABOUT PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS.
>> MAYBE THE TITLE IS PUT IT IN A TAB OR THE NEWS.
>> MAYBE WRITE A LITTLE SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN IT.
>> I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES MY PHONE RANG IN THE LAST TWO YEARS ABOUT THEIR BILL GETTING PRE PAID OR NOT GETTING PAID ON TIME AND JUST ONE NOTICE GETTING SENT BEFORE IT GOT SENT TO COLLECTIONS AND THEN THE VEHICLES GETTING BOOTED, AND I CAN JUST SEE THIS BEING AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE.
[OVERLAPPING] AS FAR AS THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILL AND GETTING PAID LATE, AND THEN IT GETS INTO COLLECTIONS AND THEN IT GETS SENT BACK TO THE COUNTY, THEN IT GETS SENT TO COLLECTIONS AGAIN, AND HERE WE GO ROUND AND ROUND, BUT OUR PHONE'S RINGING OFF THE HOOK.
>> WELL, IF IT'S BEEN SENT TO COLLECTIONS AND I CAN GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN LENIENT TIME THAN I HAVE TO GIVE THEM TO PAY.
BUT IF IT GOES TO COLLECTIONS, THE ONLY REASON IT WOULD COME BACK TO THE COUNTY FOR ANY CHANGE WOULD BE IF THEY SAY THEY SOLD VEHICLE AND THEY NEED HELP TO BE ASSESSED BY THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, THEN WE GET AN ADJUSTMENT TO SEND TO COLLECTIONS.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S NOT GOING TO COLLECTIONS AND COMING BACK AND GOING BACK UNLESS THERE'S AN ADJUSTMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE.
MOST OF THE TIME THESE PEOPLE THAT SELL VEHICLES THEY DON'T FOLLOW UP TO SEE THAT SOMEBODY ELSE IS REGISTERED IN THEIR NAME OR WHATEVER, AND TILL AFTER IT GOES TO COLLECTIONS, WHICH THEY GET AN ORIGINAL BILL, A DELINQUENT BILL, BUT IF THEY SELL SOMETHING AND THEY DON'T COME IN AND NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.
THEY DON'T GET IT FROM DMV BECAUSE IT'S BEEN REGISTERED AND IT'S STILL SITTING IN THAT OLD PERSON'S NAME.
>> THE AMAZING THING IS THAT PEOPLE VOTED FOR THIS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT.
>> LAST YEAR I WAS FOUR DAYS LATE ON THE DUE DATE [INAUDIBLE]
>> YOU HAD EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCE, WE CAN'T ACCEPT PAYMENT OF 2022 UNTIL PREVIOUS BALANCES ARE PAID.
>> AGAIN, THAT'S ALL SPECIFIED IN CODE, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THE BOARD WANTED TO CHANGE FOR THE FUTURE.
YOU'RE CERTAINLY WITHIN YOUR REALM TO DO THAT, BUT IT'S FIERCE TO BE A LITTLE TOO LATE TO DO THAT ADMINISTRATIVELY AT THIS POINT.
>> YEAH CODE HAS APPARENTLY TIED OUR HANDS A MINUTE.
[01:40:01]
>> MOST LOCI I CAN ASSURE YOU EVERY LOCALITY BUT EVERYONE I'VE WORKED FOR AS A LATE PENALTY FOR PAYING LATE.
>> I JUST LIKE TO APOLOGIZE IF I'M OUT OF ORDER [INAUDIBLE] BUT IT WOULD APPEAR THAT WE ARE INTO A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE COUNTY IN THIS ISSUE CONSIDERING THE CITIZENS.
WOULD THIS BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD REACH OUT TO THE GOVERNOR AND ASK FOR HIS ADVISE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO WITH CHANGING THE CODES THAT EXCEPTION SO THAT WE COULD GET SOME TYPE OF RELIEF FOR THE PEOPLE THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE MADE $10 ON THE FIFTH TOWARDS A BILL THEY WOULDN'T BE PENALIZED $10 PLUS INTEREST.
SO THERE HAS TO BE SOME REGULATORY WAIVER THAT WE CAN HAVE AN ADJUSTMENT HERE THAT WE'LL WORK WITH CITIZENS TO HELP THEM.
[INAUDIBLE] LOOKING AT THE INCENTIVE TO GET THE NEXT YEAR, WHILE TALKING ABOUT WHICHEVER ONE OF YOU WOULD BE IN A STATE OF AN EMERGENCY, AND HE COMES DOWN TO SAY IT IS WEATHER EMERGENCY, NATURAL DISASTER, IN A SENSE THIS IS TYPE OF A DISASTER.
>> THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, BUT YOU'RE REACHING OUT TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAUSED THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH, HAVE YOU SEEN ANYBODY IN WASHINGTON THAT'S WILLING TO ADMIT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG IN THIS COUNTRY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS?
>> SIR, WE NEED TO STAND AND LOOK AT THAT CODE AND PERHAPS OPEN IT UP AND LOOK AT A FRESH NEW OUT OF INTERPRETATION, HOW IT RELATES TO HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
NOT IN RICHMOND, AND NOT IN DC.
>> WE ARE HURTING AND WE NEED RELIEF.
SO WE NEED TO TAKE IT TO WHEREVER THAT WE CAN GET THAT RELIEF FOR OUR PEOPLE.
>> IT'S CALLED THE BALLOT BOX.
>> RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE A BALLOT BOX.
WE HAVE OUR MOUTHS AND OUR INTENTIONS AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO WORK TOGETHER ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS.
>> WE STILL GOT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.
>> I THINK THE BEST OPTION IS TO START ON IT IN THIS NEW BUDGET PROCESS.
>> I'D BE MORE THAN WILLING TO LOOK AT THAT SINCE I'M ANALYTICALLY IN THAT BACKGROUND IS ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT.
I'M VERY WILLING TO BE A VOLUNTEER TO HELP YOU LOOK AT THAT.
>> IN 2020, WE ASKED FOR THREE BUDGETS TO BE PRESENTED.
THREE. AND THE BACKLASH WAS PHENOMENAL.
ONE WITH A CUT, ONE WITH A LEVEL FUNDED, AND ONE WITH A SLIGHT INCREASE.
SO SOME EVALUATIONS COULD BE MADE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING THIS YEAR.
NOBODY'S GOING TO WANT TO TAKE A CUT, BUT IT'S GOT TO COME TO SOLVE A PROBLEM.
>> I THINK WE'VE HAD PRETTY GOOD DISCUSSION HERE.
I THINK EVERYBODY OUT THERE UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR BOARD SUPERVISOR FEELS ABOUT SITUATION.
WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR SOME HARD ANSWERS HERE AND WE'LL DO IT.
WE'LL GET IT DONE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
IF I HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVE ON? OKAY, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO MISCELLANEOUS NUMBER 20.
[20. Miscellaneous]
DID THEY HAVE ANY MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENTS THEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT? LATE ARRIVING MATTERS.>> IT'S PROBABLY I DON'T SEE ANYBODY HERE THAT IS IMPRESSED WITH THE MIDDLE WAY.
I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE DROVE HOME FOR MAINTENANCE.
I THOUGHT OF THE WATER SYSTEM.
THEY USE WATER CENTRAL SYSTEM AND UNFORTUNATELY, EVERY TIME WE GET THE PAPER
[01:45:01]
BACK FROM THE STATE SAYS IT SAYS FECAL COLIFORM, NOBODY LIKES THAT.SO NOBODY DRINKS THE WATER, BUT THE WATER IS REAL LIGHT BROWN MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU TAKE A BATH OR SHOWER OR WHATNOT AND WE NEED SOMEBODY FROM THE BOARD WATER AND ALL THAT STUFF TO LOOK AT IT.
I KNOW IT'S A HUGE EXPENSE, IT'S PROBABLY AS OLD AS ANYONE IN CANADA.
THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION THAT WE ALREADY GOT ONE.
DRILLS GOT TO BE AT LEAST AS OLD.
I HAVE LITTLE BIT OF EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I REPLUMBED TWO HOUSES AND THE STEEL PIPES THAT WERE IN THERE, THERE WASN'T A WHOLE BIG ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR BEST WORK.
THAT'S HOW MUCH IT FEELS IN SO YOU COULD IMAGINE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE WATER LEAKS AND STUFF THAT WE HAVE AND THEY FIX THEM.
EVERY TIME I MEAN THE WATER STAYS [INAUDIBLE] THANK GOODNESS, JUST MY CHICKENS ARE DRINKING IT SO THEY DON'T MATTER.
>> WE'LL HAVE OUR PUBLIC UTILITIES STAFF LOOK AT THAT AS POSSIBLY A CONSIDERATION FOR ARPA MONEY.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS MEETING COMING UP NOVEMBER 30TH, WEDNESDAY AT 04:05.
DO WE NEED TO MAKE A VOTE FOR THAT MEETING OR EXTEND THIS MEETING?
>> YOU CAN ADJOURN THIS MEETING.
IT'S JUST A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, BEFORE WE DO THAT,.
>> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT?
>> NO, WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON IT.
>> REALLY QUICK BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S ARDUOUS TO DIG THROUGH 127 PAGES AND OUR CORE CORRESPONDENCE SECTION OF OUR AGENDA PACKET, BUT I DID AND I WANTED TO BRING TO EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION ON PAGE 106 OF THAT IS A LADDER FROM SIPSO.
JUST SINCE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT TONIGHT SO THAT EVERYBODY IS SITUATIONALLY AWARE THAT ON DECEMBER THE 14TH, THEY'RE ADVERTISING A PUBLIC HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THEIR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING WHERE THEY WILL DISCUSS AND PROPOSE THE SCHEDULE AND FEE CHANGES TO TAKE EFFECT JANUARY OF 2023. WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'LL BE MOVING FORWARD AS WELL AS WE LOOK AT THE COST OF BUSINESS FOR EVERYTHING GOING UP.
>> OKAY, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING ELSE?
>> I GUESS WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANKS EVERYBODY FOR COMING TONIGHT.
THANKS EVERYBODY FOR SPEAKING TONIGHT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.