Highlights from the February 14, 2023 Board of Supervisors Meeting

The minutes of the October 24 &25, 2023 meetings were approved.

R2023-05 Budget Amendment was approved which resulted from i} a General Fund Transfer from the Non-Recurring Contingency Fund of $185,449.68 to cover the cost of benefits owed to employees at retirement and leaving a balance in the Non-Recurring Contingency Fund of $54,516.64; and ii) a transfer from the Employee Benefits and Departmental Account of $$375,482 which represents 1) $320,221 in the distribution of funds related to the 5% raise for employees, increasing the County minimum wage to $15.00 per hour, adjusting the minimum salary for Sheriff’s Deputies, and associated benefits in the Non-Departmental section of the budget to respective Departmental budgets and $55,261 in interdepartmental transfers to cover various employee benefit line within departmental budgets.

Resolution 2023-06 authorizing the County Administrator to execute the Memorandum of Agreement of the Drug Court Memorandum of Understanding between Nelson County; the Nelson County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office; and the Offender Aid and Restoration of Charlottesville-Albemarle, Inc (OAR) was adopted.

Resolution 2023-07 AFID Grant Memorandum of Agreement 06 authorizing the County Administrator to execute the Memorandum of Agreement of with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and consumer Services for AFID for the county to accept the AFID grant for Silver Creek and Seaman’s Orchard was approved.

VDOT gave its report of updated road and related repairs, and construction and presented a request from Augusta County for concurrence from Nelson County for a restriction blocking trucks on Aedile Road (Route 814). An oral motion was made and passed for a letter to issue from Nelson County to VDOT concurring with Augusta County to block trucks on Aedile Road in both Augusta and Nelson County. VDOT reported that the Route 151 Corridor Improvement Study is 3 months behind on data studies. VDOT is working in on an on-line survey and has done a completed a field visit. The study is of the area of 151 running from Afton to Beach Road. The last study was done in 2013. There will be two public meetings after the online surveys are completed. A “round about” is proposed for the intersection of Route 6 (between 29 and 151) and Route 151.

The Management Advisory Group, Inc. (MGA) gave its Compensation Study Results which evaluated the salaries of Nelson County employees in comparison to neighboring counties, towns, and cities. As a part of their methodology, they categorized jobs, grouping those where the job requirements and work were the same and should theoretically receive the same pay. They sent out questionnaires to county employees. Fourteen (14) other municipalities were then compared to Nelson. MAG only evaluated salaries, not benefits. Nelson County’s salaries lagged 13.38% behind the median pay range for the other municipalities. MAG recommended a general salary 5% wage

increase. The estimated total annualized cost to implement the recommendations for the county employees was $625,803 or 11.22% of payroll and for DSS the cost would be $68,322 or 7.48 % of payroll. The changes in the total payroll for the include positions for DSS would be 7.48%.

The $625,803 figure included the 5% general raise ($271,775 for 24 positions), upward adjustments to minimum salaries ($189,838 for 59 positions), and employee equity adjustments ($164,190 for 85 positions). The changes in the total payroll for the include for the county positions would be 11.22%.

The estimate annualized costs to implement the recommendations for DSS the 5% general raise ($44,284 for 21 positions), upward adjustments to minimum salaries ($3,996 for 4 positions), and employee equity adjustments ($20,243 for 7 positions). The changes in the total payroll for the include positions for DSS would be 7.48%.

Davenport Public Finance gave a very detailed analysis of the Nelson County’s current debt structure and the impact of funding $75,000,000 for capital projects over the next 5-7 years. The assumption was that the debt would be financed by either tax exempt bonds at an interest rate of 5% or 5.5% interest if the interest were taxable. The payoff dates of the bonds were expected to be within 20 to 30 years (correlating with the useful lives of the projects being financed). The annual debt service cost was projected to be $3,897,945 annually with a total debt service reserve of $5,075,000 ($2,300,000 is already escrowed for the purpose). This reserve would be used over the next four fiscal years to fund the short fall projected over the current debt service amount in the annual budget. The borrowing of $57,000,000 would be used for the land purchase of $2,600,000 (already purchased using short term financing), Capital Facilities Project of $5,250,000, the DSS building of $3,750,000 and the Schools/Rec Center of $45,400,000. An additional $18,000,000 is listed for other unspecified additional projects. The debt service costs to the county for $57,000,000 does not require additional recurring revenues in excess of the 2023 budget. The additional $18,000,000 is supported by the fiscal year 2027 anticipated increase in recurring revenue of $1,400,000 as the current debt is paid off. This proposed $75,000,000 borrowing at current revenue levels would put the County’s debt service ratio to total expenditures at 10.9 % which would decline to 10% as debt is repaid. The debt service to total expenditure ratio is generally considered acceptable/good at 10-12% according to Davenport.

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and the Central Virginia Regional Partnership made a joint presentation regarding affordable housing in the Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership (CVRHP) with a focus on Nelson County.

The CVRHP is made up of 6 representatives (one each) from Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna. Greene, Louisa, and Nelson County; 4 Non-profit Housing representatives (3 regional,1 rural); 3 For Profit Housing representatives (Builder, Developer, Design Professional) 2 Citizen Representatives (urban rural); and 6 Public Representatives: UVA Workforce Development, Regional Transit Partnership, Blue Ridge Health District, and a financial lender. The mission of CVRHP is to facilitate regional coordination to ensure access to housing for all. The organizations vision is to reach a 100% alignment of supply and demand for housing opportunities throughout the

region so that every resident can find access to safe, decent, affordable housing in communities of their choice.

Excluding Wintergreen and new construction,139 homes sold in Nelson County in 2022 (67 single family detached) , 176 in 2021 (118 single family detached), 169 in 2020 (123 single family detached), 137 in 2019 (82 single family detached), and 140 in 2018 (58 single family detached). The median home price was 401,000 in 2022, $396,000 in 2021, $299,000 in 2020, $285,000 in 2019, and $280,0000 in 2018. Currently only 6 homes are for sale at or below $289,000 in the (non-Wintergreen) County. In 2023, the average (non-Wintergreen) home price is $400,000.

In Wintergreen (excluding new construction) 140 homes (single family and condos) 67 sold in Nelson County in 2022, 118 in 2021, 123 in 2020, 82 in 2019, and 58 in 2018. The median home price was $253,000 in 2022 ($615,00 for single family detached), $185,000 in 2021 ($477,00 for single family detached), $145,000 in 2020 ($375,00 for single family detached), $120,000 in 2019 ($310,00 for single family detached), and $135,000 in 2018 ($330,00 for single family detached).

The Piedmont Community Landtrust was able to bring 40 homes to market purchased by teachers, firefighters, nurses, and rescue personnel. An 8 hour symposium on affordable housing in the region titled” Coming Back Home” is scheduled on March 24, 2023 at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville. Tickets are available online for approximately $50.00 including the handling fees.

The Board adopted R2023-08, the 2023 Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented. The plan is very complex and a copy is available from your supervisor. R2023-09 was adopted.

The Board voted pursuant to R2023-09 to provide a letter stating its support of the City of Waynesboro's application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for RAISE Program grant funds, for a trail to connect the Waynesboro city limits to the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail and authorized the County Administrator to execute all documents necessary to show Nelson County as a co-applicant. The City of Waynesboro has proposed to construct a trail to connect the Waynesboro city limits to the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail and intends to request funding for the proposed trail project through the U.S. Department of Transportation's RAISE Grant Program (formerly known as the BUILD Grant Program). Waynesboro requested that Nelson County serve as a co-applicant in order to improve the chance of receiving funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation. No funds would be required to provide a local match in funds, and the County will not incur any associated costs.

James E. Hall has been reappointed to the James River Alcohol Safety Action Program Policy Board. The County is advertising for applicants to replace one members of the Nelson County Economic Development Authority. Robert Doyle’s term expires in June of 2023. Kim Bryant has resigned.

The County Administrator gave her report. Of particular note were the following:

1) Comprehensive Plan: The project website is www.Nelson2042.com. The 2nd of four scheduled joint work sessions of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission was held on January 18, 2023; where draft content

regarding Natural & Historic Resources and Community Facilities and Infrastructure was reviewed. An intermediate focus group work session with stakeholders on next areas of consideration of Housing and Economy will be held on February 16th at 2pm with the next joint meeting with the Planning Commission being on March 15, 2023.

2) Community Business Launch Program: The County is using state and federal grant funds to implement a Community Business Launch program to support business growth in vacant spaces in the village of Lovingston. This is a free business training program designed to provide a base of business fundamentals to individuals looking to start or expand a business in Lovingston. Following the completion of the eight-week program, selected individuals will be invited to compete for 2 awards of $15,000 each and 2 awards of $5,000 each in startup grants. Free weekly classes start April 4, 2023 and end on June 6, 2023 and will be facilitated by the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC) to help aspiring entrepreneurs build their business plan. Classes will be held at the Nelson Center in Lovingston. As of February 13th, five (5) applications have been received.

3) Firefly Broadband: The project to make gigabit speed broadband available at every location in Nelson County is almost complete. The fiber network should be in place and operating within the next four to eight weeks except for the outlying areas near Afton and Love. 98% of Nelsonians will have access at that point. With the 1400 remaining locations on the preregistration list, we will likely run into mid-year completing the final connections.

4) Piney River Wastewater Pump Station Repairs: Last week, the Board was apprised of a significant pipe failure at the Piney River wastewater pump station and the repair plan. Thanks to the coordination of Paul Truslow, Amanda Spivey, and Jeff Brantley of the Service Authority, the repair plan began last Thursday with mobilization and trenching and two crews began installation on 2/13. Costs of these repairs are approximately $29,000 plus the cost of the pump and haul of wastewater from the pump station to the Black Creek wastewater treatment plant and are to be determined. The pump station is expected to be functional again in the next few days.

5) Opioid Abatement Funds: A meeting has been scheduled for next week with Region Ten to discuss the potential for an application to the State Opioid Abatement Authority. Additionally, the County may opt to participate in another multi-state opioid settlement with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. This would be accomplished through the adoption of an authorizing resolution that will be presented to the Board at the March regular meeting in order to meet the April 18th deadline for submission of participation forms.

6) Short-Term Rentals: The commissioner and County staff have participated in three demos with vendors that provide STR tracking services. Staff is now in the process of checking references from current users in order to provide a recommendation regarding the procurement of such services (address, identification, and compliance/rental monitoring). The approximate cost of

this basic service given by two vendors is from $25,000 to $35,000 with additional services that can be added for a price. These companies utilize programs that “scrub” the internet for STR listings and provide dashboards of related data. The Commissioner’s office is receiving T payments from third party collectors such as VRBO and Airbnb with FY23 collections on track to exceed budget.

Reports of individual supervisors included the following information:

1) Walgreens in Lovingston is closing. Blue Ridge Medical is taking over providing service but there hours are unknown as are their prices.

2) There is an issue of livestock owners who are not maintaining their fencing, and thereby are permitting their livestock to stray. The question of changing enforcement of the current restrictions on containing livestock and increasing the penalties for violations.

3) There was a report that pollutants had been found in Black Creek and Half Creek and that a meeting was scheduled to discuss the situation with affected parties.

Proposed Ordinance 2022-07 moving the Central Absentee Voter Precinct from the Nelson Memorial Library to the Registrar’s Office, located 571 Front Street, Lovingston, Virginia was passed 4-0. Mr. Harvey was not present.