Summaries of Board Of Supervisors Meetings in June
This month we are publishing the summary of two different Board of Supervisors Meetings — The Annual Budget Meeting of June 4 and the Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting of June 11.
NELSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JUNE 4, 2024
THE CONTINUED MEETING CONVENED AT 7:00 PM
Present: Supervisors Ligon, Reed, Parr, and Rutherford. Absent Supervisor Harvey
Four citizens other than the Supervisors and staff, attended the meeting live. All four addressed the Board in the public comment session. One person, (the author of this report), listened to the entirety of the meeting on You Tube and at various times one additional person was tuned into the meeting.
I. Supervisor Parr called the meeting to order.
II. PUBLIC HEARING:
Director of Finance Linda Staton presented the budget highlights in a power point the contents of which appears below. The specific line item revenue items and expenditures were included in the packet available to the Board and published on the Nelson County Government Website.
A. Proposed FY24-25 County Budget, All Funds:
The presented FY25 Budget is based upon budgetary information at the time of the Public Hearing advertisement. State budgetary decisions may affect the final General Fund budget and the School Division operating budget presented for the Board’s approval. The School Division Budget presented is based upon the original General Assembly recommended budget proposal.
All tax rates are levied per $100 of assessed value
Real Estate and Mobile Home tax rate $0.65
Personal Property tax rate $2.79
Machinery & Tools tax rate $1.25
Transient Occupancy Tax this rate will increase from 5% to 7% effective July 1, 2024.
All tax rates shown except for the Transient Occupancy Tax are levied per $100 of assessed value.
(Real Estate and Mobile Home Tax rate is $0.65 per $100 assessed value - unchanged from 2022; The per penny tax rate equivalent is based on FY25 projected RE tax revenue of $20,890,068/65 cents = $321,386.
Tangible Personal Property Tax rate is $2.79 - per $100 of assessed value; also unchanged from 2022. Yields anticipated revenue of $6,013,768 for FY25; an anticipated decrease of 1.2% below the FY24 amended budget due largely to a decrease in vehicle values over last year.
Machinery & Tools tax rate is $1.25 - per $100 of assessed value; remains unchanged from 2022. Revenue yield is estimated at $75,000, an increase of 3.89% over FY24.
The advertised budget for public hearing contains Transient Occupancy Tax revenue based upon the July 1, 2024 rate of 7% as approved by the Board of Supervisors – this is an increase from 5% and is expected to generate around $468,000 more than in FY24 for a total of just under $2.3 million. )
FY24-25 GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMPARED TO FY23-24 AMENDED BUDGET
(AS OF FEBRUARY 2024)
FY23-24 $51,765,639
FY24-25 $49,530,187
Decrease ($ 2,235,452)
Percentage Change - 4.32%
Budgetary decreases from FY24 to FY25 are primarily due to budget reductions in Capital Outlay, Transfers to Other Funds, and Capital Projects within the General.
- Local Revenue consisting of General Property taxes and other Local Taxes make up 80.1% of the overall budgeted revenue.
- Total Anticipated Local Revenues are $39,668,527
- State Revenues account for 10.0% at $4,937,774
- Federal 2.7% at $1,346,459
- Year Ending Balance of $3,577,427 in FY24 makes up 7.22% of total revenues for FY25. It includes FY24 carryover funds of $3,227,427 consisting of $128,138 in ARPA grant funds, $2,025,537 in Capital Outlay, $662,994 in Non-Recurring Contingency, and $410,758 in miscellaneous carry forward and non-recurring costs. The remaining $350,000 is planned for transfer to the Piney River Water & Sewer Fund for Pump Station replacement costs.
General Property Taxes: ($78,992)
◦ Real Estate Taxes: + $285,390
◦ Public Service Taxes: ($295,291)
◦ Personal Property Taxes: ($71,902)
◦ Machinery & Tools: + $2,811
Other Local Revenue: + $1,677,298
◦ Utility Taxes: + $37,266
◦ Recordation Taxes: + $50,000
◦ Transient Lodging Tax: + $468,000
◦ Meals Tax: +$239,026
◦ Permit Fees: + $74,226
◦ Court Fines & Forfeitures: + $76,400
◦ Interest on Investments: + $845,860
◦ Expenditure Refunds: ($98,216)
◦ Miscellaneous (Net): ($15,264)
General property taxes of $28,405,249 accounts for 71.6% of all local revenue. Of these revenues, public service tax, personal property tax, and mobile home tax are each anticipated to decrease in FY25. The result for this category is ($78,992) overall less revenue in FY25.
- Real Estate tax is anticipated to increase by $285,390 in FY25 due to increased home building and values.
- A decrease in Public Service tax of -22.66% and -1.18% in Personal Property taxes together are projected at ($367,193) below FY24.
- Personal Property taxes are projected to decrease by ($71,902) due to an overall decrease in vehicle values.
- Machinery & Tools tax is estimated to increase by $2,811.
Other Local Revenue:
Most other local revenue categories anticipate increases, or at a minimum, level funding. Utility taxes are expected to increase by $37,266 and Recordation Taxes are projected to increase by $50,000 due to favorable interest rates on borrowing. Meals tax is expected to increase by $239,026 or 17.71% while lodging tax is anticipated to generate an increased 26.0% in revenue for FY25 projecting a $468,000 overall increase, due in part to the 7% TOT rate effective July 1, 2024. Permit fees, court fines and forfeitures are expected to increase by a total of $150,626, offsetting declines in expenditure refunds and overall miscellaneous revenues totaling ($113,480). Interest on investments is projecting an increase of $845,860 over the FY24 budget. This 169.17% increase over FY24 is due to increased interest rates on investments.
State Revenue
FY24 Budget $5,273,382
FY25 Estimates $4,937,774
Overall Decrease ($ 335,608)
Percentage Change - 6.36%
Estimated State Revenue is currently 10.0% of the total General Fund budget in FY25.
The overall decrease in State revenue is due to a -74.59% at ($579,357) decrease in Other Categorical State Aid, which primarily consists of grant funds. FY25 State Grant funds will be appropriated as they are received in FY25. This includes Asset Forfeiture proceeds, Four for Life Grant funds, Fire Program Funds, and various other grants.
The budget includes State reimbursements of shared local expenses for constitutional offices reflecting the state’s share of a 3% salary increase that has been proposed for those offices.
Federal Revenue
FY24 Budget $ 1,731,120
FY25 Estimates $ 1,346,459
Overall Decrease ($ 384,661)
Percentage Change - 22.22%
Federal revenue makes up 2.7% of the total FY25 General Fund budget. Generally, federal sources include social services funding, Children’s Services Act (CSA) funding, the payment in lieu of taxes relative to national forestland located in Nelson (from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management) and various federal grants.
The decrease reflected here is primarily due to a -23.05% reduction in Federal Categorical Aid in the form of ARPA grant funds (American Rescue Plan Act economic stimulus funds) available through FY24 making the overall decrease -22.22% .
All Sources Of FY25 Revenues
Local $39,668,527
State $ 4,937,774
Federal $ 1,346,459
Year Ending Balance $ 3,577,427
Total $49,530,187
Local, state, and federal revenues, and non-revenue sources together with prior year ending balance make up all projected revenue supporting the FY25 proposed General Fund expenditures.
Year Ending Balance of $3,577,427 in FY24 makes up 7.2% of total revenues for FY25. It includes FY24 carryover funds of $3,227,427 consisting of $128,138 in ARPA grant funds, $2,025,537 in Capital Outlay, $662,994 in Non-Recurring Contingency, and $410,758 in miscellaneous carry forward and non-recurring costs. The remaining $350,000 is planned for transfer to the Piney River Water & Sewer Fund for Pump Station replacement costs.
FY25 Proposed Expenditures $49,530,187
FY23-24 $51,765,639
FY24-25 $49,530,187
Decrease ($ 2,235,452)
Percentage Change - 4.32%
Compared to the current year budget as amended (through Feb. 2024), the proposed General Fund budget reflects a decrease of ($2,235,452) or -4.32%. This change is primarily due to FY25 budget reductions in Capital Outlay, Transfers, and Capital Projects preliminary costs budgeted in FY24 within the General Fund for the DSS Office Building project. Ongoing project costs are budgeted directly in the Capital Fund for FY25.
Total FY25 General Fund Expenditures equal revenues at $49,530,187. In looking at how revenue dollars are spent, this graph shows major categories of expenditures as a percentage of the total budget.
The largest category of expenditures shown is Education at 39% representing $19,156,889 (including $2,117 for PVCC). In addition to the $19,154,772 allocated to NCPS funding in FY25, the County will contribute debt service payments for schools in FY25 in the amount of $838,263 for a total of $19,993,035. This total has been reduced from the FY24 total by retired debt of $1.1M for the NCHS/NMS building construction project.
The FY25 County support for NCPS includes funding for four (4) School Resource Officers from the General Fund budget. This cost is included in the Public Safety category at approximately $313,915, of which the County will receive partial state grant revenue funding in FY25 at $92,621. The balance of $221,294 for SRO salaries and benefits is fully County funded.
The FY24 School Fund approved budget based upon an enrollment of 1396 compared to the FY25 advertised budget based on an enrollment of 1430 reflects an overall decrease of ($2,328,819) or – 6.7%. The decrease is largely due to the increase in expenditure projections versus a $1.17M decrease in state, federal, and other funding sources.
In FY24 the State School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) Grant was fully appropriated at $2,451,703. Approximately 1.4M of this grant is anticipated to be requested for use in FY25 and is not presently included in the total FY25 budget shown here.
The Local Composite Index is the State’s formula for determining a locality’s ability to pay; the higher the index, the lower the amount of funds received from the State. An LCI of 0.6645 means that the County pays 66.45% and the State Share is 33.55% for Standards of Quality (SOQ) Programs, Incentive Programs, Categorical Programs, and Lottery-Funded Programs. This is a 7.6% increase in Local funding required toward these programs over FY24. Enrollment also contributes to the amount of total funds received. Enrollment for FY24 was 1396 while FY25 is projected at 1430, an increase of 34 students.
Nelson County Schools continue to be well funded **. Operational funding for Schools including funding nurses for the schools is proposed at $19,154,772 ($18,989,837 for operations and $164,935 for nurses). For student enrollment of 1430, this funding exceeds the required Virginia Department of Education funding (Required Local Share) of $12,618,196 by $6,536,576 or 51.8%. This difference is 31.3% of RE Tax revenue, or 20.3 cents of every .65 in RE Tax revenue
To conclude, all the funds that make up the county budget are denoted here totaling just over $95M. Additional information regarding each fund has been provided in the handouts, but should you have questions or want further information, we will be glad to provide that to you. Per State Code, the Board must wait a minimum of seven (7) days following the public hearing before adopting the budget. This being June 4th, the Board may adopt the FY25 budget as early as the Board’s next regular meeting on June 11, 2024.
This concludes the FY25 Budget Presentation. Thank you.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Margaret Claire addressed the reduction in funds from the state due to the Local Composite Index (LCI) had on the school budget and encouraged the county to seek additional funds from the state.
Jeri Lloyd asked some questions about the budget but generally supported it.
William Purvis said he supported the schools but wanted to know why private Christian Schools in Amherst would charge only $10,000 per year in school tuition while Nelson County’s per child expenditure was so much higher.
William Peterson asked the Board of Supervisors to please revisit and reconsider its position on speeding cameras in school zones.
III. OTHER BUSINESS (AS PRESENTED): None
IV. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned.
**To clarify, this statement was in reference to local funding only. The county increased its local funding contribution in FY25 by $610,000 above the initial FY24 appropriation. The reduction in state funds for FY25 has indeed adversely impacted total revenues for both the County and Schools. The loss of state revenues for the Schools is only partially made up in the increased local revenue contribution to the School Board's budget. Even so, Nelson County's local funding share as required by the Virginia Department of Education is $12,618,196. The FY25 local contribution of $19,154,772 for operations exceeds this DOE requirement by $6.5 million, or 51.8%.)
NELSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JUNE 11, 2024 2:00 PM
Present: Supervisors Ligon, Reed, Parr, and Rutherford. Absent was Supervisor Tommy Harvey.
I. The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Jerri Lloyd thanked the Board for appointing her to the Nelson County Economic Development Authority.
2. David Clearly speaking on behalf of the Ruritan Club in Massie’s Mill, requested that they be permitted to dump trash generated at the Massie’s Mill Carnival in the County dump without any charge. The Board addressed the issue during the Directives portion of the meeting and declined to waive the dump fees, concerned about setting a bad precedent.
3. Amanda Hester, Superintendent of the Nelson County Public Schools made the following remarks:
"At the Public Hearing last week, a community member stated that the Per Pupil expenditure for NCPS is $30,000. This amount is not accurate. Our per pupil expenditure is about $22,000 and is inclusive of all the grants that we receive which is not reflective of money that has been spent but rather the total of that grant. As has been discussed in many meetings, what goes into the Per Pupil cost is complicated as it includes components such as enrollment, transportation impacted by geography and topography and an aging fleet that becomes inefficient in fuel and maintenance, facilities and upkeep, grant money, At Risk or Economically Disadvantaged student population, and Special Education population, both of which we have a large percentage of students and cost more to educate due to required and necessary services, in addition to compensation for employees.
I say all this because when working with budgets it is very easy to lose sight of the big picture due to the complexities and accurate information is important. Nelson County Public Schools provides a critical and necessary service as it supports our community’s most valuable resource, our children. Furthermore, NCPS is one of the largest employers in Nelson County. As with most budgets, the bulk of our budget is dedicated to our people through compensation. The reason for this is that they are critical and necessary to the success of our students, schools, and division. Every. Single. Employee.
The Local Composite Index or LCI has been mentioned several times. You, the Board of Supervisors, and we have highlighted the impact of the LCI on the budget during various school board and school budget meetings, including the Joint Meeting with you all. The drastic increase in the LCI places us 16th in the state with an overall ratio of .6645 and experienced the 2nd highest increase in Virginia (.0757) (second to Charles City; +.0817 to .6669). This significant increase was coupled with the removal of Hold Harmless money which historically was provided for localities to have time to develop a strategy to address the increase. This was shockingly not provided by the State this year despite our consistent and passionate advocacy to representatives in the General Assembly.
Because of this significant increase in LCI and lack of Hold Harmless money, about a $1.1 million shortfall was created automatically before our budget of need was developed. This is through no fault of the Board of Supervisors or the School Board. In the current environment, everything is more expensive. Our budget reflects immediate needs to support our teachers and students. However, a shortfall of this magnitude will result in decisions required to be made that will have a negative and lasting impact on students, staff, schools, and the division such as not filling certain staff vacancies (teaching and administrative), not adding an agriculture teacher, eliminating the raises for staff, as well as numerous other considerations which have all been shared with the County.
I want to reiterate my appreciation for Ms. McGarry and her staff’s willingness to meet consistently and discuss not only the budget but overall items impacting both the schools and Nelson County in order to collaborate in solving problems, exemplifying the OneNelson mentality.
We appreciate the support of the Board of Supervisors and funding and ask for consideration of more money to address this unique budget biennium."
We will be voting on the budget tomorrow at our School Board meeting.
4. Jayne Hoffman appeared on behalf the “Keep Montebello Rural Committee”. They thank the Board and the Planning Commission for its adoption of the changes requested to the comprehensive plan regarding Montebello. “Keep Montebello Rural” has submitted an Agricultural Forrestal District Submission within Montebello to the Forrest Mountain District with 1530 acres in the core area and including over 2000 acres in the total submission. They also wished to remind the Board that KMRC requested that for Montebello, the Board put a hold on all major/significant projects and special use permits until the upcoming revised ordinances and zoning are finalized.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Resolution – R2024-40 The March 12, March 15, and March 20, 2024 Minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings were unanimously approved.
B. Resolution – R2024-41 Budget Amendment was unanimously approved.
I. Appropriation of Funds (General Fund)
Amount Revenue Account (-) Expenditure Account (+)
$ 314.28 3-100-002404-0001 4-100-031020-5419
$ 2,266.95 3-100-002404-0001 4-100-031020-5419
$ 1,742.00 3-100-002404-0034 4-100-031020-1014
$ 765.00 3-100-002404-0006 4-100-022010-5419
$ 183,058.30 3-100-002401-0045 4-100-053600-3164
$ 18,000.00 3-100-002404-0061 4-100-081020-7067
$ 206,146.53
II. Transfer of Funds (General Fund Departmental - From Employee Benefits Line)
Amount Credit Account (-) Debit Account (+)
$ 2,065.00 4-100-091030-5615 4-100-043020-2011
$ 1,000.00 4-100-091030-5616 4-100-012090-2005
$ 3,000.00 4-100-091030-5616 4-100-021010-1009
$ 1,100.00 4-100-091030-5616 4-100-053600-1003
______________
$ 7,165.00
III. Transfer of Funds (From General Fund Non-Recurring Contingency)
Amount Credit Account (-) Debit Account (+)
$ 11,000.00 4-100-999000-9905 4-100-011010-3002
$ 2,500.00 4-100-999000-9905 4-100-011010-5501
$ 4,953.00 4-100-999000-9905 4-100-043040-5305
$ 36,983.00 4-100-999000-9905 4-100-043040-5408
$ 55,127.00 4-100-999000-9905 4-100-043040-5415
$ 6,878.77 4-100-999000-9905 4-100-053600-3164
________________
$ 117,441.77
IV. Transfer of Funds (From General Fund Recurring Contingency)
Amount Credit Account (-) Debit Account (+)
$ 76,600.93 4-100-999000-9901 4-100-053600-3164
___________
$ 76,600.93
1. The General Fund Appropriations of $206,146.53 reflect requests of (1)(2) $314.28 + $2,266.95 appropriation requests for FY24 Sheriff's Department DCJS Asset Forfeiture funds received; (3) $1,742.00 appropriation request for Sheriff's Department FY24 DCJS Temporary Detention Order & Emergency Custody Order transport wages funding May 2024; (4) $765.00 appropriation request for Commonwealth Attorney's FY24 DCJS Asset Forfeiture funds received; (5) $183,058.30 supplemental appropriation request for State funds (68.68%) for additional State mandated CSA (Children's Services Act) services costs through June 30th totaling $266,538.00; (6) $18,000.00 appropriation request for Virginia Tourism Corporation 2024 DMO Grant for Stars & Spurs at Oak Ridge.
2. General Fund Departmental Transfers of $7,165.00 are requested in the amounts of (1) $2,065.00 to cover increase in FY24 Worker's Compensation insurance premium expense in Maintenance Department; (2) $1,000.00 to cover increase in VRS (retirement benefit) costs in Commissioner's budget; (3) $3,000 to cover Circuit Court cost of compensation for jurors summoned due to increased number of jury trials in FY24; (4) $1,100.00 to cover CSA part-time wages through June due to 2% wage increase in December 2023 and occasional increased work hours.
3. Transfers from General Fund Non-Recurring Contingency in the amount of $117,441.77 are reflected in (1) $11,000.00 for increased financial auditing services costs for the FY23 audit due to additional auditing requirements in GASB 87 & 96 (Governmental Accounting Standards Board); (2) $2,500.00 is requested to cover Board of Supervisors FY23 and FY24 mileage expenses paid in FY24; (3) $4,953.00 is requested to cover increased cost of Motor Pool vehicle insurance in FY24; (4) $36,983.00 is requested to cover increased Motor Pool vehicle repairs and maintenance costs; and (5) $55,127.00 is requested to cover increased fuel costs for Motor Pool and agency vehicles in FY24; (6) $6,878.77 is requested to cover a portion of the local share cost (31.32%) of State CSA (Children's Services Act) mandated services through June 30, 2024. The total local share is $83,479.70 of which the balance of $76,600.93 is required from Recurring Contingency balance. Following approval of these expenditures, the balance of Non-Recurring Contingency would be $ 0.00. Transfers represent funds that are already appropriated in the budget but are moved from one line item to another. Transfers do not affect the bottom line of the budget. A Transfer from General Fund Recurring Contingency in the amount of $76,600.93 is requested to cover (1) $76,600.93 of remaining local costs (31.32%) of additional State CSA (Children's Services Act) mandated services through June 30, 2024. Following approval of these expenditures, the balance of Recurring Contingency would be $433,101.07.
C. Resolution R2024-42 – The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted R2024-42 Petition for Writ of Special Election, Treasurer Seat which provides that the County Attorney is directed to petition the Circuit Court of Nelson County requesting the issuance of a Writ of Special Election for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to fill the unexpired term of the Treasurer’s (Angela Davis’s) current term of office.”
IV. PRESENTATIONS
A. VDOT Report: Mr. Brown reported that the mowing on both 4 lane and 2 lane roads including the south end of Route 29 in time for the upcoming festivals. In response to a question, Mr. Brown stated that 116 miles of public road in Nelson County remained unpaved. David Beasley will be the new Shipman Maintenance chairman. David Creek Road will be the first road paved in the 2025 fiscal year. The report was received from the VDOT traffic study on Route 151. It was the opinion VDOT that insufficient change had occurred since the last traffic study to warrant reducing the speed limits on Route 151 as requested by the Board of Supervisors. Chairman Parr indicated that he would arrange a working meeting between Supervisor Reed and one other supervisor (probably Supervisor Harvey) and VDOT to discuss the traffic study and VDOTS decision not to modify the speed limits.
B. Smart Scale Applications (R2024-43): The Board unanimously voted to approve the following resolution endorsing “the submission of 2024 Smart Scale applications requesting funding for the following transportation projects:
1. Route 151 at Tanbark Road Intersection Improvements: This project will construct a Roundabout at the intersection of Route 151 and Tanbark Drive, and expand gas station curb to restrict driveway opening nearest to proposed Roundabout on Route 151. Relocate the existing parking lot entrance on Northbound 840, south of the intersection. Regrade Tanbark Road embankment to improve visibility to Route 151, geometric improvements in the form of curve radius modification and realignment to Route 151 south of the Tanbark intersection: and
2. Rockfish School Lane & Route 151 Turn Lanes: This project will install dedicated right turn lanes in the southbound and eastbound legs of the Rockfish School Lane and Rockfish Valley Highway intersection.”
V. NEW & UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. 2042 Comprehensive Plan Follow-up: Dylan Bishop presented the “Summary of Land Use Policy Diagnostic Report” prepared by the Berkley Group that included a diagnostic recommendation to provide a framework for updating the County’s Zoning Ordinance. A copy of the detailed report is too long to include in this summary but can be obtained from the County Administrator with Appendixes or from the author of this summary.
B. Proposed Work Order Amendment for Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Updates: the Board voted unanimously to accept the proposed work order and contract submitted by the Berkley Group for the cost of $143,556 (updated, reduced figure from the letter submitted in the BOS packet) which involves the following services at the reduced price noted above:
C. FY25 Budget Adoption (R2024-44): the Board received from Staff the attached Budget Resolution for FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 (JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025) NELSON COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
The motion was made to accept the Budget Resolution and seconded. Supervisor Reed moved to amend the motion and increase the School Board’s share of the Budget by $350,000 (for pay increases for school staff) help offset the loss of revenue from the state, said increase to the School Board to be paid $175,000 from the non-recurring emergency fund and $175,000 from the recurring emergency fund. No second was received in favor of the motion to amend and the motion to amend therefore failed. The motion that was passed is the following:
“WHEREAS, pursuant to the applicable provisions of Chapter 25, Budgets, Audits and Reports of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, the Board of Supervisors of Nelson County, Virginia has prepared a budget for informative and fiscal planning purposes only and has also established tax rates, as applicable, for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025); and
WHEREAS, the completed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget is an itemized and classified plan of all contemplated expenditures and all estimated revenues and borrowing; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has published a synopsis of the budget, giving notice of a public hearing in a newspaper having general circulation in Nelson County and, subsequent thereto, convened a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget on June 4, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Nelson County, Virginia that the Fiscal Year2024-2025 Budget adopt in the total amount (all funds, revenues and expenditures) of $98,588,140. The individual fund totals are denoted as follows: Fund Budget
General $ 49,530,187.00
VPA(DSS) $ 2,111,235.00
Debt Service $ 6,562,696.00
Capital $ 4,832,372.00
School $ 33,765,576.00
Textbook $ 729,537.00
Cafeteria $ 240,491.00
Piney River Water/Sewer $ 539,908.00
Broadband $ 276,138.00
1) The General Fund includes $128,138 in COVID-19 Stimulus Funding and $25,041,291 in local funding transferred to: The Reassessment Fund $100,000, the Debt Service Fund $3,325,284 ($2,028,105 debt service and $1,297,179 reserve), the Piney River Water & Sewer Fund $350,000, and the School Fund $19,154,772 ($18,989,837 for general operations and $164,935 allocated for school nurses). Also included is $2,111,235 in local, state, and federal funds transferred to the VPA Fund (DSS) and contingency/reserve funds of: Recurring Contingency $612,438, Non-Recurring Contingency $662,994, and School Capital Reserve $300,500. Initial Capital Funding for NCHS Renovation Project at $2,456,071and DSS Building Project at $1,656,071 are also included in the Capital Fund.
2) The School Fund includes a transfer of $229,001 to the Textbook Fund, $504,993 in Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Funding, and $1,400,000 in State School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) Grant funding.
BE IT LASTLY RESOLVED, that adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget shall not be deemed to be an appropriation and no expenditures shall be made from said budget until duly appropriated by the Board of Supervisors of Nelson County, Virginia.”
D. FY25 Budget Appropriation (R2024-45): the Board unanimously passed the following annual appropriation Resolution:
“[T]he Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget be hereby appropriated on an annual basis by fund category, as follows:
Fund Revenue(s) Expenditure(s)
(All Sources) (All Departments)
General $49,530,187.00 $49,530,187.00
VPA (DSS) $ 2,111,235.00 $2,111,235.00
Debt Service $ 6,562,696.00 $6,562,696.00
Capital $ 4,832,372.00 $4,832,372.00
School $33,765,576.00 $33,765,576.00
Textbook $ 729,537.00 $729,537.00
Cafeteria $ 240,491.00 $240,491.00
Piney River Water/Sewer $ 539,908.00 $539,908.00
Broadband $ 276,138.00 $276,138.00
____________________________________________________
Total $98,588,140.00 $98,588,140.00
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors that:
1. The General Fund appropriation includes $128,138 in COVID-19 Stimulus Funds and the transfers of: $2,111,235.00 (4-100-093100-9201) to the VPA Fund (DSS) (3-150-004105-0001);
3,325,284.00 (4-100-093100-9204) to the Debt Service Fund (3-108-004105-0100), $19,154,772
(4-100-093100-9202/Nursing $164,935, 4-100-093100-9203/Operations $18,989,837, 4-100-
093100-9205/Buses $0, 4-100-093100-9206/Capital $0) to the School Fund (3-205-004105-0001); $0 (4-100-093100-9114) to the Broadband Fund (3-114-004105-0100); $100,000 (4-100-93100-9101) to the Reassessment Fund (3-101-004105-0001); and $350,000 (4-100-093100-9207) to the Piney River Water & Sewer Fund (3-501-004105-0001).”
VI. REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS, DIRECTIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Reports
1. County Administrator’s Report for June 11, 2024 Board Meeting:
A. Shipman Historic District: The Department of Historic Resources (DHR) has approved the Shipman Historic District National Registry of Historic Places nomination project for cost share funding. DHR will contribute $6,500 in matching funds and the County’s share would be $7,500 for a project total of $14,000. DHR will provide a contract outlining the terms of the cost share agreement and once signed by both parties, the project scope will be developed and distributed to DHR’s pool of contractors. The County will then make a contractor selection based on the quotes submitted for the project. Staff anticipates having the DHR cost share agreement for the Board’s consideration at the July 9th regular meeting.
B. Route 151 Updates:
Speed Study Results: In January, the Board requested an updated speed study along the 55 MPH sections of Route 151 (Rockfish Valley Highway) in Nelson County between Route 664 (Beech Grove Road) to the Nelson / Albemarle County Line to determine if a single 45 MPH Speed Zone could be established over the entire 13.15-mile length. A comparative review of speed data was done that assessed whether there have been any significant changes in operating speeds since the most recent speed study within the 55 MPH Speed Zone from 0.31 miles north of Route 784 (Bland Wade Lane) to the Albemarle / Nelson County Line was conducted in 2016. As part of this effort, count locations were selected within the portion of Route 151 that remains posted at 55 MPH, in close proximity to the two (2) count locations from the 2016 speed study, as well as the incorporation of an additional count location on the southernmost portion of the study section, closest to Route 664. The updated study results showed that there did not appear to have been any significant changes to operating speeds on the roadway since the previous speed study was conducted, that would warrant a speed limit reduction on this section of Route 151. (See attached study report for details)
Through Truck Restriction: This was delegated to the Planning and Zoning department for follow up and is in process.
C. Lovingston System Water/Sewer Capacity Study: County and NCSA Staff are meeting with the consultants this week to review draft findings; with plans for presentation to the Board at the July 9th regular meeting.
D. NCSA Lovingston Sewer Rehabilitation Project: The Service Authority has received a financing proposal from the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) office of Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to implement a $2,235,000 sewer rehabilitation project in Lovingston that would address serious environmental issues with sewage overflowing out of manholes into residential yards and ultimately into Town Creek. The financing entails a grant of $1,594,000 and a loan in the form of an RUS wastewater utility bond of $641,000 at 2.25% interest for 40 years, with an annual cost of $24,384. In order for the project to go forward, the Service Authority needs to be able to show sufficient revenues from the Lovingston wastewater system to cover this annual cost. In lieu of a rate increase, the proposed means to achieve this, is by a mutually approved Support Agreement between the NCSA and the County which would allow the County to legally transfer funds of $24,384 by annual appropriation to the Service Authority, to be counted and used as revenues of the Lovingston wastewater/sewer system. The annual transfer would be a moral obligation pledge and is not binding, nor does it obligate future Boards. A draft Support Agreement has been submitted by NCSA to USDA/RUS for their approval and if approved, it will be presented to both the Board of Supervisors and Service Authority Board for approval consideration in the next couple of months.
E. Department of Social Services Building: After a closed session during the May 14th regular meeting, the Board authorized the County to proceed with execution of a purchase agreement for a parcel of property on Callohill Drive adjoining the County owned property; which will allow for the required storm water retention pond associated with widening and paving of the planned roadway. PMA has been advised; with A&E work on hold until the purchase is complete.
F. Nelson Recovery Court: New legislation effective July 1, 2024 changes the Court’s name from Drug Court to Recovery Court and modifies what constitutes violent offenses. These include murder and weapons based offenses; which render a potential participant as ineligible but allows for with past or present burglary offenses to now be eligible to participate. The Court currently has 4 active participants, 1 pending entry, and 2 referrals. The 2 participants in the final phases of the program will potentially graduate in October.
G. Move Safely Blue Ridge Community Meeting: The TJPDC will be hosting a community meeting on June 12, 2024 from 6pm – 8pm at the Nelson Center. This meeting is to gather our citizens’ thoughts on ways to make the roads in Nelson safer for everyone including those who bike, walk, roll, or drive. The project website is https://movesafelyblueridge.com/ where you can sign up for email updates and complete an online survey.
H. Preliminary FY24 End of Fiscal Year Projection: Staff is monitoring first half 2024 revenue collections for Real and Personal Property taxes. As of June 7th, there was a balance of Real Property taxes to be collected of $1,335,180 and Personal Property taxes of $335,242 totaling $1,670,422. The overall balance of all local revenues to be collected is $2,026,803. The overall balance of $1,032,541 in State, Federal, and other (excluding Year Ending Balance) revenues is also expected to be collected in full. Collections for fiscal year 2024 will continue through July/August until our June accounting period is reconciled and closed; staff anticipates realizing the overall budgeted amount of revenues of $52,859,150. Expenditures through the end of June are anticipated to be in the neighborhood of $1,400,000 for a total fiscal year expenditure projection of $49,750,239. Comparing that to the fiscal year projection of total revenues of at least the budgeted amount of $52,859,150; carryover funds are expected to be around $3,108,911. The FY25 budgeted carryover is $3,032,863. Fiscal year-end status will be more clear and an update reported in July/August. (See attached Summary Reports)
I. 2026 Reassessment RFP: Staff is planning to issue the RFP for 2026 real property reassessment/mass appraisal services on June 20th with responses due July 15, 2024. Vendor interviews and contract award is anticipated to be done in July/August with the work to commence in September/October 2024. The hired firm will begin with the Sales study and the bulk of the reassessment work will be done during calendar year 2025. Final completion of the reassessment will be contractually by December 31, 2025 and assessments effective January 1, 2026. There will be informal hearings with Assessors, as requested by citizens, followed by Board of Equalization appeal hearings during the February/March 2026 time frame.
2. Board Reports:
Candy McGarry reported that the ACRJ has not met for the past two months but should meet in July.
David Parr reported that EMS meeting was cancelled due to emergency calls that required the staff to respond.
Jessie Rutherford reported he was unavailable to attend the TJCPD meeting but Ernie Reed attended. Ernie Reed stated that the report on the Recovery Court (formerly Drug Court) was very positive with general sense of optimism from staff and the 2 participants.
Jessica Ligon reported that she attended the Virginia Career Works meeting. They had a 10% drop in funding from the state. They are excited about some grants to help children in schools be better in the workplace, however VCW is not receiving return calls from the schools.
B. Appointments:
The Board is still looking for a candidate to fill the Central District seat for the Department of Social Services Board of Directors and will need a replacement for Mr. Barton at ACRJ in July.
The Board unanimously voted to reappoint Sergio Sanchez as the South District Representative to the Nelson County Service Authority. Both David S. Hight the incumbent and Marshal Saunders want the appointment as the West District Representative to the Nelson County Service Authority. The Board voted to table the West District appointment until the July meeting so that the Board could discuss the two candidates in closed session.
The remaining applicants were unanimously approved for the boards listed (some vacancies have no applicants):
C. Correspondence: Dr. Ligon took a tour of the Heritage Center and was impressed by the energy and excitement there.
D. Directives: the County Administrator, Ms. McGarry was requested by Jesse Rutherford to provide the Board with a bar graph monthly showing the year over year figures for past revenues and projected revenues for three years including the current year, especially including the hospitality industry
There being no further business for the Board to consider, the meeting was adjourned.