The King George County Board of Supervisors began their second Special Meeting of the month at 6:30pm.
Public Comment opened with Jim Lynch returning to the podium to find the microphone working normally. He commented that the presentation on the new Harry Nice bridge earlier in the year mentioned a noise analysis that was done. Lynch said he had asked for the report to learn more about it but had yet to receive a copy. Ruby Brabo interrupted and said that a copy was sent to him earlier today and apologized for it being sent late but the Board had only just received a copy themselves. Lynch said thanks and said that concluded his comments.
Next to speak was Nannie Mae Johnson Monk. She said she wanted to speak about the new tax assessments. She said she understood that there's a desire to help the School Board but was against raising taxes if possible. Monk said that the landfill was put in to help relieve the School Board's debt and the situation at the Oakland Park Waste Water Treatment Plant that doesn't work but she wanted to find another way to help the School Board. She said she wasn't against helping the County but still would not like to see a tax increase.
Kim Dodge then spoke against the new tax rate. She said we don't have to increase taxes this year and that we can use the equalized rate of 6.7 cents. She said according to her research that the new homes that come into the County's tax rolls aren't included in the budget. Dodge also said she knows using the surplus helps pay off the debt faster. She closed by saying she likes to talk about the total amount of the increase, not divided by day or month and she felt like the Board didn't even consider equalization.
Yvonne Richard spoke via the County's remote session option [EDITOR'S NOTE - Neil Richard, a co-founder of Project94, is the spouse of Yvonne Richard.]. She said she was in favor of the tax increase and the budget as proposed. She said the new School Resource Officers (SROs) and funding for additional fire, rescue, and police staff would keep the community safe. Mrs. Richard also repeated her request to hold Chris Thomas, Service Authority General Manager, and Chris Werle, Chairman of the Service Authority Board of Directors, accountable for their lack of notifying the Board of Supervisors and the public about the issues with the King George County Service Authority.
John Jenkins began his Board Report by saying he appreciated everyone commenting as always. He also said he attended the Small Business Appreciation Dinner on May 24th. Jenkins said there was an excellent turn out and it was well put together. He offered congratulations to Love Thy Neighbor for being the non-profit of the year and Amir Patel's Subway as the business of the year.
Jeff Bueche said he also attended the Small Business Appreciation Dinner and echoed the same congratulations. He also thanked everyone for their comments and , even though they may not always agree, he appreciates the dialog. He said the Board worked hard on the budget and that during the process he learned that County departments were working understaffed. He said significant cuts were made by several departments, including the school system. He also said the school submitted a realistic budget. Bueche said he met his campaign promise of addressing the debt head on. He also wanted to make it clear it was not a tax increase. He said more money would be coming out of households but that the home values have gone up as well as the cost of services in the County. He said the rate of 70 cents is not an increase as it was the same rate as last year. He closed by saying he was here at the meeting instead of at his son's eighth grade graduation and wanted to congratulate him.
Ruby Brabo said she would give her full report at Tuesday's meeting. She said it was unfortunate that the public didn't attend the budget work sessions as they would have seen departments making cuts. She said services have increased in costs and that some are mandated. Brabo said it was clear that citizens felt there was a need for SROs and that adding them to the budget made up nearly one cent of the tax rate. She said she was proud that a citizen committee was included in the process and reminded everyone that the work sessions were open to the public. She said she's not sure what else to do to improve public participation in the process. Brabo said she thinks the Board will continue to keep things as transparent as possible in the coming years and hopes more citizens will turn out for the process next year.
Cathy Binder said she too would give her full report at Tuesday's meeting. She thanked everyone that has spoken to her in person and at meetings. She said being up on the bench is enlightening and she really learned what goes into the process but felt that everyone did their due diligence to do what is right for the community.
Richard Granger said he appreciated those that spoke and those that helped during the process. He mentioned that he forgot to tell the Board at the last meeting that he had received correspondence from Adam Black from the base in Dahlgren regarding the invitation for a meeting on June 14th.
Eric Gregory, County Attorney, had no report.
Next on the list was a series of Action Items regarding the budget. Neiman Young, County Administrator, began his presentation with a point of clarity. He referenced some of the comments from the public, specifically, about budget cuts, and said that on the March 15, 2018 budget work session, the presentation included cuts that he made prior to that day along with various cuts made by the Board of Supervisors. He said these cuts, along with those done by the schools, amounted to about a penny and a half of savings.
Dr. Young then presented his recommendation to the Board that they adopt a 70 cent per $100 of assessed value tax rate for the coming year. The Board approved the rate. Next, Young presented his recommendation to the Board that they adopt a 32 percent Personal Property Tax Relief Rate. This caused some discussion and consternation from the Board as it would mean a small increase for taxpayers but would not force the County to subsidize the program. The Personal Property Tax Relief Act, which allows for localities to determine the amount of tax relief, was signed into law in 1998. Historically, King George has had a rate of 34% in FY2016-2017 and 33% in FY2017-2018.
To give an example of this, back in 2016 if my car was valued at $1,825 and the Personal Property Tax Rate for 2016 is $3.50 per $100 of assessed value. My total tax due for the whole year was $63.88. However, Personal Property Tax bills are sent twice a year, so my bill for six months was $31.94. Because my car was worth more than $1,000 and less than $20,000, I was eligible for the 34% rate that was in place in 2016. Therefore, my $31.94 tax bill was reduced by 34%, or $10.86, so that my final bill that was due was only $21.08. At least the tax portion of my bill. When the license fee of $23 is added, I owe a total amount of $43.08.
Although my car is worth less now than it was in 2016, by using the same formula, same amounts, and newly adopted tax relief rate of 32%, I would see an increase in my bill of $0.64 or $1.28 per year.
Brabo said this was a tough call while Bueche asked if there would be revenue at the end of the year that would cover the potential $26,715 subsidy from the County should they adopt a 33 percent rate. Young said he had no idea if the cost would be $26,715 at the end of the year as it was just a projection. He said it could go up to $40,000 or down to $15,000 and that was why he recommended the 32 percent rate. Brabo asked the County Attorney if they could adopt the rate now and then change it mid year. Gregory said he did not know but could certainly research the question. Brabo asked if the decision could be tabled until later and Young said doing so would delay tax bills as this particular rate was applied to automobiles. Brabo then recommended moving forward with the recommended 32 percent rate and asked to revisit the rate later if it was allowed. The rest of the Board concurred and approved the 32 percent rate. Dr. Young then presented the Tax Rates, Operating Budget, and Community Development Fee Schedule for the next year, all of which were approved.
The next big section of the Action Items was related to the Harry Nice Bridge Replacement Project (Route 301). Dr. Young presented his recommendations to agree to and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the project, to decline the installation of a noise wall, and to agree to the request for de minimus use of public land. Brabo asked if Jenkins had heard any comments from those in his district about the noise wall and Jenkins said most of the comments he received were against it. Brabo said that she had heard from some residents that it would be unsightly and not very helpful. Jenkins said he had also heard that it may pose a security issue as it would block the view of the Wayside Park area. As the Board was getting ready to vote, Dr. Young interrupted and said the MOA had been amended since they last saw it yesterday. Gregory said there was only a minor correction to Page 2, Paragraph 6 on the last line that would replace "... Federal Lands Planning Program..." with "... Federal Lands to Parks Program..." Gregory said the change was not substantive. The Board approved all of Dr. Young's recommendations.
Dr. Young had nothing further to report.
Ruby Brabo reminded the Board that Sunday, June 3, 2018 would be the 12th Annual Frazier-Mason Some Gave All Ride.
With no Closed Session, the Board adjourned at 7:03pm.
Meeting Attendees:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Jeff Bueche (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Chairman, Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Board of Supervisors will next meet on June 5, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Revercomb Building.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Public Comment opened with Jim Lynch returning to the podium to find the microphone working normally. He commented that the presentation on the new Harry Nice bridge earlier in the year mentioned a noise analysis that was done. Lynch said he had asked for the report to learn more about it but had yet to receive a copy. Ruby Brabo interrupted and said that a copy was sent to him earlier today and apologized for it being sent late but the Board had only just received a copy themselves. Lynch said thanks and said that concluded his comments.
Next to speak was Nannie Mae Johnson Monk. She said she wanted to speak about the new tax assessments. She said she understood that there's a desire to help the School Board but was against raising taxes if possible. Monk said that the landfill was put in to help relieve the School Board's debt and the situation at the Oakland Park Waste Water Treatment Plant that doesn't work but she wanted to find another way to help the School Board. She said she wasn't against helping the County but still would not like to see a tax increase.
Kim Dodge then spoke against the new tax rate. She said we don't have to increase taxes this year and that we can use the equalized rate of 6.7 cents. She said according to her research that the new homes that come into the County's tax rolls aren't included in the budget. Dodge also said she knows using the surplus helps pay off the debt faster. She closed by saying she likes to talk about the total amount of the increase, not divided by day or month and she felt like the Board didn't even consider equalization.
Yvonne Richard spoke via the County's remote session option [EDITOR'S NOTE - Neil Richard, a co-founder of Project94, is the spouse of Yvonne Richard.]. She said she was in favor of the tax increase and the budget as proposed. She said the new School Resource Officers (SROs) and funding for additional fire, rescue, and police staff would keep the community safe. Mrs. Richard also repeated her request to hold Chris Thomas, Service Authority General Manager, and Chris Werle, Chairman of the Service Authority Board of Directors, accountable for their lack of notifying the Board of Supervisors and the public about the issues with the King George County Service Authority.
John Jenkins began his Board Report by saying he appreciated everyone commenting as always. He also said he attended the Small Business Appreciation Dinner on May 24th. Jenkins said there was an excellent turn out and it was well put together. He offered congratulations to Love Thy Neighbor for being the non-profit of the year and Amir Patel's Subway as the business of the year.
Jeff Bueche said he also attended the Small Business Appreciation Dinner and echoed the same congratulations. He also thanked everyone for their comments and , even though they may not always agree, he appreciates the dialog. He said the Board worked hard on the budget and that during the process he learned that County departments were working understaffed. He said significant cuts were made by several departments, including the school system. He also said the school submitted a realistic budget. Bueche said he met his campaign promise of addressing the debt head on. He also wanted to make it clear it was not a tax increase. He said more money would be coming out of households but that the home values have gone up as well as the cost of services in the County. He said the rate of 70 cents is not an increase as it was the same rate as last year. He closed by saying he was here at the meeting instead of at his son's eighth grade graduation and wanted to congratulate him.
Ruby Brabo said she would give her full report at Tuesday's meeting. She said it was unfortunate that the public didn't attend the budget work sessions as they would have seen departments making cuts. She said services have increased in costs and that some are mandated. Brabo said it was clear that citizens felt there was a need for SROs and that adding them to the budget made up nearly one cent of the tax rate. She said she was proud that a citizen committee was included in the process and reminded everyone that the work sessions were open to the public. She said she's not sure what else to do to improve public participation in the process. Brabo said she thinks the Board will continue to keep things as transparent as possible in the coming years and hopes more citizens will turn out for the process next year.
Cathy Binder said she too would give her full report at Tuesday's meeting. She thanked everyone that has spoken to her in person and at meetings. She said being up on the bench is enlightening and she really learned what goes into the process but felt that everyone did their due diligence to do what is right for the community.
Richard Granger said he appreciated those that spoke and those that helped during the process. He mentioned that he forgot to tell the Board at the last meeting that he had received correspondence from Adam Black from the base in Dahlgren regarding the invitation for a meeting on June 14th.
Eric Gregory, County Attorney, had no report.
Next on the list was a series of Action Items regarding the budget. Neiman Young, County Administrator, began his presentation with a point of clarity. He referenced some of the comments from the public, specifically, about budget cuts, and said that on the March 15, 2018 budget work session, the presentation included cuts that he made prior to that day along with various cuts made by the Board of Supervisors. He said these cuts, along with those done by the schools, amounted to about a penny and a half of savings.
Dr. Young then presented his recommendation to the Board that they adopt a 70 cent per $100 of assessed value tax rate for the coming year. The Board approved the rate. Next, Young presented his recommendation to the Board that they adopt a 32 percent Personal Property Tax Relief Rate. This caused some discussion and consternation from the Board as it would mean a small increase for taxpayers but would not force the County to subsidize the program. The Personal Property Tax Relief Act, which allows for localities to determine the amount of tax relief, was signed into law in 1998. Historically, King George has had a rate of 34% in FY2016-2017 and 33% in FY2017-2018.
To give an example of this, back in 2016 if my car was valued at $1,825 and the Personal Property Tax Rate for 2016 is $3.50 per $100 of assessed value. My total tax due for the whole year was $63.88. However, Personal Property Tax bills are sent twice a year, so my bill for six months was $31.94. Because my car was worth more than $1,000 and less than $20,000, I was eligible for the 34% rate that was in place in 2016. Therefore, my $31.94 tax bill was reduced by 34%, or $10.86, so that my final bill that was due was only $21.08. At least the tax portion of my bill. When the license fee of $23 is added, I owe a total amount of $43.08.
Although my car is worth less now than it was in 2016, by using the same formula, same amounts, and newly adopted tax relief rate of 32%, I would see an increase in my bill of $0.64 or $1.28 per year.
Brabo said this was a tough call while Bueche asked if there would be revenue at the end of the year that would cover the potential $26,715 subsidy from the County should they adopt a 33 percent rate. Young said he had no idea if the cost would be $26,715 at the end of the year as it was just a projection. He said it could go up to $40,000 or down to $15,000 and that was why he recommended the 32 percent rate. Brabo asked the County Attorney if they could adopt the rate now and then change it mid year. Gregory said he did not know but could certainly research the question. Brabo asked if the decision could be tabled until later and Young said doing so would delay tax bills as this particular rate was applied to automobiles. Brabo then recommended moving forward with the recommended 32 percent rate and asked to revisit the rate later if it was allowed. The rest of the Board concurred and approved the 32 percent rate. Dr. Young then presented the Tax Rates, Operating Budget, and Community Development Fee Schedule for the next year, all of which were approved.
The next big section of the Action Items was related to the Harry Nice Bridge Replacement Project (Route 301). Dr. Young presented his recommendations to agree to and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the project, to decline the installation of a noise wall, and to agree to the request for de minimus use of public land. Brabo asked if Jenkins had heard any comments from those in his district about the noise wall and Jenkins said most of the comments he received were against it. Brabo said that she had heard from some residents that it would be unsightly and not very helpful. Jenkins said he had also heard that it may pose a security issue as it would block the view of the Wayside Park area. As the Board was getting ready to vote, Dr. Young interrupted and said the MOA had been amended since they last saw it yesterday. Gregory said there was only a minor correction to Page 2, Paragraph 6 on the last line that would replace "... Federal Lands Planning Program..." with "... Federal Lands to Parks Program..." Gregory said the change was not substantive. The Board approved all of Dr. Young's recommendations.
Dr. Young had nothing further to report.
Ruby Brabo reminded the Board that Sunday, June 3, 2018 would be the 12th Annual Frazier-Mason Some Gave All Ride.
With no Closed Session, the Board adjourned at 7:03pm.
Meeting Attendees:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Jeff Bueche (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Chairman, Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Board of Supervisors will next meet on June 5, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Revercomb Building.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Mrs. Brabo was nice to apologize but she really didn't have anything to apologize for. MdTA were the ones who were delinquent in sending the report after repeated requests from Dr. Young.
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