by Neil Richard
Editor's Note: In taking a large departure from our usual format, we would like to hear from our readers what style they prefer when reading about Board meetings. This week's coverage is an example of a more simplistic and shortened version of coverage that focuses on the main points of interest. Compared to our typical, long winded and dry approach, we want to hear from you which of these formats you prefer, or if you would enjoy reading, watching, or listening to the meetings in some other way. Feel free to leave your comments here or send us an email at theprjct94@gmail.com. Thanks!
The Board of Supervisors held their meeting on the floor of the Board Room in order to accommodate the members of the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee later in the evening. Absent from the meeting but participating remotely was Supervisor Jeff Bueche. The Board amended the Agenda by removing the Tourism Advisory Committee's request for funding and moving the discussion item on the Census Complete Count to the start of the meeting.
With a few stumbles here and there, Cathy Binder led the meeting quickly through the approval of the Consent Agenda, no Public Comment, and no report from the County Attorney. Dr. Millsaps, certified pilot and small business expert, then dove into the 2020 Census presentation with his service dog, Luna, at his side. Dr. Millsaps cruised through the presentation quickly but kept his audience's attention with a mix of humor and knowledge. The bottom line of his presentation was that getting a complete and accurate count of residents in King George County was important on many levels and that by under-counting the population by just 50 people would result in a a loss of $1 million in funds. These funds are through Federal and state grants as well as normal contributions. The same theory applies to the student population in schools determining how much Federal and state funds the school system will receive. With Dr. Millsaps' presentation complete, the Board approved a proclamation that May 1, 2019 would be recognized as King George County Census Awareness Day.
Richard Granger reported that he met with Michele Wido about KGI Telecommunications and their relationship with the County. He said the engineering plans required to install their equipment was a big expense. Granger said he hoped the Small Business Development Program would help them. John Jenkins reported that there was discussion at a recent George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) meeting about affordable housing. He cautioned that higher population density was often needed to make affordable housing work but many people in King George did not want higher density. Both Ruby Brabo and Cathy Binder participated in the Meet in the Middle and both expressed their happiness in seeing the participants enjoy themselves. Jeff Bueche said he would save his report for a future meeting but did want to appoint Donald "DJ" Watkins to the Planning Commission to replace Doiley Fulcher. The rest of the Board approved.
The Board then held a Public Hearing on the proposed No Wake Zone off Machodoc Creek Marina. It was approved. Dr. Neiman Young, County Administrator, then invited the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee to the table and presented his proposed budget. Dr. Young's presentation centered on two slides. The first was a choice between tapping the Revenue Stabilization Fund or increase taxes one cent. The second was the basic highlights of what the budget included. Ruby Brabo asked why a half cent tax increase wasn't an option and Dr. Young said the antiquated accounting software was not able to do that. The Board opted to use the Revenue Stabilization Fund to cover the small budget gap.
Ryan Gandy, Director of Economic Development, then presented the Small Business Development Program. As the Board wasn't prepared to make a decision on the three page proposal they had just received, they tabled any decision until later. The general consensus was the program had all the right intentions of targeting small business and making it easier for them to locate in King George, but the Supervisors wanted to make sure they didn't rush to a decision.
Jonathon Weakley, Service Authority General Manager, then asked the Board of Supervisors to fund the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) that was needed to bring several sewer pump stations into compliance with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Board approved. Additionally, the Board approved funding for the new playground equipment at King George Elementary School, awarded a contract to demolish the old doctor's office next to Big Dog Outfitters, and approved funding for a fiscal impact profile study. The County will recoup the expense of the demolition through a lien and the fiscal impact study will be used to better quantify the impact any new development, commercial or residential, will have on the community.
The Board also approved sending a notice to the Schools that the County would cease providing Human Resources support on June 1st. Dr. Young said in his discussions with Dr. Robert Benson, Superintendent of schools, that the short notice would be a hardship on the schools. Dr. Young said that while he wanted to make progress on the issue by sending the notice, he also told Dr. Benson that an extension may be possible. Brabo said they should be able to handle the work as the schools have two employees in Human Resources. The Board approved sending the notice before going into a short Closed Session.
Meeting Attendees:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Absent:
Jeff Bueche (Chairman, Board of Supervisors) attended remotely
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Board of Supervisors will next meet on April 23, 2019 at 6:30 pm at Company 1.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Editor's Note: In taking a large departure from our usual format, we would like to hear from our readers what style they prefer when reading about Board meetings. This week's coverage is an example of a more simplistic and shortened version of coverage that focuses on the main points of interest. Compared to our typical, long winded and dry approach, we want to hear from you which of these formats you prefer, or if you would enjoy reading, watching, or listening to the meetings in some other way. Feel free to leave your comments here or send us an email at theprjct94@gmail.com. Thanks!
The Board of Supervisors held their meeting on the floor of the Board Room in order to accommodate the members of the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee later in the evening. Absent from the meeting but participating remotely was Supervisor Jeff Bueche. The Board amended the Agenda by removing the Tourism Advisory Committee's request for funding and moving the discussion item on the Census Complete Count to the start of the meeting.
With a few stumbles here and there, Cathy Binder led the meeting quickly through the approval of the Consent Agenda, no Public Comment, and no report from the County Attorney. Dr. Millsaps, certified pilot and small business expert, then dove into the 2020 Census presentation with his service dog, Luna, at his side. Dr. Millsaps cruised through the presentation quickly but kept his audience's attention with a mix of humor and knowledge. The bottom line of his presentation was that getting a complete and accurate count of residents in King George County was important on many levels and that by under-counting the population by just 50 people would result in a a loss of $1 million in funds. These funds are through Federal and state grants as well as normal contributions. The same theory applies to the student population in schools determining how much Federal and state funds the school system will receive. With Dr. Millsaps' presentation complete, the Board approved a proclamation that May 1, 2019 would be recognized as King George County Census Awareness Day.
Richard Granger reported that he met with Michele Wido about KGI Telecommunications and their relationship with the County. He said the engineering plans required to install their equipment was a big expense. Granger said he hoped the Small Business Development Program would help them. John Jenkins reported that there was discussion at a recent George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) meeting about affordable housing. He cautioned that higher population density was often needed to make affordable housing work but many people in King George did not want higher density. Both Ruby Brabo and Cathy Binder participated in the Meet in the Middle and both expressed their happiness in seeing the participants enjoy themselves. Jeff Bueche said he would save his report for a future meeting but did want to appoint Donald "DJ" Watkins to the Planning Commission to replace Doiley Fulcher. The rest of the Board approved.
The Board then held a Public Hearing on the proposed No Wake Zone off Machodoc Creek Marina. It was approved. Dr. Neiman Young, County Administrator, then invited the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee to the table and presented his proposed budget. Dr. Young's presentation centered on two slides. The first was a choice between tapping the Revenue Stabilization Fund or increase taxes one cent. The second was the basic highlights of what the budget included. Ruby Brabo asked why a half cent tax increase wasn't an option and Dr. Young said the antiquated accounting software was not able to do that. The Board opted to use the Revenue Stabilization Fund to cover the small budget gap.
 |
| Use the Stabilization Fund or raise taxes? |
 |
| County employees, Supervisors, and teachers all get a raise this year. |
Ryan Gandy, Director of Economic Development, then presented the Small Business Development Program. As the Board wasn't prepared to make a decision on the three page proposal they had just received, they tabled any decision until later. The general consensus was the program had all the right intentions of targeting small business and making it easier for them to locate in King George, but the Supervisors wanted to make sure they didn't rush to a decision.
Jonathon Weakley, Service Authority General Manager, then asked the Board of Supervisors to fund the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) that was needed to bring several sewer pump stations into compliance with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Board approved. Additionally, the Board approved funding for the new playground equipment at King George Elementary School, awarded a contract to demolish the old doctor's office next to Big Dog Outfitters, and approved funding for a fiscal impact profile study. The County will recoup the expense of the demolition through a lien and the fiscal impact study will be used to better quantify the impact any new development, commercial or residential, will have on the community.
The Board also approved sending a notice to the Schools that the County would cease providing Human Resources support on June 1st. Dr. Young said in his discussions with Dr. Robert Benson, Superintendent of schools, that the short notice would be a hardship on the schools. Dr. Young said that while he wanted to make progress on the issue by sending the notice, he also told Dr. Benson that an extension may be possible. Brabo said they should be able to handle the work as the schools have two employees in Human Resources. The Board approved sending the notice before going into a short Closed Session.
Meeting Attendees:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Absent:
Jeff Bueche (Chairman, Board of Supervisors) attended remotely
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Board of Supervisors will next meet on April 23, 2019 at 6:30 pm at Company 1.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Board of Supervisors Meeting.
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