HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016_tcmin0331SPEC COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING March 31, 2016
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor David S. Butler presiding.
Council Members Present: Kelly Burk, Thomas Dunn, Suzanne Fox, Katie Sheldon
Hammler, R. Bruce Gemmill and Mayor Butler.
Council Members Absent: Marty Martinez.
Staff Present: Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel,
Town Attorney Barbara Notar, Assistant Town Manager Tom Mason, Assistant Town
Manager Scott Parker, Director of Plan Review Bill Adman, Director of Parks and
Recreation Rich Williams, Director of Utilities Amy Wyks, Director of Planning and
Zoning Susan Berry Hill, Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Grigsby, Director of
Economic Development Marantha Edwards, Director of Capital Projects and Public
Works Renee Lafollette, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Kate Trask, Deputy
Director of Finance and Administrative Services Lisa Haley, Deputy Director of
Utilities Robert Etris, Library Manager Alexandra Gressitt, Information Technology
Manager Annie Carlson, Airport Manager Scott Coffman, Deputy Director of Capital
Projects Tom Brandon, Deputy Director of Public Works Charlie Mumaw, Senior
Management Analyst Jason Cournoyer, Senior Management Analyst Cole Fazenbaker,
Business Development Manager Kindra Jackson, Human Resources Manager Mark
Hauer, Public Information Officer Betsy Fields, Lieutenant Jeff Dube, and Clerk of
Council Lee Ann Green.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL: Showing Council Member Martinez absent.
3. BUDGET WORK SESSION
Mayor Butler discussed the tax rate and comparisons with other localities. He
noted that Leesburg's taxes per capita are significantly lower than Purcellville, Herndon,
or Vienna.
Council Comments/Questions:
• Fox: Stated that assessments have gone down but taxes have gone up for the
county. She questioned whether that is reflected in this year's budget.
• Burk: Stated she would like to add the $50,000 for the EAC's utility monitoring
recommendation because this would save money over the long term.
• Hammier: Questioned whether there is an opportunity to remove the annual
contribution to the Rescue Squad in exchange for the land where the skate park
presently sits. She stated she would like to add that to her "wish" list. She stated
in order to get the tax rate down, capping the pay for performance at 3% would
save $180,000 and get the tax rate down to an equalized rate or below. She noted
that the federal government is only giving a 1.3% increase. She stated the town
also has a robust Virginia Retirement System plan. She stated she is concerned
over depletion over time of the Capital Asset Replacement Fund.
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COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING March 31, 2016
• Gemmill: Stated he could support a 3% cap on performance increases.
• Fox: Questioned the food and beverage line item for the Economic Development
Department. She stated there is a huge difference between actuals and budgeted.
She stated she is curious to see how many line items have that much "padding".
• Butler: Stated he would resist capping the raises because it sends a message to
staff that it doesn't matter if you do superior work—you won't be rewarded for it.
He stated this is a significant disincentive to employees. Further, he stated he
does not like to use the federal government as an example because keeping the
raises low, it costs the federal government millions of dollars per year when the
best employees leave and the worst employees stay.
4. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Council Member Gemmill, seconded by Council Member Dunn, the
meeting was adjourned at 7.:48 p.m.
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David S. Butler, Mayor
Town of Leesburg
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Clerk of o
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