HomeMy Public PortalAbout2012_tcwsmin0213Council Work Session February 13, 2012
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd
presiding.
Council Members Present: David S. Butler, Thomas Dunn, Katie Sheldon Hammler,
Marty Martinez, C. Terry Titus, Kevin Wright, and Mayor Umstattd.
Council Members Absent: Council Member Hammler arrived at 8:02 p.m.
Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Deputy Town Attorney Barbara Notar,
Director of Plan Review Bill Ackman, Director of Public Works Tom Mason,
Director of Planning and Zoning Susan Berry Hill, Economic Development Manager
Marantha Edwards, Library Director Alexandra Gressitt, Chief of Police Joseph
Price, Acting Director of Capital Projects Renee LaFollette, Acting Director of
Utilities Aref Etemadi, Director of Finance Norm Butts, Research and
Communication Manager Betsy Fields, Senior Management Analyst Bob Berkey,
Senior Management Analyst Annie Carlson, Director of Parks and Recreation
Richard Williams and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Work Session Items for Discussion
a. FY 2013 Budget Presentation
Mr. Wells gave a presentation describing the FY 2013 budget.
Summary of Key Points:
• No change recommended to the FY 2013 Real Estate Tax rate of 19.5
cents.
• The equalized tax rate is 19.5 cents.
• No changes in the real estate tax rate are anticipated or planned for FY
2014.
• No carryover funds anticipated or planned to be used to balance the
operating budgets through FY 2016.
• No new initiatives are recommended.
• Airport Fund will be eliminated. Airport will be included in the
General Fund and airport capital improvements program will be
included in the Capital Projects Fund.
• Continued funding of the capital asset replacement with vehicle
replacement fund being initiated this coming year.
• Modest recommendation for employee compensation of 3% tied to
performance.
• Limited adjustments proposed for the remaining five years of the
Capital Improvements Program. Planning Commission is scheduled to
vote this coming week on the CIP.
• CIP complies with the town's fiscal policy and meets all debt ratios.
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Council Work Session February 13, 2012
• Local economy is continuing with a slow, steady recovery with very
modest revenue growth at best.
• Overall assessments reflect the second year of limited, modest increases
in the real estate market as measured by assessments.
• Commercial assessments continue to be flat or declining for existing
properties.
• Federal and state revenues are flat or declining.
• Employee health insurance costs will only rise 4 %.
The FY2013 budget is primarily what was adopted last year. The only notable
additions are:
• Election Costs for the November 2012 election.
• Mason Enterprise Center Lease
• Compensation adjustment
• Town Code Supplements
• Transfer of an administrative position from Utilities to Finance (no
added cost)
• Increased contractual services to handle high volume of checks and
remittances in the Finance Department.
• MUNIS Software costs
• Expansion of the Flag Football Program — offset by revenue.
• Improvements to the Tennis Program with additional funds for a head
teaching professional.
• Significant increases in Utility chemical costs.
• Replacement of older, higher mileage vehicles in the Utility
Department.
It was noted that Council will work on the budget during the next two
regularly scheduled work sessions.
It was also noted that departments are encouraged to continue to look for cost
saving opportunities. Savings that are achieved are put back into the system to reduce
or stabilize the tax rate /budget.
b. Town Video Contest
Betsy Fields described the proposed promotional town video contest that will
dovetail with the "Conversations about Leesburg" video and would be open to
submission of short videos about the "Best thing about Leesburg... ".
Summary of key points:
• The town would own the submitted videos
• Entry is limited to limited age groups.
• Loudoun Credit Union will provide the prizes.
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Council Work Session February 13, 2012
There was Council consensus to proceed with the contest.
C. URAC Report Follow -up
Mr. Wells presented a draft RFP for Council approval.
Key points:
• Staff can provide data on current system for comparison purposes.
• Time line — RFP out for approximately 35 days. Completion estimated
approximately six months after award
Council Concerns:
• Look at innovative ways to do things.
- Water Authorities
- Partnership with Loudoun Water
• Look at other jurisdictions.
• Contractor to work with URAC.
• Updated software.
• Environmental concerns of less water returned to the river.
• Political pressure to do nothing.
• Contract award needs to be approved by Council.
Council consensus was to bring this back in two weeks for additional
discussion.
d. Legislative Update
Betsy Fields distributed updated status spreadsheets.
Summary of bills of importance to Leesburg:
• Charter change — passed both chambers.
• Conditional zoning — passed both chambers.
• Stormwater service district — passed Senate. Will be patroned by
Delegate Minchew in the house.
• Utility relocation bill — passed the house.
Council discussed several bills of interest to the town.
Other bills being watched by the Town:
• HB 10 (BPOL bill) adds language that says localities can base BPOL on
either taxable income or gross receipts. Freezes BPOL rate until 2014.
• HB 166 (Rezoning by mistake) removes language that allows
nondiscretionary errors made by a zoning administrator in an order to
be corrected after 60 days.
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Council Work Session February 13, 2012
Council complimented staff on the tracking of legislative issues.
2. Additions to Future Council Meetings
Vice Mayor Wright:
a. Minutes be summary minutes rather than verbatim.
b. Need schedule of upcoming Council meetings.
3.
Council Member Hammler:
a. Support for extension of the Arts and Cultural District into the County.
b. Concern about traffic on Sycolin Road and access for businesses during
high traffic hours.
Council Member Butler:
a. Agreed with support for extension of the Arts and Cultural District.
b. Bus shelters.
C. Blacksburg only has 19,000 non - college students.
Council Member Titus:
a. Consideration for more discussion time for rezoning applications.
Mayor Umstattd:
a. Agreed with needing more time to review some rezoning applications.
Adjournment
)urned at 9:26 p.m.
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