HomeMy Public PortalAbout2024_tcmin0213COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2024
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Council Chamber, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Kelly Burk presiding.
Council Members Present: Todd Cimino -Johnson, Zach Cummings, Kari Nacy, Vice
Mayor Neil Steinberg, Patrick Wilt and Mayor Kelly Burk.
Council Members Absent: Ara Bagdasarian.
Staff Present: Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Town Attorney Christopher Spera, Deputy
Town Manager Keith Markel, Director of Finance and Administrative Services Clark Case,
Director of Public Works and Capital Projects Renee LaFollette, Director of Parks and
Recreation Rich Williams, Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat, Director of Utilities Amy
Wyks, Assistant Town Manager Kate Trask, Director of Economic Development Russell
Seymour, Deputy Director of Finance and Administrative Services Lisa Haley,
Management and Budget Officer Cole Fazenbaker, Deputy Management and Budget
Officer Tamara Keesecker, Management and Budget Analyst Liz Weaver and Clerk of
Council Eileen Boeing
AGENDA ITEMS
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION was given by Council Member Wilt.
3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG was led by Mayor Burk.
4. ROLL CALL
a. Council Member Bagdasarian absent.
5. MINUTES
a. Work Session Minutes of January 22, 2024
MOTION2024-017
On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the
January 22, 2024, Work Session minutes were moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasarian absent)
b. Regular Session Minutes of January 23. 2024
MOTION2024-018
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cummings, the
January 23, 2024, Regular Session minutes were moved for approval.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2024
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasarian absent)
6. ADOPTING THE MEETING AGENDA
MOTION2024-019
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cummings, the meeting
agenda was moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote to approve the amended agenda:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1
7. CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
a. None.
8. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS
a. Outstanding Service to the Friends of Balls Bluff
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MOTION2024-020
On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the following
was proposed::
I move to approve the Proclamation to Patrick Mountain for Outstanding Service to the
Friends of Ball's Bluff be proclaimed at the February 13, 2024, Town Council Meeting.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasari an absent)
b. Outstanding Service to the Friends of Balls Bluff
MOTION2024-021
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Cummings, the following was
proposed:
I move to approve the Proclamation to Tom Hutt for Outstanding Service to the Friends
of Ball's Bluff be proclaimed at the February 13, 2024, Town Council Meeting.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2024
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasarian absent)
9. PRESENTATIONS
a. Town Manager Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget
Town Manager Kaj Dentler presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Mr.
Dentler gave an overview of the following:
• General Fund key base budget adjustments to include new leases for office space and
mobile air traffic control tower, personnel adjustments for a 4% average pay -for -
performance increase, 3% cost -of -living adjustment and a health insurance increase
that will be covered by reserves in the self-insurance fund.
• General Fund key enhancements to include a $30K contribution to the Leesburg
Movement and $88,500 to establish a school zone speed camera enforcement
program.
• Capital Asset Replacements to include an increase in recurring funding for the
CARP to $3M, $500K for replacing the Council Chamber AV system and
department requests for motor vehicle/equipment/apparatus, facilities and
technology assets totaling just over $3M.
Mr. Dentler proposed maintaining the current real estate tax rate at 17.74 per $100
of assessed value noting that the equalized tax rate is 16.9R per $100 of assessed value but
added that if an equalized tax rate was adopted, approximately $908K must be eliminated
from the proposed budget.
Council and staff briefly discussed the proposed budget. Mr. Dentler added that
Council had on its current agenda an action item to adopt the schedule for additional budget
review sessions and the timeline for the formal adoption of the final budget.
10. REGIONAL COMMISSION REPORTS
a. None.
11. PETITIONERS
The Petitioner's Section opened at 7:35 p.m.
There were no Petitioners wishing to address Council.
The Petitioner's Section closed at 7:36 p.m.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2024
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12. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION2024-022
On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the following consent
agenda was proposed:
a. Acceptance and Appropriation of Funds from Loudoun County's American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) Tourism Grant Program
RESOLUTION2024-016
Acceptance and Appropriation of $12,760 Grant Funds Awarded to the Town of Leesburg
from Loudoun County's American Recovery Plan Act Tourism Grant Program
b. Town Hall Art Exhibit by Gary Murray
RESOLUTION2024-017
Approval of Town Hall Art Exhibit by Gary Murray
c. Authorizing an Offer to Acquire Right-ofWay Dedications and Easements for the
Evergreen Mill Road Widening Project
RESOLUTION2024-018
Authorizing an Offer to Acquire Right-ofWay Dedications and Easements for the Evergreen
Mill Road Widening Project
d. Easement. Right -of -Way and Nuisance Ordinance Grounds Maintenance
RESOLUTION2024-019
Award a Contract for Easement, Right-ofWay and Nuisance Ordinance Grounds
Maintenance to BrightView Landscape Services, Inc.
e. Vacation of Existing Reclaimed Waterline Easement within Area of Public Street
Dedication for Crosstrail Boulevard
RESOLUTION2024-020
Authorizing the Vacation of a Portion ofReclaimed Waterline Easement Located within
Crosstrail Boulevard
f. Awarding Contracts for Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
RESOLUTION2024-021
Awarding Contracts for Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals to Brenntag
Mid -South, Inc., Chemrite, Inc., Colonial Chemical Solutions, Inc., George S. Coyne
Chemical Co., Inc., Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., Kuehne Chemical Co., Inc.,
PVS Chemical Solutions, Inc., PVS Technologies, Inc., Shannon Chemical Corporation,
and Univar Solutions USA, Inc.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2024
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g.
Supplemental Appropriation from the Electronic Summons Reserve
RESOLUTION2024-022
Approving a Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $67,000 from the Electronic
Summons Reserve to Purchase Mobile Data Terminals by the Leesburg Police Department
h. Historical Highway Marker —1902 Lynching of Charles Craven
RESOLUTION2024-023
For Installation and Maintenance of a Historical Highway Marker Near the Site where
Charles Craven was Lynched in 1902
i. Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission — Ryley Trahan
RESOLUTION2024-024
Appointing Ryley Trahan to the Parks and Recreation Commission
The Consent Agenda was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasari an absent)
13. RESOLUTIONS /ORDINANCES / MOTIONS
a. Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission
Only one nomination was received from Mayor Burk to fill this vacancy.
MOTION2024-023
On a motion by Council Member Nag, seconded by Council Member Cimino -
Johnson, the following was proposed::
RESOLUTION2024-025
Appointing M Alex Richardson to the Parks and Recreation Commission
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor
Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasarian absent)
b. Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Review and Adoption Schedule
Mr. Dentler noted during his budget presentation that several Council Members
indicated a conflict with the second set of meetings in March as the meeting dates coincide
with Loudoun County Public School's spring break for students. Council agreed to amend
the proposed resolution to move the second set of meetings in March from March 25/26 to
March 18/19. The Budget. Review and Adoption Schedule was adjusted accordingly.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2024
Council will formally approve the change to the adopted 2024 Council Meeting calendar at
its February 27, 2024, Council meeting.
MOTION2024-024
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cimino -
Johnson, the following was proposed::
RESOLUTION2024-026
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Review and Adoption Schedule
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Cimino -Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor
Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasari an absent)
14. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. None.
15. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. None.
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16. NEW BUSINESS
a. None.
17. COUNCIL DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE
MEETINGS
Council Member Cummings disclosed he met with Ms. Molly Novotny, Ms. Colleen
Gillis, a representative from Kettler and a representative from Stack to discuss the project at
Virginia Village Land Bays D & E.
18. MAYOR DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE
MEETINGS
Mayor Burk recapped her recent interactions with the local Girl Scouts and Boy
Scouts. She noted the Boy Scouts came on several different days to learn about local
government and the Girl Scouts visited to share cookies and promote the Girl Scout Cookie
Drive. Mayor Burk provided a summary of Council's recent legislative lobbying activities
in Richmond including addressing changes being proposed that will reduce or eliminate the
Town's authority on certain zoning regulations. Mayor Burk added that she also spoke to a
Senate Sub -committee in opposition to two of the zoning bills. Mayor Burk provided an
update on Delegate Martinez's bill to return money collected for the bag tax to the locality
where the tax was collected. Mayor Burk and Vice Mayor Steinberg attended a meeting
with the residents of Ball's Bluff. They voiced concerns that the communication on the park
project has not been sufficient and asked that the Town increase awareness and
communication for the project. Mayor Burk wished everyone a happy Mardi Gras.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2024
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19. TOWN MANAGER COMMENTS
a. None.
20. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cummings, the meeting
was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
ATTEST:
Clerk of Council
2024tcmin0213
y B , Mayor
Town of Leesburg
71 Page
February 13, 2024 — Leesburg Town Council Meeting
(Note: This is a transcript prepared by a Town contractor based on the video of the meeting. It
may not be entirely accurate. For greater accuracy, we encourage you to review the video of
the meeting that is on the Town's Web site — www.leesburgva.gov or refer to the approved
Council meeting minutes. Council meeting videos are retained for three calendar years after a
meeting per Library of Virginia Records Retention guidelines.)
Mayor Kelly Burk: If anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please see the Clerk. Council
Member Wilt will be giving the invocation followed by, I will do the Pledge of Allegiance. Council
Member Wilt?
Council Member Patrick Wilt: Thank you. Dear God, we come to you today asking for your
guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting. Help us to engage in meaningful
discussions. Allow us to grow closer as a group and to nurture the bonds of community. Thank you.
Mayor Burk: Please join me in standing
All: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it
stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Mayor Burk: All right. Let the rolls reflect that all Council Members are here with the exception of
Council Member Bagdasarian. No one is going to participate remotely. We have two sets of minutes,
the Work Session minutes of January 22"d. Do I have a motion?
Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg: So moved.
Mayor Burk: Moved by Vice Mayor. Seconded by Council Member Nacy. All in favor?
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That is 6-0-1. Regular Session minutes of January 23rd. Motion?
Council Member Kari Nacy: So moved.
Mayor Burk: So moved by Council Member Nacy. Second?
Council Member Zach Cummings: Second.
Mayor Burk: Council Member Cummings. All in favor indicate by saying.
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 6-0-1. Do I have a motion to adopt the agenda for tonight?
Council Member Nacy: So moved.
Mayor Burk: Okay. Moved by Council Member Nacy. Second?
Council Member Cummings: Second.
Mayor Burk: Council Member Cummings. Is there any additions or deletions that would like to be
added tonight? None. All in favor indicate by saying aye.
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 6-0-1. We have two proclamations for tonight and I will need a
motion for them, but let me read them out. The gentlemen are not here to accept them. I will be taking
them to the Friends of Balls Bluff dinner this weekend. The first one is a proclamation of outstanding
1 February 13, 2024
service to the Friends of Balls Bluff. Whereas Patrick Mountain's spirit of volunteerism is a model for
others to follow. His continued dedication to the Friends of Balls Bluff, and to the Northern Virginia
Regional Park Authority is in support of the Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park sets this example.
Whereas Patrick is one of the go -to volunteers who responds immediately to requests for help when
the needs arise. Whereas Patrick has served as the past president and the board members of the
Friends of the Balls Bluff board, and served on many of its committee. Patrick serves as a battlefield
guide, a mentor and a trainer for potential guides. Whereas Patrick has made an enormous
contribution to the appearance and attractiveness of Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park by leading
the monthly maintenance day and after bad weather on the battlefield.
Patrick is instrumental in setting up and participating in the yearly anniversary dedication program.
Whereas Patrick has contributed over 122 hours of service this year to various programs for the
Friends of Balls Bluff. Therefore, the Mayor of the Town of Leesburg, I hereby present this
proclamation to Patrick Mountain for his outstanding service to the Friends of Balls Bluff, do I have a
motion to accept that?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: So moved.
Mayor Burk: So moved by Vice Mayor.
Council Member Nacy: Second.
Council Member Todd Cimino -Johnson: Second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Council Member Nacy, Cimino -Johnson. [laughter] All in favor indicate by
saying, aye.
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 6-0-1. The next proclamation is also for the friends of Tom of
Balls Bluff. This is whereas Tom Hutt's spirit of volunteerism is a model for others to follow. His
dedication to the Friends of Balls Bluff and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority in support of
the Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park are outstanding. Whereas Tom has served on the Friends of
Balls Bluff board, he continues to play an important role in the following committees: The Cannon
Crew, the Volunteer Park Maintenance Crew, the Anniversary Battle Dedication Ceremony, and
Battlefield Guide Program. Whereas Tom serves as a major administrator of the Friends of Balls Bluff
Essay Contest that began in 1917. I wonder if that's correct. 1917, they've been doing this? Wow.
Along with other members of the Friends of Balls Bluff, he has engaged in over 600 fourth -grade
students at Balls Bluff Elementary School in the study and importance of the battle.
Whereas Tom at his own expense uses his personal trailer to transport the Cannons Crew to the
annual Leesburg 4th of July Memorial Parade. He uses his personal ATV to transport equipment and
malts during the scheduled monthly maintenance day. Whereas in 2023, Tom has committed 114
hours to the various programs of the Friends of Balls Bluff. Therefore, the Mayor of the Town of
Leesburg. I hereby present this proclamation. I will be to Tom Huff for Outstanding Service. Do I have
a motion for that one?
Council Member Nacy: So moved.
Mayor Burk: So moved on Ms. Nacy. Second?
Council Member Cummings: Second.
Mayor Burk: Second by Council Member Cummings. All in favor indicate by saying, aye.
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 6-0-1. We have a presentation tonight of the Town Manager's
2IFebruary 13, 2024
Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget, he has asked for —there you are -30 minutes. Anybody have any
problem with that?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: I have no problem.
Mayor Burk: All right. The floor is yours.
Kaj Dentler: Okay. Thank you. Good evening, Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, Members of Council, it's a
pleasure to be here tonight to present the proposed budget for Fiscal Year of 2025, which includes
our general fund, utilities fund, and six -year capital improvements program. The highlights or the
backstory of this proposed budget is presenting. It's a lean budget. It's intended to focus on our ability
to control the growth of the budget, not worry so much about expanding the budget, focus on what
we're doing and do that well at this time.
There will be future conversations that we need to address on other needs. At this time, the focus on
just controlling it, lean budget, modest revenue forecast, et cetera. The good news is our backdrop is
we have a very strong financial portfolio anchored by our triple -AAA rating. We have Council's wisdom
over the years. You have approved strategic reserves, our debt reserve, revenue stabilization, self-
insurance fund, and all of those things help us at this time. Sometimes we get questioned of why
we're replacing reserves aside, but you're doing that for a rainy day.
We're not in a rainy -day situation, but we're able to tap into these and help us through this lean
challenging time that we have. The proposed budget focuses on investments in our Capital
Improvement Program, our Workforce, and our Capital Asset Replacement Program. Lastly, the
proposed budget does not recommend a tax increase on the real estate. Overview of the budget is
$157 million total. The General fund is proposed to go from $78.3 million to $81.5 million. Over the
last several months you've discussed the utilities fund, and the proposed budget of $31.1 million is
consistent with all of your discussions and decisions with the rate increases, et cetera.
Where do our tax dollars go? 74% of that dollar goes to the areas you would expect it to go to. Why
we are a Town and why we as residents are willing to pay double taxes in reality, police, public works,
which is our trash collection, snow removal, leaf collection, capital projects, our parks and recreation
services, our library. In terms of our base budget and the challenges that we are dealing with as we
put the budget together right off the bat, over the last 12 months we've approved three leases. Two
office space leases as we've grown out of space in this building.
Public Works has relocated out of this building and gone to Fort Evans Plaza II, with the news of
possibly Trader Joe's going to that location. Those employees are much happier than they were
before they left. Then we've also have leased out space on Catoctin Circle for our community
development department, which will relocate out of this building probably in April or May. The third
lease is the air traffic control. Our mobile tower, the FAA, made a decision to discontinue our remote
tower operation. We had to lease space on the ground by bringing, in essence a trailer to operate.
Those three leases add up to almost $380,000.
The proposed budget also has an investment of about $300,000 for stormwater management. As we
discussed last night, significant need complexities of the regulations continue to grow, get more
complex and challenging. There's money put aside there to help us with our collection, our GIS data
system, our inspections. On the personnel side, a 4% average pay for performance for employees is
proposed. Employees can earn up to 5%. 4% is the average. We also have proposed a 3% COLA.
Ironically today the CPI index for their region indicated 3.6. We're very comfortable with that
recommendation of 3%.
For the first time in eight years, our health insurance costs are going up 10%. The budget
recommends 9.6%, and today, the budget team received news that it's actually 10% on the nose.
That is shared based on by the employee and the Town. Depending upon the category that you're in,
the Town pays a certain share, the employee pays a certain share, but across the board, it'll be 10%.
Again, the first time in eight years that we've had any increase in our health insurance. As I mentioned
previously, one of our reserves that we have set aside is our self-insurance fund. This allows us to
soften that blow impact to our general fund.
3IFebruary 13, 2024
In terms of enhancements, very lean. Only two enhancements that are proposed within the general
fund. One is a $30,000 contribution to the Leesburg Movement. Council has initiated the Virginia Main
Street program. This is to support part-time salaries in order to move that project along. Ultimately, we
anticipate that the Main Street program will have a full-time coordinator. Whether the Town pays that
bill or not, that's the decision to be made at another day. The second item is a school zone speed
cameras. The Police Chief presented to you a few months ago this proposal. Council endorsed
moving forward.
They will identify two zones to implement it as in essence the pilot program is $88,000 to implement,
and then revenues will come in. A little hard to project the revenues because we anticipate that the
cameras will ultimately change driver behavior, but we do have that built into the program as well. In
terms of capital asset replacement program. Let me make sure that you understand what this is, and
I've used example for some of you. When I started in 1996 as the Parks and Recreation Director, I
was trying to get the parking lot paved at Ida Lee. I was told, "There's no money, you'll have to ask
Council for it."
I really couldn't believe the Town had no plan to anticipate changes, whether it's high vac system,
parking lot, vehicles, whatever. We need to have a cycle. Over the years we've built that up. In this
proposed budget is $3.5 million has been put aside for these things using lease financing. $500,000
of that $3.5 million is put aside to improve the audio-visual equipment and technology in your Council
Chambers. That's an area that Council has discussed, we have discussed, our citizens discussed, our
commissions. No one is happy with the current system, so I put money aside to address that.
How do we pay for it and how do we make all of this work? First, we're going to take advantage of
some budget savings I'll talk about here very briefly. There's things that are not included in the
budget. I know oftentimes where statements are made that, "Hey, you haven't cut anything." You'll
see that I've already cut a significant amount of things before this budget ever gets to you. The use of
our reserves as I've already talked about, and then our revenues. Some savings that we're able to
take advantage from day one.
If you remember our trash contract when fuel prices were rising in their contract, it was a surcharge
that we had to pay. We don't have that issue now as prices have somewhat stabilized. That saves us
$100,000. In our insurance program, we're saving $86,000. In our OPEB benefits, $145,000. For
those savings help us build this budget. In areas that I cut from the budget. Over the last 10 years, 'we
have put in approximately $500,000 in engineering studies that are then used as a catalyst to decide
do we move forward with the capital project or not.
When we addressed the budget and then I made the final decision, I did not feel we could afford this
at the tax rate that we're at, and some of the revenue challenges that we have, so taking basically
$500,000 out. I do want to clarify that on the first one, the South King Street ramp access, this is part
of the conversation that we held when the County was here and our engineering team, and we're
asking the County to look at the entire area of that interchange while they're going to widen that
project. I'm taking the $130,000 out.
You can make a decision if you want to put it back in, but we're hoping ultimately the County will pick
up that tab. The third one I want to mention is the Lawson Road pedestrian crossing. As you know,
we did receive federal dollars to build a crossing over Lawson Road Bridge. This is not that. This is an
enhancement to that to add, potentially study whether or not we wanted to add streetlights as an
extension from that crossing to the W&OD. I just want to assure you and the public that the Lawson
Road pedestrian crossing is moving forward regardless of any decision on this.
In terms of other things that I cut or did not fund, the Directors requested, as you see here, $6.3
million that I did not put in the budget. We can all debate some of these things and are they important
to us? Do we want to fund them or not? I know that information technology is very interested in Digital
Town Hall and wanted to get it started at $200,000. I did not support that at this time because from my
position, I don't feel we have enough information on what it's going to do, what's the full benefit to us,
and what's the total cost. The $200,000 is a starting point, it's not an endpoint.
The Police Chief presented to you, the 100 -day plan, talked a lot about what she felt needed to be in
there. I did not include that in here. Then lastly —not lastly, but Public Works and Capital Projects third
4IFebruary 13, 2024
from the bottom, the GIS analyst, stormwater position, there's two of the things that we'll have to
discuss in the future about our stormwater management program if we're going to be able to maintain
and meet our obligations regulatory. The last thing to mention on this slide, boards and commissions,
almost $23,000.
There's no objection from me on any of these items, but my practice has been that that's your
decision. These are your advisory board and commissions or boards and commissions, and they
report to you. I've always felt like I'm just not going to put it in there. You can decide what you want to
do and how to deal with that. Lastly, on this particular section, unfunded CARP, the Capital Asset
Replacement Program, almost $2 million of items that I did not include in the budget. There's 3.5
million there, there's 2 more million that's been identified.
Again, there's over $8 million that I did not, or actually probably $8.5 million that I cut before it ever got
to this point. In terms of our revenue, this chart simply shows the diversity of our revenues. The
largest components in top left corner are real estate taxes making up 25%. This chart may be different
, next year based on certain decisions that are in front of us. We'll see how that plays out. At this time, I
can only make the budget work with what's in front of me. I've mentioned that there's no change in the
real estate tax rate. The current rate is 17.74. A penny now is valued at $1.1 million. Equalized rate is
16.95.
If Council wanted to reduce and go to the equalized rate, we would need to cut $900,000 from the
proposed budget. Now, there's other ways you could get there. You could increase fees, et cetera, but
just so you understand, a starting point, you would have to identify $900,000 out of the budget that
I've already laid in front of you. In terms of assessments and our real estate tax, assessments for
residential is up 5%, commercial's up 7%. It is interesting that back in December, early January, it
looked like assessments were 2% to 3% increase, and commercial was negative.
That obviously has moved into this position that we're in today. That will yield us in net $600,000
because almost $400,000 will be taken out based on the financial assistance that we provide qualified
employers. In terms of how that impacts my bill at home and the mortgage, this chart is all based on
averages. Every individual home situation is a little different, but the average single-family home at
average assessment at $739,000 in tax year 2023 now would be rising to $50 in essence annually,
condos $29 annually, et cetera.
Again, these are all averages and people will have to figure out for themselves how that directly
impacts them. I've used this chart in the past and I usually always say the same thing, and I'll say it
again, some people love this chart, some people hate this chart. I show this to you and I'll repeat my
statement, Leesburg has an artificially low tax rate. We do this to ourselves, but we have a lean
operation that we run. I am not advocating that we need to have a 26% tax rate by any means, but
when you compare ourselves to Vienna, and Herndon, and Purcellville, we are well below the mark.
Again, that's part of what makes the job harder to make things work. If we want to grow and do new
services, and even the lane miles and the amount of stormwater that we have to do, we're going to
have to address something either in this area of tax rate, or future revenues. Hopefully, we'll have that
opportunity. Key revenues, transition to that. Our revenues are good. Everything in the green is
positive. Our investments are good. Real estate tax have already identified a $600,000, meals tax
grows modestly, our transient occupancy tax is growing, so we're returning to pre-COVID levels.
The area that I want to make sure that you see is the one in red, sales and use taxes. This deals with
the school -age population. As the County grows, the school -age population increases, their
percentage grows. Our population remain the same, but our percentage goes down. Whether you buy
your outfit or your TV in Leesburg or Sterling, the sales tax distribution is the same. Because the
distribution, the percentage -wise we're dropping, we're projecting $850,000 less. That's an area that
we have to watch. It will impact us based on the state formula for distribution of sales tax.
In essence, balancing the budget, all this chart shows you is how we balance things out between
revenues and expenditures. In terms of Capital Improvement Program, $308 million or 75 projects, 11
new ones. We've talked a lot about the utilities project. The Capital Improvement Program continues
to grow and expand over time. That has an impact on our debt service, which has an impact on our
general fund. In terms of new projects, this identifies those. The first one, Council wanted to consider
51February 13, 2024
a volleyball court at Ida Lee. This is one court out at the park, they're almost $200,000.
The third item is storm drainage, almost $18 million dollars. This is the key area. This is why you're
hearing more, and more, and more about stormwater management, the challenges that we're faced
with. We will eventually have to identify some level of dedicated fee and revenue to support the storm
drainage requirements that we have to make. We continue to invest at the airport. As we've talked
over the last several months, investments at utilities. Other key projects that are already going on, the
police station is underway, a $26 Million project. The Town Shop is under design to expand.
As you know we bought the land, so we will be expanding that site that is well past use to be modern
times. On streets and highways, everybody know road widening project is beginning. There's an item,
I believe on your agenda tonight to authorize moving forward with land acquisition. Storm drainage
projects, all tied to our MS4 Program, minus the Lawson Road pedestrian crossing. Our air traffic
control tower. This is long-term project that we have. We're committed to making it happen. The FAA
is working with us. Hopefully in a few years, five or six years max, we'll have an actual tower out there
on site.
This chart just simply tries to reinforce what I said is that CIP continues to grow. I remember years
ago when John Wells was the Manager and I was the Deputy, we saw the number of projects going
down, and we thought that would be the trend and then there'd be some leveling out. We were
actually telling employees, you're not being laid off, but you might need to start thinking two or three
years ahead because we don't know if we're going to have enough work. Well, that has proven to be
a false forecast. As you can see on both charts, the amount of projects and the volume of dollars
continues to rise, with the most being in streets and highways.
There is no doubt that the Council has been committed to improving the transportation system in and
around Leesburg. One enhancement, the only enhancement that is requested in the Capital Projects
Fund is for another engineer, construction manager to help manage our projects. We only have one
construction manager there. Helps do the estimates, helps manage the projects, et cetera, This is
important for us to be able to meet the workload that's before us. I do want to remind Council that this
is paid throughout the Capital Projects Fund.
The only exception is if a staff member is not working directly on a project, if they're on leave, or
they're in training it's charged to the general fund. That's a very minimal amount of time. In regards to
utilities, as I said a couple of times, we've discussed the utilities fund for the last several months. I
think you're pretty well -versed on it, but for the public's benefit, the proposed budget is almost $46
million or $31 million of that is operations. Council has approved the implementation of a five-year rate
plan with a 4.1% rate increase, and you've approved moving forward with the staff positions.
All of that is in the budget as you have already approved. Overall, in terms of capital projects, there
are projects at the Water Pollution Control Plant as well as our Water Treatment Plant. Summarizing
and beginning to bring this home. Again, the budget is lean, it has modest revenue projections. We
have a very strong financial portfolio. We have our credit rating that is going to occur here in the next
couple of weeks. I'm confident it will reconfirm or reaffirm our Triple -AAA rating. We are using
strategically the reserves that have already been set aside for debt service, for self-insurance fund,
and revenue stabilization to help us weather any challenges that we have.
We are investing in our Capital Improvements Program, our workforce, in our capital asset
replacement, and there's no change proposed for the real estate tax rate. This just summarizes the
total budget again. Then finally, last couple of slides, outreach for the public to know what is the
proposed budget, how do I get information. Press release will go out tonight. The information will be
placed on the Web site. There's a section if you want to ask a question. Staff is always available to
address questions. We will ask to meet with each Council Member to go into details of the budget,
and however you want to relay information to your constituents we'll make sure we help you do that.
Finally, the proposed schedule. This is also on your schedule for tonight. This is based on how you
have operated it traditionally in the past. This does not have any Saturday Work Sessions. That's up
to you if you want to add that. Try to take advantage of your current Work Sessions. The last two
dates I want to bring to your attention because you'll need to decide when you get ready to vote here
in a little bit. The week of March 25th is spring break for Loudoun County Public Schools. I already
6IFebruary 13, 2024
know that two Council Members are not planning to be here, possibly three.
You may wish to move this date up one week and meet on the week of the 18th and 19th. Why do I say
that? Because we have to get the budget approved by the end of March, and we have to turn in our
tax rates to the County. Because if you remember, the County bills and collects on our behalf, and
that is our deadline requirement. Moving it forward is not a problem for us, but I wanted to bring that to
your attention. With that, that is the end of the presentation. How long did I go?
Mayor Burk: Oh, pretty good. You made 25, 20.
Kaj Dentler: Oh, good. I got extra time. Anyway, usually we don't take questions, but because you
don't have a lot on your agenda it's up to you. If you want to ask questions, our team is here. I do
want to complement our budget team, our financial team. This is our last budget that you'll be working
with Clark Case, our Director of Finance Administrative Services, as he -
Mayor Burk: Aah, he's leaving.
Kaj Dentler: -will be retiring here the end of March. I begged him to stay to get us through the audit
and the budget. This is his last task. Also with us, Cole Fazenbaker is with us, and Liz Weaver on his
team, and Tamara Keesecker is with us to help us with our management program of the budget. Liz
and Tamara have been outstanding new additions to our team, and we're looking forward to their
contributions. We're happy to address any questions if you have any for tonight.
Mayor Burk: At this point, we really haven't had a chance to look at the budget, just the overview. If
you have some general questions, we can move forward on that. Just a moment. Let me see if there's
anybody else. I'm going to start down at that end. Mr. Wilt.
Council Member Wilt: Just one. There'll be a lot of questions the next month.
Kaj Dentler: I was looking that way.
Council Member Wilt: Just one high-level, simple question on page 5. It was the percentages. We
said a 4% compensation increase. It was $800,000?
Kaj Dentler: Yes.
Council Member Wilt: 3% COLA increase was-
Kaj Dentler: Cole, do you want to go into the detail on that? Because this is all in your world. I'll get to
the slide and he'll explain it to you.
Cole Fazenbaker: Sure. Basically, the reason that the pay for work performance, 4% is $810,000,
and then the 3% COLA is 3% and even more expensive is because COLAs right now are effective
July 1, where the pay for performance is based on evaluation dates of that employee. If their
evaluation date isn't until later in the year, we only have to pay a portion of that.
Council Member Wilt: Got it. Thank you, Cole.
Mayor Burk: All right. Is there anyone else?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Yes, one question.
Mayor Burk: Yes. Vice Mayor is very anxious to ask you a question.
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Just one.
Kaj Dentler: I see that. That's why he hit that light fast.
Vice Mayor Steinberg: There we go. When we were down in Richmond speaking with our
7JFebruary 13, 2024
representatives, there was mention of trying to acquire funds that would be directed for the airport. I
think it was in the amount of about $120,000. Are we aware of that and do we know what the status
is?
Kaj Dentler: No, I'm going to defer to Keith Markel if he has that, Mr. Legislative.
Keith Markel: We are very hopeful and very thankful to Delegate Reid for introducing that budget
adjustment, but we do not have confirmation on that. Again, being on the conservative side, we're
assuming no State funds coming towards the rental agreements for the year, but anything that comes
our way will certainly help the budget.
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Okay. Thank you.
Mayor Burk: I do have some additional questions, but I'll wait as we're going through it. The one thing
I do want to point out to you talking to the other mayors and localities that have cameras have warned
to be aware that revenues will really slow down. Don't think that because one year you get this
amount, the next year you're going to get the same amount.
Kaj Dentler: Correct.
Mayor Burk: That it is effective in getting people to slow down in the school zones, and so you don't
get [inaudible].
Kaj Dentler: That's correct. There's a reason we're doing it. That is to change behavior.
Mayor Burk: I had one question about the Parks and Rec request for disinfectants for the pool that
we didn't fund. I don't know what page it's on, but it's the unfunded CARP, and its disinfectant system
for pool water system for main pool.
Kaj Dentler: Is it on the CARP?
Mayor Burk: Yes.
Kaj Dentler: Diving board and stand?
Mayor Burk: Fifth down, Parks and Rec disinfectant system.
Kaj Dentler: The second one?
Mayor Burk: No, it's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The fifth one down.
Kaj Dentler: Disinfection system.
Mayor Burk: Right.
Kaj Dentler: Well, honestly, I don't know why we didn't do that, but Rich, you may need to help me. I
don't know if we felt we could absorb that in this year's budget or if we could delay with time. Do you
remember?
Rich Williams: That was an item that we currently have one in place that is working. It is just starting
to reach its end of lifespan, so it's more a capital asset replacement item where we're planning for the
replacement of that item. It's for our UV system, but it is operating functionally right now.
Mayor Burk: I would think that would be pretty important that we really do need to make sure that we
have that in place if we need it. You're saying that we don't need it?
Rich Williams: Currently, it's reached its lifespan, and that's typically as things reach the lifespan we
plan to replace them. It is still operational. It could operate for another three to four years, but at its
lifespan so we're on borrowed time moving forward.
81February 13, 2024
Mayor Burk: You're keeping an eye on it.
Kaj Dentler: What I can assure you is if it does fail or go down, it will be replaced. We will make
adjustments in the budget. Again, it's trying to anticipate when we have to do something.
Mayor Burk: Alright. Thank you. After we have the chance to read our lovely budget books over
there, our next meeting will be tomorrow-- no, that's today, excuse me. The next one is the 26th. That's
when we should start coming prepared for questions, and then when will we start doing the markups?
Kaj Dentler: The first markup is identified, initial markup on Monday, March 11th, but nothing stops us.
If you are moving faster, there's no reason that we can't go ahead. You don't have to wait type of
thing.
Mayor Burk: This truly is a very lean budget. There's so many things that we really want to do and
make happen. All these unfunded projects are really painful to see, but we do have to be very
concerned about our taxpayers and what they're paying, and what the impact on them is. I will bring
up after the consent agenda changing the calendar. Thank you very much. All right. No regional
reports, we have petitioners, and I need to read this aloud. You'd think I have it memorized after all
these years. One of the first orders of business is to hear from the public. All members of the public
are welcome to address Council on any item, matter or issue.
Please identify yourself, and if comfortable doing so, give your address for the taped record. Any
public speaker will be requested to state their names and spell it for the purpose of closed captioning.
In the interest of fairness, we also ask that you observe the three -minute time limit. The green light on
the timer will turn yellow when you have one minute remaining. At that time, we would appreciate your
summing up and yielding the floor when the bell indicates your time is expired. Under the rules of
orders adopted by this Council, the time limit applies to all.
There is nobody that has signed up on the sheet for tonight. Is there anyone in the audience that
would like to speak that didn't get a chance to sign up? Nobody. In that case, I will close the
petitioner's section. That will take us to approval of the consent agenda. I will read out the items, ask
for a motion and a second, and then I'll ask if anyone wants anything removed. The first item is 12A,
Acceptance and Appropriations of Funds from Loudoun County American Rescue Plan, ARPA.
Tourist Grant Program. B is Town Hall Art Exhibit by Gary Murray.
C is, Authorizing an Offer to Acquire Right-of-way Dedications and Easements for Evergreen Mill
Road Widening Project. D, Easement, Right-of-way, and Nuisance Ordinance Grounds Maintenance.
C, Vacation of Existing Reclaimed Waterline Easement within the Area of the Public Street Dedication
for Crosstrail Boulevard. F, Awarding a Contract for Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals. G,
Supplemental Appropriation from the Electronic Summons Reserve. H, the Historic Highway Marker,
1902 Lynching of Charles Craven. I, the Appointment to the Parks and Rec Commission of Ryley
Trahan. Well, first, do I have a motion?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: So moved.
Mayor Burk: Do I have a second? Okay. Is there any item anyone wishes to have removed? All right.
In that case, all in favor, indicate by saying aye?
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 6-0-1. We have two resolutions before us tonight. We have an
Appointment to the Parks and Rec Commission, a Mr. Alex Richardson. Do I have a motion? Council
Member Nacy. Second?
Council Member Cimino -Johnson: Second.
Mayor Burk: Second by Dr. Cimino -Johnson. All in favor, any questions? All in favor, indicate by
saying, aye?
Members: Aye.
9IFebruary 13, 2024
Mayor Burk: Yes?
Council Member Nacy: Aye, but yes. There's two openings?
Mayor Burk: Yes.
Council Member Cummings: Not anymore.
Eileen Boeing: Who was the second person?
Mayor Burk: Who was the second? It was Dr. Cimino -Johnson. Is that correct?
Council Member Cummings: Yes, he seconded.
Mayor Burk: I thought I heard. The next one is the Calendar for the Budget Review and Adoption
Schedule. Do I have a motion to accept the calendar, with the exception of changing the date, the
March date from the 25th/26th to the 1 8th/1 gth?
Council Member Nacy: So moved.
Mayor Burk: Second?
Council Member Cimino -Johnson: Second.
Mayor Burk: Second by Dr. Cimino -Johnson. Any questions? The Manager did explain it. I think most
of you will be gone. Moving it is just to make sure that we can get it done in time. All in favor, indicate
by saying, aye.
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 6-1.
Chris Spera: 6-0-1.
Mayor Burk: 6-0-1, excuse me. Thank you. Now we have any disclosures or additions to future
agendas. Mr. Wilt?
Council Member Wilt: Not at this time.
Mayor Burk: Ms. Nacy?
Council Member Nacy: None.
Mayor Burk: Dr. Cimino -Johnson?
Council Member Cimino -Johnson: None.
Mayor Burk: Mr. Cummings?
Council Member Cummings: I have one disclosure. I met with Molly Novotny, Colleen Gillis, not Bob
Kettler, but someone who works for Mr. Kettler, and [unintelligible 00:41:46] about the application at
Virginia Village Land Bays D&E. That's it.
Mayor Burk: Vice Mayor?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: I have none.
Mayor Burk: I just have a couple of things. Last week was the Girl Scout, Boy Scout Week, because
on the 24th, the 25th, and the 29th-- the Boy Scouts attended on the 24th and the 25th they came to
10lFebruary 13, 2024
learn about their local government. They came up on the dais here. They had a problem. They had an
issue they had to deal with, and they had to vote and discuss it. It was a great experience for them to
learn how the whole process works. They all want to bang the gavel. Girl Scouts came to visit the
Mayor and share some Girl Scout cookies and asked me to promote everybody to go out and buy Girl
Scout cookies.
On the 31St to the 2"', I was down in Richmond with the other Council Members, and we lobbied the
legislators down there. It's a very interesting session this year because there's a number of pieces of
legislation that would take away zoning from our local authority. One of them deals with accessory
dwelling units. One of them deals with Airbnb that would take away the locality's ability to zone either
of those items. There's a couple of other ones.
It was very important to be down there and talking to them about what would be the impact to our
locality if we could no longer zone different components to it. We were able to get them. They did not
pass in the House, but they went to the Senate where they did pass. That has to go back to the
House now, and so we're working to see if we can get them improved or if not, put aside for next year.
There was also our legislator Delegate Martinez, put forward the bag tax of returning the money that
has been acquired here in Leesburg.
Right now it goes to the County and the County uses it, but his legislation would change that the
locality where the money comes from, where the tax is charged, would come back to that locality in a
formula. That looks like that's going to be passed in this future session here, so we're very optimistic
about that. On the 5th of February, I spoke to the Senate Committee in opposition to those two zoning
bills that I mentioned. We think that we are really tough here, making people speak in five minutes or
three minutes. I had 45 seconds.
Once I said my name, I didn't have much time left, but that's the way it works down there. On the 6th,
Vice Mayor and I, and many of staff met with residents of Balls Bluff. Their park is going forward and it
was a little surprising to the residents. We didn't do a very good job of communicating with them and
making sure they were aware of what was going on. We are going to work on that. They have some
suggestions. I was very pleased with staff.
They took their suggestions very seriously and we're very happy that they were able to hear from the
residents, and they're going to make sure that they are kept informed on a much more regular basis.
Now, this park was approved in 2012, so I think people thought that everybody realized it had been
approved and it was moving forward, and we can't make that assumption anymore. We got to make
sure that if it affects a neighborhood, we got to make sure they know it's coming. I want to wish
everybody a happy Mardi Gras and behave yourselves. Town Manager?
Kaj Dentler: No comments.
Mayor Burk: Right. Do I have a motion to adjourn?
Council Member Nacy: So moved.
Mayor Burk: And a second?
Council Member Cummings: Second.
Mayor Burk: Council Member Cummings. Council Member Nacy made the motion, seconded by
Council Member Cummings. All in favor indicate by saying aye.
Members: Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? It passes. We are done.
11 (February 13, 2024