AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 2nd DAY OF MAY, TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA

Present	Present	Absent
Charles K Estes, Chairman Robert P Anderson, V-Chm Roger A Welch S. Bryant Lee Ronald L. Frazier	John McCarthy, Co Adm. Peter H. Luke, Co Attorney Diane Bruce, Clerk	None

MINUTES: On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the minutes of the

April 4 and 25, 2005 meetings were unanimously approved as published. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

AGENDA: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the revised agenda was unanimously adopted. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

SCHOOLS: Dr. Robert Chappell, Superintendent of Schools, presented the following matters:

(1) Construction contract awarded to Lantz Construction of Winchester for $2,315,070. The gym and addition are listed as "alternates" in the contract. The parties will meet and try to reduce costs for these two items. The track is not included and should be re-bid. (See papers of meeting.)

(2) Virginia School Board Association: An invitation to the annual meeting in July was distributed.

(3) Charts of administrative tasks outlining duties of each administrator were distributed (copy w/papers of meeting.)

FY2006 School Budget Adoption: The public hearing on the FY06 budget proposals was held on April 25. The proposed budget requests funding in the amount of $11,357,832, with a county share of $7,451,519 which represents a 15% increase in county funds for education. The total school budget will increase the tax rate for the new fiscal year by 11¢. (One cent on the tax rate raises approximately $97,000.)

The Board members discussed various aspects of the budget, particularly the proposed raises for personnel, level enrollment and problems with raising revenue.

By general consensus, the Board agreed to adopt a "bottom line" budget. Mr. Estes suggested cutting the bottom line by $150,000.

On motion of Mr. Estes, seconded by Mr. Frazier, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the FY06 School Board budget in a bottom line amount of $11,207,382. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Mr. McCarthy noted that the county share will now be $7,301,519. The reduction will save 1 ½¢ on the proposed tax increase.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Farm-to-Table Program: Several students from the high school were introduced. The mission of the RCPS Farm-To-Table program is to cultivate students who are good stewards of the earth and productive community members through hands-on experiences and classwork in sustainable agriculture. (See document with papers of meeting.)

Monira Rifaat and Beverly Hunter asked the Board to approve the Massie Farmland Protection Program application. She noted that the committee that administers the program has studied the applicant and recommends approval. The object of the program is to keep the family on the farm and to keep the family farming. This particular application will relinquish 9 development rights (lots).

Tax Credits: Charles Strittmatter and Phil Irvin both commented on benefits of selling unused tax credits for purchase of development rights.

OLD BUSINESS:

Farmland Protection Program Application: The application, distributed at the April Board meeting, has been received from the James F. Massie family for the purchase of a Conservation Easement on their 300-acre historic property known as Meadow Grove Farm. (Application filed with papers of this meeting.) The property owners will relinquish 9 development rights (lots). Several entities are considering contributions to the funding of the $800,000+ purchase, including Piedmont Environmental Council, the Piedmont Foundation via the Krebser Fund, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and the Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund. A county contribution in the amount of $100,000 would represent less than 15% of the total cost to purchase the development rights. Funds in the Farmland Preservation Program are accumulated from roll-back taxes. It has taken two years to accumulate $100,000.

Mr. McCarthy added that only PEC has committed to the funding; the other agencies and organizations have not yet committed.

Mr. Luke advised that a motion does not need to be made with contingencies. If the county is the one agency to fund the application, it can hold the easement or it can hold it jointly with the Outdoor Foundation.

On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Frazier, the Board voted unanimously to expend funds from the Farmland Preservation Program, line item 8501-7009, in the amount of $100,000 toward the Massie Farmland Conservation Easement. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Reassessment Process: Blue Ridge Appraisals has begun its work. The Board will make three to five appointments to a Reassessment Board at its June 6 meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

VDOT Policy, Rural Additions and Subdivision Roads - §33.1-72.1: To be eligible for a rural addition, a county must require all new streets to meet VDOT acceptable standards and, if they are to stay privately maintained, they must be subject to a funding restriction on the plat. The only exception is access that serves family divisions of land; but those too must be subject to a funding restriction on the plat and deeds.

The county will have to consider changing its subdivision ordinance if it wants to remain eligible for Rural Addition funds.

No action was taken. This matter was carried over until the June meeting.

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission Workforce Forum: Mr. McCarthy reported on attending a forum sponsored by this commission that considered some of the causes and effects of rapid development in the Northern Virginia area and its effects on housing affordability in our region.(See report withpapers of meeting.)

Eldercare Coalition: A "Community Conversation on Aging" will be held at the Washington Firehall on May 25, 2005. The public is encouraged to attend.

APPOINTMENTS: None.

CORRESPONDENCE:

(1) Isaac Walton League: Support for conservation easement on the Rappahannock River. (w/papers of mtg)

(2) VDOT Report Card: Quarterly report (w/papers of mtg)

(3) GED Graduation: Invitation to ceremony to be held on May 19 at 7:00 p.m.

INFORMATION: (See papers of meeting.)

Building Office Report: Total construction from March 22, 2005 to April 21, 2005 was $4,136,815.00. Year to date totals: (See papers of meeting for more detail.)

Year to date totals:	2004	2005
New Home Construction	17	22
Commercial Buildings	4	3

ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payables dated May 2, 2005. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 4:35 o'clock p.m.

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Charles K. Estes, Chairman