AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 5th DAY OF MAY, TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA

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

Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order.

MINUTES: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the minutes of the April 7 and 25 , 2008 meetings were unanimously approved as submitted. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None.

AGENDA: On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Final Agenda. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None.

SCHOOLS: Dr. Chappell, Superintendent of Schools, distributed a fact sheet addressing activities at the schools and answering certain budget questions.

FY09 Budget: The total FY09 proposed budget of $12,063,799 is $33,135 less than the FY08 school budget. The request for additional local funds of $470,709 is to offset reductions of $443,786 in State funds (due largely to the increase of the LCI) and $26,155 in Federal funds. (Proposed budget document with papers of meeting.)

Mr. McCarthy noted that a public hearing was held on April 25, 2008 to consider the FY09 school budget in the total requested amount of $12,063,799. He recommended reducing the request by $250,000 for a total budget amount of $11,813,799 which would bring the overall county budget to a 1¢ tax increase necessary to fund the emergency communications project.

Mr. Frazier noted his objections to (1) a petition drive on school property, (2) use of the school newspaper to discuss budget issues, (3) failure to bid out health insurance and (4) inaccurate answers to questions.

Mr. Welch made the following observations: (1) the average teacher salary in FY06 was $40,311 compared with the projected $44,605 in FY09; (2) there were 70 teachers in FY06 compared to 68 in FY09.

Mr. Anderson added that there were more letters submitted this year than before; that most were form letters and that a greater cross section of the county appeared in the names on the petitions.

On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted by majority vote to adopt the FY09 School Budget in a total bottom line amount of $11,813,799. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland. NAY: Frazier.

RAPPAHANNOCK STORY PROJECT DIRECTOR: Sharon Wyrick introduced Lisa Ramey, the new project manager. The three-year project is sponsored by and a collaboration of the county, PEC, the Library and Ki Theater. The first year planning process is almost complete. The purpose of the project is to address challenges of the future by building a more common vision and bringing people together. The final product will be a compilation of stories. Footage will be available at the Library and the Historical Society and may be referenced in the next Comprehensive Plan.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Monira Rifaat , Piedmont District, and Phil Irwin, Wakefield District, both asked the Board to approve the Call Farmland Protection Program purchase (later on the agenda). Four development rights are being offered. Funding is from roll-back taxes.

Don Loock, Piedmont Environmental Council, also offered support for the Call Farmland Protection Program purchase. He noted that this program is more successful than the Virginia Outdoors Foundation programs and, further, that most of the funds to purchase these development rights are not coming from county tax revenues.

Henry Gorfein, Hampton District, stated objection to criticism of the health insurance benefits for school employees and added that some supervisors receive health benefits but that school board members do not receive any health benefits. He also objected to placing more emphasis on petitions than form letters (regarding pros and cons of the FY09 school budget).

Ron Makela, Jackson District, suggested that all county employees receive the same benefits and that raises should take place for all employees at the same time.

Tom Junk, Piedmont District, objected to the Farmland Protection Program as a program that does not work well.

John Tole, Stonewall-Hawthorne District, urged the Board to adopt the school budget as submitted. He also offered support of the farmland protection program.

There being no other comments, the Chairman closed the public comment portion of the agenda.

OLD BUSINESS:

Broad Band Service: Mr. McCarthy reported that the county could expect to incur costs nearing $50,000 to assist Virginia Broadband through the Fauquier County IDA or the Virginia Resource Authority. In the alternative, VABB is asking that the county fund the project with repayment to the county in five years; however VABB's assets do not equal the amount asking to be funded and there are no liens that can be placed against VABB. Following discussion among the members regarding need for high-speed service, the Board agreed by general consensus to have Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Luke put together a proposal to be considered at the June meeting.

Regional Reassessment: The report of the Regional Reassessment Research Committee, comprised of Page, Warren, Shenandoah, Clark and Rappahannock Counties, is a consensus document which sets forth several options to be considered. Option D, to hire a specific, established firm for all five localities, is the preferred options as it would bring continuity to five similar counties and the bidders would have an established amount of business for a longer period of time. By general consensus, the Board authorized Mr. McCarthy to return with a proposal at the June meeting. (See report with papers of meeting.)

NEW BUSINESS:

MGT Report: At the request of Mr. Frazier, the Board agreed by general consensus to ask one or more members of the MGT Team (group that evaluated the school system earlier in the year) to appear and answer questions from by the Supervisors. Mr. McCarthy will arrange a meeting for July or August.

Community Radio Frequency License: Verdun Adventure Bound, Inc. of Rixeyville, Va has applied to the FCC for a full power non-commercial/education FM license to serve the northern Rappahannock River Valley and has asked the county to submit a letter of support to the FCC. By general consensus, the Board authorized Mr. McCarthy to send the suggested letter. (See papers of meeting.)

Farmland Protection Program Purchase: The Farmland Preservation Committee has recommended approval of the application of Manfred Call, IV for the purchase of four development rights for the sum of $200,000. The county's share of $60,000 will come from roll-back taxes; RCCA will contribute $40,000 and $100,000 will come from the state. Three parcels of land totaling 103+ acres will be protected from future development. The purchase is contingent upon certain approvals.

On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously by roll call vote to adopt a "Resolution to Accept an Offer to Sell Development Rights" by Manfred Call, IV. The following roll-call vote was recorded: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None. (See Offer to Sell with papers of meeting and Resolution marked Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.)

Analog to Digital Television Conversion: Federal law changes will require analog televisions to be converted to digital signals as of February 9, 2009. There has been some confusion understanding how the signals work and television owner's expectations. (See news report filed with papers of meeting.)

Zoning--Setback Amendment Resolution: Because of a potential ambiguity in the zoning ordinance, Mr. McCarthy recommended consideration be given an amendment that would address streets, lots, lot lines and yards. On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to refer the proposed amendment to the Planning Commission for public hearing at its May meeting and public hearing before this Board at the June meeting. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None. (Proposed amendments filed with papers of meeting.)

Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association: On motion of Mr. Wayland, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Mr. McCarthy to send a letter of congratulations on the Association's Saffire Jubilee. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None.

APPOINTMENTS:

On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to ratify the following appointments. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None.

Planning Commission: Robert Weinberg, BZA member to Planning Commission for a term commencing January 1, 2008 and expiring December 31, 2008.

Lord Fairfax Community College: Helen Williams, term commencing July 1, 2008 and expiring June30, 2012.

Recreational Facilities Authority: Lucy Ann Maeyer and Ron Makela for terms commencing July 1, 2008 and expiring June 30, 2012.

CORRESONDENCE:

Marriott Ranch: Public Hearing scheduled before the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors on May 8, 2008 to consider a Category 9 Special Exception and Category 9 Special Permit in order to operate a hunting preserve.

Department of Taxation letter regarding Assessments: The 2008 estimate of true value is 70.4% based on FMV of $3,028,299,612. (See letter with papers of meeting.)

INFORMATION:

Building Office Report: Total construction from March 22, 2008 to April 21, 2008 was $1,046,736.80. Year to date totals: (See papers of meeting for more detail.)

Year to date totals:	2007	2008
New Home Construction	14	6
Commercial Buildings	2	1

Landfill Cell Closure: DEQ will conduct a Public Hearing on June 2, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse. Attendance is not required.

ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to approve accounts payables dated May 5, 2008. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None.

There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 4:15 o'clock p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 o'clock p.m. to conduct the following public hearing at the Rappahannock County High School auditorium. The Chairman called the meeting to order. All members were present.

Fletcher Conference Center/Resort--SE #07-12-01: The applicant, James W. Fletcher, III, announced that he would withdraw his application at this time and would refile.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 o'clock p.m.

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Robert P. Anderson, Chairman