AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 4TH DAY OF JANUARY, NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY NINE AT TWO O’CLOCK P

AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 6th DAY OF JUNE, TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA

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. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the minutes of the

May 2, 2005 meeting 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) Pre-school Players presentation in French and German.

(2) Summer calendar.

(3) SOL's: Two tests were given "on-line" this year.

(4) Construction meeting will be held May 3 regarding ways to reduce the cost of the construction of a new gymnasium to keep it within the bond amount funds.

(5) Refunded VPSA Series 2003D. As a result of refinancing the 1993 construction bond funds, savings in the amount of $20,457.40 will be refunded to the county. Dr. Chappell asked that these funds be placed in some type of construction account for the school system.

RappFLOW Project Progress Report: Coordinator Beverly Hunter described a program being conducted on the Thornton River below Sperryville by several students who regularly collect data from the river and evaluate it in the labs at the high school. Results will be posted on June 25 at the River and Roots Festival in Sperryville.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Todd Gilbert, candidate for House of Delegates, introduced himself.

OLD BUSINESS:

Reassessment Board Appointments: The following persons were appointed to serve on the Board of Assessors. In order to be eligible, a member must be a resident of and land owner in the county.

Melinda Fisher, Jackson District, was appointed on motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Lee and the unanimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, it was learned that Melinda Fisher is not a land owner in Rappahannock County and is therefore not eligible to serve on the Board of Assessors.

Bob Dennis, Wakefield District, was appointed on motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Anderson and the unanimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Chris Parrish, Stonewall-Hawthorne District, was appointed on motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Welch and the uananimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Cheri Woodard, Piedmont, was appointed on motion of Mr. Estes, seconded by Mr. Frazier and the unanimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Hampton District: No one was nominated at this time for this district.

NEW BUSINESS:

Driveway Construction Guidelines: Mr. McCarthy reported that Fire and Rescue personnel have expressed concern about some private driveways being inaccessible to emergency vehicles. By general consensus, the Board agreed to authorize Mr. McCarthy to create a study committee and to make recommendations. The committee's report will be made in several months.

Year-End Payout and Budget Adoption Meeting: By general consensus, the Board agreed to hold this meeting on Friday, June 24, 2005 at 6:00 o'clock p.m. in the courthouse.

APPOINTMENTS:

Recreation Facilities Authority: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to reappoint Jean Lillard and Shannon Swain to new four-year terms commencing July 1, 2005. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Water & Sewer Authority: Alex Sharp was reappointed to a four-year term on the WSA for a term commencing July 1, 2005, on motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Frazier and the unanimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council: Donald Gore was reappointed to a new term on the EMS Council for a term commencing June 15, 2005 on motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Anderson and the unanimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

INFORMATION: (See papers of meeting.)

Building Office Report: Total construction from April 22, 2005 to May 21, 2005 was $1,167,950.00. Year to date totals: (See papers of meeting for more detail.)

Year to date totals:	2004	2005
New Home Construction	27	24
Commercial Buildings	8	6

ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payables dated June 6, 2005. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 3:05 o'clock p.m. until 7:00 o'clock p.m. at which time the Board conducted the following public hearings.

(1) Williams Private Sewage Treatment Facility, SE#05-03-03. The applicant has applied for permission for a private sewage treatment facility for a single family property (existing parcel) in Chester Gap. The property is identified as Tax Map 1, Parcel F1 2&3, zoned "VR" Village Residential, Wakefield District. The use is allowed under §170-36C of the Code of Rappahannock. The design plan and documentation have been provided and are part of the file.

Mr. McCarthy reported that the applicant was unable to attend this meeting and has asked that the public hearing be conducted but remain open until the July 2005 meeting. The Planning Commission has recommended denial by a 6 – 1 marjority vote.

Chairman Estes opened the public hearing and called for comments.

Bruce Monismith, Jim Rucker, Greg Hutchison, Mary Lance and Clyde Humphrey all spoke in opposition to approving the application. They noted that this type of system has numerous failures—electrical, mechanical and owner/operator; that it is easy to put something into the system that will cause it to fail; failure affects neighbors and rivers; there should be random tesing; the risk and consequences of failure are high and severe.

Mr. McCarthy added that there are no other private discharge treatment facilities in the county.

There being no other comments at this time, on motion Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Frazier, and the unanimous vote of the Board, the Chairman continued the public hearing until July 6, 2005 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

(2) Gillis Residential Care Facility Expansion, SE05-04-04: The applicant has applied to expand an existing six-room residential care facility (SE#99-12-03) to eight rooms in size. The property is identified as Tax Map 56, Parcel 5, zoned "A" Agricultural, Stonewall-Hawthorne District, 5022 Sperryville Pike at Scrabble. The use is allowed under §170-36B with additional standards addressed in §170-63J. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.

Mr. Gillis noted that when the original application was made, it was thought there were only 3 acres, therefore no more than 6 rooms were permissible. A new survey shows that there are 4.5 acres and therefore an 8-room facility is allowable.

Chairman Estes opened the public hearing. Gwen Hays asked if the buyer was present. There were no other comments and the Chairman closed the public hearing.

On motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to approve SE05-04-04 as recommended by the Planning Commission. The following roll-call vote was taken: AYE: Estes, Lee, Anderson, Welch, Frazier. NAY: None.

(3) FY06 General Fund Budget Public Hearing: Mr. McCarthy summarized the primary features of the FY06 budget. The public hearing was advertised in the Rappahannock News on May 26, 2005. The advertised budget gives notice that the Board intends to levy the following rates for tax year 2005-2006 per $100 assessed valuation:

2004-05 2005-06

Actual Proposed

R.E. and Mobile Homes $0.68 $0.80

Real Estate (Fire Levy) $0.04 $0.04

Tangible Personal Property $3.00 $4.00

Tangible P.P. (Fire Levy) $0.20 $0.20

Mr. McCarthy explained that the 12¢ increase in the real estate rate includes a 4¢ increase for school debt (most recent bond fund); 4¢ for salary increases; 2¢ for increased cost of operation (leachate) at the landfill; 1¢ for salary increases given after budget adoption last year; and ½¢ increase for salary increases in July and December.

The advertised draft also includes a $1.00 increase in tangible personal property. No increases were advertised for either of the fire levy categories.

Chairman Estes opened the public hearing.

David Gillis complimented the Board on its efforts to preserve the county.

Sheriff Larry Sherertz stated that the county completely funds one deputy position and requested that the county fund a second road deputy. His department has 24 deputies and one part-time deputy. Six deputies and the part-time deputy are road deputies With an additional deputy, overtime funds could be reduced. The total cost of all the Sheriff's additional requests and amendments is $70,399.

On behalf of the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, Frank Huff requested an additional increase of $100,350 over and above the advertised figure of $607,994. $75,000 would go toward increased operational costs and $25,000 would restore the budgeted amount to the original request.

Mr. McCarthy explained that no increase to the Fire Levy was advertised and that the advertised Fire Levy rate will not generate sufficient funds to cover the late request.

Bill Jarrett, Bob Metcalfe and Pat Waller added that the additional increase to the fire fund is based on operational expenses; that expenditures outpace funds generated; that without relief, volunteers will stop working. They also requested that a comprehensive "Futures Study" be conducted.

Clyde Humphrey presented his analysis of the advertised budget, noting increased costs and the effect it has on the tax rate. He added that rising tax rates could force property owners to sell their property.

Speaking on behalf of county employees, Diane Bruce requested the Board to extend the dependant care health insurance benefit to employees who have no need for dependant care health insurance but who have needs for other types of health insurance, (i.e. Long-Term Care, Cancer Care and others.)

There being no others to speak, Chairman Estes closed the public hearing and the meeting recessed at 9:20 o'clock p.m. until Friday, June 24, 2005 at 6:00 o'clock p.m. at which time the Board will conduct its end-of-year meeting, approve accounts payables and adopt the FY06 budget resolutions.

_________________________________________

Charles K. Estes, Chairman