City Council

CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. THOMAS J. TOMZAK, MAYOR HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, VICE MAYOR CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. GEORGE C. SOLLEY, WARD TWO HON. FREDERIC N. HOWE, III, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. BEATRICE R. PAOLUCCI, WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Council Work Session April 5, 2011 General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2012 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Vice-Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Presiding. Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Frederic N. Howe, III, Beatrice R. Paolucci and George C. Solley. Council Absent. Mayor Thomas Tomzak and Councilor Bradford C. Ellis. Also Present. City Manager Beverly R. Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Treasurer G.M. Haney and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2012 – Mr. Whitley reviewed the capital budget and stated that $200,000 would be going to schools for computer technology and equipment and carpet. Public Works would be receiving $3.2 million with $2.6 million for the Fall Hill Avenue bridge work. Public Facilities was reviewing $2.7 million with majority of the funds going towards the VCR Trail. Mr. Whitley said the Heritage Trail may also be included in the Fiscal 2012 budget, but he would do an encumbrance at a later date. The Public Safety capital is $200,000 for the Fire command unit and the Court Capital includes $39 million for the courts facility. He said the capital for the courts is on the high side, but it does not all have to be used. Councilor Howe asked whether any undesignated funds had been identified and if so, how much. He also asked what the tax rate impact was for the fiscal year. Mr. Whitley explained that there was $3.8 million designated for capital and $1 million to build the FY 2012 budget. He said some items were grant funded such as the VCR trail and the Fall Hill Avenue project. Mr. Cameron stated that most of the projects in the FY 2012 budget are fairly 1 small with the exception of the courts project. Councilor Devine said the court project is a domino effect of other items such as the fire station, renovation of the Renwick and or the Executive Plaza. Mr. Cameron agreed saying they may have to build a new fire station or renovate the Renwick building or the Executive Plaza. Mr. Whitley explained the fund balance analysis. He said last year the designation for the security center and the education debt service were closed out and added to the revenue. He also distributed a memo on the non-governmental partner agencies which explained which agencies had increases or decreases and why. Finally, he discussed the personnel items to include the Treasurer’s request. Mr. Haney stated that due to the success of the auditor in the Commissioner of Revenues office and an ordinance that was passed in 2008, which makes operating a business without a business license a misdemeanor there has been an increase in the workload of the Treasurer’s office. He says that he does not have the manpower to handle the increased workload. He also noted that due to retirement, he lost his Chief Deputy position and also during the 2009 cuts his part-time salaries were cut 25%. With the cuts he said the City is losing money because he has to focus on other things and place less focus on collections. Mr. Haney requested an addition $53,000 to replace the Account Technician position. He said this position would bring in five times the amount than its going to cost the City. Councilor Howe asked if the position would be used to focus on the collection activity. Mr. Haney said he would hope that it should be noticeable if the position is restored. Mr. Cameron stated that members of Council did not want to be rushed during the meeting of the ARCADIS report so he suggested that Council meet on a date other than the date scheduled. Without a consensus from Council on a date the meeting was left for April 12 beginning at 5:30. Vice-Mayor Greenlaw asked if there were any additional thoughts for the budget before the public hearing that’s scheduled for April 19. Councilor Paolucci had a few concerns on why some agencies are funded and some are not. She also made a proposition to fund Safe Harbor. Councilor Howe asked if the court capital was all under the 2012 budget. Mr. Whitley explained that the City would borrow the money in 2012 and whatever is left of the money would be carried forward since the project could not be completed within the 12 months. 2  Councilor Devine was curious why Bluemont was $2000 and not $5000. Mr. Whitley stated that was an error and it should be $5000. Councilor Paolucci asked that the Account Technician for the Treasurer’s Office be added as a proposition. She also wanted to see the results of the survey before the final budget was considered. Mr. Whitley noted that Transit’s number would change since King George decided to pull out. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was declared officially adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 3