City Council

March 8, 2018 Budget Work Session A special meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held on March 8, 2018, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 6:00PM, to conduct a budget work session with Mayor Gene Teague presiding. Council Members present included: Mayor Teague, Vice Mayor Chad Martin, Council Member Kathy Lawson, Council Member Jennifer Bowles and Council Member Sharon Brooks Hodge. Staff present included: City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Assistant City Manager Wayne Knox, City Attorney Eric Monday, Finance Director Linda Conover, School Superintendent Dr. Zeb Talley, Travis Clemmons, Janie Fulcher, Angilee Downing, and Members of the School Board. Mayor Teague opened the Council meeting and Joan Montgomery, School Board Chairperson opened the School Board meeting. City Manager Towarnicki explained that the pre-budget work session in 2017 was helpful in planning the FY18 budget and he hopes tonight’s meeting will be beneficial also. The School Budget will be discussed the first hour. School Board members explained that they were not particularly pleased with their internal budget process last year so this year they looked at the school board goals of achievement, hiring and retaining quality teachers and school safety a little differently. This year, they have chosen two people from the board to serve as committees and communicate with the board on specific priorities. Dr. Talley said their goal is to prepare students to be college ready. The priority goals are to increase student achievement and get all schools accredited, reduce suspensions by 10%, reduce student absenteeism and recruit, hire, retain and support a highly qualified staff. Travis Clemmons further explained the revenue and cost factors that would affect the FY19 budget. Dr. Talley detailed the additional budget requests and funds requested. Council members express concern regarding the School Board not entering the information into Munis for review and providing a line item budget; School Board members request more trust from Council in regards to the reports they currently provide. March 8, 2018 Budget Work Session March 8, 2018 Budget Work Session March 8, 2018 Budget Work Session The School Board adjourned their meeting at 7:18pm. City Council took a short break then continued the discussion on general City budget and Strategic Plan review. City Manager Towarnicki detailed the budget process. Council discussed options on how to handle future budgets to encourage the school board to work around the funds available. Towarnicki talked about the budget shortfall and fund balance. If Council approves the school’s request then adjustments will need to be made in other areas. Mayor Teague said his preference would be to reduce the budget by a percentage across the board. Council Member Hodge supports level funding for the schools. Towarnicki explained that when staff leaves or retires, the position and functions are looked at and when possible, the department restructured so that position is eliminated instead of filled. Council touched on reversion related to the budget briefly. Council opted to discuss reversion and strategic planning at a future meeting. There being no further business, Council Member Hodge made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Council Member Lawson seconded the motion with all Council Members in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:20pm. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council Gene Teague, Mayor