City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Special Meeting and Budget Workshop meeting held on March 24, 2022 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The special meeting and budget workshop meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at the Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles Cuthbert, Jr Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Council Member W. Howard Myers Council Member Arnold Westbrook, Jr Council Member Darrin Hill Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Vice Mayor Annette Smith-Lee Present from City Council Administration: Clerk of City Council Nykesha D. Jackson Interim City Manager Kenneth Miller City Attorney Anthony C. Williams 2. DISCUSSION: Mayor Parham stated, “There are two items today. There is a presentation of the budget from Mrs. Jordan, and she is going to go first. And then after that I will turnover to Mr. Pritchett of the school board. Thank you all for joining us, the superintendent, deputy superintendent, and the school board. Next, we will move onto Mrs. Jordan.” Stacey Jordan, Finance Director, presented the 2022-2023 Operating Budget for the City of Petersburg. Key points:  Building up departments to meet current and future needs, particularly in Police and Fire/EMS, Planning Neighborhood Services, Economic Development and Public Works with goals of improving public safety, community policing.  These are the areas that will produce the most immediate and long- term improvements to the quality of life of the community.  There will be funded initiatives for traffic mitigation.  Funded initiatives increased funding to public safety, facilities, engineering, neighborhood services, parks & Recreation, Economic Development, Planning and Marketing and Tourism.  Fund initiatives funded class compensation study mid-year implementation.  City absorbed incremental costs for FY22-23 increased of .78% in Virginia Retirement System, increased of 16% in Health Care Cost, and reduced the tax rate from $1.35 to $1.27.  Budget was based off using the reduced tax rate of $1.27. Mrs. Jordan stated, “I want to say a special thank you to council for your continued support, Chief Miller and Mrs. Innis, the budget team Ms. Jeanette Johnson and Kimberly Robinson, for their continued cooperation during this process.” Mayor Parham stated, “Thank you so much Mrs. Jordan to you and your staff for all you do for us. We have the budget calendar set. So, we have some work to do, and this is the preliminary budget, and we will get everything finalized. Everyone please dig down deep and we are going to get this done.” *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Special Meeting and Budget Workshop meeting held on March 24, 2022 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ Kenneth Pritchett, Chairman of the Petersburg School Board, gave briefing on the subject of the budget and introduced staff that is in attendance at the meeting.” Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin, (Superintendent of Petersburg Public Schools) Julius Hamlin (Deputy Superintendent), and Debbie Halloway (Director of Finance), gave a brief overview of the school’s budget. Key points:  In this proposed FY2023 Petersburg City Public Schools budget, they remain committed to providing a quality education for every student to help them succeed in school and in life. Providing a safe environment for teaching and learning is vital for the success of the student, the employees, and the entire city.  Improving Petersburg schools requires a community willing to invest in public education, therefore they are requesting from the City of Petersburg, an increase of $1,000,000, making the city transfers $11,000,000.  City staff is recommending a $10,000,000 transfer to the schools which is no increase from the city. The city transfers of $10,000,000 will make up to 17.23% of the operating budget.  100% of the revenue supporting the operating fund is from the state and local sources, primarily state aid, sales tax, and city transfer.  There are three different funds that comprise the proposed FY23 Budget. They are the operating, food service and grants.  The proposed financial plan is based on the governor’s proposed budget and is subject to revisions based on new governor’s final recommendations.  DOE is providing $1,110,965 in revenue towards a 5% pay increase for SOQ positions. (Teachers, aides, principals, assistant principals, counselors, and librarians)  A 5% pay increase for all full-time will cost $1,800,009, meaning that $689,044 would come from local funds and any additional increases would also come from local funds.  The 5-year plan with additions equates to $43,472,575.  The 5-year plan equates to $41,090,400.  With the removal of the new school, it is $15,372,575.  Restroom renovations slated for FY23 and FY25 may be completed sooner than the noted fiscal years. Mayor Parham stated, “Thank you Dr. Pitre-Martin. And this will be provided online for everyone as well to take another look at. Ms. Joanne Williams will have it posted tonight and we will drill down and see what we can do. We applaud all your efforts and Chairman Pritchett and school board for all you do here for our kids. We are making ground and we are making the necessary strides that we need to make to give our kids a world class education. And we are just trying to catch up to have world class facilities. Thank you.” 3. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 5:40 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available upon request.