Chamber News

Patrick County Board of Supervisors Meeting-June 14

County Board of Supervisors monthly meeting, Monday, June 14, 2010 startinga t 6:00pm in Stuart, VA at the County Administration building.

Board of Supervisors Meeting on June 14, 2010 As reported by Tom Bishop Public Comment Period 3 citizens gave public comment. John T Wingfield - Mayo River District Shared his disappointment with the extension of County Administrator, Jay Scudder’s contract and 9% pay increase. He said he was stunned to read the newspaper article telling of this. He stated his disappointment with Dr. Lock Boyce for not discussing the reappointment without citizen input. Jerry Webb - Blue Ridge District He presented 392 additional petitions in opposition to the Mayo River Trail. The total petitions signed so far is in the range of 600-700 people in opposition. Johnny Martin - Peters Creek District He felt good about Lock Boyce until he heard of his support for the raise of County Administrator, Jay Scudder. He said the Board does what they want to and will not listen to the public. He feels the County will go broke due to the unreal amount spent on our schools. He said we are not a rich county with no manufacturing industry. He objected to the raise of $7500 for Jay Scudder and the $450 monthly expense allowance. Report by Jay Scudder County Landfill - Jay reported that the “seeping point� at the County Landfill would be repaired with help from local staff and staff from the Town of Stuart. Olver Engineering will supervise the work. This is the most cost effective way of making this repair. Appalachian Regional Commission support for Transportation. Various localities have asked Patrick County to write letter of support for the use of ARC funding to create toll roads in rural Virginia. Dr. Boyce made a motion to NOT write a letter of support. Seconded by Roger Hayden. The vote was unanimously in support of this motion. Virginia Retirement System Motion was made by Ron Knight and 2nd by Dr. Boyce to continue 5% contribution to County employees retirement for both existing employees and new hires. State law now gives localities the option to not make this contribution for those hired after July 1st, 2010. Vote was 4-1 in favor of this motion, with Crystal Harris voting no. Pay Day Lending Dr. Boyce made a motion to express support to the Virginia legislature for the addition of new regulations and oversight of Pay Day Lenders and cap the interest rate charged. Second by Ron Knight. This motion lost by a 3-2 vote, with Roger Hayden, Crystal Harris and Karl Weiss voting against it. Paying Bills, Claims, Appropriations and Transfers At 9:15 pm, a motion was made to approve payment of bills, claims, appropriations and transfers by Dr. Boyce. 2nd by Ron Knight. The motion lost, with Roger Hayden, Crystal Harris and Karl Weiss voting no. The reasons for the no votes was because of the $15 million capital project transfer from County Funds to School Board funds without detailed explanation. Also, Crystal Harris was concerned by department over-runs of their budget and Roger Hayden was concerned by the numerous transfers from one line item to another and the neglect maintenance of buildings. Jay Scudder and Dr. Boyce encouraged the Board to reconsider it’s position due to the seriousness of not paying the County’s bills. At 9:30pm, a motion was made again to pay bills, claims, appropriations and transfers by Dr. Boyce with a 2nd by Ron Knight. This motion passed with a 4-1 vote with Crystal Harris voting no. Jay Scudder will seek a response from the School Board for details of the $15 million transfer of funds. Expense Allowance For County Administrator Before the Chairman, Karl Weiss signed the new County Administrator’s contract he asked for a clarification of the $450 per month expense allowance. It was clarified that this monthly allowance was for Technology/Communication and Transportation Allowance. He will drive his own personal car. A county vehicle will not be provided in addition to this expense allowance. Economic Development Authority-EDA Roger Hayden made a motion to require the EDA to report to the Board of Supervisors quarterly the results of their efforts on job creation. 2nd by Dr. Boyce. This was approved unanimously. Dr. Boyce made a motion for the EDA to bring before the Board of Supervisors for approval vote for any appropriations or creation of debt. 2nd by Roger Hayden. This was passed by a 3-2 vote with Roger Hayden, Dr. Boyce, Ron Knight voting yes and Karl Weiss and Crystal Harris voting no. Mr. Weiss and Ms. Harris felt this was too much micro-managing of the EDA work efforts. Monthly Work Session A monthly work session will be scheduled for June to cover 2 primary subjects: 1. Solid waste disposal 2. School board information session concerning the $15 million transfer of funds Meeting concluded at approximately 10:00 p. m.