Vice Chairman Shepperd read a citation to George Morledge and Robert Criner, two former members of the York County Board of Building Code Appeals, commending them for their service to the Board, and Chairman Burgett presented them with bound and sealed copies of Resolution R03-24 which was adopted on February 4, 2003.

Miss Tatiana Chaterji, Secretary of the York County Youth Commission, presented the Commission’s 3^rd quarterly report to the Board of Supervisors. She indicated the Commission has been involved in three special events—the third annual countywide trip to Wintergreen, they hosted the annual valentine bingo party at the Senior Center of York, and they attended and participated in the Neighborhood’s Conference at James City County where over 50 youth attended the workshops. She announced that the Virginia Department of Health will be providing the Youth Commission a $10,000 grant for Right Choices for Youth—a risk avoidance program for alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence. She stated the Commissioners look forward to conducting another adopt-a-highway cleanup and hosting a talent show and battle of the bands. She noted the Commission will assist the Historical Committee with the Zweibrucken Exchange Program this year. Miss Chaterji noted that applications for next year's Youth Commission are out, and she encouraged interested youth ages 13 to 18 to apply.

Miss Arrion Dennis made a presentation on the 2002 survey conducted by the Youth Commission which explored the views and concerns of York County’s students. She spoke of the survey components, and reviewed several of the survey questions and the survey results. The survey showed that more students are participating in extracurricular activities, and use of internet has risen from 33 percent to 73 percent. She then reviewed questions on the survey concerning life in York County and services provided by the County. She also reviewed some of the short answer questions which resulted in comments such as "there’s nothing to do in the County." There were also various concerns voiced by the students over traffic congestion in the County. She then summarized the recommendations by the Youth Commission due to the survey results.

Mr. McReynolds presented to the Board of Supervisors the proposed FY2004 Budget, and he reviewed the General Fund budget issues impacting the budget which included:

No tax rate increase
School funding
Employee compensation
State funding

He discussed projected General Fund revenues by source which indicates a local revenue increase of $4.45 million or 5.8 percent over FY2003, which can be attributed to growth in the real and personal property tax bases, as well as strong sales tax growth. The rate of population growth in the County has slowed, and is expected to grow by about 1 percent with 60,600 people residing in York County in July of 2004. This lower population growth is the result of the steps taken by the Board to manage growth through changes in the zoning densities that will lower the County’s ultimate population to approximately 80,000. School enrollment is up 17.2 percent since 1994, and a small increase in the student population is expected over the FY2003 figure, going from an actual enrollment of 12,300 in FY2003 to 12,500 in FY2004. During calendar year 2002, 498 new housing units were completed in the County, and construction is expected to continue at a slightly slower pace during 2003. Education is by far the largest single expenditure and priority in the General Fund taking 46 percent of its total. The School Board was initially told it could expect an increase of $1.2 million in the local contribution for education, but it was now being recommended that an additional $254,200 be provided to support the School Division. Mr. McReynolds then reviewed the decline in state funding and the increase in local funding for the school system over the past years. He then noted that originally there were no new positions recommended for FY2004; but because staff now has a better feel for the County’s revenue position, he is now proposing 5 new General Fund positions—three firefighters and two dispatchers, as well as recommended compensation cost increases due to step adjustments and a 2 percent market adjustment. He briefly reviewed the non-personnel increases amounting to $598,300, and noted that it was recommend that the contingency reserve be returned to its normal funding. In summary, Mr. McReynolds stated that over the past years, population growth, additional school and other programs, and declining federal and state support have greatly raised the demand on County resources, although the proposed budget maintains tax rates at their current levels.

Mr. Zaremba asked what the County’s goal is regarding commercial tax revenue as a percentage of local revenue. Currently 46 percent of the County’s entire tax revenue is generated by business.

Mr. McReynolds stated the Comprehensive Plan has set a goal of about 50 percent, and the County has been close over the past decade.

Discussion followed concerning the legality of setting caps on population in a locality.

Mr. Arthur Mallory, representing the York-James City County NAACP, stated he was invited by Mr. Wiggins this evening. He noted that Mr. Wiggins happened to attend a luncheon where he made a few comments about what the NAACP does, and Mr. Wiggins asked him to attend the meeting and speak briefly. He stated he was very impressed with the Youth Commission and its quarterly report, and was very proud of Arrion Dennis. He stated York County is part of the York-James City County branch of the NAACP located at McLaws Circle, Williamsburg. Mr. Mallory stated the branch has about 582 members, and 6 percent is non-minority. He stated one of the most recent initiatives the branch had was a community summit on February 1 where there were representatives from York County Social Services. He spoke of other initiatives of the branch such as education and voter registration.

Mr. Barnett had nothing to report at this time.

Mr. J. Mark Carter, Assistant County Administrator, made a presentation on Application No. UP-615-03 requesting a use permit to authorize a forestry operation on property located at 590 Taliaferro Road (Route 666). He stated this was an after-the-fact request, noting that timbering has already taken place. The Planning Commission reviewed the application and recommends approval of the application. Staff also recommends approval through the adoption of proposed Resolution R03-42. Mr. Carter noted there is also a 10-foot utility easement along the northern side of the driveway which provides an easement to service this lot, and he recommend that condition No. 9 be amended to include the utility easement.

Mr. Wiggins asked if there was a house on the property.

Mr. Carter stated there was, and Mr. Burnette has upgraded his driveway and done some maintenance on it. Mr. Burnette has requested that the log landing area be placed on the site up close to Taliaferro Road so there would not be a need for the trucks to drive as far on the road. Mr. Carter stated it would be a wise move because the least distance the trucks drive on it, the shorter distance the applicant will be required to maintain.

Mr. Joseph R. Smith, the applicant, stated his grandfather settled on this property in 1916, and his father lived there from 1956 to 1971. He stated that upon his father’s passing he moved in to consolidate the property. He stated his future plans for the property are to create a family subdivision so his children and grandchildren can have decent homes in the County. Mr. Smith stated he was with the military and then with the US Postal Service. In 1989, after retiring from the Postal Service, he had the job for landscaping York County schools and learned a lot about the County during this time. He stated he did not expect the County’s administration to come after him with a hostile attitude regarding the timbering, and he told them he was willing to abide by any lawful rules and codes the County had. After stopping the timbering operation, Mr. Smith stated he applied for a use permit and a timbering plan. Mr. Smith asked the Board to release the logs already piled on the property to go to the mill so that the timbering operator can be paid for his labor and he can make the necessary corrections to the property and move on.

Chairman Burgett then called to order a public hearing on Application No. UP-615-03 which was duly advertised as required by law. Proposed Resolution R03-42(R) is entitled: