Attendance. The following members of the Board of Supervisors were present: Walter C. Zaremba, Sheila S. Noll, Donald E. Wiggins, James S. Burgett, and Thomas G. Shepperd.

Also in attendance were James O. McReynolds, County Administrator; and James E. Barnett, County Attorney.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (Not on Agenda)

Mr. McReynolds noted that it is currently a time of heightened awareness for possible terrorism incidents, and he stated there would be a presentation on the subject of emergency preparedness next Tuesday evening. He stated that information concerning the briefing could be found on the County's web site, or interested persons could call the Public Safety Office for more information.

Mr. McReynolds noted that staff had prepared some information for the Board members based on questions they had asked at previous meetings concerning the proposed budget.

Mrs. Marycarol White, Director of Financial and Management Services, reviewed the economic development analysis for the current fiscal year and for proposed fiscal year 2004 for the major areas to which the Board makes contributions.

Chairman Burgett asked if the County was getting everything out of these organizations it could based on what the County is contributing.

Mr. James W. Noel, Jr., Director of Economic Development, reviewed the benefits to York County from its contributions to the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), the Hampton Roads Partnership, the Peninsula Alliance for Economic Development, the Williamsburg, Peninsula, and York County Chambers of Commerce; Williamsburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Economic Development Incentive Fund, and the IDA Capital Fund.

With respect to the IDA Capital Fund, Mr. Zaremba asked what the current available reserve was.

Mr. Noel indicated approximately $1.3 million is available at this time.

Mr. Zaremba stated these figures don't tell the whole picture; the Board has made a lot of major expenditures with respect to infrastructure.

Mr. Noel agreed, stating the Board has made several large investments in infrastructure over the years that have taken economic development a long way. He spoke of other initiatives of the Board of Supervisors to open up land for economic development in the County.

Discussion then followed concerning tourism, the regional effects of State budget cuts, and elimination of funding in the State budget with respect to advertising.

Mrs. White then continued her review, covering the topics of stormwater funding and environmental enhancements.

Discussion followed concerning the drop in funding in FY04 for drainage projects, review of the Utilities Strategic Plan, recommendations of the Stormwater Advisory Committee dealing with needed stormwater improvements, and updating the Capital Improvements Program with regard to funding of stormwater and drainage projects. The Board and staff also discussed greenways and future recommendations to the Board by staff on a variety of different techniques to create greenway systems, biking, or walking trails.

Mrs. White then spoke about corridor beautification, including funded and pending revenue sharing projects, as well as planned revenue sharing projects.

Mr. Wiggins asked if anything had transpired concerning his suggestion for the Board to consider a sidewalk in Seaford between Seaford Elementary School and Seaford Baptist Church.

Mr. McReynolds stated staff is continuing to pursue this suggestion and hopefully will be able to pull a project together.

The Board then had general discussion on the County’s library funding and its operations, and they reviewed the Constitutional Officers’ budgets and the breakdown of funding sources. Also discussed was the mosquito control program and the staff’s plan to institute backyard inspections and offer Gambusia fish as a means of reducing the annoyance and potential of West Nile virus threat. It was noted that a firm has been identified that will provide three spraying flyovers for less than $20,000, not including the cost of the spraying materials. Staff is discussing this possibility with other localities to do it on a regional basis and get more economy of scale. It was noted that staff will likely come to the Board requesting approximately $30,000 from this year's contingency fund for extra efforts planned by mosquito control and the flyovers.

Chairman Burgett stated the Board wants to get the word out to the citizens by advertising what staff is doing and let the citizens know that the Board is taking aggressive action.

Mr. McReynolds then reviewed the Board’s proposed contributions, stating the HRPDC budget has been reduced by $11,154. He recommended that $2,000 be placed in the budget for the Youth Commission’s scholarship request; $5,000 for planning and preparation for the 2007 celebration; $3,000 for housing rehabilitation programs; and the remaining $1,154 be placed in the Board's miscellaneous contribution line.

Discussion followed concerning Mr. McReynolds’s recommendation. Also discussed was the contribution for the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) and staff recommending more than was requested. The staff discussed the complexities of the CSA, and how projecting costs mandated by the CSA is based on current costs and needs. By consensus the Board members made no change to the CSA contribution line item, and they accepted Mr. McReynolds’ suggestions for contributions to be made to organizations from the $11,154 reduction to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission contribution. The Board also agreed there was no need to conduct further work sessions on the proposed budget, canceling the work sessions scheduled for March 25 and March 27.

Meeting Adjourned. At 8:02 p.m. Chairman Burgett declared the meeting adjourned to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in The Gallery, York Hall, for the purpose of conducting a reception meeting with the Chairs of York County’s Boards and Commissions.

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James O. McReynolds, Clerk                                                   James S. Burgett, Chairman
York County Board of Supervisors                                           York County Board of Supervisors