Meeting Convened.
An Adjourned Meeting of the York County Board of Supervisors was called
to order at 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, November 25, 2003, in the Library of
Grafton High/Middle School, by Chairman James S. Burgett.
Attendance.
The following members of the Board of Supervisors were present: Walter
C. Zaremba, Sheila S. Noll, James S. Burgett, and Thomas G. Shepperd.
Mr. Donald E. Wiggins was absent.
Also in attendance were James O.
McReynolds, County Administrator; and James E. Barnett, County Attorney.
JOINT MEETING WITH THE YORK
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
School Board Members Present:
Barbara Haywood, Chairman; Page Minter; Barrent M. Henry; Mark Medford,
and Don Felling.
Also present were Dr. Steven R.
Staples, Superintendent of Schools; Richard M. Hixson, Deputy
Superintendent of Operations; and Dr. James Tucker, Assistant
Superintendent for Instruction.
FY2005
BUDGET OUTLOOK
Mr. Dennis Jarrett,
School Division Director of Finance, made a presentation on the revenue
outlook for the School Division in FY2005. The revenue assumptions
included an enrollment projection of 12,830 students and an impact aid
increase projection of $450,000 based on the FY2004 proposed Federal
budget which equates to approximately $8.1 million. He then discussed
State revenue, stating that it was the first year of the biennium, and
the composite index will change. He also noted that the VRS retirement
rate increase and the VRS group life insurance rate reinstatement could
be more important than the composite index in that the VRS rate
increases are over 100 percent.
Mrs. Carol White,
Director of Financial and Management Services, then briefed the two
boards on the FY2005 County revenue projections. In terms of local
revenue, staff is expecting property taxes to increase 7 to 8 percent,
with a 2 to 4 percent increase expected for other local taxes. Other
local revenues are projected to stay level with the FY04 budget due
largely to continued low return on investments. On the State side, the
County has received no indication yet that there will be further funding
cuts, and staff is assuming State funding levels will be level with the
FY04 budget. Transfers for activities such as grounds maintenance and
law enforcement should see a slight increase over the FY04 budget.
Other revenue should remain level with the 2004 budget. Compared to
FY04, minimal growth is expected. Concerns for the FY05 budget include
a 121 percent increase in the VRS employer contribution rate and the
strength of the economy. Overall, the County can expect a $4.5 million
to $5.5 million increase over last year. She then discussed the employee
compensation system, explaining that a benchmarking system is used for
the non-licensed (non-teaching) employees, both County and School
Division, through a comparison of pay scales in market areas to maintain
competitiveness of the County’s pay plan. Based on the benchmarking
study, a need for a 2 percent market adjustment has been identified.
Discussion followed concerning the
reassessment taking place this year and the impact of Hurricane Isabel
on the real estate market, as well as decreased tourism affecting
revenues.
Mr. Jarrett
then briefed the Boards on the licensed personnel (teaching) salary
scale. He explained the compensation lanes, indicating they were based
on education level obtained. He noted the County model maintains a pay
plan that places starting salaries for positions near the middle of
statewide market area pay scales.
Mrs. White
addressed the estimated County funding requirements and issues for
Fiscal Year 2005, which include:
