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WE, TODAY IS SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026, AND WE ARE MEETING FOR A CLOSED SESSION.AND MR. STEINMEYER, IF YOU WOULD READ THE CLOSED SESSION MOTION, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ENTER INTO A CLOSED MEETING UNDER SECTION 2.2 DASH 37 11 A FIVE FOR THE DISCUSSION CONCERNING A PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, OR AN EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY'S INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE DISCUSSION BEING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES.
I FURTHER MOVE THAT THE BOARD ENTER INTO A CLOSED MEETING UNDER SECTION 2.2 DASH 37 11 A EIGHT.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING SUCH ADVICE.
THE SUBJECT MATTER IS THE RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL REGARDING THE TWO TH 2018.
CAN I NOTE THAT MR. CARTER WILL BE RUNNING LATE TODAY, SO HE WILL BE COMING INTO THE CLOSED SESSION.
I I SUGGEST THAT WE DO IT AGAIN.
UM, SUPERVISOR CARTER, THEY JUST READ THE CLOSED SESSION MOTION.
WHAT WOULD YOUR VOTE BE ON THAT? MAYBE I, ALRIGHT, NOW WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE SESSION.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD CERTIFIES TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS.
LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS UNDER SECTION 2.2 DASH 37 11, A FIVE, AND A EIGHT OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION BY WHICH THE CLOSED MEETING WAS CONVENED, WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED IN THE MEETING BY THE PUBLIC BODY.
SECOND ROLL CALL MR. HENDERSON.
WELL WE'VE GOT A HALF AN HOUR RECESS HERE, SO I THINK WE'RE CLOSE ENOUGH TO ONE O'CLOCK.
SO WANNA WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S SEPTEMBER ALREADY.
UM, I DON'T SEE PASTOR HAMMOND.
SO WE'LL START OUT WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE.
IF EVERYONE WOULD PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS FOR ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA? HEARING NONE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED.
MR. SANDMEYER AYE UH, VDOT REPORT? MR. SMITH, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
UM, JUST LIKE TO START BY UPDATING YOU OUR RECENT MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES IN THE COUNTY.
UM, THE HEADQUARTERS HAS COMPLETED A BANK AND DITCH REPAIR ON STEVE LANE.
UM, COMPLETED PATCH PAVING ALONG BROWNTOWN ROAD IN HARMONY HOLLOW ROAD, UM, COMPLETED OUR SECONDARY MOWING AND, UM, WE'VE GRADED AND ADDED SOME STONE TO SEVERAL UNPAID ROADS IN THE LAST MONTH.
AND THEN LOOKING AHEAD FOR THIS MONTH, UM, WE'RE GONNA BE STARTING OUR FINAL PANEL OF PRIMARY MOWING.
UM, WE'RE GONNA PLAN ON FINISHING UP OUR SLOPE MOWING, WHICH IS MOWING STEEP SLOPES.
UM, WE'VE GOT SOME CALL WORK REPLACEMENT SCHEDULED FOR PO DRIVE FORT VALLEY ROAD, UNION MANOR LOOP.
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WE'RE CURRENTLY ARE PREPARING FOR OUR, OUR FALL DRIVE RUN, WHICH IS PREPARATION FOR GET EVERYTHING READY FOR THAT.UM, AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE OTHER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES LIKE CREATING UPDATES AND SUCH.
UM, OTHER ITEMS TOO WHERE, UM, THE RICHARDSON ROAD RURAL RUSTY ROAD PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETED THIS MONTH.
UM, SO WE'RE GONNA BE A LITTLE BEHIND ON THE PAVING, BUT OTHERWISE THEY SHOULD BE DONE THIS WEEK, THE FIRST PART NEXT WEEK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE, THE, UH, PAVING OF THAT, UM, THE CONSTRUCTION, AS YOU MAY HAVE SEEN, IT STARTED ON ROUTE 5 22 WHERE WE'RE EXTENDING THE TWO EXISTING LEFT TURN LANES.
THERE'S, UM, ONE AT RELIANCE AND ONE AT FAIRGROUND.
UM, THAT WORKS UNDERWAY AND IT SHOULD BE MOVING ALONG PRETTY QUICKLY AND WRAP UP QUICKLY THIS FALL.
AND, UM, ON THOMPSON HOLLOW, WE STILL NEED TO GO OUT AND INSTALL SOME ADDITIONAL PAVEMENT MARKINGS IN THE CUL-DE-SAC TO KIND OF DETER PARKING IN THAT AREA.
AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT WORK TO BE DONE THIS MONTH AS WELL.
SO, AND THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR THE BOARD.
DO YOU ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME OR CONCERNS? UM, I WAS JUST WONDERING, ON 55 EAST, DID, DID THEY PUT LIKE A NEW BLACKTOP OVER IT? THEY DIDN'T REPAVE IT, RIGHT? NO, THEY DIDN'T.
IT'S A, IT'S A LATEX TREATMENT.
IT'S, IT'S, UH, NOT A, NOT A PLANT MIX ASPHALT, BUT IT'S A, IT'S A, I THINK IT WAS SLURRY OR LATEX.
IT'S NOT WHERE THEY ACTUALLY MILLED IT AND PUT DOWN NEW, THEY'RE NOT, THEY'RE NOT MILLING AND PUTTING DOWN NEW, UH, PLANT MIX ASPHALT.
IT'S A TOP TREATMENT TO KIND OF EXTEND THE, THE LIFE OF THAT UNDERLYING PAVEMENT.
BECAUSE I NOTICED THEY GOT ABOUT HALF OF IT WITH THE DOUBLE LINES.
AND NOW THEY'RE WORKING ON IT AND THEY'RE GETTING DONE.
WE'VE BEEN STRUGGLING THROUGHOUT THE RESIDENCY WITH GETTING THE LINE PAINTER THAT'S ON THAT CONTRACT TO KEEP UP WITH THE PAVING CREW.
THEY'VE GOT HALF OF IT DONE AND THEY'LL SHOULD BE FINISHING THAT UP.
I, I DON'T HAVE A SCHEDULE, BUT HOPEFULLY IT'LL BE SOON.
I KNOW I WAS OUT THROUGH THERE YESTERDAY AND IT WASN'T HALF WAS DONE AND HALF WAS, BECAUSE I THINK I MENTIONED TO, I MENTIONED THAT IN THE PAST TO MR. CARTER.
AS FAR AS I KNOW, I'M NOT SURE IF THERE'S ANYBODY IN WARREN COUNTY OR NOT.
ANY OF THE ROADS THERE WHERE THEY GOT THE REFLECTORS IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD IS THEN I THINK WHAT HE TOLD ME, THEY, THEY REALLY ONLY DO THAT WHEN THEY DO ACTUAL REPAVE Y YEAH.
WHEN, WHEN IT'S FRESH NEW PAVEMENT, WE, THEY, THEY DO THAT WITH THE SLURRY.
SOMETIMES THEY DO, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T.
IT DEPENDS ON THE AGE OF UNDERLYING PAVEMENT.
WE ARE LOOKING INTO THAT THOUGH, AND GONNA TRY TO GET A QUOTE TO SEE IF THAT'S ACHIEVABLE TO GET THAT DONE.
I THINK IT'D BE BENEFICIAL, ESPECIALLY YEAH.
AND WE, WE NEED TO DO SOME MORE RESEARCH.
WE DON'T WANNA DO IT AND THEN, YOU KNOW, FOUR OR FIVE YEARS LATER IT'S ALL TAKEN UP EITHER.
BUT ESPECIALLY MY FAILING EYESIGHT DUE TO AGE AT NIGHT AND STUFF LIKE THAT, THAT NO, THEY ARE, IS VERY BENEFICIAL.
THE OTHER THING TOO, AND I GUESS, UM, I STILL FEEL 'EM, THE RUMBLE STRIPS ON EACH, I'M SORRY, COULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN? I SAY THE RUMBLE STRIPS ON EITHER SIDE OF HIGH KNOB.
I SAY I STILL FEEL THEM AND I KNOW THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER OKAY.
BECAUSE OF SNOWPLOW AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
BUT THEY'RE GONNA RE REFRESH THOSE.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY, YOU, YOU, YOU BEGUN THE PROCESS TO ACTUALLY PUT A TURN LANE THERE AND AGAIN, I DON'T THINK, I THINK WHAT THAT MAYBE 20, 28 BY THE TIME THEY FINISHED THAT, THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING.
YEAH, I KNOW THEY STARTED AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.
SO YEAH, WE CAN, WE CAN LOOK AT, UM, GETTING THOSE REFRESHED.
'CAUSE I KNOW THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER.
WE GET THEY'RE MAYBE A SEASON OR TWO.
WELL, YEAH, LIKE I SAY, THE SNOWPLOW COMES BY AND BOOM, THEY'RE GONE.
I WANTED TO SAY, UH, FIRST OF ALL, THE MOWING LOOKS REALLY GOOD.
UH, CHAND SHORES ROAD AND BACK INTO THE SUBDIVISION.
UH, ALSO A LITTLE OUT OF MY DISTRICT.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THAT AND, UH, FOR THE PAVEMENT, UH, PAST WORK THAT WAS DONE UP FROM MORGAN FORD UP TO DALE ROAD, UH, THAT, THAT'S ALL REALLY APPRECIATED.
I AL I ALSO NOTICED IT, IT SEEMS LIKE THEY APPLIED A LOT OF SOME SORT OF BRUSH CONTROL SPRAY, UH, TO CERTAIN AREAS.
AND I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT THAT IS AND IS THERE ANY GUIDANCE FOR SPRAYING THAT NEAR, UH, MANASSAS RUN OR OTHER WATER, UH, FEATURES, DO YOU KNOW? YEAH, I'LL HAVE TO, TO CHECK A LOT OF THE, THE BRUSH SPRAIN COMES OUT OF OUR DISTRICT OFFICE.
UM, THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES THERE'LL BE A GROWTH INHIBITOR, BUT THEY DO HAVE SOME OF 'EM YOU CAN SPRAY NEAR WATER.
SO THERE'S CERTAIN LIMITATION, BUT I'LL, I'LL LOOK INTO THAT AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT WAS SPRAYED.
ANYONE ELSE? WELL, I JUST WANTED
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TO SAY, UM, THE MOWING THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE ROAD WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN MY AREA, THREE 40, THE REPAVING OF IT, THAT HAS BEEN REALLY NICE.UH, SEEMED TO GO A LOT FASTER THAN LAST YEAR, THE PORTION THEY DID, BUT, UM, I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M ONE, UH, THE SAME ROAD.
AND I TALKED TO YOU EARLIER ABOUT THE, THE PAINTING, UH, UP IN THOMPSON HOLLOW AND, UM, THE, I HAD SENT, UH, MR. CARTER INFORMATION FROM MR. COMPTON THERE ON THE BENTONVILLE SIDE OF GOONEY MANOR LOOP AND SOME DAMAGE OF HIS PROPERTY.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S TALKED TO HIM OR NOT ABOUT THAT.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT? I, I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT.
I CHECK WITH MR. CARTER ON THAT GOY MANDER LOOP.
IT'S THE FIRST HOUSE WHEN YOU COME OFF OF BENTONVILLE BROWNTOWN ROAD TO GO ON TO THAT PORTION OF GO MANOR, THE, UM, WEST PORTION OF IT.
IT WAS HARD TO TELL, BUT, UM, I SENT THOSE PICTURES TO MR. CARTER AS WELL.
AND IT WASN'T SURE WHAT WE CAME UP WITH AT THE ROCKY HOLLOW AND, UM, THE PIPE THERE AT MR. FRITO'S AND THAT, UM, IS THAT ALL SETTLED WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS? THEY WERE SUPPOSED BUY THE PIPE.
THEY'RE GONNA BUY THE PIPE TO THERE.
THEY, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BUY THE PIPE WE PUT IT IN.
SO THEY KNOW THE SIZE AND ALL THAT.
'CAUSE THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO THEM, THEY STILL DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SIZE PIPE AND STUFF, SO.
AND THEN I DID WANNA THANK, UH, TO SEND, UM, RHONDA A BIG THANK YOU AND WHOEVER'S BEEN WORKING WITH HER OR SHE'S BEEN WORKING WITH THEM TO GET THE PERMITTING FOR RIGHT OF WAY USE FOR THE BROADBAND.
I KNOW YOU GUYS, UM, HAVE, FROM THE REPORT I WAS GIVING YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN MUCH FASTER GETTING THOSE PERMITS OUT AND WORKING WITH, UM, THE PROVIDERS TO GET THE, THE FIBER IN.
AND I, I REALLY APPRECIATE, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF WORK NOW IN WARREN COUNTY.
I WAS, I WAS GETTING PRETTY NERVOUS AND I KNEW ONE OF THE THINGS WAS GETTING THOSE PERMITS OUT AND UM, I I JUST WANTED TO PASS THAT ON AS A BIG THANK YOU.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S A BIG UNDERTAKING ON YOUR SIDE AS WELL.
OUR PERMIT TOTALS, YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY REALLY SKYROCKETED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS BECAUSE OF THAT.
BUT YEAH, I'LL LET HER, LET THEM IN THAT SECTION KNOW THAT.
AND I DON'T KNOW, I DID SEE WORK DOWN, UM, BEFORE YOU GET ON THE BRIDGE WHERE AT INDIAN HOLLOW WHERE THE, UH, WATER AND THAT DITCH HAD ERODED OUT.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS FINISHED OR IF YOU WERE GONNA COME BACK.
I KNOW YOU CLEANED THE PIPE OUT, PULLED SOME OF THE ROCK BACK, BUT IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS STILL MAYBE NOT FINISHED.
YEAH, I MEAN, WE GOT IT DOWN BELOW THE PIPE AND THAT'S HOW, YOU KNOW, WE PUT SOME MORE STONE IN THERE.
WELL I, I CAN KEEP AN EYE ON IT AND LET YOU KNOW IF IT STARTS EATING OUT UNDER THE ROAD AGAIN, BUT I, I JUST WASN'T SURE.
I DIDN'T WANNA BOTHER YOU WITH THAT IF YOU WEREN'T FINISHED, SO.
UM, AND THEN I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE ALREADY TALKED TO, UH, THE PROPERTY OWNERS ON, UM, THERE IN THE VILLAGE OF BENTONVILLE ABOUT WHAT PIPE SIZE THEY NEED AND ABOUT THE SIDEWALK AND SO FORTH.
UH, OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK THAT'S GOT ALL OF MY QUESTIONS.
ALRIGHT, WE ARE AT THE PUBLIC PUB COMMENT PORTION AND THAT IS A 60 MINUTE TIME PERIOD WHERE YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON WHATEVER YOU WANNA SPEAK ON.
WE DO ASK THAT ALL COMMENTS BE DIRECTED TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, NOT TO THE AUDIENCE.
BE CONSIDERATE OF YOUR FELLOW SPEAKERS.
THERE SHOULD BE NO CLAUSE BOOING OR OTHER AUDIBLE DISRUPTION.
UM, THROUGH A SHOW OF HANDS, THE CHAIRMAN MAY ASK FOR A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR COMMENTS MADE, PLACARDS, POSTERS, AND OTHER MEANS OF VISUAL DISPLAY OF COMMENTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE IF YOU WERE GIVING FACTUAL PRESENTATION FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
THE BOARD DOESN'T TOLERATE PERSONAL ATTACKS ON ANYONE.
AND, UM, YOU CAN BE ASKED TO LEAVE IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THE GUIDELINES.
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SO WHEN YOU COME UP, IF YOU WOULD JUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND THE DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN.AND MR. HENDERSON, IS ANYONE SIGNED UP? UH, YES MA'AM.
GOOD AFTERNOON, NOON SUPERVISORS.
MY NAME IS LOUIS MOTON FROM THE NORTH RIVER DISTRICT.
UM, THANK YOU FOR FIXING THE CEILING SINCE JULY OF LAST YEAR.
UM, SO I'VE, I'VE SENT YOU GUYS MESSAGES BEFORE AND I, I TOOK, UM, UH, MR. CARTER HAD MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE DEROGATORY STATEMENTS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE FACEBOOK POSTS AND WHEN I DID MY OWN EMPLOYEE REQUESTS WHEN THEY WEREN'T DEROGATORY.
SO I'M GONNA READ THIS AND IF YOU WANNA ESCORT ME OUT FOR THIS, THAT'S FINE.
BUT ONE PERSON SAID, DELETING MY COMMENT ASKING WHY DATA CENTER COMPANY IS THEIR BIGGEST SPONSOR IS WILD WORK LAW.
I THINK THAT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR SOMETHING.
THIS WAS DEEPLY OFFENSIVE THAT AIR GOVERNMENT FELT THAT THE NEED TO CENSOR THIS INDIVIDUAL AND EVERYBODY FROM HEARING ABOUT IT, WHY ARE COMMENTS BEING DELETED FROM THIS PAGE AND, AND SO ON.
THESE ARE THE DEROGATORY COMMENTS THAT AIR GOVERNMENT DECIDED THROUGH ITS AGENT TO QUASH EVERYBODY FROM HEARING I FOY THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY THAT JANE MEADOWS MENTIONED A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN ARCHIVE SOCIAL CAME OUT.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THIS BOARD TO CONSIDER A WORK SESSION TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP AND PUBLISH A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY AND TO HAVE SOME KIND OF TRAINING INVOLVED THAT DOES NOT MAKE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.
UM, THE OTHER TOPIC, UM, I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON, UH, AT THIS POINT.
I, I'M AWARE OR I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE THREE INDIVIDUALS.
SO THAT'S A MAJORITY OF THIS BOARD THAT'S FACING LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FOR DIFFERENT ISSUES.
I'D LIKE YOU YOU TO TAKE IT TO HEART.
GOTTA GET THIS YOU JOHN, YOU'RE THIRD.
HELLO, I'M VICKI COOK FROM THE FORT DISTRICT AND I'M HERE TO ADDRESS SUPERVISOR HUGH HENRY'S ASSAULT ON A WARREN COUNTY RESIDENT.
MR. HENRY CALLING OUT A CONSTITUENT AT A BOARD MEETING OVER NEGATIVE SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS, THEN ASSAULTING HIM ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
AND BEING CHARGED IS UNBECOMING OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL AND MAYBE ABUSE OF POWER.
I WANNA REMIND YOU THAT IN 2023 YOU TRIED TO REMOVE ME FROM THE BOARD.
YOU SAID YOU WERE RECALLING ME AND ASKED ME TO RESIGN.
YOUR COMMENTS WERE HEARD AT THREE PUBLIC MEETINGS TWICE AS, TWICE AS SEATED.
SEATED AS A PLANNING COMMISSIONER AND ONCE AT A BOARD MEETING, ALL BECAUSE YOU WERE DISAPPOINTED THAT I DIDN'T VET THE BUDGET USING, USING THE FORMER SHERIFF'S A THOU UH, $10,000 DOG TOY BUDGET AS AN EXAMPLE.
ARE YOU AWARE THE CURRENT SHERIFF'S CANINE BUDGET HAS INCREASED ABOUT 50% AND YOU VOTED FOR THIS AND THE LARGEST COUNTY TAX INCREASES.
SO, MR. HENRY, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.
AND LET ME REMIND YOU WHAT YOU SAID TO ME AT THIS BOARD MEETING.
YOU SAID, I REALLY THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD DECISION FOR YOU TO TAKE YOUR CALIFORNIA POLITICS HOME, WHICH I VOTED FOR TRUMP THREE TIMES, AND GO AHEAD AND RESIGN AND SAVE EVERYBODY THE TROUBLE OF DOING ALL THE PAPERWORK TO GET YOU REMOVED THOUGH, LET ME REPEAT YOUR WORDS TO YOU WITH A FEW MODIFICATIONS.
I REALLY THINK IT'D BE A GOOD DECISION FOR YOU TO TAKE YOUR UNETHICAL SCHOOL YARD BULLYING AND GO AHEAD AND RESIGN AND SAVE EVERYONE THE TROUBLE OF DOING THE PAPERWORK TO GET YOU REMOVED.
PLEASE PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH AND RESIGN AS A FORT DISTRICT SUPERVISOR WARREN COUNTY DESERVES BETTER.
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RIVER DISTRICT.A CUSTOMER PRACTICE THAT IS HANDED DOWN FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT.
I BELIEVE WARREN COUNTY FOLLOWS TRADITION ON HOW IT COLLECTS AND DISTRIBUTES TAX DOLLARS TO WARREN COUNTY DEPARTMENTS EACH YEAR.
WHAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR IS REPEATED THIS YEAR.
DEPARTMENTS SPEND THE MONEY THEY'RE GIVEN, WHETHER THEY NEED IT OR NOT.
SO THEY CAN EXPECT AN INCREASE OF ALLOCATIONS NEXT YEAR.
I CONTINUE TO REVIEW THESE MONTHLY SPENDING REPORTS AND I'VE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT UNNECESSARY SPENDING, BUT I DON'T, NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN.
SO THIS PAST MONTH, AGAIN, WE'RE WE'RE PAYING MEMBERSHIP FOR, UH, A GYM MEMBERSHIP FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
$3,000 WAS SPENT ON WEIGHTS AND EXERCISE EQUIPMENT.
$3,900 AGAIN THIS MONTH WAS SPENT ON MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS.
EVERY MONTH THERE'S TWO TO $3,000 SPENT FOR MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS.
SHOULD BUY A TOOLBOX TO PUT THOSE TOOLS IN SO THEY DON'T LOSE THEM.
$1,800 FOR WARREN COUNTY PICNIC TAX DOLLARS SPENT FOR A PICNIC WHERE SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO SACRIFICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO GET THEIR TAX MONEY IN.
AND YOU SPENT IT FOR A PICNIC.
I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THAT.
THERE WAS $9,000 SPENT FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON SIGNATURE COINS, WHICH DO NOT BENEFIT ANYONE IN WARREN COUNTY.
THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN SPENT FOR THE COMPLETION OF AN AUDIT, BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE DELAYED.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT WAS ONCE A TOOL FOR MONITORING SOME OF THE SPENDING WAS DISSOLVED.
YOU GOT RID OF IT WITHOUT, UH, ANY EXPLANATION.
WITHOUT OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, NOTHING WILL APPROVE AND THE TAX RATE ARE GONNA CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
THE SAME FORMAL PROCESS KEEPS THE TRADITION IN PLACE.
SO NOTHING CHANGES LIKE THE FORMAL PROCESS, WHICH ALLUDES ME TO THE RESOLUTION OF MR. HENRY, THE CEN OF MR. HENRY.
IT SORT OF REMINDS ME OF THE TIME WHEN I WAS BACK IN SCHOOL AND I GOT IN TROUBLE A LOT OF TIMES AND THE TEACHER WOULD SAY, THAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR PERMANENT RECORD.
YOU KNOW, IIII NEVER DID WORRY ABOUT THAT.
AND MR. HENRY, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO FEAR ABOUT THE ACTION OF THE BOARD THIS AFTERNOON AS FAR AS THAT CENTER.
I WISH YOU LUCK AND YOU HAVE A VERY RIGHT TO STAND UP AND SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY.
UH, SOMETIMES NOT WITHOUT A LOT OF ACTION, BUT YOU ARE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND.
NICE? THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE, I THINK.
MY NAME IS EVA CHAIS AND I LIVE IN THE SHENANDOAH DISTRICT.
I SPOKE AT LA AT THE LAST MEETING.
AND I HOPE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO EVA, I'M SORRY.
BRING YOUR, BRING YOUR YEAH SO WE CAN HEAR YOU TOO.
JUST PULL IT ALL THE WAY DOWN.
I LIVE IN THE SHENANDOAH DISTRICT.
I SPOKE AT THE LAST MEETING AND I HOPE TO SPEAK IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE I DO CARE ABOUT WARREN COUNTY.
I WAS SHOCKED AND DISMAYED AT THE BEHAVIOR AND ACTIONS OF MR. HENRY.
HE BEHAVED IN AN UNPROFESSIONAL MANNER.
I BELIEVE EXACTLY A SCHOOLYARD BULLY.
UM, I DON'T BELIEVE HE REPRESENTS THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE FORK DISTRICT AND I HOPE HE GETS ANGER MANAGEMENT AND I HOPE THE BOARD DOES NOT TOLERATE THE PERSONAL ATTACKS FROM THAT SIDE EITHER.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR SIGNUPS.
WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? CHRIS NELSON, SHENANDOAH DISTRICT.
EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY'S ALREADY SAID HERE IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE.
WHAT HUGH HENRY DID WAS WRONG AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF IN COURT.
I WAS A HUGE UH, HUGH SUPPORTER 'CAUSE HE STEPPED IN TO HELP US SAVE OUR LIBRARY.
BUT WHAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE CONCERNING IS NOBODY'S MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT DR.
SIR, DID YOU GO TO THE COURTHOUSE TO PULL THAT SURVEY BEFORE YOU SET FOOT ON IT? YOU DIDN'T KNOW AT THAT TIME THAT IT HAD AN UNUSUALLY LARGE, UM, LEEWAY OF 60 FEET OPPOSED TO A REGULAR 15 FOOT LIKE ON MINE.
DID YOU KNOW BEFORE YOU SET FOOT ON
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IT, WHO IS DOING THE WORK OF THE TAXPAYERS AND THE CITIZENS HERE? Y'ALL ARE SO WORRIED ABOUT YOUR INFIGHTING AND YOUR NONSENSE.YOU'RE TRIGGERED BY A POLITICAL SIGN.
WHAT HE WAS DID WAS WRONG, BUT YOU WERE EQUALLY GUILTY.
WHERE IS YOUR CENSURE? YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE CRIMINALLY CHARGED BECAUSE IT WAS 60 FEET, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY REASON.
IF IT WAS 15, YOU WOULD'VE BEEN CHARGED.
SO I'VE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT TO THE VIRGINIA BOARD OF ELECTIONS BECAUSE WHAT YOU DID AND THE AUDACITY TO TALK ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY ANYBODY EXCEPT FOR YOU, THE HYPOCRISY THAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTY IS UNBELIEVABLE.
WHO IS DOING THE WORK OF THE TAXPAYERS? YOU GUYS ARE SO WORRIED ABOUT INFIGHTING AND LYING ABOUT EACH OTHER, BEING THREATENED BY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE CHAIRS BRINGING AKS TO CIVIL WARS, TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE BEING PRO DATA CENTER WHEN HE IS NOT THIS ONE BEING ATTACKED EVERY OTHER DAY.
AND SHE DOESN'T SEEM TO ANY WORD ABOUT IT.
THE ONLY REASON WHY WE DON'T HAVE BUY RIGHT DATA CENTERS IS BECAUSE OF CHERYL COLORS.
WHEN IS IT GONNA STOP? WHEN ARE YOU GUYS FINALLY GONNA START DOING THE WORK OF THE CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTY? REPUBLICANS HAVE CONTROLLED THIS SINCE THE NINETIES.
MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY TO START LOOKING FOR OTHER LEADERSHIP.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? CAN I MY TIME? YES MA'AM.
THIS IS ACTUALLY THE DATA CENTERS.
I LIVE UP ON BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD.
COULD YOU, COULD YOU TURN THE MIC UP TOWARDS YOUR MOUTH? OH, BACK UP.
UM, LESLIE, NICE BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD, SHENANDOAH DISTRICT.
AND THIS ACTUALLY HAS TO DO WITH THE DATA CENTERS, BUT IT'S INFORMATION THAT JUST CAME TO MY ATTENTION.
UH, AND I THOUGHT MAYBE IF YOU DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL AS YOU GO FORWARD WITH, UH, WHATEVER HAPPENS WITH THE DATA CENTERS.
UM, THIS ONE HAD TO DO WITH, UM, DATA CENTERS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL ARE WILL BE, ARE ACTUALLY CONSIDERED IN VIRGINIA TARGETS OF SABOTAGE AND ATTACKS.
AND I HAD NOT REALIZED THAT YOU DID.
'CAUSE I WAS STARTLED TO REALIZE THAT THEY'RE IMPLEMENTING PLANS TO NOT JUST EVACUATE THE, THE DATA CENTERS, BUT THE HOMES AND BUSINESSES AROUND THE DATA CENTERS.
AND I'M THINKING THAT MAYBE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AROUND DATA CENTERS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE IN AN AREA NOW AT THAT TIME WHEN IT'S BUILT OF BEING TARGETS.
IT JUST WAS SURPRISING TO ME, AND I'M GLAD YOU ALREADY KNOW, KNOW ABOUT IT.
I JUST THOUGHT TOD BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? I, HI.
MY NAME IS BETH AND I LIVE IN THE FORK DISTRICT AND I, I SOMETIMES I DON'T LIKE TO SPEAK AT THESE 'CAUSE I GET REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT THINGS THAT I CARE ABOUT.
I MOVED OUTTA MANASSAS AFTER 50 PLUS YEARS AND I'VE NEVER BEEN SO DISGUSTED OF ALL THE GREAT PEOPLE I'VE MET HERE IN FRONT ROYAL.
THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE REPRESENTING US.
YOU, YOU ALLOWED THAT BEHAVIOR AT THE LAST MEETING.
YOU HAD TO STEW ON THAT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS BECAUSE THE COMMENTS THAT YOU WERE BEATING THIS GUY UP OVER WAS FROM JUNE.
SO YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS.
I LIVED DOWN THE STREET FROM YOU AND I'M NOT A HUNDRED PERCENT SURE, BUT AFTER SEEING WHAT YOU DID ON YOUR VIDEO, PRETTY SURE YOU'RE THE ONE THAT TOOK DOWN THE SIGNS NEAR MY HOUSE.
LIKE I SAY, I'M NOT A HUNDRED PERCENT SURE, SO I'M NOT GONNA MAKE THAT ACCUSATION, BUT I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT.
HOW DID YOU LET THAT JUST CONTINUE? HOW DID YOU LET THAT HAPPEN? YOU HOLD A BIG RESPONSIBILITY AS DOES THE SHERIFF, AS DOES YOU, YOU WATCHED IT AND THEN YOUR COMMENT WAS, WHOOPS, TIME TO GET OUTTA HERE OR SOMETHING.
THAT'S WHAT WE PAY OUR TAXES FOR IS THIS.
AND I'M SURE I SPEAK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE.
I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.
I SHOWED UP AT THE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH I'VE NEVER BEEN TO IN MY LIFE ANYWHERE.
YOU SAT THERE AND TRASHED THE NEW GUY.
SO DID THE GUY BEHIND ME THAT I GUESS WAS THE ONE THAT LOST
[00:30:01]
TO THIS GUY, THE VICE MAYOR.DON'T YOU GUYS THINK YOU SHOULD BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD? I'M ASKING YOU YES OR NO, YA NOT.
I WORKED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR 33 YEARS.
THIS CRAP WOULD'VE NOT HAVE HELD UP AS HARD AS IT IS TO GET FIRED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I THINK YOU GUYS WOULD'VE BEEN GONE.
AND I HOPE YOU LOOK AT THIS MESS LIKE THE BACK OF THE SKY SHIRT.
IS THAT HOW WE WANNA HANDLE OUR DISCUSSIONS? OUR DIFFERENCES IS BEATING EACH OTHER AND PUSHING EACH OTHER DOWN.
THAT'S HOW IDIOTS THAT DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INTELLIGENCE TO HAVE A DEBATE.
SETTLE THINGS, BEAT EACH OTHER UP, SHOOT EACH OTHER, THROW ROCKS AT THEIR HOUSES.
ISN'T THAT DISGUSTING TO YOU ALL? WE DON'T LIVE IN THE CAVEMAN DAYS ANYMORE.
OUR TAXES JUST WENT UP THIS YEAR.
I MAKE, I MAKE GOOD MONEY AND I PAY GOOD MONEY AND I WANT DAMN GOOD REPRESENTATION.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? SECOND CALL.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK THIRD AND FINAL? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO BOARD REPORTS.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, REGARDING THE AUGUST 18TH BOARD MEETING, I, UH, I REGRET NOT SAYING ANYTHING AT THE TIME DURING THE INDOOR PORTION OF THAT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS.
UM, AND, UH, I THINK MAYBE ALL OF US WERE PROCESSING CAUGHT OFF GUARD A LITTLE BIT.
UM, AS FOR WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT IN THE PARKING LOT, I HAD GONE OUT THE CAFETERIA WING TO THE OTHER PARKING LOT.
UM, BUT EVERYTHING I HEAR OF, OF COURSE AND, UH, HAVE LEARNED ABOUT IT.
I I IN THE STRONGEST TERMS, UH, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
THE, UH, THE OTHER THINGS I'VE BEEN UP TO.
AUGUST 19TH I MET WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BARKER, UH, AS WELL AS PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR WALL, UH, TO DISCUSS BUSINESS FRIENDLY REFORMS, UH, TO OUR PLANNING AND ZONING PROCESS AS, AS WELL AS TURNKEY PROJECT SITES.
AND, UM, I, I DO THINK THAT THERE'S SOME VERY GOOD IDEAS THERE, WHICH WE'LL BE WORKING ON IN THE FUTURE.
UM, A WEEK LATER, UH, DR OR PARDON ME, MR. BARKER SENT OUT HIS TARGETED INDUSTRY ANALYSIS, UH, AND SOME ADDITIONAL IDEAS, UH, WHICH I, UH, STRONGLY SUPPORT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF WORK.
UH, SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A BRIGHTER ECONOMIC FUTURE HERE.
UH, LAST WEEKEND I WENT OUT AND LOOKED AT, UH, E WILSON MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DUE TO THE STRUCTURAL ISSUE WITH THE, THE WALL SEPARATING.
UM, AND, UH, JUST WANTED TO SEE IT FIRSTHAND.
UH, TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, THE, THE ENGINEERING REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WE'LL LEARN MORE.
UH, MY ONLY THOUGHTS AT THIS POINT ARE THAT WE NEED TO ACT CAUTIOUSLY AND INTENTIONALLY AND NOT DO ANYTHING RASH.
THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AT STAKE IS, IS HUGE AND, AND WE NEED TO BE VERY, UH, VERY THOUGHTFUL IN HOW WE HANDLE IT.
UH, I DO, UH, COMMEND THE SCHOOL BOARD AND DR. WRIGHT FOR QUICKLY ADAPTING, UH, TO GET THE STUDENT BODY, UH, MOVED INTO OTHER BUILDINGS WITHIN TWO DAYS.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS, UH, VERY IMPRESSIVE WORK.
UM, AND THEY KEPT THE CLASSES TOGETHER, UH, THE GRADES TOGETHER.
I MEAN, BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY SUBPAR TO HAVE THE SCHOOL SEPARATED OUT LIKE THAT AND WILL CREATE A LOT OF LOGISTICAL HEADACHES.
UM, UH, THAT SAID, THE FACT THAT THERE WAS EXCESS CAPACITY ENOUGH TO ABSORB ALL OF THOSE CHILDREN RIGHT AWAY IS SOMETHING IN ITSELF THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER.
UM, AND I'LL I'LL SAY MORE ABOUT THAT AS WE LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.
UH, STARTING TOMORROW, UM, ON THE 28TH, I MET WITH FIRE CHIEF, UH, BONANO TO DISCUSS THE FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT'S UPCOMING NEEDS.
UM, AND LASTLY, IN REGARD TO MR. TON'S COMMENTS, UH, I, I AGREE THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY NEEDS TO BE FINALIZED AND ADOPTED, ASAP.
SO I'M SURE THE BOARD AND THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY ON THAT.
UH, I CONCUR WITH, UH, MR. JAMESON REGARDING THE EVENTS THAT TRANSPIRED ON THE 18TH.
UM, I BELIEVE IT DID CATCH US ALL GUARD OFF GUARD.
THERE WAS NO, UM, EXCUSE FOR THAT.
I DID NOT WITNESS THE ACTUAL EVENT OUTSIDE
[00:35:01]
IN THE PARKING LOT.UM, WE SHOULD AND WE SHOULD BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD 'CAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THINGS NEGATIVELY AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THAT.
WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER OTHER PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES.
THE ONLY CONTROL WE HAVE IS HOW OTHER PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES AFFECT US AND WE HAVE TO TAKE IT SOMETIMES.
BUT AGAIN, THE, THERE'S NO RESPONSE THAT'S, UH, ACCEPTABLE IN THIS CASE.
AND IT OCCURRED THE OTHER NIGHT.
UM, WELL, LET'S GO BACK TO E WILSON MORRISON TOO.
I CAN, UH, THERE AGAIN, I THINK, UH, MR. STAMMER SAID THE SCHOOL BOARD'S GONNA MEET TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 PM AND THIS CHAMBER, SO IT'LL ALSO BE TELEVISED SO PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT THAT.
AND I GUESS THE OTHER THING TOO IS, UM, FOR MS. MEADOWS, I ASSUME THERE IS A, UM, A WRITTEN REPORT THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL BE GOING OVER.
AND UNLESS IT'S CONFIDENTIAL, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO GET A COPY OF THAT TOO, TO SEE THE PARTICULARS.
UM, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS CAREFULLY AND, UM, PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY.
UM, I GUESS THIS WILL TIE INTO IT TOO.
I KNOW I, AFTER THE EVENT OCCURRED, DR.
JAMON HAS SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IF THE BOARD HAD A CODE OF CONDUCT.
UM, AND I WASN'T AWARE OF IT, BUT THERE WAS ONE IN, UM, I THINK ADOPTED IN 2023.
UH, MS. MEADOWS HAS, UH, FORWARDED THAT TO US.
AND I WOULD SUGGEST, SINCE IT'S BEEN FAIRLY RECENT, UM, THAT WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GO OVER THAT AND PROBABLY PUT THAT ON THE 15TH MEETING TO ADOPT THAT.
AND THERE AGAIN, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO MAKE ANY, UM, ADDITIONS TO THAT.
AND I WAS GOING BACK THROUGH WHEN WE HAD THE ADVANCE AND IN FEBRUARY, I WAS JUST LOOKING THROUGH SOME OF THOSE OLD PAPERS AND IT HAS SOMETHING ON HERE.
AND IT SAID, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.
AND I THINK THAT MAINLY MEANT ON HOW WE, UH, ENGAGE AMONGST OURSELVES.
AND THIS SHOULD BE FOR ALL OF US TO JUST KEEP IN MIND.
LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER, HONOR, PAST EXPERIENCE, WELCOME ALTERNATIVE VIEWS, ALLOW DISAGREEMENT, VALUE, GROUP ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND COLLECTIVE DECISIONS.
HONESTY, DIRECT COMMUNICATION TO APPROPRIATE PARTY, ATTACK THE PROBLEM, NOT THE PERSON.
ALLOW EVERYONE TO FINISH THEIR POINT.
REMEMBER, THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING GOAL IS RESOLUTION, NOT PLACING BA BLAME, STERN TONE IS ACCEPTABLE.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO OWN ACTIONS.
UM, OTHER THINGS I HAD HOPEFULLY WON'T GOING TOO LONG, BUT THE CIGARETTE TAX THAT WE ADOPTED JULY ONE, UH, I RECALL THAT WE, WE DID THAT WITH THE PRIMARY EXPENDITURE TO GO TOWARDS, UH, VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I THINK THAT MAY HAVE BEEN EXPANDED A LITTLE BIT POSSIBLY TO INCLUDE ALL PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE IF WE COULD VERIFY THAT.
UM, AND I HAD A COUPLE CONSTITUENTS ALSO QUESTION THE FLOCK CAMERAS.
I'D LIKE TO MAYBE HAVE THAT ON THE NEXT AGENDA TOO, TO DISCUSS.
I KNOW I THINK THAT HARRISONBURG REMOVED 30 THERE AND THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ISSUES AS FAR AS THE, UM, THE INFORMATION BEING MISUSED.
UM, TOURISM, I KNOW WE'VE GOT, UM, I THINK DR.
JAMON CAME UP WITH A RESPONSE TO THE TOWN'S MOU AND I THINK THAT MAYBE, UH, MS. MEADOWS HAD KIND OF TWEAKED IT A LITTLE BIT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT MAYBE COME UP, UH, ON THE SEPTEMBER 15TH MEETING AS WELL, SO WE CAN AT LEAST RESPOND TO THEM AND GET THIS MOVING AGAIN.
UH, MY THOUGHT WAS IF, IF WE LET THE TOWN DO TOURISM, THEY'LL HELP US OUT AND WE'D BE IN CHARGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IT COULD BE A TRUE PARTNERSHIP.
AND I THINK THE ONE THING IS MAYBE THE, UH, THE AMOUNT TO LET THE, UH, THE TOWN HAVE, I THINK INITIALLY THEY REQUESTED 212,000.
UH, I THINK, UH, SOMEBODY PUT IN THEIR 1 49.
I THINK THAT NUMBER HAS TO BE BUMPED UP SOME.
I MEAN, IT STILL GIVES US A, A FAIR AMOUNT, UM, LEFT OVER ANNUALLY TO DO OTHER THINGS SUCH AS, UM, UM, DESTINATION SPORTS, FLEX SPORTS PLEX, ET CETERA.
UM, AND SPEAKING OF SPORTS PLEX, AND I ACTUALLY JUST
[00:40:01]
GOT AN EMAIL FROM I THINK THE GENTLEMAN THAT'S DESIGNED WHAT'S GOING ON AT ROCKLAND PARK.AND I KNOW THERE WAS SOME TIMEFRAMES, BUT IT'S BEEN EXTENDED.
THAT'S ANOTHER ITEM ON THE TABLE THAT WE NEED TO, UH, UH, SEE WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WITH THAT AND TRY TO GET THAT MOVING.
UH, MORRISON, CIPI KEEP SAYING, TALKING ABOUT THIS, WE NEED TO UPDATE THEIR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSIONS WANNA START LOOKING AND REVIEWING THAT AT THEIR NEXT MEETING.
SAME THING WITH THE FISCAL IMPACT STUDY.
I THINK MS. WALL IS WORKING ON THAT.
UM, AND GOING THROUGH THE, THE INFORMATION FROM THE ADVANCE, THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THERE ABOUT THE VISION OR WHATEVER, WHICH I THINK WAS ACTUALLY TAKEN FROM 2018.
AGAIN, THAT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED, BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR US TO SHARE WITH, UM, THE, UH, THE SEARCH FIRM WHO'S GONNA BE COMING, TALK TO US IN A, A WORK SESSION.
UM, AND I GUESS LAST THINGS AND BE, UM, I WAS JUST THINKING WITH PARKS AND REC, WELL ACTUALLY WE GOT A FOLLOW UP EMAIL FROM ONE OF THE CONSTITUENTS TALKING ABOUT, I THINK SHE SENT SOMETHING BACK IN JUNE AND SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE GRAFFITI AND THE VANDALISM AT THE SKATE PARK OUT ON HERFORD AVENUE.
AND SO MAYBE, UM, WE COULD LOOK BACK INTO THAT TOO.
AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THAT, I WAS THINKING IT MAY BE FIRST MEETING IN OCTOBER, UM, WE'D HAVE MS. WALKER FROM PARKS AND REC COME AND JUST TELL US ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT GOES ON IN THE PARKS AND REC, ALL THE PROGRAMS. AND ALSO, UH, MAYBE WHAT STATUS IS AS FAR AS FACILITIES.
'CAUSE I KNOW, UH, A LOT OF THE, UM, PRACTICE FIELDS ARE, ARE, ARE BEING STRAINED AS FAR AS, UH, UH, SO MANY KIDS ARE ARE USING IT.
SO THAT'S WHAT ANOTHER REASON TO TRY TO GET THIS ROCKLAND PARK THING GOING.
UH, YES, I'D LIKE TO SAY I ALSO MET WITH, UH, MR. BARKER ABOUT IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY IN THE PROCESS IF THE COUNTY USES TO ENABLE COMPANIES TO STREAMLINE THEIR DECISION TO RELOCATE HERE.
AND I WAS VERY ENCOURAGED BY THAT.
UM, I THINK SOMETIMES MAYBE UP TO A YEAR OF TIME CAN BE SAVED BASED ON THE KINDS OF CHANGES THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT MAKING.
UM, AS FAR AS E WILSON MORRISON, I DO WANT TO, UH, I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS BEEN MADE, UH, AT LEAST BY, UH, MR. STAN MARTIN.
I THINK MR. CARTER, UM, WANTED TO, I DO, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THOUGH TO, TO SAY A COUPLE THINGS.
AND I DID, I DID, UH, EMAIL MY COLLEAGUES AND I WANNA SHARE SOME OF THAT EMAIL.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT I THINK THAT THE PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT ESTIMATES THAT HAVE BEEN FLYING AROUND, UM, ARE VERY EARLY AND, AND, UH, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE HIGH OR LOW, BUT, BUT THEY'RE, THEY'RE DEFINITELY BASED ON VERY, VERY LIMITED INFORMATION.
UH, THERE'S GONNA BE A REPORT DELIVERED WEDNESDAY, I BELIEVE, SO THAT THAT SHOULD SHED SOME LIGHT ON IT.
BUT NEVERTHELESS, UM, CONSIDERING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UH, THERE'S TIME, UH, THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PLACED IN, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, AVAILABLE CAPACITY, UM, I'D BE EXPECTING A FORMAL PLAN OF ACTION TO BE PUT FORWARD TOGETHER.
UH, THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED, I'M JUST UNDERLINING IT.
UM, SECOND OPINIONS ARE SOMETHING THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE BE CALLED FOR WHEN THERE'S TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE LINE.
UM, I JUST WANNA EMPHASIZE, YOU KNOW, THAT, UM, THERE'S NOT A NEED TO RUSH TO CONCLUSIONS.
I JUST WANT TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT WE GET ALL THE INFORMATION NECESSARY, UH, AND SORT OF THE, THE, THE DRAMA OF THE SITUATION IS ABLE TO SUBSIDE AND THEN WE CAN LOOK AT THIS TECHNICALLY AND FINANCIALLY.
UM, YES, I WOULD, UH, I NEED TO START WITH AN APOLOGY, OBVIOUSLY.
UM, I'VE FALLEN TRAPPED TO SOCIAL MEDIA.
I HAVE GIVEN ADVICE FOR OTHERS NOT TO HAVE DONE THAT AND, UH, SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A MILLION ADVICE.
UM, THERE WAS SOME VERY HATEFUL THINGS SAID THAT I TOOK VERY PERSONAL, I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T.
AND THEY WERE SOMEONE ELSE'S OPINION.
AND I THOUGHT, WELL, WHY WOULD THEY HAVE SUCH AN OPINION? MAN, THEY PROBABLY GOT THEIR INFORMATION FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.
UM, NONE OF THESE ARE EXCUSES FOR MY BEHAVIOR.
I WOULD, UH, TRULY LIKE TO OFFER MY MOST SINCERE APOLOGY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS AFFECTED IN ANY WAY BY THIS, UH, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
UH, I HAVE CREATED MYSELF AN INTERNAL SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY THAT WILL NOT ALLOW, UH, SUCH THINGS TO BOTHER ME THAT WAY.
[00:45:01]
DEEPEST APOLOGIES FOR EVERYONE.AND, UH, I'M HOPING I CAN BE FORGIVEN AND STILL BRING SOME GOOD TO THE COMMUNITY AS I INTENDED TO WHEN I RAN FOR THIS OFFICE.
UM, MOVING ON, I DID HAVE A MEETING.
UM, ME AND MS. MEADOWS WENT AND MET WITH SOME PEOPLE AT THE HOSPITAL.
WE WERE TRYING TO WORK ON A CLINIC DEAL TO OFFSET INSURANCE COSTING, UH, 'CAUSE THEY HAVE A SIMILAR PROGRAM IN FREDERICK COUNTY.
UH, IT DOESN'T ALIGN VERY WELL 'CAUSE FREDERICK COUNTY'S SELF-INSURED.
UM, SO WE ARE GOING BACK TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY RATHER THAN OFFER US SOMETHING THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT FIND A VALUE.
SO, UM, IT WASN'T AS PRODUCTIVE A MEETING AS I WANTED IT TO BE, BUT WE'RE GONNA GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT.
WE'RE GONNA REACH OUT TO INSURANCE COMPANY AND SAY, HEY, WHAT, WHAT CAN THEY DO TO HELP REDUCE THAT RATE? WHICH WOULD BE, UH, SAVE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS, WHICH WOULD BE A, A NET POSITIVE.
UM, SO WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.
UM, E WILSON MORRISON SCHOOL, UH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE, UH, FROM THE INITIAL REPORTS, UH, STRUCTURALLY IT'S PRETTY BAD.
UH, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE FEASIBILITY OR TIMELINE ON THE REPAIR, THEY BOTH SOUND VERY EXPENSIVE AND VERY LONG.
UM, JUST SOME IDEAS TO THROW OUT.
UH, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE GOOD IDEAS.
I DON'T THINK THEY'RE BAD IDEAS PER SE OR THEY'LL WORK.
BUT, UH, SOMETHING THAT MAY BE TO CONSIDER IF THAT SCHOOL HAS TO BE REPLACED OR COMPLETELY REDONE.
WOULD IT BE CHEAPER TO PUT THE 15TH STREET BUILDING BACK AS A SCHOOL AS IT ALREADY HAS A GYM AND A CAFETERIA? UH, AT THAT POINT, WOULD IT, WOULD IT MAKE MORE SENSE EITHER TO RENOVATE WHAT'S LEFT TO E WILSON OR MAYBE BUILD AN OFFICE BUILDING? UM, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WOULD BE SOME OVERLAP TO GET THEM OUT TO GET IT PUT BACK AS A SCHOOL.
UM, SO WE'D BE LOOKING FOR OFFICE SPACE.
UH, I HAVEN'T REACHED OUT 'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT JUST, THIS IS JUST A BROAD IDEA.
UM, MAYBE REACH OUT TO THE OLD HOSPITAL.
I'M SURE IT'S SOME ROOMS LEFT IN THAT MAYBE WE COULD, MAYBE WE COULD RENT THOSE TO PUT THE OFFICE IN THERE.
UM, BUT I GOT A FEELING THAT WE'D BE ABLE TO CONVERT 15TH STREET BACK TO A SCHOOL AT A MUCH MORE TIMELY PROGRESSION THAN WHAT IT APPEARS WRONG WITH E WILSON.
BUT WE HAVEN'T COMPLETELY GOT THE REPORT YET.
BUT THAT WAS JUST A, YOU KNOW, JUST AN IDEA THAT, UH, WHEN WE'RE CONSIDERING PRICING AND COSTING AND TIMELINE, UH, IT MAY WORK, IT MAY NOT.
UH, THAT'S SOMETHING I LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE.
JAMESON'S TOURISM IDEAS, I DID, UH, YOU KNOW, WITH THE, UM, COMMITTEE AND SOME FUNDING FOR THE TOWN, UM, THE PERCENTAGE THING, UH, PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL PERCENTAGE TO WHAT'S ACTUALLY TOURISM DOLLARS.
UM, AND THEN IF THE NUMBER GOES UP, IF IT'S IN PERCENTAGES, IT WOULD GO UP MAYBE TO A NUMBER THAT WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO FUND HIM THAT MUCH.
UM, IF IT WENT A LITTLE BIT LOW AND THEY WERE HIRING POSITIONS, IT MAY CUT THEM SHORT.
SO MAYBE I WOULD RECOMMEND, UH, INSTEAD OF DOING A PERCENTAGE, PUT A FLAT NUMBER ON IT.
AND I KNOW IT'LL BE WITHIN, YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE RANGE OF, OF SAFETY OF NOT HAVING TO, UM, THERE, IN OTHER WORDS, IT'D BE PLENTY AT, AT ABOUT TWO.
I THINK THE ORIGINAL ASK WAS ABOUT TWO 12.
I THINK WE'RE DOING SOMEWHERE WITH ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER OF 400.
SO IT WOULD STILL LEAVE PLENTY TO, UH, BANK FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR SCHOOLS.
BUT, UM, RATHER THAN TRYING TO DO THE MATH OF THE PERCENTAGES AS THE TARGET WOULD ALWAYS BE MOVING IF WE JUST AGREED AND IT WOULD JUST BE FOR THE YEAR.
UM, THE OTHER THING, IF WE DO DO THIS AGREEMENT WITH THEM ALL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE OR MAYBE WE CAN CHANGE THE RULES, BUT IF WE ENACT IT, WOULD IT BE A YEAR FROM THE TIME WE STARTED? ARE WE GONNA FINISH OUT THIS FISCAL YEAR OR ARE WE GONNA DO CALENDAR YEAR? UM, 'CAUSE IT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE GETTING INTO SEPTEMBER, SO IF WE'RE DOING A CALENDAR YEAR, YOU KNOW, FOR THREE MONTHS, IT DOESN'T, DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A GOOD IDEA.
SO I, UM, I THINK WE DO IT FOR A YEAR AND IF SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE GET THIS DONE IN SEPTEMBER OR IF WE JUST, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME.
I JUST WANT IT TO BE CLEAR SO THERE'S NO CONFUSION, UM, GOING FORWARD.
UM, I THINK I'M GONNA START BY ADDRESSING THE COMMENT AND AS AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, I TRY TO DO MY BEST TO RUN A MEETING THAT IS, UM, PROFESSIONAL AND THE DECORUM IS THAT RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE, UM, NOT MAKING EXCUSES.
I'M JUST GOING TO, I HAD WRITTEN DOWN NOTES
[00:50:01]
THAT DAY OF WHAT SPEAKERS HAD SAID SO THAT I COULD ADDRESS THEM IN MY REPORT.A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WILL COME IN AS TODAY AND SAY WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND THEN WALK OUT AND WHETHER I ADDRESS THEM AT, YOU KNOW, AT THAT POINT, UM, I TRIED TO, SO I WAS ABOUT HALF PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT HE WAS SAYING AND MORE ATTENTION ON WHAT MY NOTES WERE.
AND GETTING MYSELF IN LINE FOR MY REPORT WASN'T UNTIL HE WAS PRACTICALLY DONE THAT I EVEN CAUGHT THE CONVERSATION.
AND AT THAT POINT I MADE THE DECISION JUST KEEP GOING BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE OLD SAYING, IF YOU WALL HER IN THE MUD, YOU JUST GET DIRTY.
SO KEEP GOING AND HOPE THAT THE MEETING FLOWS WELL.
UM, NOT AN EXCUSE JUST THE WAY IT IS, BUT I ALSO NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN THOUGH I READ THAT CODE OF CONDUCT WHERE IT SAYS NO PERSONAL ATTACKS, YOU HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT FREEDOM OF SPEAK TO COME IN HERE AND SAY WHATEVER YOU WANNA SAY, HOWEVER YOU WANNA SAY IT, AND I LEGALLY CANNOT STOP YOU BECAUSE I'M BREAKING YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.
JUST BECAUSE WE WERE ELECTED DOESN'T MEAN WE GIVE UP THOSE RIGHTS.
SO I'M TRYING TO DO A BALANCE ACT.
COULD I HAVE DONE BETTER THAT NIGHT? IT'S SOME PEOPLE SAID I DID THE RIGHT THING.
SOME PEOPLE THINK I SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THE ISSUE.
I DIDN'T WITNESS WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE.
BUT I DON'T CONDONE EITHER OF WHAT WAS SAID OR WHAT WAS DONE.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE WAY YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS. UM, AND WE, WE WILL BE CENSORING AND IT MAY SOUND LIKE A SMACK ON THE HAND, BUT THAT'S AS MUCH AS WE CAN DO FROM HERE.
IT WILL BE GOING THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND WHATEVER HAPPENS HE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THERE.
UM, BUT JUST BEING HONEST IN ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION AND, UM, IN HINDSIGHT, I GUESS I WOULD STILL PROBABLY DO THE SAME THING THINKING JUST KEEP GOING WITH THE MEETING AND DEAL WITH CONVERSATION AFTERWARDS.
BUT, UM, I DO NOT CONDONE WHAT HAPPENED AND I AM HOPEFUL AND BELIEVE THAT THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
AS FAR AS, UM, WE DO HAVE A CODE OF CONDUCT IT, I HAVE A COPY OF IT PRETTY LENGTHY AND I DON'T, I THINK I'M PROBABLY THE ONLY MEMBER OF THIS BOARD THAT HAS SIGNED IT.
I'M NOT SURE, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PASS THAT ON TO LEGAL WHETHER WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS BECAUSE IT HASN'T CHANGED SINCE WE VOTED ON IT PRIOR.
BUT DO, I'M NOT SURE IF WE'D HAVE TO VOTE TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR.
I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO SIGN THIS AS A REMINDER EVERY YEAR.
UM, BUT I, I'LL LEAVE THAT FOR MR. HAM.
I HATE TO THROW THAT AT YOU AT THE LAST SECOND, BUT PART OF THIS DOES ADDRESS OUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL CONDUCT AND UM, LIKE I SAID, I THINK I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS SIGNED IT.
AND THAT'S IN PART FAILURE OF SO MUCH TURNOVER WE'VE HAD IN, UM, IN GETTING THIS TO THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS.
IT'S A, IT'S AN OPTIONAL THING IN A WAY.
I CAN'T FORCE PEOPLE TO SIGN IT, BUT I WILL SAY IN THE PAST, THE BOARD MEMBERS ALL DID SIGN IT AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S A REASON AFTER THEY'VE READ IT.
ANYONE HERE WOULD PROBABLY OBJECT, BUT IF THEY DO, I RESPECT THAT.
UM, AND WE CAN MAKE THIS AVAILABLE PUBLICLY SO EVERYBODY KNOWS IT'S PRETTY LENGTHY TO READ, UM, NOW, BUT WE WILL BE ADDRESSING AND THE, UM, HOPEFULLY MORE PROFESSIONAL IN THE WAY WE DEAL WITH THINGS.
BUT IT IS, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU GET ELECTED AND YOU, YOU EXPECT TO GET CRITICIZED ON DECISIONS.
UH, BUT I'VE CRITICIZED MYSELF ON, I'M STILL BEATING MYSELF UP ON RAISING TAXES, BUT I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY THE BILLS AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES WITH WITHOUT DOING IT.
UM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, OUR PERSON, OUR, OUR INTEGRITY, OUR AND THAT KIND OF THING, AND OUR FAMILY SHOULD NOT GET PULLED INTO THE CRITICISM.
[00:55:01]
AND IT HAS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BEEN PRETTY ROUGH ON THAT.I PERSONALLY ROLL IT OFF LIKE A DUCK AND I VENT ALL THE WAY HOME IN MY CAR AND MY CAR RECENTLY HAS STARTED TALKING BACK TO ME, WHICH KINDA SCARES ME.
UM, BUT YOU KNOW, THAT IS, YOU KNOW, TO TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
UM, AS FAR AS THINGS I'VE BEEN DOING RECENTLY, I DID MEET WITH MR. BARKER AS WELL AND UM, I'VE ATTENDED AS CHAIRMAN, THERE'S A QUARTERLY, I THINK, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MEETING.
SO ON AUGUST 30 WE HAD AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MEETING AT THE POWER PLANT.
AND UM, TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE DATA CENTERS AND TARGETS, THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT I THOUGHT OF.
YOU KNOW, IF A TERRORIST, WHAT ARE THEY GONNA HIT? THEY'RE NOT GONNA HIT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ANYMORE, THEY'RE GONNA HIT THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
SO IT DOES, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WHY I SAID I DIDN'T WANT A DATA CENTER HERE.
I DON'T WANNA PUT A TARGET ON US.
WE'RE CLOSE ENOUGH TO DC ALREADY.
SO MY ONE QUESTION THAT I PUT OUT TO UM, OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSON WITH THE FIRE AND RESCUE WAS, ARE WE PREPARED AND HAVE WE THOUGHT OF IF DC DOES GET SOME KIND OF ATTACK AND THEY START MOVING PEOPLE OUT, CASUALTIES, UM, REHOMING AND THAT KIND OF THING, ARE WE PREPARED FOR THAT FLUX THIS WAY? SO THEY ARE GONNA TAKE THAT AND, UM, TABLETOP IT OR WHATEVER THEY WANNA DO WITH IT, BUT I AM THINKING THAT I HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, BUT THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE WORLD MAKE ME HAVE PAUSE AND I DON'T WANNA BE BEHIND THE GAME AND THINKING OF THAT.
SO, UM, I LEFT THERE AND I WENT TO THE, UH, NORTHERN CHANDLE VALLEY REGIONAL COMMISSION THAT IS A COMMISSION COMPRISED OF ALL, ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
AND THEY WORK, UM, TO GET FUNDING AND GET PROJECTS THROUGH ROAD PROJECTS BUILDING.
IF YOU SAW, IF ANYBODY SAW IN PAGE COUNTY, THEY GOT A HOUSING GRANT TO DO SOME REVITALIZING OF A OLD BUILDING UP THERE IN PAGE COUNTY.
THAT'S THE KIND OF THINGS THEY DO.
AND THEY, WE WORK COOPERATIVELY.
THEY ARE OUR PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE BROADBAND THAT IS GOING THROUGH, WHICH HAS STEPPED UP HIS GAME CONSIDERABLY IN WARREN COUNTY.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT THERE'S GONNA BE MORE, UM, WITH ANYTHING LIKE THIS, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE COOKING.
YOU DON'T COOK UNLESS YOU MAKE A MESS IN THE KITCHEN, BUT THEN YOU CLEAN THE MESS UP.
SO RIGHT NOW THEY'RE, THEY'RE PUTTING IN THE FIBER, THEY'RE PUTTING IT UNDERGROUND, THEY'RE BRINGING IT OVERHEAD, SO YOU'RE GONNA HAVE SOME DISRUPTION, BUT IF YOU HAVE PROPERTY DAMAGE, YOU CAN CALL IN TO THE COUNTY AND MR. HENDERSON, UH, WILL TAKE THAT INFORMATION AND WE'LL GET IT OUT TO THEM.
UM, THEY'RE REMEDIATING AS FAST AS THEY CAN, BUT THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, THEY, I'M GETTING COMPLAINTS IN AREAS THAT THEY'RE NOT EVEN FINISHED WORKING YET, SO WE GOTTA GIVE 'EM A LITTLE GRACE HERE TO GET THIS DONE AS WELL.
UM, AS FAR AS E WILSON MORRISON, I'M REALLY NOT.
I, I WENT, UM, ON MONDAY, UH, AFTER AND UM, WAS PART OF THAT CONVERSATION, BUT I'M NOT GONNA MENTION ANYMORE.
THIS IS THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THEIR, THEIR PROJECT AND THEIR, UM, THEIR PROCESS AT THIS POINT WILL COME IN AS FUNDING WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE.
BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, EXCUSE ME, TO EITHER COME TO THE MEETING TOMORROW AND LISTEN BECAUSE I THINK THE ENGINEER'S GONNA BE THERE, UM, TO GET FIRSTHAND INFORMATION OR THEY LIVE STREAM IT AND GET THE INFORMATION.
UH, I THINK IT WOULD, IT'D BE MUCH MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION THAN GETTING IT OFF OF FACEBOOK COMMENTS.
UM, AND UM, ALSO WANNA GIVE KUDOS TO, UM, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND I CANNOT REMEMBER THAT YOUNG LADY'S NAME THAT, UM, THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SPONSOR A TRAINING ON HOARDING.
AND SO THAT WAS WHAT ABOUT A THREE HOUR CLASS TRAINING ON HOARDING AND TO GIVE YOU SOME OF THE BACKGROUND ON WHY PEOPLE HOARD AND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOARDING.
[01:00:01]
PARTICULARLY FUNNY BECAUSE, AND I TOLD 'EM I'M NOT A HOARDER.I'M, I'M A PERSON WHO CAN'T GET RID OF PERSONAL THINGS AND I'M MORE CLUTTER THAN PER, YOU KNOW, WHO, UM, BUT THEY THOUGHT THAT WAS FUNNY.
I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING RID OF THINGS THAT WERE GRANDPARENTS AND SO FORTH.
BUT, UM, THEN ON THE 28TH I PARTICIPATED IN A COMMITTEE WITH THE SCHOOL TO REVIEW CURRICULUM FOR UM, I DON'T THINK THEY CALL IT FAMILY LIFE ANYMORE, BUT, UM, TALKING TO THE STUDENTS ABOUT FAMILY AND FAMILY DYING AND SO FORTH.
AND I WAS REALLY GLAD TO BE A PART OF THAT.
IT WENT THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT GRADE LEVELS AND, UM, I, I FEEL, I FELT PRETTY COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT THE MATERIAL WAS THERE TO, UM, FOR THE KIDS.
AUGUST 31ST, UM, I MET WITH UM, COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM BROWNTOWN AND COMPANY THREE, UM, VOLUNTEER STAFF THAT AND TRYING TO WORK OUT SOME CONTRACTUAL DIFFERENCES, MISCOMMUNICATION.
AND I THOUGHT THAT MEETING WENT REALLY WELL.
SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT BEING RESOLVED.
AND UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING.
OTHER THAN THAT, I JUST WANT LABOR DAY WILL COME AND GO BEFORE WE ARE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING.
SO HOPE EVERYONE HAS, UM, SAFE TRAVELS IF YOU'RE GOING SOMEWHERE AND, UM, JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO A LITTLE BIT COOLER WEATHER AND MAYBE A LITTLE RAIN IN HERE 'CAUSE IT'S GETTING DRY, DRY AGAIN.
AND, UM, HOPE EVERYBODY HAS A NICE HOLIDAY MS. MEADOWS.
UM, I WANTED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE FY 24 AUDIT.
UM, ON FRIDAY THE 21ST, OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE, UM, JOURNAL ENTRY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AUDITORS, UM, IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BASICALLY DETERMINE THE STARTING BALANCE.
UM, OUR AUDITOR LET US KNOW THAT THEY HAVE STARTED THEIR FALL AUDITS, THEREFORE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO LOOK AT IT.
UM, THEY WILL HAVE TIME STARTING NEXT WEEK TO LOOK AT IT.
UM, SO WE WILL KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE SEPTEMBER 30TH DEADLINE OR WHETHER IT'S GONNA BE DELAYED FURTHER.
UM, HOPEFULLY MIDPOINT OF NEXT WEEK.
UM, WITH E WILSON, I'D LIKE TO SAY A THANK YOU TO STAFF FROM BOTH THE SCHOOLS AND THE COUNTY.
UM, OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL, THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, UM, PUBLIC WORKS.
REALLY EVERYBODY HAS BEEN COMING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE AS MUCH SUPPORT AS THEY CAN.
UM, I KNOW THIS IS VERY CHALLENGING FOR ALL SCHOOL STAFF AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT THEY'RE DOING.
UM, I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO START THINKING ABOUT THE FORMAT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE BUDGET FOR FY 28 TO BE PRESENTED TO YOU, WHETHER YOU'D LIKE EACH DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT AND WHETHER IT'S JUST CHANGES OR THEIR FULL LINE ITEM BUDGET.
AND, UM, WE CAN KIND OF GO INTO THAT A LITTLE FURTHER 'CAUSE WE'RE GONNA START DOING SOME WORK ON THAT WITH THE TEAM SOON.
I WANNA REMIND YOU THAT THE VACO, THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONFERENCE IS NOVEMBER 7TH THROUGH 10TH.
IF ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, PLEASE LET MR. HENDERSON KNOW SO THAT HE CAN GET YOU REGISTERED.
AND UM, THE DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAX NOTICES DID GO OUT.
UM, SO WITH THAT IN MIND, MONDAY WE ARE CLOSED, SO FOR THE HOLIDAY.
UM, AND THEN ALSO ON THE 15TH THERE IS AN AUCTION ACTUALLY IN THIS ROOM STARTING AT 12 O'CLOCK FOR DELINQUENT PROPERTIES.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THE, UM, TREASURER'S OFFICE AND THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE.
CAN I HAVE A QUESTION? I HAD A QUESTION.
UM, AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET AND ALL.
I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS TWO YEARS AGO THEY DID A REASSESSMENT AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE IN A PROCESS FOR THAT TO TAKE EFFECT AGAIN.
AND THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2027 BUDGET, CORRECT? YES, IT'S GONNA BE IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR.
IT WILL BE THE 28 BUDGET THAT THE, BECAUSE THE ASSESSMENT THAT THEY'RE DOING THE DESK ASSESSMENT RIGHT NOW FOR THIS YEAR.
SO THEN NEXT FALL IT'LL BE HAVING PEOPLE, UM, REQUEST LOOKING AT IT AGAIN OR, OKAY.
I'M GOING ADDRESS YOUR QUESTION, MRS. AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE, UM, CODE OF CONDUCT SHOULD, YOU KNOW, NEEDS TO BE ADOPTED.
UM, ANYTHING THAT THIS BODY OR ITS PREDECESSORS ADOPTS IS STILL IN EFFECT, UH, UNTIL ENDED.
[01:05:01]
THE CODE OF CONDUCT ITSELF, AND I AGREE WITH THIS, SAYS THE CODE OF CONDUCT IS INTENDED TO BE SELF-ENFORCING AND IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN MEMBERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND AGREE UPON ITS PROVISION.SO I THINK THAT MY OPINION WOULD BE EVERY TIME THAT THERE IS AN ELECTION THAT THIS SHOULD BE REVISITED.
I ALSO HEARD SUPERVISOR CARTER NOT JUST WANTING TO NECESSARILY ADOPT THIS, BUT POTENTIALLY TO MODIFY IT AND IT WAS SOLICITING OTHER POTENTIAL MODIFICATIONS TO IT.
UM, MS. MEADOWS, WHEN DO YOU, AND I KNOW MS. S IN HERE, WHEN DO WE NEED TO START GETTING, UH, FINDING PEOPLE TO BE ON THE BOE? WE CURRENTLY HAVE IT POSTED, SO ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED ON BEING ON THAT BOARD CAN APPLY.
UM, WE DO NEED TO GET, IS IT FIVE OR THREE AND TWO ALTERNATES? I I THINK AT LEAST FOUR, THREE IN AN ALTERNATE, BUT TWO WOULD BE BETTER.
I THINK WE JUST HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY.
SO FOR THAT, THAT'S THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATIONS.
THEN THAT'S YOUR, YOU CAN APPEAL TO THE, UM, APPRAISER AND, BUT YOU STILL HAVE A SECOND STEP OF APPEALING TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
AND FOR THAT WE NEED HOPEFULLY FIVE THREE WITH TWO ALTERNATES.
SO IF ANYONE IS, UM, INTERESTED IN THAT, WE'D BE GLAD FOR YOU TO APPLY ALONG THOSE LINES TOO.
AND I REMEMBER BACK IN THE DAY, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE SAME THING YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, EXCUSE ME, BUT WE USED TO CHOOSE A MEMBER FROM EACH DISTRICT THAT WOULD GO OUT WITH THE ASSESSOR MAYBE ON A, UH, ONCE A WEEK BASIS JUST TO KIND OF GIVE SOME HISTORICAL INSIGHT AND ALL.
I KNOW, LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND VOLUNTEERS, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE MAY WANNA, OF COURSE THEY'RE ALREADY STARTED, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT OR NOT, OR SOMETHING TO MAYBE ADDRESS OR LOOK AT.
I'LL GET WITH MRS. SAUERS ON THAT BECAUSE IT, SINCE THIS YEAR IS A DESK REVIEW, IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE CHALLENGING, BUT IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR US TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO FIND PEOPLE.
UH, NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 18TH REGULAR MEETING.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, CORRECTIONS? I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION.
I THINK I MAY HAVE POSED THIS BEFORE.
UM, AND I ASSUME WE DO, WE, WE KEEP MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSIONS.
BUT THEN WHEN DO WE GET A CHANCE TO REVIEW THOSE? 'CAUSE IT SEEMS I LOOKED AT PAST, WAY, PAST, UM, MINUTE APPROVALS ON THE AGENDAS AND IT WOULD SHOW SOMETIMES OBVIOUSLY THE REGULAR MEETINGS, BUT ALSO MAYBE SHOW THE, THE WORK SESSIONS.
BUT IS THAT SOMETHING WE COULD ADD IN THE FUTURE OR HOW DOES THAT WORK CURRENTLY FOR THE DAY MEETINGS, LIKE FOR WHEN I DO THE MINUTES FOR TODAY, THEY'LL BE AT THE END OF THE DOCUMENT FOR THIS MEETING BECAUSE THE WORK SESSIONS ATTACHED TO THE REGULAR MEETING, THE MINUTES WILL BE DONE AND ATTACHED TO THAT AS ONE BIG DOCUMENT.
SO THEY WON'T, THERE WON'T BE A SEPARATE WORK SESSION MINUTES.
IT'LL JUST BE ATTACHED TO THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 'CAUSE IT'S THE SAME MEETING.
'CAUSE I'M THINKING, AND MAYBE I MISSED THAT, UH, 'CAUSE I THINK WE HAD THE FIRST MEETING IN, UH, AUGUST AND WE HAD A WORK SESSION AFTER THAT AND I KNOW TOURISM WAS DISCUSSED AND MAYBE SOME OTHER THINGS WAS WAS THAT IN THE, THAT WAS IN THERE.
I HAVE A QUESTION ON, ON THE MINUTES.
UM, NOT TO BELIEVER OF THE ISSUE REALLY, BUT UNDER THE, UNDER MR. HENRY'S REPORT, UH, THE BULLET ITEM IN THE MINUTE SAYS, COMMENTED ON CRITICAL FACEBOOK POSTS MADE BY MR. J NEWELL.
AND I JUST, I DON'T, I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU ALL THINK OF WHETHER THAT'S A ACCURATE PUBLIC RECORD THAT'S EFFICIEN PUBLIC RECORD.
UM, GIVEN THE, THE SORT OF SPECIFICITY AND AND NATURE OF THE COMMENTS AND WHAT THEY RESULTED IN.
AND THAT IN FACT, UM, A RESULTING IN A RESOLUTION TODAY.
I JUST, IF IF IF THERE'S A RECORD THERE THAT'S NOT CONSISTENT, I'M NOT SURE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN TERMS OF MINUTES.
IF, IF YOU HAVE ANYBODY HAS ANY COMMENTS ON THAT? I, I DON'T KNOW.
I MEAN, I KNOW IN THE PAST I THINK PEOPLE JUST NAMES THAT GET UP AND SPEAK ARE THERE, I GUESS THIS COULD FALL UNDER HEARSAY.
[01:10:01]
I'M JUST MAKING A REFERENCE TO THE, THE, THE MINUTES SAYING THAT COMMENTED ON CRITICAL FACEBOOK BASE MADE BY MI MR. JANE NOLL, IF THAT'S INADEQUATE REPRESENTATION OF THE, OF THE RECORD.I, I'LL I'LL TELL YOU THAT, THAT IT'S, IT'S UP TO THIS BODY TO DECIDE WHAT ITS MINUTES LOOK LIKE.
FOIA PROVIDES THAT MINUTES, UM, SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL INCLUDE THE DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF THE MEETING.
THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BODY RECORDED AS PRESENT AND ABSENT, AND A SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION ON MATTERS PROPOSED DELIBERATED OR DECIDED IN A RECORD OF ANY VOTES TAKEN.
SO IT IT, IT MEETS THE FOIA STANDARD, BUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU, YOU, Y'ALL CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH THIS.
IT, IT'S MEETS THE FOIA STANDARD.
BUT IF YOU WANNA MAKE IT MORE SPECIFIC, YOU CAN.
AND IF SUPERVISOR JAMON HAS A SUGGESTED AMENDMENT, YOU KNOW, HE, HE COULD MAKE IT.
I DON'T HAVE A SUGGESTED AMENDMENT.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF, IF THIS BODY THINKS THAT'S AN ADEQUATE RECORD, PUBLIC RECORD.
I THINK THE CENSURE RESOLUTION GIVES THE DETAILS THAT YOU'RE THINKING OF AND MAYBE THAT'S SUFFICIENT.
I IT IS DEFINITELY TONED DOWN
UH, ALONG THOSE LINES, WHATEVER, I UNDERSTAND THE MINUTES, THE SYNOPSIS OF THE MEETINGS, BUT HOW LONG DO WE, UH, PUT IN THE LIBRARY OR WHATEVER OF THE ACTUAL MEETING VIDEOS? HOW LONG DO WE KEEP THAT FOREVER? I CAN ASK, UM, MR. JONES HOW LONG IT'S ACTUALLY RETAINED.
UM, WE DO FOLLOW THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA FOR ALL OF OUR RECORDS.
BUT THE ACTUAL RECORDINGS HERE HE COMES.
SORRY TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT AGAIN.
UH, THE MEETING VIDEOS ARE CURRENTLY ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.
I HAVE NEVER DELETED ANY OF THEM SINCE WE'VE MOVED TO THIS NEW SWAG SYSTEM.
OLDER MEETINGS BEYOND THAT ARE ON THE COUNTY'S YOUTUBE VIDEO OR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AS WELL.
I HAVEN'T MAINTAINED THOSE AND SEEN WHAT'S ON THERE SPECIFICALLY.
BUT I THINK THEY'RE, WE DON'T DELETE THEM.
THEY'RE THERE FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN, UM, HAVE THEM AVAILABLE AND, AND HOST IT ACCORDINGLY AND, AND CAN PAY FOR THAT.
AND JUST ONE THING ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE, THEY GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2020.
IS, IS THERE ANY CHANGES THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE TO THAT? I'M NOT GOING TO RECOMMEND ANY CHANGES.
IS THERE A MOTION THEN TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED.
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION? I LIKE TO PULL NUMBER FIVE.
ANY OTHER ITEMS BESIDES FIVE? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? MINUS FIVE AS PRESENTED.
APPROVAL OF JOB DESCRIPTION AND GRADE PLACEMENT.
DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT DIRECT.
UH, MANAGER WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO? YEAH, PLEASE READ IT.
WELL THIS POSITION DESCRIPTION IS TO BASICALLY STREAMLINE THE FORMERLY TITLED UM, TOURISM MANAGER POSITION.
IN ORDER TO NOT BE REDUNDANT, UM, BASED OFF OF WHAT ACTIONS LIZZIE LEWIS DOES WITH THE TOWN, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE AUGMENTING NOT DUPLICATING.
[01:15:01]
WHERE I WORK TO CHANGE THE POSITION IN ORDER TO ALIGN IT MORE SO WITH THE MOU THAT WAS DRAFTED AS WELL.SO THAT EVERYTHING IS IN ALIGNMENT.
NOW I WAS JUST THINKING THAT, UM, SINCE WE JUST GOT THIS AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS, UM, BUT IT MIGHT BE WORTHWHILE TO TABLE THIS FOR NOW JUST BECAUSE, UM, I THINK THE TOURISM COMMITTEE MET WITH THE LADY FROM, UH, VIRGINIA VTC VIRGINIA TOURISM AND I THINK IT MAY BE WORTHWHILE FOR US TO MEET WITH THEM AS WELL AND JUST KIND OF DO THAT.
'CAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A DESTINATION.
I MEAN, FOR THE MOST PART, THE NAME BRAND I THINK IS FRONT ROYAL, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS OUT IN THE COUNTY.
THE DRIVE, THE, THE RIVER, THE CANOE CAPITAL.
UM, AND IT MAY BE WORTHWHILE PURSUING.
AND I KNOW, UH, THAT WE DISCUSSED IT BRIEFLY.
UM, AS FAR AS LOOK INTO TO I GUESS A TOURIST ATTRACTION, A SPORTSPLEX, I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO USE MAYBE ROCKLAND PARK WHEN THAT'S GOING UP TO WHOLE TOURNAMENTS AND ALL.
SO THAT MAY BE WORTHWHILE TO PURSUE.
AND I KNOW I THINK SOME OF US HAVE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH, UM, MR. BARGER WITH THE EDA AND HE'S NOT, HE'S ONLY BUSY ENOUGH DOING, UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE, THE, THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF TOURISM.
HOWEVER, I THINK HE WOULD BE A VERY GOOD ASSET TO LOOK AT SPORTS COMPLEXES OR SOME OTHER, UH, DRAW TO BRING PEOPLE HERE AND HAVE 'EM STAY THE WHOLE THING.
UM, AND I MEAN, THE OTHER THING I THOUGHT TOO, AND AGAIN, I'M NOT SURE OF THE TIMELINE AND IT MAY BE A POSSIBILITY, JUST SOMETHING FOR CONSIDERATION.
I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE NOW.
SO PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT.
BUT IT COULD MAYBE BE BENEFICIAL AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE'D USE THE SAME MONEY OR NOT.
UH, IF WE HIRED HIS ASSISTANT AND THEY WOULD KIND OF BE IN CHARGE OF SOME OF THESE THINGS, BUT ALSO ABLE TO HELP HIM AS WELL.
AND AGAIN, IT MAY NOT BE THE WHOLE SALARY, BUT IT COULD BE A PARTIAL.
BUT THOSE ARE JUST MY THOUGHTS.
AND AGAIN, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND, AND HAVE A, A, A MORE IN DEPTH DISCUSSION ON HOW TO GO.
BUT I DO APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANNA DUPLICATE EFFORTS AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.
AND THIS MAY BE THE WAY TO GO, BUT I THINK IT MAY BE FURTHER DISCUSSION.
SO, SO I DID SPEAK WITH MR. BARKER REGARDING THIS, UM, BECAUSE WHEN WE INITIALLY BROUGHT HIM IN, THERE WAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT TOURISM.
UM, AND HE DOES NOT HAVE THE TIME TO MANAGE TOURISM, WHICH I THINK YOU JUST STATED, AND THIS POSITION WOULD REPORT TO HIM.
HOWEVER, YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S A SELF-STARTER AND ABLE TO ACTUALLY DO THINGS ON THEIR OWN.
IT IS MORE THAN A CLERICAL POSITION.
UM, IT IS SOMEONE WHO IS DOING A LOT OF LEGWORK, WHICH IS WHY IT WOULD BE THE DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT MANAGER RATHER THAN HIRING THAT CLERICAL POSITION TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM.
UM, AND PURELY FROM A SELFISH PERSPECTIVE, I'M STILL CONTINUING TO DEAL WITH TOURISM.
AND SO IT DESERVES SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY FOCUSES ON REALLY EXPANDING THE DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS WHAT WE WANT.
UM, WE'RE DOING A DISSERVICE TO BOTH THE TOWN AND THE COUNTY BY NOT HAVING SOMEONE WHO'S ACTUALLY THERE TO CARRY OUR WEIGHT.
I'VE, YOU KNOW, WE APPROVED, UM, I THINK IT'S GONE THROUGH SEVERAL ITERATIONS HERE.
UH, STARTED OUT AS A DIRECTOR, WENT TO MANAGER AND, AND THIS JUST MAKES SENSE TO ME.
UM, WE, WE KEEP SAYING WE'RE NOT GONNA KEEP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, BUT WE KEEP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
AND, UM, I LIVE IN SOUTH WHERE I SEE, UM, THE TRAVEL TRAILERS IN THE TAURUS GOING STRAIGHT TO PAGE COUNTY.
UM, SO THEY CAN DRIVE THROUGH HERE AND THEN SPEND THEIR MONEY THERE, HAVE GREAT TIME, DRIVE RIGHT BACK THROUGH.
AND WE'RE NOT CAPTURING ANY OF THAT.
SO WE, WE'VE, WE NEED TO TAKE IT OFF YOUR PLATE.
YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF COORDINATING, BUT YOU'VE GOT WAY TOO MUCH TO KEEP CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF ALL THIS.
AND I, YOU KNOW, IT, THE POSITION IS FUNDED WITH CORRECT, THE TOURISM DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE TO USE ON TOURISM.
[01:20:01]
IT'LL, IT'LL PAY FOR ITSELF, UH, IN THE LONG RUN.SO I'D LIKE TO SEE US QUICK KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND GET THIS, GET THIS DONE.
I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE POSITION PER SE 'CAUSE YOU KNOW, IT WOULDN'T BE A BAD IDEA TO HAVE SOME KIND OF OVERLAP, BUT I JUST THINK THE MOU FOR THE TOWN NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED FIRST AND WHAT THAT'S SET IN STONE.
AND WE CAN REACT OFF OF THAT TO HOW THIS PERSON, YOU KNOW, IF SOMETHING FALLS APART WHERE WE DON'T GET THE MOU DONE WITH THE TOWN, THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
SO I THINK IT HAS TO GO FIRST AND THIS HAS TO GO AFTER, YOU KNOW.
WELL, BUT IF THE MOU DOESN'T GO THROUGH AND WE'RE NOT HAVING TO WORK M THEN WE HAVE NOBODY DOING ANYTHING.
YOU MIGHT CHANGE THIS FROM BEING A DESTINATION TO AN ACTUAL TOURISM MANAGER.
YOU MAY HAVE TO, WE CAN'T WORK IT OUT WITH THE TOWN, BUT I'D JUST RATHER SEE THE TOWN THING DONE FIRST AND THIS DONE RIGHT AFTER.
I BELIEVE THAT THE, THE WHERE WE ARE IS THAT, UH, THE, THE TOWN IS EITHER HAS BEEN PRESENTED OR WILL BE SOON PRESENTED WITH THIS PROPOSED COUNTER DRAFT AND WHICH HAS A DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES.
AND THAT THIS, THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS TO HANDLE THE DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES THAT LANDS WITH THE COUNTY.
UH, I I RECOGNIZE YOUR POINT THAT WE DON'T HAVE AN AGREEMENT YET.
SO, BUT, BUT AT THIS POINT I THINK WE'RE, WE'RE APPROVING A JOB DESCRIPTION AND A GRADE PLACEMENT.
IT'S AN UNKNOWN ADMINISTRATIVELY.
LIKE IF YOU'RE GONNA HIRE SOMEBODY IMMEDIATELY, MAYBE IT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO SEE IF THAT AGREEMENT IS, IS HAMMERED OUT.
I, I MEAN IN TERMS OF THE TIMING OF THE HIRING, I, I, I, THAT'S A LEGITIMATE POINT.
UM, BUT I JUST WANNA BE CLEAR ABOUT SUPPORTING THE, THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND, UM, THE, THE DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT MANAGER.
BECAUSE THAT'S THE, AND I REALLY, HONESTLY, I CAN'T SEE HOW IT IS THAT, THAT WE DON'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN BECAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE ESSENTIALLY PROPOSING TO FUND THE TYPE OF ACTIVITY THAT THEY'VE DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY'RE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT.
THAT'S SORT OF MY, MY POINT OF VIEW ON IT.
SO MR. STANMORE, I THINK THE, THE REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION MAKES SENSE AS WRITTEN.
UH, IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO FILL IT IMMEDIATELY AND IT, IT PROBABLY DOES MAKE SENSE TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN BEFORE HIRING TO FILL THE ROLE.
BUT BECAUSE THIS IS JUST AN ADMINISTRATIVE THING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN ALONG THE WAY, I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH DOING IT NOW.
UM, NO, LIKE I SAID, I JUST THOUGHT OUT FOR, FOR CONSIDERATION.
I, I THINK, I THINK DR. JAMES HAS SAID THE TOWN WOULD BE GETTING IT SHORTLY.
I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GONNA GET THE MOU TILL WE ACTUALLY APPROVE IT AND THEN WON'T BE TILL THE 15TH.
'CAUSE WE HAVEN'T COME TO UH RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT 'CAUSE WE HAVEN'T COMING UP WITH A FINAL VERSION OF OUR MOU, SO, AND I'M OKAY GOING FORWARD WITH THIS AGAIN.
I THINK SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINES GOOD TO HAVE THAT ONE LADY FROM VTC TO COME HERE AND EXPLAIN SOME THINGS TO THE WHOLE, WHOLE, UH, BOARD.
UM, SO YEAH, I HAVE NO PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD.
BUT JUST TO ECHO, I THINK, UH, SEVERAL OF THE MEMBERS, UH, YOU KNOW, LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE TOWN BEFORE YOU START ADVERTISING FOR THAT POSITION.
AND I KNOW IN THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, AND I DON'T KNOW, I THINK IT'S GOOD AND BAD, BUT I KNOW, I JUST REMEMBER, UM, WE HAVE TWO EMPLOYEES, BASICALLY.
THE ATTORNEY AND THE ADMINISTRATOR.
AND THEY WERE, THE ADMINISTRATOR WAS THE ONE THAT WOULD HIRE ALL THE EMPLOYEES.
BUT I THINK HERE RECENTLY, ESPECIALLY WITH MORE SENIOR MANAGEMENT, I THINK THE, UM, BOARD MEMBERS, ONE OR TWO HAVE SAT IN ON THOSE.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANNA, UM, MAYBE WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AGAIN TOO, SEE IF THAT'S WORTHWHILE.
'CAUSE I, AND AGAIN, IT'S A MATTER ONCE WE GET, WELL, WE HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE ADMINISTRATOR.
NOT THAT WE DON'T IN YOU, BUT IT SHOULD BE UP TO THEM FOR, TO, FOR THEM TO MAKE THE HIRE 'CAUSE THAT IS THEIR EMPLOYEE.
BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN REVISIT LATER.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, IF I MAY I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADOPT THE REVISION OF THE DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT MANAGER GRADE 20 POSITION, JOB DESCRIPTION WITH GRADE AND THE COUNTY'S COMPREHEND COUNTY'S COMPENSATION PLAN.
UH, NUMBER ONE, APPROVAL OF THE FFA GRANT.
MR. BERRY, GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS.
UM, VERY PLEASED TO BRING SOME,
[01:25:01]
UH, GOOD AND EXCITING NEWS TO YOU TODAY.ONE OF MY GOALS IN RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN TO LOOK AT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE AIRPORT.
AND I THINK WE'VE CONTINUED TO DO SUCH THE FIRST GRANT, UH, SPECIFICALLY AND I KNOW THAT, UM, TIMING IS SOMETIMES, UH, I, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO WORK AND I THINK EVERYBODY, I'VE SAID MANY TIMES THE FAA IS ON A DIFFERENT BUDGETARY CYCLE THAN WE ARE STILL WORKING TO TRY TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESS.
BUT I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE FUNDING THAT WE, WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN OFFERED.
UM, THE FIRST, THE FIRST GRANT NUMBER ONE IS, UM, THE FFA PROJECT FOR OUR BOX HANGERS.
IF YOU RECALL, BACK IN APRIL, UM, I THINK IT WAS THE 27TH YOU VOTED ON ONE INTERNALLY.
UM, USING 1.5 MILLION WAS OUR ESTIMATE ENGINEERING ESTIMATE, UM, FROM FUND BALANCE.
AND I HAD PLANNED ON GETTING $563,000.
I WAS HOPING TO GET ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT DUE TO TIMING, UM, WASN'T ABLE.
I, I THINK WE'VE ONLY LOST LIKE TWO GRAND THUS FAR.
UM, OF OUR BILL FUNDING, INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING STARTED BACK NOVEMBER OF 2021 FOR SOME THAT WEREN'T HERE.
AND WE GOT, I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT $790,000 INITIALLY.
SO USUALLY WE DON'T GET FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR BOX HANGERS.
SO THIS IS THE LAST OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING STARTED OUT AS BILL FUNDING AND WE HAVE $563,000 TO APPLY TOWARDS OUR PROJECT.
UM, WE HAD ESTIMATED AT 2 MILLION.
UM, WE DID HAVE BIDS COME IN AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN OUR BUILDING COMMITTEE.
UM, THE LOW BIDDER WAS JUST UNDER 2 MILLION, BUT THEY DIDN'T BRING IN A BID BOND, SO WE HAD TO TOSS THAT ONE.
SO WE'RE JUST SLIGHTLY OVER THE 2 MILLION.
BUT AT THIS POINT, THE, THE MOTION IS TO ACCEPT OR OR AUTHORIZE THE, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE THIS GRANT.
SO WE DON'T LOSE THIS FUNDING.
AND I'M GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
WHAT, WHAT'S THE EXACT AMOUNT THAT WE'RE SLIGHTLY OVER 2 MILLION BY THE 2 MILLION? THE, THE BID IS $2,216,000 TOTAL.
AND THEN I HAVE AN APPROPRIATION ITEM IN THERE, UM, IN THE BUDGET PACKAGE AS WELL.
UM, AND THE FINANCE DIRECTOR HAS ALSO LET ME KNOW THAT WE'LL NEED TO DO A REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING 'CAUSE THE FUNDS EXCEED, UH, 1% OF, OF THE BUDGETARY, UM, ITEMS FOR EXPENDITURES.
SO WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC HEARING ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS NEXT MONTH.
SO BASICALLY THE TOTAL PROJECT IS LIKE 2.1 MILLION OR SOMETHING AND WE'RE GETTING 563.
AND WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE REST OF IT.
I JUST WANNA CLARIFY THAT THAT'S IT.
AND THAT'S WHAT YOU VOTED ON BACK IN APRIL? OKAY.
'CAUSE WE HAD TO DECIDE WHETHER TO PUT THIS IN OUR A CIP, WHICH AGAIN, THIS IS, UH, A PROJECT THAT WE CHANGED, UM, THAT WAS ONE OF THE COMMISSIONS BACK IN 2021.
AND THEN 22 WE ACTUALLY CHANGED OUR A CIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PLANNED TO USE THIS FUNDING.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE AT THE CONSTRUCTION GO ZONE NOW.
SO VERY THANKFUL, UM, THAT WE'VE GOT THIS FAR AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO KEEPING GOING.
UM, HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THIS GRANT? DID YOU FIND IT OR YOU HAVE SOMEBODY IN YOUR OFFICE OR, YEAH, WHEN, WELL, THERE WAS THE, WHEN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING CAME OUT, YOU KNOW, EACH, THERE WAS ENTIT, IT'S KIND OF LIKE ENTITLEMENT FUNDING.
EACH AIRPORT WOULD HAVE FUNDING.
NOW I HAD TO APPLY FOR THE FUNDING.
AND THEN WE HAVE TO APPLY SPECIFICALLY FOR EACH PROJECT.
WE'VE ALREADY USED THIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES AND SITE SURVEYS.
WE HAD JOE BROGAN, WE'VE HAD CORE SAMPLING.
SO WE'VE BEEN USING THE FUNDING ALONG THE WAY FOR THIS PROJECT.
BUT EACH TIME THERE'S A PROJECT, THE FAA HAS TO SAY, YES, THIS IS OKAY TO USE THE FUNDING.
AND THEN THEY BRING THE GRANT BACK TO US FOR SIGNATURE.
REASON I BRING IT UP IS, I MEAN, I KNOW THE SHERIFF, I KNOW THE FIRE.
THEY ALL COME TO FORCE WITH GRANTS THAT THEY'VE RECEIVED.
BUT I, I WAS JUST THINKING THERE AGAIN, THERE MAY BE A LOT OF GRANTS OUT THERE THAT WE'RE NOT AWARE OF BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY HAVE SOMEBODY FOCUSED ON THAT.
AND THAT'S WHERE I BROUGHT UP BEFORE AND AT ONE TIME WE DID HAVE A, UM, A GRANT WRITER MM-HMM
AND THIS COULD BE SOMETHING TOO THAT WE COULD APPROACH THE SUBJECT WITH THE TOWN TO SEE IF THEY WANTED TO SHARE ONE.
'CAUSE I'M SURE THEY COULD USE GRANTS AS WELL.
THAT'S ALL I'M BRINGING UP REGARDING THAT, BUT THANK YOU.
SO WHAT IS, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE ON, UM, THIS PROJECT AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS NEEDED UPFRONT, HOW MUCH CAN, IS GONNA COME OUT OF THE ENTERPRISE VERSUS GENERAL FUND AND THAT KIND OF THING? WELL, RIGHT NOW
[01:30:01]
MY PRIORITY, 'CAUSE UM, I DIDN'T WANNA JUMBLE IT TOO MUCH IS THIS MONEY BECAUSE WE'LL LOSE, I THINK IT'S NEAR 200 GRAND BY THIS YEAR.UM, 'CAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY YEARS TO USE EACH, UH, ALLOTMENT OF MONEY.
'CAUSE IT WAS FUNDED IN A FIVE YEAR INTERVAL, BUT 563,000 WILL BE FEDERAL DOLLARS.
AND THE, THE REST OF THIS BOX HANGER PROJECT, TYPICALLY BOX HANGERS, T HANGERS ARE NOT FUNDED BY STATE OF FEDERAL DOLLARS.
IF YOU RECALL, WE SWITCHED GEARS ON THE PROJECT MATERIALS REALLY INFLATED, AND THEN I WENT TO, I GUESS IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AGO AND WENT TO THE STATE FOR THE SITE WORK.
WE GOT OVER A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SITE WORK.
SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE A WALKTHROUGH TOMORROW ON THE SITE WORK.
SO WE ARE, YOU KNOW, AT THE LINE TO GO, THE BIG, THE DEADLINE RIGHT NOW FOR THIS PROJECT IS, IS JUST THE SIGNATURE OF THE GRANT.
SO WE DON'T LOSE THAT FUNDING.
I JUST, WE COULD, WE COULD LIKELY MOVE AND, AND GO RIGHT INTO CONSTRUCTION WITH LCW, YOU KNOW, AT ANY TIME THAT WE COULD APPROVE EVERYTHING AND MOVE FORWARD.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T, WE TYPICALLY IT GOES TO THE ENGINEER.
WE PAY, LIKE WITH THE GRANT PORTION I SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
THE ENGINEERS LOOKS AT THE LINE ITEMS, THEY REVIEW, I REVIEW, WE SEND IT IN.
IT MIGHT BE $2,000, IT MIGHT BE $10,000 MM-HMM
WELL THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I'M, YEAH.
IT'S COMING UP WITH, UM, $1.5 MILLION ISN'T LIKELY TO HAPPEN.
AND I KNOW SOMETIMES IT'S, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT A PERIOD OF TIME TO PAY ALL THAT.
AND UM, AND I KNOW IT'S AN ENTERPRISE NOW, SO I DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH JUST DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TO THE DOLLAR, BUT HOW MUCH FOR, I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT THERE'S GONNA BE A WHOLE LOT THERE IN OUR, 'CAUSE OURS IS PRIMARY OPERATIONAL.
WHEN WE GET TO CAPITAL, OUR PROJECT NUMBER TWO, AND, AND I, I DON'T WANNA GET TO PROJECT NUMBER TWO IS A BIGGER PROJECT, BUT IT'S A, IT'S A, A CAPITAL PROJECT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN PLANNING FOR, FOR MUCH LONGER.
AND YOU'LL SEE THE DOLLAR FIGURE.
I'M GONNA TAKE CARE OF THAT INTERNALLY WITH OUR BUDGET LINE AND ASK FOR A TRANSFER.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YEAH, I, I WOULD JUST REMIND EVERYBODY, I THINK WHEN WE VOTED ON THAT 1.5 MILLION FROM THE FUND BALANCE IN, UH, LATE APRIL, LIKE APRIL 28TH, UH, WE DID HAVE THE INTENTION TO REVISIT IT AT SOME POINT AND CONVERT THAT TO A LOAN.
UH, AND, AND THEN REIMBURSE THE, THE FUND.
SO KEEPING THAT IN MIND, UH, VRA WE TALKED ABOUT THE VRA AVIATION FUNDING.
USING A 3.8% INTEREST RATE, I THINK WAS, WAS THE CURRENT RATE FOR THAT RIGHT? BECAUSE OF THE AUDIT COMPLETION, WE'RE NOT ELIGIBLE AT THIS POINT.
UM, AND BASED ON THOSE LOAN TERMS, UH, AND THE FACT THAT THESE HANGERS HAVE RENTAL INCOME TIED TO THEM, IT WAS A, A BREAK EVEN OF 19 YEARS BEFORE IT BECAME PROFITABLE AND THE LOAN WAS PAID.
UH, AND THEN AFTER 30 YEARS, YOU'RE, UH, A MILLION IN THE GREEN.
SO, UH, IT DOES MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE, UH, WITH THE 2 MILLION, UH, BECOMING 2.2, WHATEVER IT WAS.
I THINK THAT PUTS US ANOTHER 150,000, YOU KNOW, THAT WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH.
BUT IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, I THINK IT STILL MAKES SENSE.
UH, GER ONE, CAN I ADDRESS AN ISSUE THAT IS RAISED WITH MR. SAM MEYER'S COMMENT? SO THERE'S, UH, I DO SOME TAX EXEMPT FINANCING WORK AND THERE ARE RULES ABOUT THIS.
SO IF YOU ARE INTENDING TO REIMBURSE YOURSELF FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, YOU HAVE TO PASS WHAT'S CALLED AN OFFICIAL INTENT RESOLUTION.
IT'S NOT THAT BIG A DEAL, BUT THERE'S A 60 DAY LOOK BACK PERIOD.
SO WHENEVER, YOU KNOW, WHEN, WHEN DO YOU ACTUALLY EXPECT STARTING CONSTRUCTION? WELL, WE, WE ALREADY HAVE THE, THE BIDS ARE IN, UM, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T WANNA CONFUSE IT TODAY, BUT I WOULD HOPE TO START THIS FALL.
SO, YOU KNOW, I I SUGGEST THAT YOU PASS THAT OFFICIAL INTENT RESOLUTION, WHICH BASICALLY SAYS THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS INTENDING TO ISSUE TAX EXEMPT FINANCING.
UM, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ACTUALLY ISSUE THE TAX EXEMPT FINANCING, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE FROM A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MEETINGS, THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST ON THIS BODY TO DO THAT.
IF YOU DON'T PASS THIS, YOU'VE, YOU'VE DISQUALIFIED YOURSELF FROM DOING THAT.
SO IF THIS BOARD WANTS ME TO, I CAN DRAFT THAT RESOLUTION.
I DON'T HAVE TO BE THE LAWYER THAT NECESSARILY DOES ALL YOUR TAX EXEMPT BOND WORK.
I KNOW YOU HIRE SOME OTHER PEOPLE FOR THAT AND THAT'S FINE, BUT THAT SHOULD BE A STARTING POINT.
[01:35:01]
THAT MAKES SENSE TODAY.SO I, I'LL LOOK FOR SOME DIRECTION FOR SOMEONE TO PUT THAT ON, ON A FUTURE AGENDA OR, OR TELL ME TO DO THAT.
UM, AND, UM, WE OUGHT DO IT REASONABLY SOON.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS? NOT IS THERE A MOTION? I HAD IT UP IN FRONT OF ME.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVE THE FAA GRANT AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE THE FAA GRANT AGREEMENT.
UH, APPROVAL OF FFA GRANT RUNWAY REHABILITATION, MR. BARRY.
ALRIGHT, SO THIS ONE, THIS ONE IS MUCH EASIER TO CHEW ON FINANCIALLY.
UM, WE, WE HAVE, WELL WE'VE, IT'S BEEN PROBABLY 27, 28 YEARS SINCE THE RUNWAY HAD REHAB.
IT WAS DEEMED FAIR BY THE, THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
UM, AND THEN, UM, AND THEY, THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID IT WOULD BE IN POOR CONDITION BY 27.
UM, WE'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE DESIGN PHASE, THE PRELIMINARY PHASES OF THIS PROJECT, THAT WAS GRANT FUNDED AS WELL.
UM, THE, THE FA WHERE OUR INITIAL BID IN MY, IN, IN MY, IF YOU RECALL IN MY PRESENTATION TO YOU IN THE BUDGET PRESENTATION, THE INITIAL ESTIMATE WAS $3 MILLION.
SO WE ARE ACTUALLY UNDER BUDGET ON THIS PROJECT.
UM, AT THIS POINT, $1.4 MILLION.
UM, THE FEDERAL SHARE WILL BE 95%.
UM, THE DOAV SHARE, WHICH IS AS SOON AS YOU AUTHORIZE, UH, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND ATTORNEY TO HIT GO, THE STATE WILL BRING IN THEIR PORTION, WHICH IS 56,000 FOR THEIR SIGNATURE.
AND THEN OUR PORTION IS $14,000, WHICH I CAN FIND WITHIN MY BUDGET, UM, IN MY FUND THAT I CAN LIVE WITH.
IS, IS THIS THE ONE THAT SSH AT THE FAAA WEEK AGO WAS SAYING HE WAS HOPING TO GET OUT? YEAH, SO BECAUSE OF THE DEADLINES AND I KNOW THEIR TIMING, I WAS PUSHING AND, AND I, YOU KNOW, HE, I HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP, BUT I WAS ASKING HIM, CAN YOU PLEASE GET THIS SO THAT I DON'T GET HUNG UP IN THE TIMEFRAME AND WE LOSE ANY FUNDING? 'CAUSE THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
BUT SO DOES IT BEING ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT MEAN HE DID GET IT OUT? UH, HE DID THAT TIMEFRAME? YES.
HE, HE ASKED HIM TO GET IT TO ME AND, AND, AND I WAS WORKING WITH JASON AND I SAID, I'M ANTICIPATING THIS.
AND WE DID GET IT AT THE END OF WEEK.
UM, SO WE HAD THE INFORMATION IN THE PRELIMINARY, BUT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN APPROVED, YOU KNOW, BY THE LEGISLATURE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT HAD TO GO THROUGH THE WHEELS AND, AND, AND THE RIGHT PERSON SEND IT TO US FOR SIGNATURE.
BEST TIMING BECAUSE I HAVE TO THEN COME TO YOU AND SAY, HEY, WE'VE DONE ALL THE LEGWORK.
I'VE TOLD YOU WHAT I WANT TO DO.
I'VE SHOWED YOU THE PROJECT, I'VE PUT IT IN THE BUDGET, AND NOW I HAVE TO TRY TO MEET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS DEADLINE TOO.
SO, UM, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
UM, SURVEYS, DONE, PROFILE DETAILS, WE DID ALL THAT.
THE DESIGN WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
UM, I THINK WE'RE GETTING A, A REALLY GOOD PROJECT.
UM, THE CONTRACTOR AND THE LOW BID WAS ACTUALLY OUT OF CALL PEPPER.
UM, CHAONG CONTRACTING WAS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT ON THIS ONE, SO I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
COULD YOU JUST REMIND US THE CLOSURE DATES THAT ARE TENTATIVELY PLANNED FOR THIS? FOR THE RUNWAY ITSELF? YEAH.
WELL, I CANNOT TELL YOU EXACTLY ON THAT.
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE HERE, BUT, UM, THE CONTRACTOR I'M SURE IS WAITING ON US.
AND IT'S GONNA BE IN THEIR TIMING.
I REALLY IMPRESS HIM BECAUSE I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN LAY ASPHALT THIS YEAR.
BUT IT'S GONNA COME DOWN TO WHETHER THE CONTRACTOR AND IF THE ASPHALT PLAN IS OPEN.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S ONE ANOTHER REASON THAT I WAS TRYING TO PRESS TO GET THIS, YOU KNOW, HEY, LET'S TRY TO GET THIS DONE.
'CAUSE I GOT THE, THE, THE USERS, THE BUSINESSES WHO ARE REALLY CONCERNED.
UM, DO I HAVE TO MOVE? DO I GOTTA GET MY PLAN OUT? AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAD TOLD THEM IN OCTOBER WOULD BE THE EARLIEST THAT WE BEGIN JUST BASED ON FA, A TIMING.
BUT I'M, YOU KNOW, I'M KIND OF HELD TO, YOU KNOW, THE FAA AND THEN OF COURSE THE LOCAL BODY AS WELL.
SO, MIKE, CAN YOU SAY WHEN, WHEN THIS ESTIMATE WAS GENERATED, WHEN WAS THE ESTIMATE GENERATED? THE, THE ACTUAL BID? YEAH.
NO, THE, THE ESTIMATE OF 3 MILLION.
OH, THE 3 MILLION THAT, OH, IS THAT BACK 21? UH, I THINK 2022.
[01:40:01]
COME DOWN A LOT? WELL, IT, IT ACTUALLY, I, I THINK IT HAD MORE TO DO WITH THE BASE AFTER WE DID CORE SAMPLING.SO, SO WE HAD TO GO IN AND WE HAD SOME PLACES THAT IT WAS LIKE CONCRETE AFTER THE TOP LAYER BASICALLY.
UM, SO THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT HAVING TO TAKE IT MILLING AND NOT REMOVING EVERYTHING.
THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THAT LENGTH, I MEAN, SO, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT OVER 3000 FOOT OF RUNWAY BY 75 FEET AND IF, IF WE HAD TO CUT IT ALL BACK DOWN AND PUT STONE DOWN, YOU KNOW, START OVER.
I, I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS DONE.
I REMEMBER, UH, R ON IT, DID SOME OF THAT BASE WORK AND IT WAS, UH, ACTUALLY A CB 30 STONE WHERE IT'S MIXED WITH CEMENT.
AND THEN THEY HAD A TIMEFRAME, YOU KNOW, FOR ME TO GET TO THE QUARRY AND PUT IT DOWN ROLL MEAT COMPACTION.
UH, AND I REMEMBER SOME OF IT, IF IT, THEY DIDN'T GET IT COMPACTED QUICK ENOUGH, THEY, WHEN THEY WENT TO RIP IT BACK UP, I MEAN THEY WERE BIG DOZERS AND RIPPERS AND IT JUST, LIKE YOU SAID, IT WAS LIKE CONCRETE.
SO I'M GLAD THAT THAT BASE IS STILL IN.
I MEAN, OVERALL WE HAVE ONE PLACE ON THE TAXI WAY THAT KIND OF HAS A DIP.
WE GET A LOT OF COMPLAINT OVER, BUT THAT'S OUR NEXT PROJECT AND THAT'S ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE AS WELL.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I, IF NOT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT, THE ONLY THING THAT I'D SAY IS JUST, I DON'T KNOW, I IF IT'D BE APPROPRIATE TO GET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DOAV SINCE IT'S ALREADY INTO, TIED INTO THIS GRANT OR NOT.
'CAUSE IT'S GONNA COME OUT AS SOON AS YOU HIT GO IF THEY APPROVE TODAY.
WELL, I THOUGHT THIS DID WELL IT DOES COVER, THIS IS THE, IT HAS BOTH OF 'EM LISTED, BUT I, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THIS, THE WORDING YOU FEEL IS IT COVERS EVERYTHING.
WELL, THE WORDING IS FOR THE FAA GRANT AGREEMENT.
YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A DIFFERENT ONE.
THE, THE, THE STATE IS MENTIONED HERE IN THE, IN THE SHARE AND IT'S MENTIONED IN THE FAA PAPERWORK, BUT AS SOON AS YOU GUYS HIT GO ON YOUR SIGNATURES, THE $56,000 GRANT, WE'LL DROP IN YOUR BOX AS WELL.
AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE FAA GRANT AGREEMENT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE $56,000? IT DOES HAVE IT WRITTEN WITHIN IT, BUT THE STATE OF VIRGINIA'S PORTION WILL BE SEPARATE PAPERWORK.
SO I GUESS IT, AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT PAPERWORK YET.
WHEN DO YOU EXPECT AS SOON AS YOU HIT GOAT, WHEN YOU GET AUTHORIZED, WOULD WOULD THIS ISSUE APPLY TO THE LAST ONE THAT WE JUST DID TOO? NO, THERE'S NO STATE MONEY.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU ADDED, APPROVE THE FAA GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AGREEMENTS NECESSARY TO GET THE DOAV GRANT.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVE THE FAA GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATED AGREEMENTS NECESSARY TO RECEIVE THE DOAV UH, AGREEMENT MONEY, UH, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE THE FAA GRANT AGREEMENT AND DOAV AGREEMENT.
AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 30 OF THE WARREN COUNTY CODE TO ADD AND ORDAIN 30 DASH 13 SERVICE INCENTIVE PAYMENT FOR WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OFFICE DEPUTIES AND COMMUNICATION OFFICERS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN WARREN COUNTY.
EVERY DAY OUR DEPUTIES AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS ANSWER THE CALL TO SERVE OFTEN UNDER DEMANDING CIRCUMSTANCES AND ALWAYS WITH THE DEEP COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY, I, TODAY WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WARREN COUNTY IS EQUALLY COMMITTED TO THEM.
WITH THE BOARD'S PARTNERSHIP, WE CAN BUILD A STRONGER, MORE STABLE WORKFORCE.
ONE THAT ATTRACTS TALENTED PROFESSIONALS, ENCOURAGES EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES TO MAKE THEIR CAREERS HERE, AND ENSURES OUR CITIZENS CONTINUE RECEIVING THE DEPENDABLE PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES THEY DESERVE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING A PRACTICAL PATH FORWARD AND WORKING TOGETHER TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO PROTECT AND SERVE WARREN COUNTY.
[01:45:06]
THANK YOU.WHY RETENTION OVER RECRUITMENT? WHEN A, WHEN A POSITION IS VACANT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY IS STILL EXPECTED.
THE DIFFERENCE IS FEWER PEOPLE ARE CARRYING THE BURDEN OF PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY.
AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION, INCLUDING VIRGINIA, ARE STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED OFFICERS.
WARREN COUNTY IS COMPETING AGAINST LARGER AGENCIES WITH A GREATER RESOURCES.
THE LABOR MARKET AND POOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED SINCE APRIL.
WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS LOST SIX DEPUTIES, FOUR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS AND ONE CIVILIAN.
WARREN COUNTY HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN KNOWN AS TRAINING GROUND DEPUTIES, FIRE AND RESCUE PERSONNEL.
AND EVEN NURSES BEGIN THEIR CAREERS HERE, BUT THEY DON'T STAY.
WE MUST BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO WORK AND STAY.
THE STAFFING RATIO REASONS FOR DEPARTURE, THE STAFF RATIO REGIONS FOR DEPARTURE AND OPERATIONAL IMPACT AMONG COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER MIRROR THOSE EXPERIENCED BY THE DEPUTIES.
A DEPUTY IS NOT FULLY SELF-SUFFICIENT FOR ABOUT 37 WEEKS AFTER BEGINNING EMPLOYMENT, FOUR WEEKS BEFORE THE ACADEMY.
WE HANDLE ADMINISTRATIVE ONBOARDING OBSERVATIONS AND PRE ACADEMY COURSES.
THEY SPEND 20 WEEKS IN THE ACADEMY AND ABOUT 13 WEEKS OF FIELD TRAINING AFTER.
SO WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE WHEN A DEPUTY LEAVES? WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE CITIZENS HAVE SPENT $48,000 IN SALARY.
THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE EXPENSES FOR THE ACADEMY.
TUITION, UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT, VEHICLE COSTS, BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS, MEDICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, OR THE FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS, INSTRUCTORS TRAINING TIME FOR A MORE TENURED DEPUTY OR SUPERVISOR, YOU ADD THE COST INVESTED INTO THEIR ACCRUED TRAINING.
THE MOST VALUABLE BUT LESS TANGIBLE LOSS IS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES.
YOU ALL ASKED US TO REVIEW RESEARCH ON EMPLOYER RETENTION AND WE DID.
WE EXAMINED, DIDN'T I GO? THERE YOU GO.
WE EXAMINED SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS ADDRESSING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKFORCE CRISIS TO IDENTIFY EFFECTIVE RETENTION STRATEGIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.
THE FINDINGS OF THESE STUDIES CLOSELY ALIGN WITH WHAT OUR STAFF HAS REQUESTED AND THE INITIATIVES WE HAVE BEGUN IMPLEMENTING.
SO WHAT HAVE WE, WHAT HAVE WE IMPLEMENTED SO FAR? A FOCUS INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT AND ACTIVE POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
PURPOSE AND PERKS DRIVEN CAMPAIGNS WE OFFER TAKE HOME VEHICLES.
WE HAVE INCREASED OUR STARTING SALARY TO BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE AS WELL AS ADDRESS SALARY COMPACTION.
WE HAVE LOCAL PARTNERS AND GRANT FUNDED OVERTIME AND OFF-DUTY EMPLOYMENT FOR DEPUTIES WHO DESIRE IT.
WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS CERTIFYING THE ACADEMY AND OUR FTO PROGRAM AS A VETERANS ASSOCIATION APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FOR THE GI BILL BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY FOR WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND FAMILY SUPPORT, WE HAVE A FOUR ON FOUR OFF SCHEDULE WITH SET DAY AND NIGHT SCHEDULES.
WE OFFER 60 HOURS OF ADVANCED PTO FOR CERTIFIED DEPUTIES COMING ON BOARD.
AS LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE AN OPEN DOOR POLICY.
WE ENCOURAGE ACCOMMODATE ACCOMMODATIONS AND WE HAVE A DESIGNATED TRAINING COORDINATOR WHO'S OUR APPOINTED CONTACT FOR ALL OF OUR RECRUITS.
DURING THE ACADEMY, WE HAVE AN ESTABLISHED CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY BUILD LEADERS AND FOSTER MENTORS.
THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WITH THE LAUREL RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
AND MOST RECENTLY WE HAVE BEGUN INITIALIZING SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR SPECIALIZED TEAMS. AND WE JUST GOT THE DRONE TEAM UP OFF THE GROUND.
TURNOVER IS THE HIGHEST DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS.
THIS MAKES STRUCTURED MENTORING, REALISTIC JOB PREPARATION, REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS AND STRONG FIELD TRAINING.
WE RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A PROGRAM.
WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PARTNERED WITH THE COUNTY HR AS WELL AS OUR OWN IN-HOUSE PEER SUPPORT THROUGH OUTINGS, HIKINGS AND FITNESS TRAINING.
WE HAVE A GYM ON SITE AND WE HAVE PAID PHYSICAL TRAINING.
THE WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS SECURED MORE THAN ONE POINT $11 MILLION IN COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDING, OFFSETTING LOCAL COSTS WHILE INVESTING IN EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY TRAINING AND PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES.
THIS COMMITMENT TO PURSUING OUTSIDE FUNDING REFLECTS OUR ONGOING EFFORT TO ENHANCE SERVICES WITHOUT PLACING ADDITIONAL BURDEN
[01:50:01]
ON THE WARREN COUNTY TAXPAYERS.THIS IS ABOUT RETENTION, NOT JUST RECRUITMENT.
MANY OF THESE INITIATIVES HELP US RECRUIT NEW EMPLOYEES.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY HELP US KEEP EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES WE ALREADY HAVE.
RETENTION IS WHERE WE RECEIVE THE GREATEST RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT.
WHAT CAN WE OFFER? WE'RE PROPOSING A NIGHT SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL OF $2 PER HOUR, ONE ADDITIONAL HOUR OF PAY PER DAY FOR FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS WHO ARE ACTIVELY PERFORMING FIELD TRAINING, REFERRAL INCENTIVES FOR CERTIFIED DEPUTIES AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS, PARTNERSHIPS STAFF.
WE'RE ACTIVELY PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES TO CONTRIBUTE TO INITIATIVE PROGRAMS, MEMBERSHIPS, ET CETERA.
THROUGHOUT THIS PRESENTATION, WE'VE DISCUSSED THE CHALLENGES FACING LAW ENFORCEMENT, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
THIS SLIDE FOCUSES ON AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THOSE CHALLENGES BY USING FUNDING ALREADY IDENTIFIED WITHIN OUR BUDGET.
WE'RE ASKING OF THE BOARD OR WHAT WE'RE ASKING OF THE BOARD IS NOT JUST TO MAKE PUBLIC SAFETY A PRIORITY, BUT YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPUTIES AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS A PRIORITY.
APPROVE THE ORDINANCES, AUTHORIZE THE VACANCY SAVINGS, PRIORITIZE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'RE PRESENTING AN OPPORTUNITY TO REINVEST EXISTING RESOURCES INTO INITIATIVES THAT WILL IMPROVE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND LONG-TERM PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE CANNOT SOLVE THE NATIONAL WORKFORCE CRISIS ON OUR OWN, BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS POSITION WARREN COUNTY AS AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE.
THESE INCENTIVES REPRESENT AN INVESTMENT IN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY CHOSEN TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY AND COMMITMENT TO ATTRACTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS.
IN THIS CHART, THE FIRST FOUR YEARS WE DEVELOPED BOTH RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION INCENTIVES AND THEN SHIFT OUR STRATEGY TO RETENTION.
FOR PHYSICAL YEARS 27, 28 AND 29, WE PROPOSE USING THE FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH TWO VACANT POSITIONS ALONG WITH THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT FUNDING ALREADY APPROPRIATED IN THE BUDGET TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
ANY CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVANCES THAT OCCURRED DURING THIS PERIOD WOULD BE ABSORBED WITHIN THE PROGRAM, AS WOULD ANY AVAILABLE ROLLOVER FUNDING FROM YEAR TO YEAR FOR THIS FUNDING MODEL TO REMAIN SUSTAINABLE.
ANY IDENTIFIED ROLLOVER FUNDING MUST BE SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR THIS PROGRAM AND CARRIED FORWARD FOR THIS PURPOSE.
MAINTAINING THESE FUNDS WITHIN THE PROGRAM WILL BE CRITICAL TO OFFSETTING FUTURE COSTS AND LIMITING THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL NEW FUNDING.
THIS CHART DEMONSTRATES HOW CRITICAL THE ROLE OF A FUNDING IS TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM SUSTAINABLE.
BEGINNING OF PHYSICAL YEAR 31, WE WOULD REQUEST THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ASSISTANCE AND SUSTAINING THE PROGRAM THROUGH A COMBINATION OF FUNDING FROM ONE VACANT POSITION, DOWN FROM TWO AVAILABLE PROGRAM ROLLOVER FUNDS AND ADDITIONAL NEW FUNDING OF LESS THAN $30,000.
THIS REQUEST WOULD IN, WOULD INCREASE THE IN, WOULD INCREASE IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS IN SMALL INCREMENTS.
THIS ALLOWS WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ESTABLISH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PROGRAM AND THE BOARD TO PREPARE FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND REQUESTS.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON CURRENT WORKFORCE AND DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR FUTURE RETIREMENTS OR THE LOSS OF TENURED EMPLOYEES THROUGH RETIREMENT RESIGNATION OR OTHER FORMS OF SEPARATION.
SUCH PERSONNEL CHANGES COULD REDUCE THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROGRAM AND CONSEQUENTLY THE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUIRED IN PHYSICAL YEARS.
OUR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STRATEGY FOCUSES ON THREE KEY AREAS.
REFER, EXPAND OUR EMPLOYEE REFERRAL INCENTIVES.
OUR BEST RECRUITERS ARE OFTEN OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES TEND TO RECOMMEND PEOPLE WHO WILL FIT OUR CULTURE AND OUR STANDARDS.
RETAIN, PROVIDE SHIFT DIFFERENTIALS AND FIELD TRAINING DIFFERENTIALS.
RECOGNIZE THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES CARRIED BY, CARRIED BY THE EMPLOYEES IN SPECIALTY POSITIONS.
REWARDING EXPERIENCE IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN REPLACING IT AND DEVELOP, INVEST IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER PROGRESSION.
EMPLOYERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO STAY WHEN THEY SEE A FUTURE HERE.
BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUPERVISORS AND LEADERS FROM WITHIN.
WHY DOES RETENTION MATTER? ONE VACANCY AFFECTS FAR MORE THAN ONE POSITION.
CALLS FOR SERVICE DO NOT DECREASE WHEN STAFFING DECREASES.
THE REMAINING WORKLOADS ABSORBED BY EXISTING EMPLOYEES THROUGH OVERTIME, HOLDOVERS AND ADDITIONAL SHIFT, WHICH CAN LEAD TO FATIGUE, BURNOUT, AND ULTIMATELY TURNOVER.
WHEN EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEE LEAVES, WE LOSE MORE THAN ONE PERSON.
WE LOSE TRAINING EXPERIENCE, INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS, AND ACCOUNT'S INVESTMENT.
IN THAT EMPLOYEE, MANY ARE NOT LEAVING THE PROFESSION.
THEY'RE MOVING TO AGENCIES THAT OFFER BETTER COMPENSATION SCHEDULES OR BENEFITS.
[01:55:02]
OUR GOAL IS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VACANCIES OVER TIME.BURNOUT AND TURNOVER BY REMAINING COMPETITIVE AND SHOWING EMPLOYEES THAT THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICES ARE VALUED.
RETAINING EMPLOYEES EARLY IN THEIR CAREER ALLOWS WARREN COUNTY TO BENEFIT FROM THAT INVESTMENT FOR DECADES.
THE QUESTION IS NOT SIMPLY WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD RETENTION INITIATIVES.
IT IS WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD THE CONTINUED COST OF TURNOVER.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY PURSUE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND OTHER OUTSIDE FUNDING SOURCES TO SUPPLEMENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION INITIATIVES AND REDUCE THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE COUNTY.
WE RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN APPROVING THE MOTIONS TO ADD AND ORDAIN WARREN COUNTY CODE 30 DASH 13 AND 30 DASH 14.
YOUR SUPPORT IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP TOWARD INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL, IMPROVING RETENTION AND STRENGTHENING OUR WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE.
ANY QUESTIONS? I HAVE ONE QUESTION, SIR.
UM, I JUST NOTICED ON THE, UH, THE SERVICE IN INVESTMENT.
CAN YOU HEAR BETTER? YES, SIR.
SO FOR THE HAZARDOUS DUTY SUPPLEMENT IS 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, BUT FOR VRS RETIREMENT IS NOW 30 YEARS.
ONCE YOU WERE HIRED PAST 2013.
LIKE I SAID, IT'S 30 30 YEARS AND AGE 50.
SO I JUST REMEMBER IT WAS LIKE 25 AND 50 OR WHATEVER.
AND THAT'S ONLY FOR THE ACTIVE PATROL PEOPLE? I MEAN, IT'S NOT OR DOES THAT INCLUDE COMMUNICATIONS? AND UNFORTUNATELY RIGHT NOW THAT DOES NOT OKAY.
IT'S BEEN A, IT'S BEEN A BILL FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS OKAY.
AT THE HOUSE, BUT IT'S BEEN SHOT DOWN.
LIKE I, I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT I APPRECIATE IT.
HOW DO WE, UM, HOW DO WE KNOW IT'S WORKING LIKE, LIKE AFTER ONE YEAR, TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS? HOW DO WE, HOW DO WE, HOW, HOW DO WE GET COME AND PEOPLE ARE GONNA GO, RIGHT? IT'S JUST SURE THERE'S SOME NATURAL SURE.
SO YOU'RE, YOU'RE, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS RETAIN, RETAIN, BUT WE KNOW SOME PEOPLE GOT, SOME PEOPLE GO, I MEAN THAT, SO TURNOVER DOESN'T GET ELIMINATED, BUT IT'S, HOW DO WE DESCRIBE THIS? I MEAN, WE WE'RE, WE WANNA RETAIN SURE, BUT YET WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE STILL GONNA LEAVE.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE RETENTION STRATEGY'S NOT WORKING AT ALL.
SO HOW, HOW, WHAT'S THE ME METRICS OR PROCESS 1, 2, 3 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD WHERE WE SAY THIS HAS BEEN WORKING GREAT OR MAYBE, MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.
AND I I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S, WE HAVEN'T FULLY SET THAT UP YET.
UM, I KNOW THAT ONE, ONE OF THE THINGS WOULD BE OUR EXIT INTERVIEWS THAT WE CONDUCT.
WHY ARE THEY LEAVING? UM, THAT'LL HELP TELL US ONE METRIC.
UM, AND THEN THE OTHER IS IF PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO STAY FROM THE INITIATIVES THAT WE PUT IN, THAT, THAT WILL ALSO SPEAK VOLUMES.
SO IT'S GONNA BE REALLY INCUMBENT ON THE BOARD OVER, OVER YEARS TO KEEP ASKING THAT QUESTION AND ABSOLUTELY.
DO WE CURRENTLY PAY SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL? NO, MA'AM.
I, I CAME FROM THE WORLD OF, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO NOW, BUT WE DID GET A SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL, UH, IN NURSING WASN'T MUCH, BUT IT WAS A LITTLE BIT.
AND, AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THAT.
AND, AND I THINK THESE ARE THINGS TO DEFINITELY HELP.
I STILL LOOK AT INSURANCE AND HAVING THOSE GAP YEARS AND THESE YOUNG GUYS AREN'T THINKING ABOUT THOSE GAP YEARS YET, BUT ONCE THEY HIT, THEY HURT.
AND IT'S ABOUT IF YOU CAN RETIRE AT 50 BUT YOU DON'T START GETTING YOUR, UH, SOCIAL SECURITY FOR 10 YEARS, 12, WHATEVER, UM, THAT'S A LONG TIME TO PAY OUT YOUR INSURANCE.
SO WE WOULD LOVE TO BRING THAT BACK.
UM, HOWEVER IT'S FINANCIALLY NOT SUSTAINABLE.
WELL, AND THERE'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, I LOOK AT SOME OF THE DOLLAR COST OF THIS.
UM, AND I, AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE
[02:00:01]
THAT IF YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, THE SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL JUST MAKES SENSE TO ME.UM, AND IF YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, GOING LIKE THE TRAINING OFFICERS, THE FTOS, THAT KIND OF THING, I STILL WONDER THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY ON THE INCENTIVE PART OF, AND I'VE LOST THE PAGE NOW WHERE IT WAS SO MANY YEARS.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S LIKE A STIPEND THAT REALLY DOES THAT CONTRIBUTE AND PUSH UP THEIR BASE PAY? OR IS THAT JUST, HERE YOU GO, IT'S A LITTLE EXTRA BUT IT DOESN'T GO TOWARDS THEIR RETIREMENT.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE MY CONCERN IS.
THAT'S A, A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY AND YES, IT'S VERY APPRECIATED, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S AROUND CHRISTMAS OR, YOU KNOW, TIMES THAT EXTRA MONEY.
BUT I, I GUESS THAT'S SHORT TERM TO ME WHERE I LOOK AT THE BENEFIT OF A MORE LONG TERM, YOU KNOW, THAT IT BUMPS WHAT WE DO HELPS THE RETIREMENT AND HELPS COVER THAT INSURANCE.
AND I THINK I, I STILL, I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS I THINK SINCE I GOT ON THE BOARD, AND I KNOW IT'S EXPENSIVE, BUT I THINK EVEN IF THERE WAS AN OPTION OF EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU COULD OPT INTO TYPE THING.
UM, I I I JUST WANT TO THROW THAT OUT AS CONSIDERATION.
I'M NOT SAYING HOW WE'RE GONNA END UP ON THIS, BUT LIKE I SAID, YOU KNOW, WHEN I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT INSURANCE AND HAVING TO COVER IT WHEN I FIRST STARTED WORKING.
BUT BOY, THE CLOSER I GOT TO IT, THE MORE IT WAS LIKE OH WOW.
I MEAN I JUST, FOR US, UM, IT WAS OVER $20,000 A YEAR OUT OF POCKET.
AND THAT'S WITH UNDER, YOU KNOW, VRS AND STATE, UH, INSURANCE PAYING IN FOR MY HUSBAND AT LEAST.
AND I GOT A SMALL PORTION THAT, BUT THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR A LOT OF YEARS IF YOU RETIRE AT 50.
SO, I, I DON'T, I JUST WANNA THROW THAT OUT THERE.
I KNOW OF ALL OF THIS CAME FROM THE OFFICERS GETTING TOGETHER AND A SURVEY AND THAT KIND OF THING.
SO I, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF THE INSURANCE PLAYED INTO THEIR MINDS WHEN THEY WERE THINKING ABOUT THIS.
AND JUST AS, UM, A THOUGHT OF CONSIDERATION MOVING FORWARD ON EVERYBODY'S PART OF, TO ME THAT IF I WAS LOOKING AT IT, THAT WOULD BE MORE TO ME AS RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.
'CAUSE NOBODY ELSE IS DOING THAT PART.
YOU CAN GO AND MAKE MORE MONEY IN SOME OF THESE OTHER COUNTIES THAT WE JUST FINANCIALLY CAN'T COMPETE WITH.
BUT THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING ANYTHING TOWARDS YOUR RETIREMENT INSURANCE IN THAT GAP YEAR.
ANYONE ELSE HAVE, I HAVE A QUESTION, BUT I THINK IT'S DIRECTLY TO MR. HAM.
SO THE ORDINANCE THAT WE WOULD BE AUTHORIZING, UH, I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD LEAVE THIS SPECIFIC AMOUNTS TO THE BUDGETING PROCESS AS OPPOSED TO ENCODING THEM AND INTO THE CODE.
UH, IS THAT RIGHT? OR OTHERWISE WE'D HAVE TO DO A NEW PUBLIC HEARING EVERY TIME THEY CHANGED.
NO, TH THIS HAS SPECIFIC AMOUNTS.
SO THREE YEARS, A THOUSAND DOLLARS.
AND THEN EVERY FIVE YEARS AFTER THAT AND THE AMOUNT DOESN'T INCREASE BEYOND 7,500.
SO, YOU KNOW, THIS CAN BE WHATEVER THE BOARD DECIDES TO DO, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE ONE PUBLIC HEARING AND THEN THIS ORDINANCE WOULD BE ON THE BOOKS AND IT WOULD BE THERE AND THE BONUS WOULD BE PAID ANNUALLY.
UM, AND IF THE BOARD EVER CHOSE TO STOP DOING THAT, IT COULD, AND OBVIOUSLY YOU WOULD NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THIS COST WHEN YOU WERE DOING YOUR BUDGETING AND IF YOU WANTED TO STOP DOING IT, YOU COULD.
I I WASN'T NECESSARILY THINKING WE WOULD STOP IT, BUT IN CASE WE WANTED TO INCREASE IT AT SOME POINT, YOU KNOW, WITH INFLATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT IT, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S, IT'LL BE GOOD FOR SOME YEARS TO COME.
SO YES, HOWEVER MANY YEARS, YOU KNOW, IT HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW IT WORKS AND I UNDERSTAND THE TROUBLES OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT IS WORKING.
SO ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION? THANK YOU.
[02:05:04]
I MOVE THE BOARD THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR AUTHORIZED THE ADVER ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE ORDINANCE TO ENACT WARREN COUNTY CODE 30 DASH 13 FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.IS THIS WHEN AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 30 OF THE WARREN COUNTY CODE TO ADD AND ORDAINED, UH, 30 DASH 14 RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE PAYMENT FOR WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE EMPLOYEES? IS MR. BROGAN DOING THIS ONE AS WELL? I THINK HE'S GONE OVER ALL THAT.
IT WAS ALL, IT'S TWO SEPARATE SO IT WAS TWO SEPARATE BUT I THINK HIS PRESENTATION INCLUDED BOTH OF THEM.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE BEFORE? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AUTHORIZE THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE ORDINANCE TO ENACT WARREN COUNTY CODE 30 DASH 14.
SECOND WILL CALL MR. HENDERSON.
JAMESON AYE, RESOLUTION SENSOR OF SUPERVISOR, UM, HUGH HENRY AND MR. JAMESON IF YOU WANTED TO READ THIS.
A RESOLUTION OF CEN OF SUPERVISOR HUEY HENRY WHEREAS ON OCTO ON AUGUST 18TH, 2026 DURING A REGULAR MEETING OF THE WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HUEY HENRY, DURING HIS BOARD REPORT READ A ALOUD OF PROFANE LANGUAGE ATTRIBUTED TO A NAMED CITIZEN IN THE AUDIENCE AND PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED THE CITIZEN AS ITS SOURCE.
AND WHEREAS SUPERVISOR HENRY MADE REMARKS TO THAT CITIZEN REASONABLY PERCEIVED AS A THREAT INVITING HIM TO MEET HIM IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER ADJOURNMENT.
AND WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, AS REPORTED BY THE AT BY THE VIRGINIA, NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY, THAT CITIZEN REQUESTED AN ESCORT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT BASED ON THOSE REMARKS.
AND BOTH SUPERVISOR HENRY AND THAT CITIZEN WERE ESCORTED FROM THE BUILDING BY WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES TO THEIR RESPECTIVE VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT.
AND WHEREAS SUPERVISOR HENRY THEN APPROACHED THAT CITIZEN IN THE PARKING LOT AND PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED HIM, PUSHING HIM TO THE GROUND.
AND WHEREAS THE SEQUENCE OF CONDUCT IS DOCUMENTED BY THE EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF A SITTING MEMBER OF THIS BOARD BY CONTEMPORANEOUS REPORTING IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY, INCLUDING ITS ACCOUNT OF THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FILED IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESULTING CHARGE.
AND WHEREAS SUPERVISOR HENRY HAS SINCE BEEN CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY IN WARREN COUNTY GENERAL DISTRICT COURT ARISING FROM THIS INCIDENT, THE MATTER CURRENTLY BEFORE THE COURT AND WHEREAS THIS BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THE CONDUCT OF ITS OWN MEMBERS, THAT THE INDEPENDENT OF AND DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE OUTCOME OF THAT CRIMINAL PROCEEDING.
AND WHEREAS A CITIZEN WHO CRITICIZES A SUPERVISOR, HOWEVER CRUDELY OR INTENTLY RETAINS THE FULL PROTECTION TO WHICH SUCH SPEECH IS ENTITLED AND NO SUCH CRITICISM JUSTIFIES RESPONSE INVOLVING INTIMIDATION OR PHYSICAL FORCE.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE WARREN COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISORS FORMALLY CENSORS UB HENRY FOUR ONE ISSUING REMARKS REASONABLY PERCEIVED AS A THREAT TO THE NAMED CITIZEN FROM THE DAIS.
AND TWO APPROACHING AND PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING THAT CITIZEN IN THE PARKING LOT FOLLOWING THE MEETING AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CENTER REFLECTS THE BOARD'S OWN INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT ON THE CONDUCT STATE DESCRIBED ABOVE, BASED ON FACTS AS DOCUMENTED AND NOT CONTINGENT ON THE OUTCOME OF ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDING ARISING FROM THE SAME OFFENSE.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION BE ENTERED, ENTERED WITH THE PERMANENT RECORD OF THE BOARD.
ANY DISCUSSION? THIS, UH, I, I FOLLOWED ALONG, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT I GUESS THIS SHOWED UP INITIALLY, BUT THEN WAS IT TWEAKED AND IS THAT AS THE UPDATED RESOLUTION SENSOR THAT, THAT DR.
JAMESON READ? THERE WERE TWO MINOR CHANGES THAT I SUGGESTED AND THAT SUPERVISOR JAMON CONSENTED TO.
AND THAT'S WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU.
AND THAT'S WHAT HE READ AND THAT'S WHAT HE READ.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION I MOVE TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION OF CENSURE FOR SUPERVISOR HUG B HENRY SECOND.
MR. HENRY, I'LL BE ABSTAINING.
[02:10:01]
THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.I THINK THAT PUTS US AT ADDITIONAL NEW BUSINESS.
AND HEARING NONE, WE CAN ADJOURN FROM THIS IF THERE'S A MOTION AND TAKE A FEW MINUTES BREAK AND THEN COME BACK, UH, FOR THE WORK SESSION.
SO, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN FROM THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING? SO MOVED.
WE, YOU GUYS ACTUALLY DID VERY WELL.
WE'RE EVERYONE'S IN THEIR SEAT AT THREE 14, SO, YAY.
WE WILL, UM, START OUR WORK SESSION WITH THE, UM, SEARCH KICKOFF.
AND MS. LEWIS, I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO YOU.
AND MS. MEADOWS, I'D LIKE TO FORMALLY INTRODUCE, UM, ANN LEWIS.
SHE IS THE RECRUITER THAT WILL BE, UM, TAKING ON THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SEARCH.
UM, ON FRIDAY I SENT EACH, OR MAYBE SATURDAY MORNING, I SENT EACH OF YOU A COPY OF, UM, KIND OF A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW.
UM, AND IT'LL KIND OF GUIDE THROUGH TODAY'S DISCUSSION SOMEWHAT.
AND THEN I'M GONNA TURN EVERYTHING OVER TO ANN.
I AM THE RECRUITER FROM REF TELUS.
PLEASED TO BE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
JUST A QUICK INTRODUCTION IN, IN WHO I AM AND, AND THE WORK THAT I DO.
UM, HAVING SERVED PRIVATE SECTOR AND THEN PUBLIC SECTOR, UM, FOR CLOSE TO 20 YEARS FOLLOWING THAT, MOSTLY IN THE SHENDO VALLEY IN, IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
UM, HAVING SERVED LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THAT IS, IT IS, UH, AN HONOR TO SERVE COMMUNITIES NOW THROUGH EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT.
IT IS WHERE I FEEL LIKE WE DO THE WORK THAT IMPACTS OUR COMMUNITIES AND HELPS OUR, UH, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE AND WORK THERE THRIVE.
AND SO IT'S, UM, IT IS A, UH, WHAT I, WHAT I CALL THE, UM, WORK, UH, TO GET THE RIGHT FIT FOR THE COMMUNITIES.
OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DIFFERENT THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH AND, AND HAVE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING THEM.
AND SO THE SKILL SETS THAT ARE NEEDED, UM, NOT ANYONE CAN SIT IN THE SEAT OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR AN INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITHOUT, UM, HAVING GOOD SKILL SETS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES TO DO THIS WORK.
AND SO WHAT I WANT TO DO HERE TODAY IS A FEW THINGS.
ONE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS AND THE TIMELINE.
UM, MY ROLE IN THAT PROCESS AND YOUR ROLE IN THAT PROCESS AND WHAT I NEED FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN A SEARCH.
WE DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS SO THAT I CAN FRAME THE RECRUITMENT WELL IN THE, UM, RECRUITMENT BROCHURE AND THEN CERTAINLY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR ME AS YOUR RECRUITER.
ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO ADD TO KIND OF MY AGENDA HERE THIS AFTERNOON ARE TO TALK ABOUT? ALRIGHT.
SO, UM, ESSENTIALLY A TYPICAL RECRUITMENT IS ANYWHERE FROM 14 TO 16 WEEKS.
WE ARE HEADING INTO A BUSY TIME OF YEAR IN THE SENSE OF WE'RE GETTING HOLIDAYS IN FRONT OF US', PERSONAL LEAVE TIME.
UH, WE'VE GOT, UH, YOU KNOW, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, UM, CHILDREN ACTIVITIES AND PERSONAL ACTIVITIES AND, AND WORK.
SO I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'VE GOTTA, UM, WORK WITHIN SCHEDULES, BUT I ALSO WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS KEEPS MOVING FORWARD SO THAT I CAN, UM, EARLY IN THE PROCESS IDENTIFY DATES THAT I NEED THE BOARD TO BE AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS THEN TO ALERT CANDIDATES SO THAT THEIR TIME IS AVAILABLE TO GO THROUGH THE, UH, RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
UM, AND SO I'VE IDENTIFIED SOME INITIAL KIND OF WEEKS OF, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THOSE DATES, UM, AS WE GET A A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.
BUT THIS IS TO GUIDE YOU IN, IN WHAT TO EXPECT, UM, GOING FORWARD.
TYPICALLY AFTER I LAUNCH A SEARCH, I NEED AT LEAST 30 DAYS TO DO THAT OUT OUTREACH WITH CANDIDATES.
THAT OUTREACH IS NOT ONLY EMAILS, UM, THROUGH, UM, SEARCHES THAT WE'VE PREVIOUSLY CONDUCTED THROUGH OUTREACH THAT, UM, I WILL GATHER THROUGHOUT, NOT JUST THE COMMONWEALTH, BUT THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES AND ACROSS THE NATION.
I NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT WANT TO MOVE TO VIRGINIA.
[02:15:01]
THAT, UM, WAS LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA AND THEIR, UM, FAMILY WAS RELOCATING TO VIRGINIA.AND IF I'D NOT DONE THAT NATIONWIDE OUTREACH, I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN THAT THEY WANTED TO BE HERE.
AND SO I DO A NATIONWIDE OUTREACH, BUT I ALSO DO, UM, WHAT I CALL COLD CALLS.
UH, I LOOK AT WHO'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PROFESSION AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO, WHO'S GONNA BE A GOOD FIT HERE IN WARREN COUNTY.
AND I START ASKING MY, UH, NETWORK AND OUR FIRM'S NETWORK, WHO DO YOU KNOW THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION? THE IMPORTANT PART OF THE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE FROM A, FROM A FOUNDATIONAL STANDPOINT IS THE, OR I'M SORRY, THE IMPORTANT PART OF A RECRUITMENT IS THE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE.
IT'S WHAT I CALL THE SPRINGBOARD FOR EVERYTHING ELSE THAT I DO, I WILL FRAME, I WILL ASSESS THE CANDIDATES AGAINST WHAT WE'VE OUTLINED IN THE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE.
I'LL CREATE AN INTERVIEW PROCESS IN, IN COLLABORATION WITH WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE AS PART OF THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
I'LL CREATE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS, UM, FOR THE FIRST ROUND VIRTUAL AND THEN THE SECOND ROUND IN PERSON.
IT REALLY IS THE SPRINGBOARD FOR WHAT I DO, FOR WHAT I, THE WORK THAT I DO.
WHAT I HEAR FROM CANDIDATES IS IT WAS THE HOOK THAT GOT THEM TO APPLY IT IS WHAT WE WRITE IN THERE.
IT'S HOW WE FRAME THE COMMUNITY.
UM, AS, AS I'VE SHARED WITH ALL OF YOU, I LIVE IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
I KNOW WHAT THE VALLEY IS LIKE, BUT I DON'T KNOW SPECIFICALLY WARREN COUNTY.
SO I, THAT'S WHY IT'S HELPFUL FOR ME TO HEAR FROM YOU.
AND IT'S ALSO HELPFUL FOR ME TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY STAFF BECAUSE THEY WORK WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IN A, A DIFFERENT CAPACITY THAN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DOES.
AND SO HAVING BOTH OF THOSE PERSPECTIVES HELPS ME WRITE A, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK IS A VERY COMPELLING RECRUITMENT BROCHURE.
AND IT HELPS ME FRAME WHAT THOSE FIRST YEAR GOALS WILL BE FOR YOUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS.
SO THEY HAVE A BIT OF A ROADMAP OF WHAT THEY WILL BE WORKING ON WHEN THEY COME TO WORK HERE IN WARREN COUNTY.
SO MY ROLE, I HOPE THAT WE'RE SITTING HERE IN WARREN COUNTY, SO TO SPEAK, UM, AT A, AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
AND, UH, YOU TURN TO ME AND SAY, ANN, THIS IS A DIFFICULT DECISION, NOT BECAUSE THERE ARE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND WE HAVE TO DETERMINE WHO'S THE BEST FIT.
AND THEN WE PROVIDE ALL OF THE INFORMATION FOR YOU TO MAKE A CO A DECISION THAT YOU'RE CONFIDENT IN AND A DECISION THAT THE CANDIDATE IS CONFIDENT IN SO THAT THEY HAVE A, A LONGER TENURE HERE IN WARREN COUNTY.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THE TURNOVER THAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH AS A FORMER LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UM, EMPLOYEE MYSELF, I'VE BEEN THROUGH SIMILAR TURNOVER.
I KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE FROM AN EMPLOYEE STANDPOINT, AND I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FROM WHAT I SEE IN RECRUITMENTS, UM, WHAT THE IMPACT OF THAT IS ON THE COMMUNITY.
AND SO MY GOAL IS, AGAIN, TO PROVIDE YOU WITH, UH, A CANDIDATE POOL THAT WANTS TO BE HERE IN WARREN TO DO THE WORK AHEAD OF, OF THE COUNTY.
AND, UM, THAT IS, UM, STRONG IN THEIR ABILITY TO WORK WITH THE BOARD AND TO WORK WITH STAFF.
UM, IN VIRGINIA, WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO A CONFIDENTIAL INTERVIEW PROCESS.
AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RESPECT THAT AND WE UTILIZE THAT ABILITY TO DO SO.
WE DON'T WANT TO DISCLOSE THE NAMES OF CANDIDATES BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING, AND IF THEY ARE NOT SELECTED, THEN THEY CONTINUE TO WORK IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ANY, UM, REASON WHY THEY MAY BE TERMINATED WHEN SOMEONE HEARS THAT THEY WANT TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITY.
UM, AND SO WHEN THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MARK THAT INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL, AND I ASK THAT YOU RESPECT THAT AND THAT WE HAVE THOSE, UH, TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS CANDIDATES IN THE CLOSED SESSION AS PERMITTED BY VIRGINIA CODE.
UM, ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS, THE TIMELINE, MY ROLE OR YOUR ROLE BEFORE WE JUMP INTO THESE QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? NO.
AND LET ME, LET ME SAY THAT, UM, JANE HAS PROVIDED ME WITH SOME INFORMATION ALREADY REGARDING, UM, JOB DESCRIPTION.
UM, WE'LL TALK ABOUT SALARY HERE IN A MOMENT.
UM, I'VE MET WITH YOUR STAFF, I'VE HAD SOME FEEDBACK FROM THEM AT THIS POINT, WHAT I WILL DO IS, UM, HAVE YOUR FEEDBACK, THEN DRAFT OF THE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE, AND THEN I'LL PROVIDE YOU WITH A COLOR, UM, COLOR BROCHURE WITH THE PHOTOS, ET CETERA, SO THAT WE CAN THEN GET THAT APPROVED AND BEGIN THE SEARCH.
AND THEN THAT 30 DAYS KIND OF STARTS FROM, FROM THAT POINT FORWARD.
SO I'M THINKING IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO IS WHEN WE CAN LAUNCH THE SEARCH.
SO I'D LIKE TO START ON A POSITIVE NOTE.
WHAT'S GOING WELL HERE IN WARREN COUNTY? I'LL GO, UH, WE JUST, WE JUST, UH, HIRED AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AFTER I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS OF NOT HAVING ONE.
[02:20:01]
WE, WE, UH, I JUST, I DON'T WANNA SAY LUCKY, BUT I'LL SAY FORTUNATE, UM, THAT, UH, MR. BARKER HAD SO MANY DECADES OF EXPERIENCE CLOSE BY AND WE CAN ALL LOOK TO, TO THE SORT OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.NOT THAT WE'RE GONNA BE AT FREDERICK COUNTY, BUT THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS THERE WAS A PROVEN ENTITY THERE.
WE DIDN'T GET AN UP AND COMER.
AND, AND I THINK THAT'S, THAT'S, UH, WHAT'S GOING WELL.
UM, I'LL SAY WE'VE MOSTLY CLOSED THE DOOR ON THE FORMER EDA SCANDAL.
UM, AND WE'VE GOTTEN THE BANKS OFF OFF OF US.
UH, THEY, THEY'RE STILL WORKING WITH THE EDA ITSELF, BUT, BUT WE'VE, EVERYONE AGREES NOW THAT THE COUNTY IS NOT LIABLE, AND THAT'S REALLY GOOD.
OH, I WOULD AGREE WITH THE EDA BEING A BIG OH, A BIG HIT WITH, UH, UH, MR. BARKER COMING ON BOARD THOUGH.
UH, IT'S SOMETHING, EVEN AS A PLANNER.
OH, I DIDN'T HAVE GREAT BACKGROUND IN, UH, SO IT, IT WAS NICE TO, UH, HIS, HIS QUESTION WHEN, WHEN HE CAME TO BOARD WAS, YOU KNOW, WHAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT WAS I LOOKING FOR? I TOLD HIM I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A, LIKE A BAD PROGRAM TO PUT AGAINST HIS.
SO HE, HE'S DEFINITELY AN ASSET.
AND THEN, UH, CURRENTLY I THINK WE'RE MAKING SOME GOOD STEPS TOWARDS TOURISM.
UH, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE, UH, REFLECTION OF THOSE DOLLARS IN MEALS, TAX AND TRANSIENT LODGING TAXES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND, UH, I THINK WE'VE GOT SOME, UH, COLLABORATION WE'RE GETTING READY TO DO WITH THE TOWN, WHICH WILL, UH, WHICH WILL REALLY ADVANCE THAT.
I'M, I'M HOPING WE CAN, UH, CLOSE THE FINAL PARTS OF THAT DEAL UP HERE VERY SOON.
I, I WOULD SAY, UM, ONE THING THAT WENT WELL, UM, OR AT LEAST AT, AT THIS POINT, I THINK IT WENT WELL, WAS THE HIRING OF THE NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
UM, DR. WRIGHT, UM, HAS, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IS, IS A GOOD COMMUNICATOR.
UM, I'VE SEEN A, A LOT OF POSITIVE INTERACTIONS, AND NOT ONLY WITH STAFFING, BUT WITH THE COMMUNITY.
AND, UM, AFTER ATTENDING THE CONVOCATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, IT WAS A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM AND SO FORTH FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.
UM, SO THAT, AND WE ARE COLLABORATING WELL, UM, THE TWO BOARDS ON, UH, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
UM, OUR BUILDING COMMITTEE WORKS WELL TOGETHER AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO THE COLLABORATION AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE TOWN.
IT'S TWO STEP FORWARDS, ONE STEP BACK SOMETIMES.
BUT WE, UM, WE STILL HAVE AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION.
SO THOSE ARE THE FIRST THINGS THAT KIND OF POP OUT TO ME.
I, I THINK WE'VE MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN GETTING OUR FIRE AND RESCUE AND OUR, UH, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, UH, PROPERLY EQUIPPED AND STAFFED.
UH, THERE'S STILL SOME, SOME GAP TO CLOSE THERE, BUT WE, DESPITE HAVING A VERY TIGHT BUDGET, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO A LOT FOR THEM IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND, AND PRIOR TO THAT AS WELL.
AND WE'VE HAD OUR FIRST BROADBAND HOOKUP, I HAVE TO RUN ON THAT.
'CAUSE
I WASN'T REAL SURE, BUT, UM, AND, AND IT IS A LITTLE MESSY RIGHT NOW.
UM, BUT IT'LL ALL COME TOGETHER AND, AND IF WE GET, WHEN WE GET THAT FINISHED, THAT'S GOING TO BE HUGE.
AND IT'LL BE HUGE FOR OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES THAT ARE IN THAT SAME PROJECT AS WELL.
I, I UNDERSTAND FROM STAFF AS WELL THAT YOU'RE, YOU'LL SOON, SOON HAVE A, YOU'RE IN THE MIDST OF AN ISO RATING, WHICH IS CERTAINLY A POSITIVE, UM, REFLECTION ON THE COUNTY AS FAR AS FIRE PROTECTION.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S POSITIVE AS WELL.
AND I, AND I GUESS, LET ME JUST TO KIND OF ADD TO THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT I'VE HEARD ALSO IS, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOUR, YOUR STAFF AND, AND, UM, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND STAFF, UM, IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
UM, YOU'VE GOT SOME GOOD TENURE HERE.
YOU'VE GOT SOME GOOD HISTORY IN THE COUNTY AND, AND, YOU KNOW, HAVE, KNOWING WHERE THE COUNTY'S BEEN, WHERE IT IS AND, AND, AND EYES ON WHERE IT'S GOING, HAVING A, A STAFF THAT IS STABLE AND, AND, UH, REALLY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, I WOULD SAY.
[02:25:01]
WORK EASIER IN THAT SENSE THAT THEY CAN BRING, BRING IDEAS AND THOUGHTS TO YOU AND, AND THAT IT'S WELL, WELL PUT TOGETHER.AND, UM, THAT'S NOT TRUE IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, UM, ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
AND, AND I WILL SAY OUR STAFF NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A GREAT DEAL OF APPRECIATION.
THEY'VE, IT'S BEEN A STRUGGLE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD, AND THIS IS MY SECOND TERM OF CONTINUING LEADERSHIP.
AND THEY HAVE WEATHERED THE STORMS VERY WELL AND THEY'RE STILL HERE.
I DON'T THINK WE SAY IT ENOUGH.
OTHER THOUGHTS ON WHAT'S GOING WELL? I THINK WE'RE GROWING AT A HEALTHY RATE.
WE CAN CERTAINLY COME BACK TO THAT.
LET'S, LET'S GO TO WHAT NEEDS ATTENTION? WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT, UM, AND CERTAINLY I HAVE, I HAVE REVIEWED THE, UM, THIS, THIS KIND OF ALIGNS WITH THE, THE LAST QUESTION ABOUT YOUR TOP PRIORITIES.
I HAVE SEEN THE, THE GOALS AND ACTION PLAN FOR THE 2026 THROUGH 2028, AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR PRIORITIES THERE.
UM, BUT WHAT ELSE MIGHT NEED ATTENTION? THERE'S SO MUCH
AND JUST OUR FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND SO FORTH.
UH, E EVEN IF IT'S ON THAT LIST, IT'S CAN'T BE OVEREMPHASIZED.
UM, WE HAVE NEW SOFTWARE THAT HOPEFULLY IS GONNA MAKE THINGS BETTER, UH, OR AS THEY'RE LOOKING AT NEW SOFTWARE, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE PICKED IT AND GOT ALL THAT FIGURED OUT YET, BUT, UM, UPDATING OUR SYSTEM IS, UM, HAS NEEDED ATTENTION AS FAR AS OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND THAT KIND OF THING.
UM, I THINK A LONG-TERM FACILITIES PLAN SO THAT WE'RE NOT CONSTANTLY REACTING TO CHILLERS AND ROOFS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
AND I THINK WE'VE STARTED THAT, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY TOP FIVE.
THAT TIES IN WITH THE, THE AUDIT AND THE FINANCIAL CONTROLS.
WE ARE DEFINITELY AT A HANDICAP WITHOUT THAT MM-HMM
WITHOUT THESE AUDITS BEING COMPLETED AND MM-HMM
WHATEVER SHORTCOMINGS HAVE CALLS THAT SOMEBODY, THE RIGHT GUY MAY BE ABLE TO KEEP US ON TRACK FOR THAT.
SO THAT KIND OF LEADS TO THE NEXT QUESTION.
THE, WHEN YOU SAY KEEP US ON TRACK, WHAT ARE THOSE TRAITS AND, AND THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THIS ROLE? ARE THERE, AND I'M THINKING SOFT SKILLS AS WELL AS TECHNICAL SKILLS.
UM, WHAT, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHAT MIGHT BE A GOOD FIT FOR YOU HERE IN WARREN COUNTY, WHAT WOULD THAT INCLUDE? UM, OF COURSE THEY'D HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, LIVE HERE, SO THEY'D HAVE TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
UH, I THINK THAT'D BE VERY IMPORTANT.
AND THEN AS FAR AS EXPERIENCES, UH, I LIKE SOMEBODY WITH A PLANNING BACKGROUND.
UH, I LIKE, I LIKED THEM TO HAVE BEEN IN THAT WORLD AT SOME POINT DURING THEIR CAREER.
AND THEN OF COURSE, THE OTHER, THE OTHER SIDE OF IT'S BUDGET, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY THAT'S, THAT'S A BIG PART OF OUR ADMINISTRATOR IS TO, UH, WORK IN BUDGET.
SO PLANNING AND BUDGET AS FAR AS EXPERIENCE AND THEN, UH, BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY AS A TRADER, WILLING TO BE, I SHOULD SAY.
I WOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERLINE THAT AND SAY THAT SOMEONE THAT CAME OUTTA THE FINANCE, UH, TRACK AND ENDS UP IN ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE ESPECIALLY USEFUL HERE.
'CAUSE, UM, YOU KNOW, AN ADMINISTRATION THAT DOESN'T REALLY HAVE THE BACKGROUND TO KNOW WHAT'S, WHAT'S GOING ON THERE IS, IS BASICALLY LIMITED IN THEIR ABILITY TO MANAGE THE SITUATION.
UM, SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT, GREAT ASSET.
JUST A SECOND, WHAT MR. HENRY JUST SAID, AFTER SITTING HERE LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SO FORTH, I THINK SOMEONE WHO
[02:30:01]
WILL HAVE THE ABILITY NOT ONLY TO BE THE LEADER AND MENTOR TO STAFF, BUT WE'VE BEEN TRYING AND NOT SO SUCCESSFULLY.WE SHOOT, WE TAKE TWO STEPS FORWARDS AND THREE, BACK ON BUILDING THAT TRUST AND CONNECTION, UM, WITH THE COMMUNITY AND SOMEONE WHO, AS MUCH AS EVERYONE MAY NOT LIKE IT, BUT ALSO KEEP EVERYBODY IN THEIR LANE.
I DON'T, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, I, I THINK THERE'S, YOU KNOW, AND THAT WOULD BE HARD, BUT SOMEONE WHO'S GOT THAT ABILITY TO NAVIGATE IT PROFESSIONALLY AND RESPECTFULLY, BUT MAINTAIN THE LANES OF RESPONSIBILITIES.
YOU KNOW, IF I COULD ADD TO THAT, YOU THE, UM, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTANDING THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT, THE ROLE OF THE ELECTED BODY, THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE ROLE OF STAFF, AND ENSURING THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THOSE ROLES AND AS YOU SAY, STAYS IN THE LANE, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CONTINUITY OF, OF GOVERNMENT SO THAT, UM, THERE IS, UH, MINIMUM EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT THE ROLES ARE.
AND THAT HELPS STAFF, IT HELPS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND IT TRULY HELPS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHEN, UH, THAT, THAT, UM, UNDERSTANDING IS, IS CLEAR AND MAINTAINED.
UM, AND SO SOMEONE WHO HAS, UM, MORE TENURED IN THEIR, IN THEIR SERVICE TO COMMUNITIES IS PROBABLY GOING TO UN NOT UNDERSTAND IT MORE, BUT MAYBE HAVE, UM, THICKER SKIN OR ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THAT BECAUSE IT CAN BE COMPLICATED.
UH, YOU SIT IN THOSE ROLES BECAUSE YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY AND, UM, THAT YOUR, YOUR STAFF WORK BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
AND SO, UM, HAVING SOMEONE WITH THE, UM, EXPERIENCE TO, TO SAY, TIME OUT, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S HOLD OFF WHERE WE ARE.
MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHO'S, WHO'S ON FIRST AND WHO'S ON SECOND REALLY HELPS THE, THE WORK OF, OF A COMMUNITY MOVE FORWARD.
AND I, I WANNA JUST KIND OF ADD TO THAT.
'CAUSE I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT, UM, POINT TO MAKE AND IT WILL HELP CANDIDATES IF THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT AS THEIR, AS THE EMPLOYER, AND THAT THEY WILL HAVE THAT KIND OF LANE TO WORK IN AND THAT, UM, THAT THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE CANDID CONVERSATIONS WITH THE BOARD TO SAY, WELL, WE'RE, WE'RE OUT OF THAT LANE, OR STAFF'S OUT OF THE, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHERE ARE WE AT? AND, AND THAT, THAT NEXT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL COMFORTABLE, FEEL COMFORTABLE IN HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU AS BOARD MEMBERS, UM, TO AGAIN, CONTINUE THE WORK OF, OF THE BOARD.
UM, OTHER THOUGHTS ON, UH, EITHER SOFT SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES THAT YOU WOULD THINK WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE NEXT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO HAVE? THIS IS SOMEWHAT OF A UNICORN DESCRIPTION.
BUT SOMEONE WHO HAS THE SOFT SKILLS WITH INSPIRING PEOPLE IN, IN LEADING PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IF MORALE HAS BEEN DENTED.
UM, YET THE DIPLOMATIC SKILLS, UM, TO WORK WITH THE TOWN, UM, PUT SOME OF THESE FRICTION POINTS BEHIND US AND, AND TRULY COLLABORATE INTO THE FUTURE.
AND THEN THE HARD SKILLS, THIS IS WHERE IT'S HARD TO FIND IT ALL IN THE SAME PERSON, TO BE ABLE TO DIG INTO THE BUDGETS, UH, OR GET TECHNICAL WITH PUBLIC WORKS OR IT DEPARTMENT ABOUT WHATEVER THE ISSUE OF THE DAY IS.
UM, IT, IT, IT'S A LOT TO MANAGE FOR ANY ONE PERSON.
UH, AND OBVIOUSLY THEY SURROUND THEMSELVES WITH, WITH GOOD DEPARTMENT HEADS, BUT, BUT, UH, THEY HAVE TO BE A BIT OF A JACK OF ALL TRADES.
APPRECIATE THAT IT'S THE WORK OF, OF THE LEADERS IN, IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN PATH AND HOW WE GET TO THE DEPUTY OR THE ADMINISTRATOR OR MANAGER SEAT.
AND SO, UM, HAVING THAT BROAD KNOWLEDGE OF GOVERNMENT AND, AND THE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT AND, AND SOME OF THOSE ARE DIFFERENT FROM COMMUNITIES.
NOT ALL COMMUNITIES HAVE AIRPORTS, NOT ALL COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW.
AND SO, UM, RELYING ON STAFF, AGAIN, TO BE THOSE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND, AND TELL THE, TELL THE ADMINISTRATOR WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW, UM, MM-HMM
STEER AWAY FROM THOSE POTHOLES AND TO ENSURE THAT, UM, THAT OPTIONS AND ARE, ARE CLEARLY ARTICULATED AND WHAT THOSE RAMIFICATIONS OR CONSEQUENCES ARE BOTH POSITIVE AND NEG NEGATIVE SO THAT YOU'RE CONFIDENT, AGAIN, IN YOUR DECISION MAKING AND,
[02:35:01]
AND WHAT WILL IMPACT THE WARREN COUNTY.OTHER THOUGHTS? UH, ONE THING OCCURS TO ME IS AS SOMEONE WHO HAS A TRACK RECORD OF NOT BEING AVERSE TO CHANGE, UM, I NEED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY, YOU KNOW, GO THROUGH A STRUCTURED PROCESS OF IDENTIFICATION AND THEN IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS AND RECOMMEND THOSE TO THE BOARD AND MAKE CHANGE OF CHANGES.
WHAT'S NECESSARY, SORT OF TO REFLECT OFF OF JOHN'S CALLING ABOUT SOFT SKILLS VERSUS HARD SKILLS.
I MEAN, A LOT OF TIMES, UM, A STAFF OR DEPUTY CAN HAVE THE SOFT SKILLS WHILE, WHILE, YOU KNOW, LEADER HAS THE HARD SKILLS.
I MEAN, IT, IT COULD BE A MIX MM-HMM
I'M NOT LOOKING FOR THE ONE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING MM-HMM
UM, BUT I DO WANT SOMEONE WHO'S, WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT PART OF LEADERSHIP IS IDENTIFYING WHEN CHANGE IS NEEDED AND THEN LEADING THAT CHANGE.
I AGREE WITH, WITH MR. HENRY, I, THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THEY WOULD LIVE WITHIN THE COUNTY MM-HMM
UM, AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT NEEDS TO BE FAIRLY CLEAR MOVING FORWARD.
UM, AS I MENTIONED, THE TOP PRIORITIES, I, I'VE READ YOUR, THE SUPERVISOR GOALS AND ACTION PLAN, AND I'M ASSUMING THAT WAS FAIRLY RECENTLY ADOPTED OR UPDATED.
UM, SO, SO I'LL, I WILL ENSURE THAT WE EITHER LINK TO THOSE GOALS OR DESCRIBE THOSE GOALS IN THE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE SINCE THOSE ARE, UM, VERY, UM, RECENT GOALS.
ARE THERE OTHER PRIORITIES, UM, THAT YOU WOULD LIKE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ADDRESS IN, IN THE NEAR TERM? YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THREE, SIX MONTHS AS OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW, 12 MONTHS.
SOME OF THESE THAT ARE IDENTIFIED ARE LONGER TERM, AND SOME OF THEM ARE CERTAINLY UNDERWAY ALREADY AND, AND HAVE SOME ACTION HAVING BEEN TAKEN ON THOSE.
UM, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IN THE, IN THE SHORTER TERM FROM YOUR NEXT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? I MEAN, IT, YOU, I'M SURE IT'S LIKE DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE WHEN YOU COME INTO ANY NEW, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION WITH A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT I, THE FIRST THING THAT POPS IN MY HEAD IS TO GET THE STORM AUDIT AND KEEP THAT ON TRACK AND GET IT DONE.
UM, AND THAT'S ASKING A WHOLE LOT OF SOMEONE TO WALK IN THE DOOR NOT KNOWING ANYBODY AND, UM, HAVING THAT MESS THROWN AT 'EM.
BUT I THINK FOR ME AT LEAST, THAT'S, THAT'S WEIGHING THE HEAVIEST ON MY MIND IS THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT DONE AND IT KEEPS ME PUSHED BACK MONTH AFTER MONTH.
UM, WHILE I LIKE TO THINK THAT YOUR BUDGET PROCESS NEVER ENDS, I MEAN, WE'LL SOON BE IN THE MIDST OF THAT, UM, STARTING FOR, FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
AND SO THAT'S, ANY OTHER PRIORITIES.
THIS ISN'T THE FIRST THREE TO SIX MONTHS PRIORITY.
IT'S BACK TO A GENERAL MM-HMM
BUT PART OF, UM, THE DIPLOMACY AND THE, THAT ASPECT I THINK RELATES ALSO TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.
AND I DON'T MEAN THE SHERIFF, BUT I, I MEAN THE TREASURER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF THE REVENUE.
UM, SOMETIMES IT'S, IT'S CHALLENGING AND WE JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE'S WORKING AS, AS TOGETHER AS WELL AS POSSIBLE.
IT PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN, IN VIRGINIA AND IN THE WORK OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I, IT, IT MIGHT BE WORTH A MENTION IS, IS WHAT I'M ENVISIONING FOR A GOOD COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO EFFICIENTLY LEAD STAFF TO EFFECTIVELY PERFORM THEIR JOBS, YOU KNOW, EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD EACH PART OF THE THING.
AND THEN THE, MAYBE ANOTHER GOOD TRAIT OR SOMETHING FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OH, HE'S A PROBLEM SOLVER.
I MEAN, I, I, I KNOW, UH, FINDING PROBLEMS AND YOU GOTTA POINT HIM OUT.
BUT I ALWAYS LIKE A GUY THAT WHEN HE FINDS A PROBLEM, HE'S, I FOUND THIS, BUT, YOU KNOW, HERE'S MAYBE A COUPLE AVENUES TO, TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THAT PROCESS IN, IN, IN PLACE TO WHEN, WHEN YOU FIND STUFF THAT YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY JUST LOOKING FOR THE RESOLVE YEAH.
YOU KNOW, BEING, YOU'VE ALREADY FOUND IT.
[02:40:08]
I THINK THEY'VE ALMOST GOT, UH, TO BE A MULTITASKER IN THIS JOB.UM, SO I, I'VE BEEN PROVIDED WITH SOME SALARY DATA AND, UM, I'M, I'M GONNA MAKE A RECOMMENDATION, UM, AND I'LL, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY I AM, I'M MAKING THIS RECOMMENDATION AS WELL.
BUT, UM, IN, IN LOOKING AT YOUR POPULATION, YOUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE, UM, I KNOW YOUR, YOUR, YOUR, UM, INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR COMPENSATION KIND OF VIRGINIA MARKET CONDITIONS FOR COMPARABLE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RULES.
UM, I THINK THAT WE HAVE A DEFENSIBLE, UM, PROPOSAL OF 185,000 TO 220 OR 225,000.
UM, I WILL TELL YOU THAT ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, WHICH IS ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF WARREN COUNTY, IS CURRENTLY ADVERTISING THEIR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 180 TO TWO 20.
UM, YOU'RE, YOU'VE GOT, UM, UH, I UNDERSTAND WHO YOUR, YOUR COMPARABLES ARE.
UM, YOU, YOU'VE GOT, UM, ORANGE COUNTY, WHICH IS, IS CLOSE IN SIZE, UM, UM, KIND OF LOOKING DOWN THE VALLEY.
THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE, ARE LARGER IN POPULATION, BUT I, I DO BELIEVE THAT, UH, THE 180, WHAT DID I SAY, 180 TO 2 25 IS A, IS A, I'M SORRY, ONE 90 TO 225,000 IS A, UH, DEFENSIBLE, UH, RANGE DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE THAT, THAT RANGE.
SO YOU HAVE THE LATITUDE THAT IF YOU'VE GOT SOMEONE WITH BRINGING IN MORE EXPERIENCE TO THE COUNTY, THEN IT, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO COMPENSATE THEM.
WE UNDERSTAND AS WELL THAT IT'S A TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE THAT THERE, THAT WE CONSIDER THE BENEFITS AS PART OF THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
AND WE WOULD INCLUDE THOSE AS PART OF THE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE SO THAT A CANDIDATE UNDERSTANDS COMPLETELY WHAT THEIR FULL COMPENSATION PACKAGE WOULD BE.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME ABOUT THE SALARY RANGE? ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME ABOUT THE PROCESS, WHERE WE'RE GOING NEXT? UM, WHAT I, WHAT MY PLAN IS, IS, UM, UNLESS I HEAR OTHERWISE THAT, UM, BETWEEN YOUR INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND YOUR CHAIR, I WILL SEND UPDATES, UH, THROUGH THE TWO OF THEM.
UM, AND THE NEXT POINT THAT I'LL BE LOOKING FOR IS AN APPROVAL ON THE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE.
WHEN I'M GOING THROUGH THE OUTREACH PROCESS, I WILL PROVIDE YOU A WEEKLY UPDATE ON WHAT THE CANDIDATE POOL LOOKS LIKE, KIND OF FROM A HIGH LEVEL.
DON'T BE SURPRISED THAT THE, I, I'D SAY TWO THINGS.
ONE, ONE IS DON'T BE SURPRISED IF THE, UM, NUMBERS KIND OF REMAIN SMALL UNTIL WE GET CLOSER TO THAT FIRST REVIEW DATE.
OFTENTIMES, CANDIDATES ARE DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND RESEARCH IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY'RE PREPARING THEIR APPLICATION MATERIALS.
THE SECOND IS, I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO BE A SMALL CANDIDATE POOL OVERALL FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.
ONE IS LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UM, SITTING IN THAT, THAT TOP CHAIR IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.
I LIKE, I OFTEN SAY IT'S NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
IT GETS LONELY AT THE TOP AND IT'S, IT'S ONE PERSON BETWEEN THE BOARD AND ONE AND AND STAFF.
AND SO, UM, THE, UM, THE NUMBER OF RETIREMENTS THAT WE'RE SEEING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND REALLY THROUGHOUT THE, THE NATION IS SIGNIFICANT.
AND THE, UM, NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO, TO FILL THOSE TOP ROLES IS NOT AS LARGE AS IT USED TO BE.
SOME PEOPLE, UM, ENJOY BEING A DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND THAT'S, THAT'S, UM, THE ROLE THAT THEY DO WELL AND THEY DON'T WANT TO ASCEND THE NEXT STEP.
UM, THE SECOND REASON IS, UM, INCIVILITY THAT WE SEE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
IT'S A DIFFICULT POSITION TO SIT IN AND SOME CANDIDATES DON'T WANT TO TO, TO SIT IN THAT CHAIR FOR THAT REASON.
THEY'RE GOING TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE, AS I MENTIONED, AND THEY'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT YOUR BOARD MEETINGS.
THEY'RE GONNA BE NOT JUST RECENT, BUT THEY'RE GONNA LOOK OVER THE PAST
[02:45:01]
SEVERAL YEARS.HOW DID WARREN COUNTY GET TO WHERE IT IS AND CAN THEY BE EFFECTIVE HERE IN, IN THIS ROLE? UM, AND THEN, UM, IT'S, IT'S A, A SMALLER CANDIDATE POOL.
I THINK BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN WARREN COUNTY.
AND, AND I'M GOING TO BE FRANK WITH YOU, IT'S GONNA BE A CHALLENGING RECRUITMENT AND I WILL WORK HARD TO BRING YOU A STRONG CANDIDATE POOL.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU NEED TO HIRE ONE PERSON.
AND SO IF IT'S A SMALLER NUMBER, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT AS LONG AS I FEEL LIKE I'M PRESENTING YOU WITH CANDIDATES WHO CAN DO THE WORK.
IF I GET TO A POINT WHERE, AND IT'S A, WHERE I'M HAVING CONCERNS ABOUT THAT, I'LL TALK WITH YOU ABOUT IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BRING A WARM BODY TO YOU.
I WANT TO BRING A CANDIDATE, THAT CANDIDATE POOL THAT'S GONNA BE DOING THE WORK.
AND SO, UM, WE MAY NEED TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, I'LL GIVE YOU ADVANCE NOTICE AND, AND ASK FOR AN EXTENSION ON THAT DEADLINE.
AND THEN WE'LL SHIFT OUR RECRUITMENT TIMELINE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.
JUST WANNA BE VERY FRANK AND HONEST AND TRANSPARENT.
I WANT YOU TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THE CANDIDATES THAT I BRING TO YOU.
AND IN TURN, I DON'T WANT THE CANDIDATES TO BE SURPRISED ABOUT THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND SO IT'S A REGULAR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ME AS YOUR RECRUITER AND YOU AS THE BOARD, AS THE FULL GOVERNING BODY.
AND THEN THAT I DO THE SAME THING WITH CANDIDATES AND I'LL PROVIDE THEM REGULAR UPDATES AS I GO THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON THIS RECRUITMENT.
AGAIN, I FEEL REALLY STRONGLY ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE DO AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
I'M INVESTED HERE IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY AND, UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING YOU A STRONG CANDIDATE POOL.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
JUST GOT A, EXCUSE ME, AS YOU'RE AWARE, UM, EH, OLD FIGURES, I HEARD AN AVERAGE ADMINISTRATOR LAST FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS EITHER MOVE UP THE LADDER OR THERE'S A CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL BODY.
AND I JUST DIDN'T KNOW AS FAR AS THIS TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE YOU GOT SOMEBODY THAT IF THEY HAVE KIDS AND THEY GOTTA PUT 'EM INTO SCHOOLS OR TAKING THEM UP OUT OF THERE.
AND THE OTHER THING TOO IS IT SEEMS TO ME THAT PROBABLY WE STILL MIGHT BE IN THAT TIMEFRAME WHERE THERE'S BEEN A POLITICAL SHIFT AND THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOKING.
SO I JUST DIDN'T KNOW AS FAR AS THE TIMING FOR THIS OUTSIDE OF WHAT'S GOING ON HERE, BUT IF THERE'S A BETTER TIME THAN OTHERS, NOT THAT WE'RE GONNA GO BACK, BUT JUST, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A BETTER TIME THAN OTHERS, THERE MAY BE A, UM, A LARGER POOL OF CANDIDATES MM-HMM
YOU KNOW, I, I THINK EVERY SEASON BRINGS CHALLENGES TO RECRUITMENTS.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF I START A RECRUITMENT IN THE SPRING, I'M DEALING WITH SUMMER VACATIONS AND PEOPLE REALLY TRY TO PROTECT THAT TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND TAKING VACATIONS.
AND SO IT'S ME GETTING IN FRONT OF THOSE CANDIDATES TO ENSURE THAT THEY SEE THE, THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND THEN FOR THEM TO TAKE THE TIME TO DO THE MATERIALS.
UM, THIS TIME OF YEAR, I ANTICIPATE THAT, WE'LL, PER THE TIMELINE, GET IT DONE BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS WITH THEIR FAMILY.
AND THEN IF THEY HAVE A FAMILY, THEY'D BE RELOCATING AT A HALF YEAR MARK RATHER THAN A MID-SEMESTER MARK.
SO THAT MAY MAKE A, A MOVE TO WARREN COUNTY A LITTLE EASIER ON THE FAMILY.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I'VE SEEN, UH, CANDIDATES SAY MY SPOUSE IS GOING TO STAY BACK FOR THE FAMILY TO FINISH OUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND THEN THEY WILL MOVE AFTER THE SCHOOL YEAR.
SO THAT, THAT'S A PERSONAL DECISION, BUT IT'S ONE THAT I'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH TO ENSURE THAT I UNDERSTAND, UM, WHAT THEIR, UM, THEIR TIMELINE IS SO THAT YOU'RE WELL AWARE OF IT.
YOU KNOW, WHEN I STARTED AFTER THE HOLIDAYS OR, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE AN ELECTION TO DEAL WITH AND SO THAT IS, UH, AN EASIER TIME FOR MY OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER.
YOU KNOW, WE DO, WE DO SOME ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE ELECTION AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT IF THERE'S A TURNOVER, THEN WHO'S PARTICIPATING AT WHAT TIME AFTER THAT, DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR, THEIR SEATS.
AND SO THERE'S ALWAYS A, A CHALLENGE IN HOW WE, HOW WE, UM, TIME THE ACTIVITY OF THE RECRUITMENT.
BUT I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL HAVE US HAVE A CANDIDATE POOL TO CONSIDER IN LIGHT OF, OF GETTING THE TIMELINE, I BELIEVE DONE BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS AND THEN THE MIDYEAR, IF THERE IS A FAMILY TO MOVE.
AND YOU MAY HAVE TOUCHED ON IT, BUT AS YOU'RE AWARE, UM, THE COMMONWEALTH'S FORMER GOVERNMENT IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STATES, ESPECIALLY BESIDES THE DYLAN RULE AND ALSO THE, UH, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES 'CAUSE THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH INDEPENDENT.
SO I APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING COUNTRYWIDE.
I MEAN, I WOULD ASSUME THAT WHEN YOU TALK TO THE CANDIDATES THAT YOU'LL LET THEM KNOW, SO THEY AT LEAST BECOME SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR WITH THAT.
YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE DAY, AND I SAY BACK IN THE DAY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I
[02:50:01]
WAS STILL IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WE DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF MOVEMENT OUTSIDE OF VIRGINIA.MANAGERS MIGHT HAVE ROTATED AROUND, SO TO SPEAK.
UM, I'VE SEEN A LOT MORE MOVEMENT BETWEEN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA ALSO DI RULE.
UM, BUT HONESTLY WE'VE GOT SHARP, UM, PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND THEY CAN LEARN THE DI RULE.
THEY'VE GOT STAFF TO HELP SUPPORT THEM.
THEY UN THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ARE.
UM, YOU KNOW, THE, THEY THEY HAVE WORKED WITH A, A LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND, AND TAKEN IT TO THE GOVERNOR.
AND, AND SO UNDERSTANDING, UM, THE PACE AND TIMING OF, OF GOVERNMENT HERE IN VIRGINIA AND, AND WHAT THOSE UNIQUE QUALITIES ARE OF THE WORK THAT WE DO IS, IS SOMETHING I THINK THAT THEY CAN GET UP TO SPEED QUICKLY ON IF THEY'RE A, A SKILLED ADMINISTRATOR AND UTILIZE STAFF TO, UM, HELP THEM NAVIGATE AND, AND ENSURE THAT THEY'RE DOING THINGS RIGHT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ME? ARE THERE ANY AI CANDIDATES,
WELL, AGAIN, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS YOU THINK OF, UH, AFTER WE LEAVE HERE TODAY.
UM, JANE HAS MY CONTACT INFORMATION AND UH, BE HAPPY TO, TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS AND IF QUESTIONS COME TO ME, I WILL PROVIDE THEM A REPLY TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE.
ALRIGHT, MS. STARR, YOU'RE DOING THE HR HANDBOOK AND PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATES.
SO I'M GONNA BE GOING OVER THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THREE EXISTING POLICIES.
THAT'S THE ADMIN LEAVE, LEAVE DONATION, AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY PLAN.
AND I'LL ALSO BE REVIEWING FOUR NEW POLICIES THAT ADDRESS LIGHT DUTY, MINIMUM LEAVE BALANCES, DUAL PAY RATES, AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
SO WE DO HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA DRAFT THAT'S COMING IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS.
UM, SO YOU SHOULD EACH HAVE A HARD COPY OF THE POLICIES IN FRONT OF YOU.
AND I ALSO EMAILED THEM OUT AHEAD OF TIME, SO YOU HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO REVIEW.
ALL OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS AND NEW POLICIES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
SO FIRST I'LL GO INTO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE POLICY.
SO THIS POLICY IS BEING UPDATED TO PROVIDE CLEAR GUIDANCE ON WHEN ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE MAY BE USED, WHETHER THE LEAVE IS PAID OR UNPAID.
AND WHO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO PLACE THE EMPLOYEE ON ADMIN LEAVE AND HOW LONG THE LEAVE MAY CONTINUE.
UNDER THE REVISED POLICY ADMIN LEAVE MAY BE INITIATED BY THE DEPARTMENT HEAD CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER OR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
THE POLICY ALSO CLEARLY DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN PAID AND UNPAID ADMIN LEAVE, UH, DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND I'M SORRY, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS MAY AUTHORIZE UP TO 10 WORKING DAYS OF ADMIN LEAVE.
ANY ADDITIONAL ADMIN LEAVE MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHEN NECESSARY.
SO THE ONLY UPDATE HERE WAS DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN PAID AND UNPAID ADMIN LEAVE.
DO YOU HAVE, IS IT, IS, IS IT DIFFERENTIATED OR DOES IT JUST, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHERE IT JUST SAYS PAID AND UNPAID? PAID AND UNPAID? YES SIR.
SO THE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER IT IS PAID OR UNPAID IS A DETERMINATION OF ONE OF THESE LISTED PEOPLE? YES.
THE UM, NEXT UPDATE TO AN EXISTING POLICY IS THE LEAVE DONATION POLICY.
UM, THIS IS BEING UPDATED TO CREATE A MORE FORMAL APPROVAL PROCESS.
THE PROCESS, UM, OR THE PURPOSE OF THE POLICY REMAINS THE SAME TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO ASSIST OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO NEED DONATED LEAVE, UM, BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION OR A SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION OF A FAMILY MEMBER.
UNDER THE REVISED POLICY, AN EMPLOYEE REQUESTING LEG DONATIONS MUST FIRST NOTIFY THEIR DEPARTMENT HEAD OR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER.
THE REQUEST IS THEN REVIEWED AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL BEFORE BEING FORWARDED TO HR.
ONCE THE REQUEST IS APPROVED AND HR CONFIRMS THE EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY, HR SUBMITS THE REQUEST TO THE ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATOR FOR FINAL APPROVAL AFTER APPROVAL, HR MAY DISTRIBUTE THE LEAVE DONATION REQUEST WITHIN THE EMPLOYEE'S DEPARTMENT OR COUNTYWIDE DEPENDING ON THE EMPLOYEE'S PREFERENCE.
SO THE ONLY UPDATE TO THIS ONE WAS JUST THE APPROVAL PROCESS.
INSTEAD OF BECOMING STRAIGHT TO HR, IT'LL GO TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS FIRST.
THE NEXT UPDATE IS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY PLAN.
[02:55:01]
THIS IS JUST BEING UPDATED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES TO FIRE AND RESCUE.SO THEY HAD THEIR A LS CERTIFICATIONS INCREASE AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS THIS YEAR.
AND THIS UPDATE SIMPLY VISS THE POLICY TO REFLECT THOSE APPROVED AMOUNTS.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME ON THE REVISED POLICIES? SO ALL, ALL OF LEAVE DONATION IS MEDICAL RELATED? I'M SORRY? IS ALL OF LEAVE DONATION MEDICAL RELATED? YES.
YES, IT'S, YOU HAVE TO HAVE, UM, TO BE ELIGIBLE, YOU HAVE TO BE HERE FOR A FULL YEAR AND THEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE APPROVAL FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT HEAD AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MEDICAL CERTIFICATION LIKE FMLA PAPERWORK.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I MOVE ON? OKAY.
QUESTION OWEN, THE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY IS, IS THAT, DOES THAT INCREASE OR IS THAT LIKE A STIPEND THAT DOESN'T REFLECT AN INCREASE IN SALARY OR, UM, RETIREMENT BENEFITS? SO IT DOES INCREASE THEIR BASE SALARY, SO YES, IT WOULD, IT WOULD INCREASE THEIR SALARY AND BRS AS WELL.
SO EVERY YEAR THE PARAMEDIC, ALL OF THESE ARE GONNA INCREASE THEIR BASE PAY BY THAT AMOUNT? OH NO, I'M SORRY.
UM, SO IF YOU HAVE A PARAMEDIC CERTIFICATION, THEY TAKE WHAT YOU CURRENTLY HAD AT FIRE AND RESCUE AND THEY ADD THE A LS STIPEND ON TOP OF THAT.
THIS IS JUST REFLECTING THE UPDATE TO THE PLAN, BUT IT SAYS ANNUALLY THAT'S WHAT THEY GET PAID ANNUALLY.
THE 10,000 AMOUNT FOR PARAMEDIC.
AND IT'S REVIEWED ANNUALLY BECAUSE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS WAS IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE, ESPECIALLY THE OFFICER LEVELS TO MAINTAIN THOSE CERTIFICATIONS BECAUSE ONCE THEY BECAME A LIEUTENANT OR A CAPTAIN, THEIR PAY DIDN'T BASICALLY HAVE ANY SORT OF IMPACT.
SO THIS KEEPS THEM AT A HIGHER RATE.
'CAUSE WE WANT THEM TO BE A PARAMEDIC.
UM, SO ANNUALLY THEY'RE REVIEWED BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE CERTIFICATION.
I WANNA SAY IT'S EITHER EVERY 18 OR 36 MONTHS THAT THEY HAVE TO RENEW.
IT'S A ONE TIME INCREASE, BUT IT'S REVIEWED ANNUALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY STILL HAVE THE LICENSE.
'CAUSE WHEN IT, THE, THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN HERE, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY GET THIS ANNUALLY.
I MEAN WHEN I LOOK AT IT, MAYBE I'M GETTING TIRED BECAUSE OF THE DAY HERE, BUT WE CAN CHANGE THE VERBIAGE, BUT IT'S NOT, THEY DON'T GET THAT EVERY YEAR.
IT DOESN'T SAY ANNUALLY REVIEWED.
IT JUST SAYS THE 5,000 AMOUNT, THE 6,000 AMOUNT AND THE 10,000 AMOUNT ANNUALLY.
SO IT SOUNDS LIKE ANNUALLY I GOT MY CERTIFICATION, I'M GETTING $10,000 MORE AND THAT THAT'S GONNA ADD UP.
SO ISN'T IT THE CASE THAT ONCE THEY ACHIEVE THAT STATUS OF A LS, THEY GET A ONE TIME PAYMENT OF 10,000? CORRECT.
WITH THE PARAMEDIC, WELL IT, IT GOES INTO THEIR BASE SALARY.
SO IF INSTEAD OF BEING AT 55,000, THEY WOULD GO TO 65,000 AND THEY STAY AT THAT.
WELL, BUT BUT IT DOESN'T BUILD LIKE THEY DON'T GET 10,000 THIS YEAR THEN AN EXTRA 10 NEXT.
I JUST WANT US ALL TO AND DATE SOMEBODY LOOK AT THE POLICY AND THINK SAME THING AS ME AND THEN SAY, WELL IT'S YOUR POLICY.
SO I JUST, SO THEY GOT POINT FROM 55 TO 65, THEN THE NEXT YEAR TO 75 AND THE NEXT YEAR TO 85, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GUARDING AGAINST? NO, THAT THAT, IF I'M TALKING, IF I'M A PARAMEDIC AND I KEEP MY CERTIFICATION, THEN ANNUALLY I'M GONNA GET A BUMP OF $10,000.
SO YOU'RE GONNA GO FROM 55 TO 65 TO 75 TO 85.
YOU'RE JUST MAKING SURE THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS SAYS.
AND WHAT HAPPENS THEN IF THEY MISSED AND THEIR CERTIFICATION LAPSED, YOU PULL THAT OUT, IT GOES BACK DOWN AND THEY UNDERSTAND THAT SO THAT WE'RE NOT SQUEALING, YOU JUST DOCK MY PAY.
HOW IS THAT? SO OKAY, JUST MAKING SURE.
'CAUSE YOU CAN USUALLY INCREASE, BUT PULLING THAT OUT BECOMES AN ISSUE.
I'M JUST GETTING READY TO HAVE A BIG ONE HERE.
I THINK WE DID, I THINK WE HAD THEM SIGN SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY.
I KNOW WE DID IT FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND I THINK WE DID IT FOR FIRE AND RESCUE SO THAT THEY ARE
[03:00:01]
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IF THEY NO LONGER MAINTAIN THAT THE STIPEND GOES AWAY.UM, BUT WE CAN LOOK BACK AT IT.
'CAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT WE DID IT FOR BOTH DEPARTMENTS, NOT JUST THE ONE.
ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO OUR NEW POLICY.
SO THE FIRST ONE IS LIGHT DUTY.
SO THIS IS A NEW POLICY INTENDED TO ESTABLISH A CONSISTENT PROCESS FOR RETURNING EMPLOYEES TO WORK, UH, FOLLOWING A COMPENSABLE WORKERS' COMPENSATION INJURY OR ILLNESS.
THE POLICY APPLIES SPECIFICALLY WHEN EMPLOYEES INJURY OR ILLNESS HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE COMPENSABLE UNDER WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND THE EMPLOYEE HAS RECEIVED MEDICAL CLEARANCE TO RETURN WITH RESTRICTIONS.
LIGHT DUTY ASSIGNMENTS ARE TEMPORARY AND TRANSITIONAL IN NATURE AND DEPEND ON OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATE WORK.
WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT FOR MORE THAN SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS, THE COUNTY WILL EVALUATE WHETHER AN APPROPRIATE RESTRICTIVE OR LIGHT DUTY ASSIGNMENT IS AVAILABLE.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY WRITTEN RESTRICTIONS FROM THE AUTHORIZED TREATING PHYSICIAN COORDINATED THROUGH HR AND RECEIVE FINAL APPROVAL FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.
ASSIGNMENTS MAY INCLUDE MODIFIED DUTIES, REDUCED HOURS, OR TEMPORARY REASSIGNMENT WITHOUT A REDUCTION IN PAY OR BENEFITS.
THE POLICY ALSO MAKES CLEAR THAT LIGHT DUTY IS NOT GUARANTEED.
ASSIGNMENTS MAY BE MODIFIED OR DISCONTINUED BASED ON OPERATIONAL NEEDS OR CHANGES IN THE EMPLOYEE'S MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS AND THE POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO NON-WORK-RELATED INJURIES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ONE? OKAY.
MOVING ON TO THE NEXT NEW POLICY, MINIMUM LEAVE BALANCE.
THIS IS A NEW POLICY INTENDED TO PROMOTE OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY AND ENSURE EMPLOYEES MAINTAIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF ACCRUED LEAVE FOR EMERGENCIES.
THE POLICY APPLIES TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ANNUAL OR SICK LEAVE AND REQUIRES EMPLOYEES TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM LEAVE BALANCE EQUAL TO ONE NORMALLY SCHEDULED WORK WEEK.
THAT BALANCE MAY CONSIST OF ANNUAL LEAVE, SICK LEAVE, OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO.
THIS POLICY IS INTENDED TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW LIGHT DUTY POLICY.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS MAY REQUIRE A REVIEW PERIOD BEFORE A DETERMINATION IS MADE REGARDING COMPENSABILITY.
MAINTAINING AT LEAST ONE WEEK OF AVAILABLE LEAVE HELPS ENSURE THAT AN EMPLOYEE HAS LEAVE AVAILABLE TO COVER THAT INITIAL PERIOD IF THEY ARE INJURED AT WORK IN AWAITING WORKERS' COMP DETERMINATION.
IT ALSO PROVIDES EMPLOYEES WITH A MINIMUM LEAVE BALANCE TO USE IN THE EVENT OF A NON-WORK-RELATED ILLNESS INJURY OR ANOTHER UNEXPECTED ABSENCE.
THAT'S ANY QUESTION? QUESTION? OH YES.
SO THAT'S A NEW POLICY, RIGHT? CORRECT.
SO WHAT, WHAT IS THE NORMAL, LIKE DO MOST EMPLOYEES HAVE? HOW MANY WEEKS OF LEAVE PER YEAR? IT HONESTLY REALLY VARIES.
SO A NEW EMPLOYEE, THEY GET 12 DAYS OF SICK A YEAR AND 12 DAYS OF ANNUAL LEAVE A YEAR.
AND IT OF COURSE ACCRUES OVER TIME.
UM, THERE ARE SOME EMPLOYEES THAT YOU WOULD BE SHOCKED AT THEIR LEAVE BALANCES.
OTHER ONES HAVE HUNDREDS OF HOURS IN THERE, SO IT REALLY VARIES.
SO I'M THINKING SAY A NEW EMPLOYEE WHO GETS, FIRST OF ALL, IT'S THE ONE WEEK MINIMUM BALANCE, A COMBINATION OF SICK AND REGULAR LEAVE.
UM, BECAUSE I'M THINKING IF, UH, YOU HAVE A NEW EMPLOYEE AND SAY THEY, THEY GET THE FLU OR SOMETHING IN THE SPRING AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE OUT, LET'S JUST SAY 12 DAYS, IT'S A BAD ONE.
UM, SO THEY'VE USED UP ALL THEIR SICK, THEY'VE GOT 12 DAYS OF, OF VACATION LEAVE, UM, AND THEY HAVE TO KEEP A WEEK.
THAT MEANS THEY HAVE SEVEN DAYS OF, OF VACATION IN THE WHOLE YEAR.
UM, ALTHOUGH THE SICKNESS IS, IS REALLY WHAT COMPOUNDED THE WHOLE THING.
UM, BUT I'M WONDERING IF, UH, IS THIS NORMAL? IS THIS WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING? IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO HANDLE THE, THE NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE CUSHION, LIKE ALLOW THEM TO GO NEGATIVE TEMPORARILY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? WE DO NOT TYPICALLY ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO GO INTO THE NEGATIVE WITH THEIR LEAVE.
WE DO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE UNPAID TIME OFF OR IF THEIR TIME SHEET IS NOT FULLY COMPLETE.
UM, FOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A NEW EMPLOYEE IS SICK.
'CAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT DOES HAPPEN, YOUR KIDS GET SICK, YOU'RE OUT FOR UNEXPECTED REASONS.
UM, THE CUSHION IS OBVIOUSLY NEW TO US, BUT I HAVE SEEN IT WITH SOME OTHER LOCALITIES AS WELL WHERE THEY HAVE A MINIMUM BANK THAT THEY HAVE TO KEEP EACH YEAR.
UM, IT AGAIN IS UP FOR DISCUSSION, WHATEVER WE WOULD LIKE TO DO, BUT I THINK IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A GOOD IDEA.
AND WITH LEAVE IS THERE, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY THERE HAS TO BE ROLLOVER OR YOU COULDN'T DO? CORRECT.
IS THE ROLLOVER HAVE A EXPIRATION DATE ON THAT OR IS IT PERPETUAL? SO IT'S, UM, PERPETUAL IN NATURE.
SO ANNUAL LEAVE, ANYTHING OVER IT DEPENDS ON YOUR WORK CENTER, BUT ANYTHING OVER LIKE 280 SOME
[03:05:01]
HOURS CONVERTS TO YOUR SICK LEAVE BANK.AND SICK LEAVE HAS NO CAP, SO IT JUST KEEPS ACCRUING EVERY YEAR.
AND SO YOU SAID THAT THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF UNPAID LEAVE? CORRECT.
AND IS THERE ANY OPTION TO BUY ADDITIONAL LEAVE? THERE IS NOT.
AND THIS KIND OF STEMMED FROM THE 2003 POLICY WHERE EMPLOYEES HAD TO WAIT A FULL YEAR BEFORE THEY WERE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY LEAVE.
WHICH IS TERRIBLE
UM, AND SO WHEN WE CHANGED THAT AND WE REALIZED THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH KIND OF WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WORKERS' COMP ROUND, BECAUSE THE STATE REQUIRES A ONE WEEK WAITING PERIOD THAT IF THE EMPLOYEE DOESN'T HAVE ANY LEAVE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT'S COMPENSABLE OR NOT, THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID FROM US.
UM, AND SO THAT'S WHERE THE, WE'D LIKE THEM TO MAINTAIN A ONE WEEK BALANCE BECAUSE AS PEOPLE ARE ACCRUING, THEY'RE SPENDING DOWN TO NEXT TO NOTHING.
UM, AND WE'RE LIKE, YOU'VE ACCRUED IT SO YOU'RE ABLE TO USE IT.
AND THEN WE'D HAVE PEOPLE WHO THEY'RE LIKE, OH, SOMETHING HAPPENED I NEED TO BORROW OR TO BASICALLY HAVE LEAVE DONATED TO ME.
AND SO IT'S CREATED KIND OF THIS SNOWBALL EFFECT THAT THAT'S WHERE THIS THOUGHT PROCESS CAME FROM, THAT IF WE MAINTAIN THIS, IT'LL AT LEAST SLOW DOWN SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES.
IS THERE ANY RISK THAT THIS WOULD BE A DETERRENT TO HIRING? LIKE TO ME, I I I MAY BE HUNG UP ON SOMETHING THAT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.
UH, TO ME, I, I JUST DON'T LIKE THAT MINIMUM CHRISTIAN, EVEN THOUGH I ALWAYS HAVE A YEAR, A WEEK IN ROLLOVER, PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS.
BUT I, IT STILL MAKES ME A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.
WE, MOST PEOPLE, LIKE IF THEY'RE BRAND NEW TO THE COUNTY, AND SO LIKE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WE IMPLEMENTED THE, SO IF THEY'RE TRANSITIONING FROM ANOTHER LOCALITY, THEY COME IN WITH, IS IT FOUR 60 HOURS? SO THERE'S SOME OF THAT.
SO YOU'RE NOT STARTING FROM SCRATCH.
PROBABLY SHOULD NOT ADMIT THAT, BUT WHEN YOU COMPARE TO A PRIVATE INDUSTRY, I MEAN, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO FIVE WEEKS OF LEAVE BETWEEN BOTH SICK AND, UM, VACATION MM-HMM
AND SO YOU'RE SEEING MORE LOCALITIES SHIFTING TO PTO.
SO THEY JUST PUT IT ALL TOGETHER IN ONE BUCKET.
UM, BUT I THINK HAVING THEM SEPARATED, UM, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE DO HAVE A CAP ONE, YOUR ANNUAL LEAVE, BUT YOUR SICK CAN CONTINUE TO ACCRUE AND CARRY OVER.
SO IT BENEFITS BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE EMPLOYEE.
I WOULD JUST SAY IF, IF WE MAKE THIS CHANGE A YEAR, A YEAR IN, TAKE A LOOK AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S HAPPY.
YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE BUYOUT ON SICK LEAVE? IS IT UNLIMITED OR IS IT IT SHIFTED FROM $20 A DAY UP TO 180 DAYS.
AND THEY'RE DOLLAR CAPS BASED OFF OF THE YEARS OF SERVICE.
IT'S, I WANNA SAY IT'S LIKE 7500, 10 10 AND 20.
BECAUSE I, I WAS GONNA SAY, UM, YOU GET SOMEBODY THAT'S GOT TWO OR THREE YEARS, IF IT'S UNLIMITED, WHAT IS, YOU KNOW, IS THERE A CUTOFF OR DO THEY GET PAID FOR ALL OF IT? OR SINCE HE LEFT OUR ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF WAS LIKE, DO YOU REALIZE THAT I CAN TAKE, I THINK HE SAID A WEEK, EVERY OTHER WEEK UNTIL HE RETIRES AS SICK LEAVE.
I WAS LIKE, UH, WE MIGHT FIRE YOU FIRST
AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND I'M OUT FOR AN EXTENDED ILLNESS, UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE THE COVERAGE FOR THAT MM-HMM
UM, SO THEY'RE VERY COGNIZANT OF THAT.
AND THEN YOU HAVE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE, I'VE GOT IT, I'M GONNA SPEND IT.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO TAKE SICK LEAVE? I COULD CALL AND SAY I'M HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH DAY I NEED TO TAKE OFF.
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE ANY SORT OF DOCUMENTATION, UM, UNLESS YOU'RE GOING ON TO FMLA.
SO IF YOU'RE OUT FOR, IS IT 14 DAYS? 10 DAYS? MM-HMM
SO IS THAT, DOES THAT TAKE A EVERY OTHER WEEK OFF FOR SICK? A HYPOTHETICAL? PURELY OR NOT RIGHT.
I MEAN, HE COULD, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN PLACE THAT SAYS IF YOU'RE DOING THIS, I, THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT, HEY, IF THIS IS COMING UP, DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT AN INTERMITTENT LEAVE? AND THAT'S A CONVERSATION BETWEEN KAYLA, THE SUPERVISOR AND THE EMPLOYEE IN ORDER TO FIGURE OUT WHY THEY'RE DOING IT.
SO THERE'S NOTHING IN POLICY PRESENTLY? NO.
I MEAN, IS THAT, IS THAT POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC? I MEAN, ATTENDANCE
[03:10:01]
IS A CHALLENGING ONE BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS A DISABILITY, YOU COULD HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS CHRONIC MIGRAINES.SO THEY ARE OUT ON CERTAIN THAT'S DOCUMENTED.
THAT'S, IS THAT DOCUMENTED? IT CAN BE IF THEY COULD BE, BUT IF THEY REQUEST IT OR IF YOU'RE LIKE, HEY, THIS IS A PROBLEM, WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
UM, BUT MOST OF THE TIME IF YOU HAVE THE LEAVE, THE SUPERVISOR ISN'T GOING TO QUESTION IT UNLESS THERE'S START TO BE IMPACTS TO THE POSITION AND THEN IT'S A PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT RATHER THAN AN ATTENDANCE ISSUE.
UM, SO IT REALLY ALSO DEPENDS ON THE POSITION.
'CAUSE THERE ARE SOME POSITIONS THAT IF YOU'RE OUT, SOMEONE HAS TO BACKFILL YOU FOR THAT WORKLOAD.
AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER POSITIONS WHERE IT'S LIKE, WELL THE WORK WILL WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE HERE TOMORROW.
SO I GUESS IT, IT CAN BE ASSUMED THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM BECAUSE RIGHT.
IT HASN'T BE, HASN'T BEEN LIKE THUS FAR.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT POLICY? OKAY, THE NEXT ONE IS THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY.
SO THIS IS A NEW POLICY THAT ESTABLISHES EXPECTATIONS FOR BOTH OFFICIAL COUNTY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND EMPLOYEE'S PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA USE FOR OFFICIAL COUNTY ACCOUNTS.
DEPARTMENTS MUST RECEIVE APPROVAL BEFORE CREATING A SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE AND MUST FOLLOW COUNTY REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO IT, FOIA, RUTGERS RETENTION, ACCESSIBILITY, ACCURACY, AND CONFIDENTIALITY.
THE POLICY ALSO PROHIBITS EMPLOYEES FROM SHARING CONFIDENTIAL PROTECTED MEDICAL PERSONNEL OR OTHER NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH COUNTY EMPLOYMENT.
EMPLOYEES MAY USE PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT WHEN THEY ARE IDENTIFIABLE AS COUNTY EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN PROFESSIONALISM AND CONSIDER HOW THEIR ONLINE ACTIVITY MAY AFFECT PUBLIC TRUST AND COUNTY OPERATIONS.
BEST PRACTICE, UH, EMPLOYEES SHOULD USE PROFESSIONALISM AND GOOD JUDGMENT WHEN USING SOCIAL MEDIA.
EMPLOYEES SHOULD ASSUME THAT ANYTHING POSTED ONLINE MAY BECOME PUBLIC AND MAY REFLECT THEIR POSITION WITH THE COUNTY.
EMPLOYEES MUST ALSO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION AND MAINTAIN THE PRIVACY, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY OF THE CITIZENS THEY SERVE.
EMPLOYEES SHOULD NOT POST OR DESCRIBE INTERACTIONS WITH CITIZENS IN A WAY THAT COULD IDENTIFY THEM OR DISCLOSE PROTECTED INFORMATION.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ONE? SO THIS ONE'S A PRETTY LENGTHY POLICY AND I KNOW IT WAS BROUGHT UP EARLIER.
SO ON UNDER PROCEDURES NUMBER 12 THERE WAS TALK ABOUT REMOVING COMMENTS.
SO THIS ONE, ENSURE CONTENT IS ACCURATE.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS AS TO THE APPROPRIATENESS OR POTENTIAL REMOVAL OF CONTENT CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MUST BE HAD BEFORE ANY CHANGES ARE MADE.
I PERSONALLY, EVEN IF THE COMMENT BOTHERS ME, I I JUST HAVE A HARD TIME IN BLOCKING PEOPLE.
I'VE NEVER BLOCKED ANYBODY AND I'VE NEVER TRIED, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW, HONESTLY, UM, TO DELETE SOMEBODY ELSE'S COMMENT.
IT, IT, IT'S ALMOST THIS, THE SAME THING AS THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
YOU KNOW, IF THEY CAN COME UP HERE, WHETHER WE LIKE WHAT THEY SAY OR NOT, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY IT.
UM, AND I MEAN, IT JUST, IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENT TO ME.
UM, SO WITH THIS, IT WOULD, YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPLICIT PERMISSION.
AND THEN OUR RECORD RETENTION SYSTEM NEXT REQUEST ACTUALLY CAPTURES EVERYTHING THAT'S ON ALL OF OUR COUNTY SOCIAL MEDIA AND ANY OF OUR COUNTY WEBSITES.
UM, SO WE REALLY AVOID IF EVER REMOVING ANY COMMENTS.
SO I MIGHT JUST SUGGEST THAT THIS WOULD SAY A CONSULTATION WITH A MANAGER WHO WOULD THEN TAKE IT TO A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHO WOULD THEN TAKE IT TO THE ATTORNEY.
THERE NEEDS TO BE A CHAIN OF COMMAND ACCESS.
MY QUESTION IS ON THE, I PERSONAL, I, WE, I JUST DIDN'T READ THIS BEFOREHAND, SO MAYBE IT'S BAD ON ME, BUT ON THE PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA, DOES IT SAY IN HERE THAT THEY CAN'T USE SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE THEY'RE WORKING THEIR PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE THEY'RE WORKING? IT DOESN'T EXPLICITLY SAY THAT.
THAT WOULD COME REALLY TO THE MANAGER MONITORING THEIR DAY TO DAY WORK ACTIVITY.
AND THAT COULD BE A CHALLENGE IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S AT LUNCH, WELL, THEY'RE NOT WORKING SO RIGHT DURING LUNCH, BUT IT'S LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME THEY WANT TOOK LUNCH.
[03:15:01]
I MICROMANAGEMENT SITUATION.WELL, UM, IS THERE ANYTHING IN BETWEEN THERE? ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON, ON, I, I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, THE FACT THAT IF SOMEONE IS OUT THERE READING PUBLIC COM, YOU KNOW, THESE COMMENTS AND THEY'RE THINKING, OH, MY TAX DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR SOMEBODY TO BE TALKING ON FACEBOOK, I, BUT DO I KNOW IF IT'S THEIR LUNCHTIME OR NOT? YEAH.
I, I THINK YOU GOTTA TRUST PEOPLE TO DO THEIR JOB AND IT WILL SHOW UP IN THEIR ANNUAL REVIEW IF THEY DID THE WORK THAT WAS SET OUT FOR THEM.
UM, THIS, I MEAN, IF SOMEONE'S WORKING FROM HOME, YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT BE THROWING A LOAD OF LAUNDRY IN, ARE THEY GETTING THEIR JOB DONE? IF THEY'RE GETTING THEIR JOB DONE, I'M NOT GONNA SWEAT THAT TOO MUCH.
UM, NOW IF SOMEONE'S DOING THIS ALL DAY, YOU'RE, THE MANAGER IS GONNA NOTICE IT AT AT SOME POINT AND IT'S GONNA SOLVE ITSELF.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED THAT IN THERE.
WHAT, HOW IS IT ADDRESSED IMPLICITLY? TELL US THAT.
YOU SAID IMPLICITLY IT'S THERE.
I, YOU SAID IT'S NOT EXPLICITLY OH, OH, STATED, BUT YEAH, IT'S NOT LISTED AS A, IN THIS POLICY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IS IT IN PERSON? BUT AGAIN, IF I WAS ON MY PHONE ALL THE TIME AND JANE CAME BY MY OFFICE, IT WOULD BE, HEY, WHY ARE YOU ON YOUR PHONE SO MUCH? LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.
IT WOULDN'T BE, IN MY OPINION, IN A POLICY, IT WOULD BE THE MANAGER AND SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY TO HOLD THEIR EMPLOYEE ACCOUNTABLE TO BE PRODUCTIVE DURING WORK HOURS.
I, I THINK THERE ARE LEGITIMATE REASONS, LIKE YOU MAY, WHO WANTS TO GO OUT FOR DRINKS TONIGHT AND YOU KNOW, IT'S FRIDAY, YOU, YOU MAY WANT TO ANSWER THAT ON FACEBOOK OR WHATEVER, YOU KNOW.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK IF SOMEONE'S ABUSING IT MM-HMM
IT'LL SORT ITSELF OUT, IT WILL BECOME EVIDENT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GETTING THEIR JOB DONE.
AND I WANNA GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN.
WE HAD SOMEONE POST A COPY OF THEIR CHILD'S SOCIAL SECURITY CARD ON ONE OF OUR FACEBOOK POSTS.
UM, NEXT REQUEST ACTUALLY REMOVE THAT BECAUSE OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS ON THERE.
AND THEY SEND A DETAIL AND I, WHEN I SAY REMOVED IT, THEY HID IT.
UM, 'CAUSE THEY'RE LIKE, THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE PUBLIC INFORMATION ON COMMENTS.
SO THEY MONITOR THE COMMENTS MM-HMM
IN ORDER TO, IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT IS DETRIMENTAL TO CHILDREN, STUFF LIKE THAT.
SO IT'S A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN I THINK WE'D THINK OF IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT PPI ISN'T GETTING OUT AND THAT WE'RE NOT CREATING ANY SORT OF RISK.
UM, IT'S BEEN A FANTASTIC TOOL, UM, BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING AND WE GET WEEKLY REPORTS OF, SO IF THE COMMENTER GOES IN, THEY'RE STILL ABLE TO DELETE THEIR COMMENTS, HOWEVER, THEY'RE STILL CAPTURED MM-HMM
SO WE ARE ABLE TO SEE, AND I THINK IT'S LIKE 12 TO 1300 EVERY WEEK THAT ARE DELETED BY WHOEVER COMMENTED.
UM, SO IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE THAT.
BUT IT'S RETAINED FOR FOIA PURPOSES BECAUSE WE DO GET FOIAS FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA ALL THE TIME.
AND THAT'S WHERE IT'S LIKE, HERE IT IS.
WELL, DEFINITELY A CHILD SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION IS A LEGITIMATE REASON TO PULL THAT BACK.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS POLICY RIGHT NOW? OKAY.
THE NEXT NEW ONE IS THE DUAL PAY RATE POLICY.
UM, THIS ESTABLISHES A CONSISTENT PROCESS FOR EMPLOYEES WHO PERFORM TWO SEPARATE COUNTY JOBS WITH DIFFERENT HOURLY RATES.
EACH RATE MUST BE BASED ON THE ACTUAL DUTIES BEING PERFORMED, NOT SIMPLY THE EMPLOYEE'S NORMAL SALARY.
THE ARRANGEMENT MUST BE REVIEWED BY HR APPROVED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND DOCUMENTED IN WRITING BEFORE IT BEGINS, EMPLOYEES MUST ACCURATELY RECORD THE HOURS WORKED UNDER EACH ASSIGNMENT, AND SUPERVISORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE TIME IS CHARGED TO THE CORRECT POSITION AND PAY RATE.
SO THERE ARE TWO FLSA APPROVED WAYS TO CALCULATE OVERTIME.
UM, WHEN AN EMPLOYEE WORKS MORE THAN ONE RATE, THAT'S THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE.
UM, THIS IS GENERALLY THE DEFAULT AND THE EMPLOYEE'S, DIFFERENT RATES ARE BLENDED TOGETHER TO DETERMINE THE OVERTIME RATE.
THE OTHER ONE IS CALLED THE RATE AND EFFECT METHOD.
THIS CAN BE USED WHEN YOU CAN CLEARLY IDENTIFY WHICH JOB THE EMPLOYEE HAS OR WAS PERFORMING DURING THE OVERTIME HOURS AND OVERTIME IS BASED ON THAT JOB'S RATE.
THE SIMPLEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT IS IF YOU CAN CLEARLY TRACK WHICH JOB WAS BEING PERFORMED DURING OVERTIME HOURS, WE CAN USE THE RATE AND EFFECT METHOD.
IF WE CANNOT, WE WOULD USE THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE METHOD.
SO THIS IS A NEW POLICY AS WELL.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE.
SO AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE WE HAVE SOMEONE IN FIRE AND RESCUE.
[03:20:01]
SHE WORKS IN THE OPERATIONAL SIDE AND THEN SHE ALSO WORKS IN THE ADMIN SIDE.UM, SO THIS KIND OF, I WON'T SAY SPARKED IT 'CAUSE WE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS BEFORE.
UM, BUT THIS WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WHEN SHE'S WORKING IN OPERATIONS, SHE'S GETTING PAID AN OPERATIONAL RATE AND WHEN SHE'S WORKING IN ADMIN, SHE'S GETTING PAID AN ADMIN RATE.
SO I, I'VE WORKED NINE TO FIVE IN MY ADMIN AND ONE OF THE FIRE HALLS IS DEFICIENT SOMEBODY TO WORK AND I'M GONNA GO FILL IN THAT LOT, SO I'M GONNA GET PAID.
SO FOR THAT, BUT I MEAN, IF YOU WORK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, YOU HAVE THE WEEKENDS OPEN.
SO IF THERE'S A VACANCY AND THEY NEED SOMEONE TO COVER, THAT'S WHERE THIS PERSON WOULD SIGN UP FOR THAT SHIFT.
UM, SO THEIR SALARY IS THE ANNUAL SALARY FOR THE POSITION THAT THEY'RE IN, BUT THERE'S AN OPERATIONAL SALARY.
SO THE OPERATIONAL HOURLY RATE IS DIVIDED BY THE 27 56, WHICH IS THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF HOURS VERSUS THE, UM, 1820 OR 2080 FOR AN OFFICE EMPLOYEE.
SO THAT HOURLY RATE IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.
UM, SO IF THEY'RE WORKING THE OFFICE POSITION, THEY'RE BASICALLY BEING PAID ONE HOURLY RATE.
IF THEY'RE WORKING THE OPERATIONS, THEY'RE BEING PAID ANOTHER HOURLY RATE.
UH, IN PUBLIC WORKS, WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS A EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, BUT THEY'RE ALSO A, UM, LIKE MAINTENANCE WORKER MM-HMM
SO THEY FILL IN WHEN THERE'S SOMEONE OUT FOR THE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR.
AND SO THAT'S A HIGHER PAY RATE BECAUSE IT'S A HIGHER SKILL LEVEL.
UM, BUT WHEN THEY'RE THE MAINTENANCE WORKER, WHICH IS THEIR PRIMARY ASSIGNMENT, THEY'RE AT A LOWER RATE.
UM, HOW DO YOU GET, UH, IN, I MEAN, ISN'T THAT GONNA BE, HOW ARE WE DOING AND NOT BREAKING INTO THE LABOR LAWS OF HOURS AND SO FORTH? AS LONG AS THEY'RE RECORDING THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT THEY WORKED, AND IT'S THE EMPLOYEE AND THE SUPERVISOR, BECAUSE WE HAVE, SOMEBODY HAS THEIR APPROVED THEIR TIME SHEET.
SO THEY ARE SAYING, I WORKED HERE, SO IF I WORKED AT THE TRANSFER STATION, I'M CODING MY TIME TO THE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR POSITION.
AND IF I WORKED, UM, AT ONE OF THE CONVENIENCE SITES, OR IF I WORKED, UM, MOWING, THEN I'M CODING IT TO A DIFFERENT WORK CENTER.
BUT AT OVERTIME RATE AS, AS WELL, IT DEPENDS.
A LOT OF THEM AREN'T HITTING IT.
SO IF THEY DO HIT OVERTIME, IT'S BASED OFF OF BASICALLY THE MOST FAVORABLE, WE ALWAYS DEFAULT TO BASICALLY IF YOU'RE A 40 HOUR EMPLOYEE DURING THE WEEK AND THEN YOU PICK UP HOURS ON THE WEEKEND DOING FIRE AND RESCUE, THEN WHEN YOU HIT 40, YOU'RE GETTING THAT OVERTIME INSTEAD OF, WELL, WE, YOU NEED TO WORK 212 HOURS.
BECAUSE AT THAT POINT WE WOULD BE VIOLATING FLSA BECAUSE THEY'D BE WORKING OVER HOURS AND THAT'S WHERE THE AVERAGE RATE COMES INTO PLAY.
BUT IT'S, IT'S DIRTY, UH, I SHOULDN'T SAY IT'S DIRTY, IT'S NOT AS CLEAR AS YOU WERE WORKING THIS POSITION, THEREFORE THIS IS YOUR HOURLY RATE.
YOU WERE WORKING THIS POSITION.
AND THEN ANYTHING ABOVE UMPTEEN HOURS OR 40 HOURS IN A WEEK IS OVERTIME.
BUT AT THE ADMIN RATE OR THE OPERATIONAL, IT'S AT THE OPERATIONAL RATE.
SO THE, THEIR PRIMARY HOURS ARE AT THEIR PRIMARY POSITION.
SO ANYTHING ABOVE THAT IS THE, I MEAN, IF THEY WORKED 45 HOURS IN ADMIN, THOSE FIVE HOURS WOULD BE AT THE ADMIN RATE.
BUT IF THEY PICK UP AN EXTRA 12 HOUR SHIFT IN OPERATIONS, IT'S TIME AND A HALF AT THE OPERATIONS RATE RATHER THAN THE ADMIN RATE.
BUT HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH WAS THE EXTRA? IT WAS BECAUSE, SO THEY PUT, THEIR WAITING JOB IS OKAY, THEY ACTUALLY PUT IT IN.
AND SO THE PRIMARY IS THEIR PRIMARY WORK CENTER.
AND UM, MELISSA AND I WITH LITANY, WE'RE HAVING MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING FLSA AND MAKING SURE WE DO EVERYTHING CORRECTLY.
SO IT'S, IT'S BEEN WELL VETTED.
SO THE EMPLOYEE IS EASILY ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHERE THEIR HOURS WERE.
AND THEN THE WAY THAT IT CALCULATES IT, UM, ENSURES THAT WE ARE NOT VIOLATING ANY LOSS.
[03:25:01]
OKAY.WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO, TO GET QUALIFIED FOR THIS? THE SUPERVISOR WHO COULD DO IT? THIS THE SUPERVISOR? YEAH, THE SUPERVISOR WOULD, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TOUCH BASE WITH KAYLA IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ADDITIONAL COST CENTER IS ADDED TO THEIR PROFILE.
THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO EVERY CALL CENTER.
IT'S SPECIFIC TO THE POSITION THEY'RE HIRED TO MM-HMM
SO KAYLA IS THE ONLY ONE WHO'S ABLE TO ADD IN ADDITIONAL PAY RATES.
DOES THE PAY RATE HAVE TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY? OR IS IT, DOES IT MATTER? IS THE PAY RATE IT'S CLEANER IF YOU DO IT NO MATTER WHAT.
UM, MOST OF OUR PAY RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.
UM, I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SITUATIONS WHERE I THINK IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEY HAD SOMEONE WHO WAS ON LIGHT DUTY, UM, AND SO THEY FILLED IN OR, AND ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF STAFFING, THEY'VE HAD A DEPUTY FILL IN, IN COMMUNICATIONS.
UM, AND IT WAS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WORKING A POSITION THAT IS A LOWER PAY RATE, BUT THEIR PAY DIDN'T CHANGE BECAUSE IT WAS REQUESTED BY THE SUPERVISOR RATHER THAN BY THE EMPLOYEE.
SO IS THIS, UM, OVERTIME THAT'S THIS SYSTEM, IS IT OFFERED TO ANYONE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE EXTRA HOURS? SO OR HOW DOES THAT WORK? IT DEPENDS ON THE POSITION.
SO A LOT OF TIMES WITH THE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR EMPLOYEE, WE HAD POSTED THE POSITION AND COULDN'T FIND ANYBODY TO FILL THE POSITION.
AND SO ONE OF OUR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES IN A DIFFERENT POSITION WAS LIKE, I DON'T MIND CROSS TRAINING AND FILLING IN.
AND SO THAT'S WHERE, AS THAT CROSS TRAINING BECAME A REGULAR, LIKE WE CAN'T FILL IT.
SO WEEK AFTER WEEK, THEY WERE HAVING TO PICK UP TWO DAYS IN ORDER TO FILL THE POSITION.
AND AT THAT POINT IT'S LIKE, OKAY, EVERY TIME YOU'RE HERE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE CODING IT SO THAT YOU'RE GETTING PAID FOR THAT HIGHER RATE INSTEAD OF THANKS.
UM, WELL, AND BEING PART-TIME, THAT KIND OF HELPS OUT WITH THE OVERTIME YEP.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ME ON THIS? THAT WAS ALL THE POLICIES THAT I HAD.
I KNOW IT WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION, SO IF YOU GUYS WANT TO REACH OUT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO, UM, IF THERE'S ANY TWEAKS, LET ME KNOW AND WE WILL PUT THESE ON FOR THE NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING FOR APPROVAL.
BUT IF YOU WANNA MOVE IT TO AN OCTOBER ONE, WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL TO GIVE YOU GUYS MORE TIME TO REVIEW.
RECLASSIFICATION OF PARALEGAL POSITIONS.
SO STAFF IS REQUESTING BOARD CONSIDERATION TO RECLASSIFY THE CURRENT PARALEGAL SLASH OFFICE MANAGER POSITION TO A GENERALIST TO BETTER REFLECT THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THE POSITION IS CURRENTLY PERFORMING.
THE POSITION WAS ORIGINALLY FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON ADMIN AND LEGAL SUPPORT, INCLUDING DRAFTING DOCUMENTATION, MANAGING CONTRACTS AND LEASES, TRACKING LITIGATION, MAINTAINING BUDGETS, AND PREPARING BOARD AGENDA ITEMS. OVER TIME, THE ROLE HAS EXPANDED SIGNIFICANTLY, PARTICULARLY WITH HUMAN RESOURCES.
CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE ASSISTING WITH PROCESSING OF PAYROLL, ASSISTING WITH NEW HIRE PAPERWORK, RECONCILING BENEFITS AND PAYROLL RELATED ITEMS, SUPPORTING OPEN ENROLLMENT, ASSISTING WITH THE EMPLOYEE INVESTIGATIONS, PREPARING HR REPORTS AND PROCESSING VENDOR PAYMENTS TO NAME A FEW.
THE POSITION ALSO PERFORMS BROADER COUNTYWIDE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING NEW EMPLOYEE FOIA TRAINING, SOCIAL MEDIA ARCHIVING, AND BACKUP SUPPORT FOR ADMINISTRATION.
BECAUSE THE POSITION NOW SUPPORTS HR ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THEIR PROPOSED GENERALIST CLASSIFICATION MORE ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE SCOPE OF WORK CURRENTLY BEING PERFORMED.
STAFF IS ALSO PROPOSING THAT THE NEW POSITION MOVE FROM A GRADE 11 TO A GRADE 15 TO BETTER ALIGN THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION WITH THE EXPANDED LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY.
NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS BEING REQUESTED.
THE COST OF THE RECLASSIFICATION WILL BE ABSORBED WITHIN THE EXISTING HR BUDGET.
THIS REQUEST DOES NOT CREATE A NEW POSITION OR TAKE AWAY FROM ANY CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES.
IT FORMALLY RECOGNIZES THE DUTIES ALREADY BEING PERFORMED, ANALYZES THE POSITION'S, CLASSIFICATION AND GRADE ACCORDINGLY.
SO IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU HAVE THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE DRAFT JOB DESCRIPTION.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? ANY QUESTIONS? THAT ONE WAS EASY.
[03:30:01]
UPCOMING TIMELINES.YOU HAVE BEEN SO PATIENTLY WEIGHING BACK.
I, SO I'M OBVIOUSLY NOT THE COMMISSIONER, NOR AM I THE CHIEF DEPUTY, BUT I'M THE ONE HERE.
SO, UM, SHERRY WANTED ME TO MENTION THREE THINGS THAT, UM, SHE SAID THAT SHE WOULD, SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE APPROVED BY THE END OF THE YEAR SO THEY CAN GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY ONE OF NEXT YEAR.
UH, THE FIRST, EXCUSE ME, UH, ONE OF 'EM IS A PROPOSED CHANGE TO, UM, THE FILING DATE, THE REVALIDATION DATE FOR THE LAND USE FORMS. IT'S CURRENTLY APRIL 1ST.
IT USED TO BE NOVEMBER 1ST AND THEN IT WAS CHANGED TO APRIL, BUT SHE, WE'D LIKE TO PUT IT BACK TO NOVEMBER 1ST BECAUSE RIGHT NOW APRIL IS JUST INUNDATED WITH, YOU KNOW, DOING TEXTBOOKS.
WE ALREADY HAVE THE ELDERLY RELIEF PROGRAM PEOPLE THAT COME IN ON THE FIRST EVERY YEAR.
SO SHE'D LIKE TO PUT THAT BACK.
SO IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE REVALIDATION WOULD BE NEXT YEAR SINCE IT FOLLOWS THE, UM, REASSESSING, WHICH IS EVERY OTHER YEAR NOW.
AND IT WOULD PUT THE REVALIDATION FORMS BACK DUE.
THEY WOULD GO OUT IN SEPTEMBER OR SO, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER DUE NOVEMBER 1ST.
UH, SHE WANTED TO SEE ABOUT DOING THAT.
UM, ALSO SHE WANTED TO, UM, SEE ABOUT HAVING THE FEES FOR, UM, NEW APPLICATION FEE FOR LAND USE TO MOVE FROM $10 TO $25 SINCE THAT'S BEEN THE SAME $10 FEE SINCE THE 1970S SHE SAID.
AND, UM, ALSO, UH, ADDING A POSSIBLE, UH, LATE FEE PENALTY OF $25 WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT RETURN THEIR FORMS. BECAUSE ALL OF THIS HAS TO BE IN THE SYSTEM AND READY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
SO IT CAN TAKE EFFECT WHEN THE BOOKS ARE DONE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE, THE NEW YEAR.
UM, ALSO RIGHT NOW THE VEHICLE LICENSING FEES, WHICH USED TO BE THE DECAL FEES, BUT NOW THEY CALL IT A LICENSING FEE.
EVERYBODY HAS IT IN THEIR, YOU KNOW, ALL THE COUNTIES JUST ABOUT DO IT.
SO YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR PERMANENT WARREN COUNTY DECAL.
YOU HAD THE LICENSING FEE, THE CAR'S REGISTERED ON JANUARY ONE IN THE COUNTY.
UH, THIS FEE RIGHT NOW IS EVEN IF YOU'RE A HUNDRED PERCENT VETERAN, YOU'RE GETTING THE VETERAN'S DISCOUNT ON ONE VEHICLE EVERY YEAR.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE TAX, BUT THE FEE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT THE $30 SHE WANTED TO SEE ABOUT HAVING THAT FEE INCLUDED TO HAVE IT ALSO EXEMPT AS THE TAXES FOR JUST ONE VE FOR THE ONE VEHICLE THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED AS A VET.
UM, AND THEN ALSO ON THE, UH, ELDERLY RELIEF PROGRAM, UM, SHE WANTED TO SEE, UH, ABOUT PO A POSSIBLE INCREASE ON THE EXCEPTION ON INCOME.
SO WHEN, WHEN PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE ANYMORE THAT HAVE THE RELATIVES LIVING WITH THEM, ELDERLY AND YOU KNOW, THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS COUNTED TOWARDS THAT $60,000 LIMIT THAT THEY CAN'T GO OVER, YOU KNOW, IT'S AGE AND INCOME BASED.
SO SHE, RIGHT NOW IT'S IF YOU KNOW, IF, IF THE, YOU KNOW, ELDERLY PERSON'S IN THE HOME AND YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS PER YEAR, BUT THEN THEY, MAYBE THEY HAVE AN ADULT CHILD LIVING WITH 'EM OR SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY, IT COULD BE RELATIVE, NON-RELATIVE LIVING WITH THEM, THEIR INCOME HAS TO COUNT TOWARDS THAT 60,000.
UH, RIGHT NOW WE GIVE $5,000 OFF OF THAT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU KNOW ONE'S 30,000, THE OTHER'S 20,000, IT WOULD BE THE PERSON LIVING WITH THEM WOULD REDUCE TO 15,000 TO HELP PEOPLE QUALIFY.
BUT SHE WAS LOOKING AT HAVING THAT, UM, MAYBE REALIGNED A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A DISCOUNT TO HELP PEOPLE QUALIFY.
UM, FOR THE PROGRAM, I KNOW I USED TO WORK IN CLARK, THEY HAD $8,000 PER PERSON THAT LIVED.
THEY TOOK OFF 8,000, WE'RE CURRENTLY AT FIVE.
I THINK SHERRY WAS LOOKING AT MAYBE ABOUT 8,500 TO HELP PEOPLE QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM BETTER.
UM, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT, JUST THOSE THREE THINGS.
SHE WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, SHE, SHE SAID SOMETHING IN THE EMAIL THAT, UM, THAT THESE, SHE WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND GET THEM SO THEY COULD BE, YOU KNOW, LOOKED AT AND WHATEVER YOU GUYS DO WITH THEM SO THAT THEY COULD BE COMPLETED, UH, BY DECEMBER 31ST SO THEY COULD ALL GO INTO EFFECT FOR JANUARY ONE FOR EACH OF THOSE THREE.
COULD YOU PASS BACK THE MESSAGE? IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SEE AN IMPACT, UH, ESTIMATE, LIKE FOR
[03:35:01]
CHANGING THE, UM, THE LAND USE FEE, APPLICATION FEE, CHANGING THE VETERANS, UH, FOR THE $30, UH, LICENSING FEE AND THEN FOR CHANGING THE, THE ADDITIONAL OCCUPANT DISCOUNT FOR SENIORS IF SHE HAS ANY ESTIMATE.WELL, WHAT WOULD BE THE TOTAL REVENUE IMPACT OF EACH OF THOSE? I GUESS THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
I, I WAS GONNA SAY THE ONE FOR THE TAKING OFF WOULD, WOULD JUST, YEAH, THAT WOULD, YOU KNOW, IN SOME CASES WITH THE ELDERLY HELP SOME PEOPLE A LITTLE BETTER QUALIFY FOR IT.
UM, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT'S FIVE'S NOT, NOT MUCH.
I BELIEVE MOST COUNTIES ARE PROBABLY DOING A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT RIGHT NOW.
AND I THINK IT'S BEEN THAT WAY FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.
UM, SHE DID PUT ON HERE THE, THAT THE POSSIBLE REVENUE LOSS, UH, FOR THE VEHICLE, THE $30 VEHICLE LICENSING FEES, IT COULD BE A REVENUE LOSS OF MAYBE 6,000.
UM, AND THEN ON THE, THE POSSIBLE INCOME, UH, OF INCREASING ON THE, THE LAND USE, I'D HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THAT.
I KNOW WE HAVE UPWARDS OF AT LEAST 1300 PROPERTIES, SO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE INCREASING THE, YOU KNOW, FEES, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHO'S GONNA BE LATE OR WHO'S NOT.
SO THAT THE PENALTY WOULD BE REALLY TOUGH TO DETERMINE.
I'D LIKE TO REQUEST ALL OF THESE IN A FORMAL PROPOSAL WITH THE NUMBERS, UH, GETTING A VERBAL PRESENTATION.
BUT IF WE'RE GONNA ACT ON THIS, I'D LIKE TO SEE IT ALL OKAY.
IN A PRO I'LL HER KNOW IN, IN A PROPOSAL.
SHE, SHE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE OUT THERE FOR, YOU KNOW, SO IT'S BEEN MENTIONED SHE WAS SICK TODAY.
IT'S BEEN MENTIONED, BUT I'M GONNA FORGET IT AS SOON AS I GET TO MY CAR.
SO
YEAH, NO, I'M SURE SHE'LL, I'M SURE SHE WILL GET YOU WHATEVER YOU NEED ON IT.
AND ONE LAST QUESTION ON CHANGING THE FILING DATE FOR LAND USE.
IF YOU GO FROM, I CAN'T REMEMBER, APRIL 1ST TO NOVEMBER 1ST APRIL, GO BACK TO NOVEMBER.
SO SOME PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY BE LIKE, I JUST FILED THIS SEVEN MONTHS AGO, BUT, UH, WOULD YOU HAVE A, LIKE A POST CARD CAMPAIGN? IT ACTUALLY BE A LITTLE BIT, THEY, THE LAST ONE WAS APRIL 1ST, 2025.
SO IT, IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE OKAY.
WE HAVE PEOPLE COME IN EVERY YEAR AND THINK THEY NEED TO TURN, THEY SAID, I DIDN'T GET MY APPLICATION FORM THIS YEAR.
AND IT'S LIKE, WELL NO, IT'S EVERY OTHER YEAR, SO, OKAY.
SHOULDN'T IMPACT ANYTHING OTHER THAN OUR WORKLOAD IN THE OFFICE.
I WOULD JUST SUGGEST IF ANYONE MISSED IT, UH, THEN BE LENIENT ON THAT.
YEAH, NO, IT'LL BE, IT BE, IT'LL ACTUALLY GIVE THEM MORE TIME OKAY.
YEAH, IT'S GOING THE OTHER WAY.
SO, AND DALE, WHILE YOU'RE UP HERE, MR. CARTER ASKED A QUESTION EARLIER ABOUT THE REASSESSMENTS, RIGHT? RIGHT.
UM, ON THE REASSESSMENTS, THE, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE, HIM DOING THE, UH, DESK ASSESSMENT OR WHATEVER, THE RE REASSESSMENTS THE CONTRACTOR COWAN SERVICES, HE SAYS THAT THOSE ASSESSMENTS ARE GOING OUT IN THE MAIL NOW.
HIS, HIS MEETINGS WILL BE WITHIN, I THINK IN OCTOBER, LATE SEPTEMBER, EARLY OCTOBER.
THOSE VALUES GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY ONE.
SO THEY'LL BE ON THE BILLS NEXT YEAR.
YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE, THE ASSESSMENT BEING FOR BUDGET PURPOSES? YEAH.
THE NEW VALUES, THEY, THEY GO INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR, JANUARY ONE.
SO NEXT, THE FIRST BILLING IN JUNE.
SO NEXT DECEMBER OR WHATEVER WILL HIT THAT BUDGET AS FAR AS THE EQUALIZATION RATE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
I'M SORRY, WHAT? SO IT'LL GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY ONE.
BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T IMPACT UNTIL THE NEXT BUDGET WHEN WE START LOOKING AT EQUALIZATION RATES FOR THE ASSESSMENT.
NO, IT SHOULD, EQUALIZATION SHOULD START SOON.
EQUALIZATION I THAT OR YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, THE MEETINGS.
WELL I'M TALKING ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, IF IT GOES UP 15%, WE HAVE TO DROP DOWN THE TAX RATE.
NO, I THINK THAT WOULD BE, THAT WOULD BE THE 28TH BUDGET.
YEAH, YOU WOULD LOOK AT THAT WHEN YOU THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID BEFORE.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS JUST VERIFYING.
WE JUST, SHERRY WAS WATCHING LIVE AND SHE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE AWARE OF THE DATES THAT YEAH, YEAH.
THAT IT GOES INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR, SO.
SO WE, WE NEED TO START LOOKING FOR PEOPLE NOW BECAUSE WE REALLY SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN, HAD THE PEOPLE, UM, FOR THE REVIEW BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
UM, AND THERE WAS A QUESTION IN MY HEAD AND IT FLEW OUT, BUT I MIGHT NOT KNOW.
SO, BUT ANYHOW, I WILL LET HER KNOW THAT YOU WANT SOME NUMBERS ON, YOU KNOW, ANY POSSIBLE IMPACTS ON THOSE.
[03:40:01]
I FEEL LIKE YOU'VE BEEN BACK THERE AND I WAS WONDERING DID WE MISS SOMETHING WITH THE I'M YOUR WATCH.I DIDN'T WANNA LEAVE YOU OUT AND ENGAGED.
UM, ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO GO OVER SINCE HE IS HERE? UM, CAPTAIN BROGAN ACTUALLY STOPPED BY TO TALK ABOUT THE, UM, HOARDING SESSION.
HE'S LIKE, JANE, I'VE NEVER BEEN THROUGH A TRAINING THAT WAS SO WELL PUT TOGETHER.
AND REALLY HE'S LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHO SHE WAS.
SO I HOPE THAT, THANK YOU FOR COORDINATING THAT.
UM, IT WAS VERY BENEFICIAL AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IF THERE WERE FUTURE TRAININGS WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE.
IT REALLY WAS A GOOD TRAINING.
YOU KNOW, YOU JUST THINK HOARDING IS HOARDING, BUT THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT MORE TO IT THAN I EVER THOUGHT THERE WAS.
SHE GAVE ABOUT PERCENT OF THE POPULATION YOU WANNA COME UP 'CAUSE WE'RE GONNA GET FUSSED AT FOR PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR YOU.
AND WE NEED TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE YOUNG LADY, YOUR STAFF MEMBER TOO, THAT THE, IT WAS MS. NIK WAS HER NAME AND SHE TRAINS A LOT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, UH, AND HAS WORKED WITH THE FBII THINK AS WELL.
UH, BUT SHE GAVE A STATISTIC THAT, UH, ONE TO 2%, OR ACTUALLY TWO TO 5% OF THE POPULATION GENERALLY HAS HOARDING DISORDER.
SO IF YOU DO THE MATH FOR WARREN COUNTY, THAT'S UP TO POSSIBLY 2000 PEOPLE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY MAY BE SUFFERING FROM HOARDING DISORDER OF ONE LEVEL TWO.
AND THERE ARE FIVE LEVELS AS SHE EXPLAINED.
AND WE'VE REACHED OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO SEE IF MAYBE WE NEED TO HAVE A MEETING ABOUT COMMUNITY RESPONSE FOR IF AND WHEN THESE THINGS COME UP.
BUT, UM, WE ARE GLAD TO HOST IT.
WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE PARTICIPATION OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, SO, YEAH.
IF NOTHING ELSE, ARE WE READY TO ADJOURN AND GO HOME? SO MOVE.