BOS ""Split terms"... Justa roll of the dice or something worse?...

The NewsVirginian has an on-line report by Bob Stuart regarding the Augusta Board of Supervisors (BOS)  and Supervisor Pattie efforts to re-hash the “Split-term” issue that was a promise by the legendary “Gang-of-four” during the campaign. Unfortunately once again after clicking on the article to read it the familiar message window pops up advising the reader needs to fork over $5.95 to finish reading the article and open a month long on-line subscription.  Sorry but I just can’t justify $6 for a short article about local politics that should be supplied if this paper really wants to serve the community it is in… (Something Bob Stuart and I have corresponded about already)

It appears Supervisor Pattie has once again brought up the issue about split-terms instead of having all of the 7 BOS members come up to election every four years. 3 or 4 members would come up for re-election every two years instead and the thought there is a quicker change to the BOS majority being possible if the dice roll provides the desired result…

Could not see the answer in the on-line article before the pop-up window interrupts, but who decides which 3 or 4 BOS members have their four year term cut to two for this change to work? Will it be the decision of the outcome of a roll of the dice?  Or will it be the decision of Chairman Pyles and part of the “master plan”?... Maybe the opportunity for the “Gang-O-four” is only another two years away?...

County to tighten fire loan process

Departments must consult with lawyer

11:06 PM, Jul. Written by

Staff Report NewsLeader.com

VERONA — Augusta County is thinking of tightening up the rules for volunteer fire companies’ withdrawals from its revolving loan fund.
Going forward, fire departments seeking loans should make sure an attorney reviews any contracts with equipment suppliers, Fire-Rescue Chief Carson Holloway said in an internal memo earlier this month. The recommendation comes after Holloway and County Attorney Patrick Morgan reviewed a contract that Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department signed for a new pumper. The department is seeking $300,000 from the fund for the new equipment.
Holloway said he and Morgan “are both concerned that the majority of the contract favors the vendor.” But he noted that the Craigsville department has already signed a contract, and would have to pay a fee to cancel it. “We really need that equipment,” said Craigsville chief Wayne Martin.
Mike Fisher, chief of the Dooms Volunteer Fire Company, and former head of the county’s association of volunteer chiefs said it makes sense to require attorney review. “It’s something that should have been done all along,”

"All for One" or for just a select few?....

Once again we are back to the Greenville Sewer issue as reported here by the NewsVirginian. It is now reportede that Chairman Pyle's has his own research on the properties involved and has determined that there is no problem at this time and that the entire county should not be paying for one areas problem.... As compared to the now paid staff at select Firehouse & First-aid squads in the County?.....

Augusta Supervisors vote to proceed with Greenville sewer project

By: Bob Stuart | News Virginian
Published: July 12, 2012 Updated: July 12, 2012 - 7:30 AM

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VERONA, Va. -- The Augusta County Board of Supervisors narrowly voted 4-3 on Wednesday night to proceed with the Greenville sewer project after more than an hour of discussion over a funding shortfall of $445,000 for the more than $4.3 million project.

Construction work could be finished by the end of 2013, with the hookups to be completed afterward. Supervisors who supported moving forward with the project, said the three years of work on a sewer system for Greenville would be lost if the project stalled now.

Middle River Supervisor Larry Wills also spoke of the lost opportunity to use $2.5 million in funding from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality if the project stopped. The funding includes a $1 million grant and more than $1.5 million in an interest-free loan from DEQ.

“That money will go somewhere,” Wills said.

Ken Fanfoni, executive director of the Augusta County Service Authority, said a continued delay in a final go-ahead would jeopardize the funding stream available from DEQ. Fanfoni said DEQ is “well aware there is not unanimous support for this project.” But he said at a certain point, the state agency would withdraw its financial support.

Riverheads Supervisor Mike Shull, whose district Greenville lies in, said if the project is turned down the federal Environmental Protection Agency will come back at a later date and ask why that action was taken. Shull said the cost for funding the project would then go to the county, and perhaps a greater cost to property owners in Greenville.

Under the current project design, those hooking up will pay a $1,000 fee and a $55 monthly cost for participating in the sewer project. To date, there are 135 commitments to hook up to the sewer system.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles said his research with health department authorities showed there are no failing septic systems in Greenville.

Pyles said the problems with septic systems in Greenville are no worse than in other parts of Augusta County. But the board chairman said if the county had to pay the added $445,000 revealed Wednesday, the funds would come from the general fund and all county taxpayers.

Pyles suggested tabling an approval of the project, and going back to all involved to see if there was a way to ask for other funds to cover the shortfall.

South River Supervisor David Beyeler countered by saying that county taxpayers provide the infrastructure funds that all supervisors use in their districts. And, he said, if there is a “sore spot in Augusta County, it affects the whole county.”

The construction bid for building the sewer system was awarded to Fielder’s Choice Enterprises of Charlottesville. That company's bid of $2.875 million included the construction of a gravity line along U.S. 11.

Those supervisors voting to proceed with the project Wednesday night included Shull, Wills, Beyeler and Wayne District Supervisor Jeff Moore. Those opposing the project proceeding with the project now included Pyles, North River Supervisor Marshall Pattie and Beverley Manor Supervisor David Karaffa.

Similar to Pyles’ sentiments, Karaffa motioned to table a vote on proceeding with the project now, but his motion died for a lack of second.

The added $445,000 in funding needed will be covered in a capital improvements fund set up to cover the additional cost of the sewer project. This motion by Wills was approved 7-0.

Promise kept?...

Calvin Trice over at the Staunton NewsLeader reports that the BOS did decide not to raise the Real Estate tax rate to help cover the budget short fall. Instead they decided to raise the Property tax rate instead on a smaller tax base by raising the rate by $.25 per $100...
Just can't wait to get that bill in the mail...

VERONA — Augusta County residents will pay more tax on their cars, trucks and motorcycles — but not on their houses and real estate.

A divided Board of Supervisors chose to keep the real estate rate at 48 cents per $100 of assessed value, among the lowest rates in the state.

Riverheads Supervisor Michael Shull joined Beverley Manor Supervisor David Karaffa, Chairman Tracy Pyles, of Pastures, and North River Supervisor Marshall Pattie to oppose an increase on the tax rate for homes.

This fall, county residents will get a bill for their car tax that will reflect a rate increase from $2.25 per $100 of assessed value to $2.50 per $100. That increase passed on a 4-3 vote, with Pyles, Pattie and Shull voting against it.

That bill is typically due Dec. 5.

The higher car tax rate will bring in another $1 million to county coffers for the budget year that will start July 1.

Supervisors adopted a local budget for the coming fiscal year of about $74.7 million.

To keep the "SWAC-promise" or not?...

 

Supervisor Karaffa has come out saying that he will not support or vote for a raise in the real estate tax rate because of the flawed county reassessment of 2009. This "Flawed" reassessment was the key issue that candidate Karaffa ran on during his campaign to become supervisor and looks to be a issue Karaffa plans to keep alive.

It will be interesting to see what the supervisor does when it comes time to vote on raising taxes on the citizens of Augusta County on Wednesday night. Karaffa made his statements, as faithfully reported by Bob Stuart at the NewsVirginian, at the "SWAC-Breakfast" in front of his "SWAC" supporters who have been quick to jump on past issues such as the reassessment and "Save our Schools" by organizing groups of people and providing only limited information and viewpoints to support their claims.

What will Supervisor Karaffa do when it comes time to find revenue to "Save our Schools" since the county faces a large shortfall in the county budget? Since Karaffa has now ruled out any increase in the real estate tax will he then vote for a increase in the property tax rate to meet this budget shortfall? If Karaffa sticks to his "SWAC-promise" to not raise real estate taxes will he then have to vote for a property tax increase to meet the budget shortfall? If so what will this do to increase the property tax rate since the tax revenue base will be limited by the promise already made by Karaffa? Imagine the next time the citizens open their "Car tax" bill and see the increase to cover the shortfall? 

Perhaps the supervisor that ran on his "Conservative" principles and promises will look at cutting spending and waste to close this budget shortfall instead?   

 

Karaffa says he won't vote for Augusta County real-estate tax hike

By: Bob Stuart | News Virginian Published: April 29, 2012 
A third Augusta supervisor said Saturday morning that he will not vote to raise real-estate taxes in the next fiscal year to meet county budget needs.

David Karaffa, who represents the Beverley Manor District, told the crowd at the SWAC Political Breakfast that he wouldn’t vote to increase the current real-estate tax rate, which stands at 48 cents per $100 of assessed value. Supervisors are to set the tax rates for real estate and personal property when they approve the 2012-13 budget Wednesday night.


A proposal before the board calls for a 3-cent increase in the real-estate tax rate and a 32-cent increase in the personal property tax rate. The latter rate would rise to $2.57 per $100 of assessed value on cars and trucks..

Karaffa joins Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles and North River District Supervisor Marshall Pattie in opposing a hike in real-estate taxes. He said he has not made a decision about the personal property tax rate.

The Beverley Manor supervisor said he is basing his opposition to a real-estate tax increase on the flawed county reassessment of 2009. He wants to see what the next reassessment will bring Augusta County. That process is set to be finished in January 2014.

  

Do we raise the tax-rates to continue the spending?...

Bob Stuart over at the NewsVirginian has a follow-up on last nights Augusta Supervisors meeting where there were numerous comments regarding the budget shortfall and possible tax increases facing the citizens of Augusta County… It appears the majority of the people commenting were against increasing several county taxes that are being looked at, and a small group of organized “special interest” people calling for tax increases to support education programs “and the children”…

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It appears there is once again a small group out their organizing select special interest packs who are only looking at narrow specific aspects of the issue at hand while ignoring the total picture and how it affects ALL of the citizens of Augusta County. Fortunately, as in the past, the facts will come out and many will then look at the total picture instead of what they are “being fed”….

Augusta Supervisors hear diverse comment on tax rate

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By: Bob Stuart News Virginian
Published: April 19, 2012 Updated: April 19, 2012 - 7:30 AM
VERONA, Va. --
Most Augusta County residents who spoke at a public hearing Wednesday night on the county’s tax rate for 2012-13 asked supervisors to look for ways to cut costs and avoid raising both real estate and personal property taxes.

A minority of speakers talked of the needs to pay essential county workers such as teachers, firefighters and Sheriff’s deputies, and said they would support a tax increase.

At the end of the nearly two-hour public hearing, supervisors seemed split on whether to raise real estate taxes 3 cents to the advertised 51 cents per $100, and personal property taxes on cars and trucks 32 cents to $2.57 per $100.

A final decision is likely when the board votes on the tax rate and county budget on May 2.
Augusta County Republican Party Chairman Bill Shirley asked the board members to step away from the immediate budget and look at the long-term debt picture. He said the county’s current debt wouldn’t be paid off until 2032.

He proposed attacking the debt and providing public safety and not raising taxes.
“It’s a great opportunity to take a stand,’’ said Shirley, who said the county could do what the state and federal government have failed to do – cut spending.

Fishersville resident Bruce Richmond, director of the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots, said he and other residents in that area have already paid additional homeowners insurance funds because of the ISO rating problem the Preston L. Yancey Fire Company had until a recent improvement.

“Go with a balanced budget, cut what you can,’’ Richmond said. “Go through it (the budget) line by line.”

He said school costs could be more frugal by utilizing empty classrooms, but advised not cutting public safety.

Fishersville resident Curt Lilly said while there are plenty of worthy causes it is time to take a stand “and say no to everyone asking for money. There are lots of good ideas but you still need to say no.”

Augusta County resident and Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School teacher Leonard Klein said he could afford to pay a little more in taxes so that his students could receive the benefits.

Starke Smith said staff and funding for county schools have been cut in recent years, and said it was important to fund teachers, firemen and police. “Three cents is the very minimum. I would have voted for 5 cents,’’ Smith said.

Some Supervisors are waiting to see what the state budget that was passed on Wednesday means to Augusta County before making a decision on a tax increase.

Others have decided. Middle River Supervisor Larry Wills said the county has already looked at cuts in its budget, and won’t replace Assistant County Administrator John McGehee when he retires in a few months.

“I don’t like a tax increase but I don’t like shortchanging essential services,’’ said Wills, who supports the increase.

Board Chairman Tracy Pyles said he could not support raising taxes until all options have been explored, and that includes using county capital money to meet needs in next year’s budget.

North River Supervisor Marshall Pattie read a lengthy statement.
Pattie spoke of how he had met residents in his district on the economic edge who are struggling to keep going.

“I talked to one family who stopped driving their truck because the cost of gas is too high to run it,’’ he said.

He supports using county capital reserves to pay the added costs in next year’s budget, and not raising taxes.
“We have a surplus of taxpayer money. Let’s use taxpayer money that has already been provided to us to cover our short-term expenditures before we go back and ask for more money,’’ Pattie said.

Other supervisors said they were eager to see the county’s final state funding from the General Assembly.

“I will wait to see what the state did on funding,’’ said South River Supervisor David Beyeler.
Riverheads Supervisor Mike Shull said he did not want to raise taxes, and said he would wait to see the state funding.

Beverley Manor Supervisor David Karaffa said he was concerned about specific line items he thought still needed to be cut, including the $20,000 per year the county pays a General Assembly lobbyist to advocate for Augusta County.

“This is an unnecessary expenditure and I won’t vote for a budget with this in it,’’ he said.

Townhall turnout of three?...

The Staunton NewsLeader followed up with a report of last nights Townhall meeting held in the Beverley Manor district by their Supervisor David Karaffa. Pretty much the same info as provided in the NewsVirginian article written by Bob Stuart but the NewsVirginian article did mention that only three people showed up for the Townhall meeting. In fact it mentioned that the Beverley Manor constituents were outnumbered by the members of the press and "elected officials"...

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VERONA — Having given the nod to consider increasing Augusta County taxes, Beverley Manor Supervisor David Karaffa reserved a space, set up folding chairs and placed a podium in front with a microphone on it to explain his position.

Judging by the turnout, hardly anyone needed convincing — at least not enough to come out to the community meeting Karaffa held inside the Verona Fire Department.

Three people were present for the start of the meeting to talk needs, taxes and budgeting with Karaffa and Lee Godfrey, the Beverley Manor district representative on the School Board. That was fewer people than the combined number of elected officials and media representatives.

Karaffa nevertheless explained why he thinks the Board of Supervisors needs to consider raising Augusta's real estate tax rate from 48 cents per $100 of assessed value to as high as 51 cents per $100. Supervisors are also considering increasing the car tax rate from $2.25 per $100 of assessed value to $2.57.

The board is scheduled to get public input on the proposals at an April 18 hearing. The suggested rates can be adjusted downward.

Karaffa and most others who make up a majority on the Board of Supervisors don't want to dip into the county's reserve accounts to cover county expenses and would prefer brining tax rates up to match the cost of running the local government.

Drawing down the county's capital reserves will force supervisors to take out loans for equipment, maintenance, infrastructure and other items the locality needs, he said during his talk.

Godfrey talked about the $5 million deficit projected for the School Board next year that was closed with $3 million of help from supervisors.