The Budget and General Updates Were the Primary Focus of Wednesday’s Work Session.
Closed Meeting – Started prior to the meeting at 5:30pm
· Consultation with legal counsel regarding the following matter requiring the provision of legal advice: rescue squad.
· Discussion and consideration of the held real properties
· Evaluation of performance for specific public officers, appointees, or employees of the 'Town of Colonial Beach, including the office of the Town Manager, Town Attorney and possibly other departments.
· For the protection of the privacy of individuals in personal matters not related to public business
Approval of Consent Agenda
Minutes for April 19, 2023 and August 3, 2022 Vote 7-0 with me abstaining from April 19, but I will go back and review.
Council Member Liaison Updates
Public Works – Sand added to the North beach, Central Drainage, updates will be on towns website (starting around June 1st in area 1 near the pier, Trash toters will arrive in 4-8 weeks and fee/ tax will be in Oct utility bill.
NGO’s – Chamber visitors guide now available, 3 VTC events grants awarded $40K, other events announced, Down Town CB is applying for a feasibility grant to determine potential uses for hotel next to American Legion.
Economic Development – VA Film Office met with town, Virginia Tourism Office had a strategic planning session and will be issuing a report in June, several businesses set to open soon including model train shop, a burger restaurant and wine and cheese shop. EDC working with students to help find jobs.
Planning Commission – Formed Short Term Rental Committee (meeting May 9th and open to public)
Housing and Development Authority – They have concerns about impact of short-term rentals.
Public Safety – Update on 12th Street shooting last month – several individuals have been identified and warrants will be served.
Parks and Rec – Vacancy on Commission. 400 people responded to Eleanor Park survey, activities, May 15th Eleanor Park community meeting 5:30pm at the Town Center.
Admin – Reminder Chamber guide books, Thanks to CBPD on handling of shooting incident, Storm water survey (fill out)
General Assembly Updates, Town Manager - Some of the items that impact our locality, The state budget has not yet passed for 2024, Water Treatment Cert changes, School zones, marijuana HB2428 changes, Land use changes, and short-term rentals (realtors were trying to get exemption from rules and this was tabled)
Public Comment
Citizen – Concerns over towns audit findings and lack of controls (wants to see deficiencies addressed)
Citizen – Not happy with direction of town, trash etc. and concerns over roadwork during River Festival parade.
PUBLIC HEARING, Resolution #19-23, Adoption and Appropriation of Fiscal Year
2024 Budget and Adoption and Appropriation of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for the Colonial Beach School Board-
· We were given a brief overview of the budget which is $9.3M this year.
· No tax increases this year unless you count the trash fee/ tax $287K or $63k in additional personal property tax (last year I asked if residents could get the personal property tax relief and council voted to do so but now this is expiring so taxes will go up $63k in this budget)
· The school match is down by $63k this year.
· Minimum wage employees will get a raise to $15 and the rest will be 3%
Public Comment (Budget)
Citizen – Concerns numbers not matching, Legal fees high and need transparency, fine/ penalty increase concerns, trash fees bad public policy and impact on lower income residents.
Citizen – Pleased to see that $173k budgeted for economic development.
• Council Action (Deferred to May 17, 2023)
PUBLIC HEARING, Resolution #20-23, Adoption of FY 24-28 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Similar to last year with several items in red that were added including: New PW storage facility to protect equipment ($150k), Trash truck (fee will cover, $280k in 2025), new beach rake $200k - current in very rough shape, $35k right of way study for sidewalks, HVAC replacement $50K, waste water pump replacement of $1M over the next couple years. (Watch video for full report)
Public Comment (CIP)
Citizen – Concerns over 700 Colonial Ave and environmental issues and study needed.
• Council Action (Deferred to May 17, 2023)
My Comments/ Questions Regarding Budget and CIP
At the end of the public hearings the Mayor was about to adjourn without Council discussion so I said aren’t we going to discuss the budget and she said we certainly can and gave me the floor.
I asked the following questions in addition to the 16 I previously sent to the Town Manager.
1. Q. How are we going to fund the CIP Projects, example $1.8M Dwight Ave extension? I raised concerns over tax increases/dept.
A. Working on with VDOT but also working on long term planning.
2. Q. Assistant Town Manager does not appear to be in the budget and it was suggested ARPA funds would be used but not apparent on budget, how will it be paid.
A. In last year’s budget funds were set aside for ARPA funds coordinator, existing funds will be leveraged but no additions to the budget as it relates to that position.
3. Q. Since golf cart decals expire in December are they still valid until April and will residents only pay one $30 fee a year?
A. Yes, only one $30 fee a year and the decals are valid through April since there is no parking enforcement Dec-April.
4. Q. Since expense are outpacing revenues according to our finance advisors, what is the town doing to address this in the budget?
A. Mayor said the trash fees, etc., Town Manager part of resiliency and planning but will need to keep monitoring, (last year’s tax increase and various cost savings was also mentioned as part of addressing)
5. Q. Concerns I previously raised regarding internal control issues from audit finding are pending answer, are we addressing in our FY24 budget?
A. Finance is working on policy to address but nothing is in the budget addressing this item.
The Mayor clarified that line items in the budget did not match as a citizen pointed out, these lines were intentionally left off because the line item was moved and no longer used. This was part of the reason I had trouble reviewing the budget last year.
At the end of the meeting a fellow Council member made comments that were obviously pointed at me. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if the comments were appropriate or follow our bylaws on conduct.
Please email or call with questions or comments:
540-604-4335
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