1. PSA Water System of the Year Award (Jeff Salyers)
2. Eliminate setting public hearing for Ola Cantrell's rezoning request.
3. Move budget amendments # 27 & 28 under New Business
4. Add budget amendments numbers 29 & 30
5. Add fourth quarter appropriations

The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  MECC UPDATE

Dr. Terrance Suarez, President MECC, gave a brief update on the activities at the college and a brief review of the upcoming budget needs for the college.  He thanked the Board for its support in the past and asked that the college be considered favorably in the FY 2003-04 budget.

IN RE:  NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WEEK

The Board presented certificates of recognition and saving bonds to the Poster and Essay contest winners and certificates of recognition to organizations that target programs for children.

IN RE:  SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET

Dr. Michael Basham and Greg Perry presented the FY 2003-04 School budget totaling  $62.82 million.  This is a $3.2 million increase over the current budget.

Mr. Perry reviewed the different categories of the budget.  The operations budget which totals $59.66 million, the debt service budget which totals $1.22 million, and the capital outlay budget which totals $1.94 million.  He elaborated on the capital outlay budget and the projects that have been completed and the proposed projects that are in the planning stage.  

The proposed budget includes a step increase plus 2 percent pay increase for school employees.  A step increase for school employees is 1.5%.  A step increase for teachers would be more than 2%.  Funding raises for all school employees will cost approximately $1.37 million.  The state guaranteed a 2.25% pay increase for state-supported teachers and professional staff and is providing Wise County schools with $218,400 in the FY 2003-04 budget for said raises to become effective January 1, 2004.

The upcoming school budget will continue to fully fund employees' health insurance premiums.

Mr. Perry noted that the school system will receive fewer state dollars for some programs due to the declining enrollment.  

IN RE:  PSA WATER SYSTEM OF THE YEAR AWARD

Jeff Salyers, Chairman of the Wise County Public Service Authority, addressed the Board with a brief summary of the water projects that have been completed by the PSA and those that are in the planning stages.  After all these projects have been completed, 94% of the citizens in Wise County will have water.  With these goals and accomplishments being obtained, an application was submitted to Virginia Rural Water Association asking that the PSA be considered as recipient for the award of Water System of the Year.

At this year's Virginia Rural Water Association's Conference, the Wise County PSA was awarded the "Water System of the Year" award for 2003.  This is the first year this award has been received by the PSA. 

Mr. Salyers noted that the Town of Big Stone Gap also won the "Sewer System Treatment" award for 2003. 

Virginia Meador asked that the Board consider adopting a resolution/proclamation recognizing the PSA and the Town of Big Stone for their accomplishments.  She asked that Bruce Robinette be recognized for his accomplishments also.

Virginia Meador made a motion to add those three items to the agenda for Board action.  Betty Cornett seconded the motion.  The motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Salyers, as Chairman of the Social Services Board, voiced his appreciation for the certificate that was received by the Dept of Social Services for its services provided for the children of Wise County.

A motion was made by Virginia Meador, seconded by Betty Cornett, to approve resolutions/proclamations honoring the PSA, the Big Stone Gap Sewer Treatment Plant, and Bruce Robinette for their recent awards.  The motion was unanimously approved.

(Said Proclamations/resolutions are on file in the County Administrator's Office)

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

T.G. Branson, Highway Engineer, made a few brief remarks regarding ongoing construction throughout the County.

IN RE:  REVENUE SHARING/ ADDITIONAL FUNDING

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Barry Nelson, to participate in the additional funding through the revenue sharing program in the amount of $100,000.  The motion was unanimously approved.

Board members thanked Mr. Branson for work that has been completed in their districts and presented him with other needs to be reviewed and corrected if possible.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Tammy Barnett, a member of the Playground Committee for the Appalachia Elementary School, asked the Board for a financial contribution of $3892.00 or any amount possible to help purchase two horizontal ladders and 4 chin-up bars for the Appalachia Elementary School playground.

Terri Vencil and Adam Mattews, Team members of Estonoa, thanked the Board for its contributions for the past three years toward the Wetlands Estonoa Learning Center Project in St. Paul.  Notation was made that these funds have helped to maintain and upgrade the walk path, bridges and picnic areas.  St. Paul High School Lake Estonoa secured full funding from the Dept. of Agriculture in the amount of $100,000 to further enhance the Learning Center project.  Ms. Vencil asked the Board to favorably consider the resolution before them requesting the transfer of School Board property to the Town of St. Paul.  The Town of St. Paul owns the lake property, therefore, the Town has to administer the money.  The learning center would be located on property owned by the School Board and this transfer would be necessary since any grants that have been applied for are written to the town.

Doug Stallard voiced the Board's appreciation to the efforts that has been shown by the students at St. Paul High School in their accomplishments regarding the Wetlands Estonoa Learning Center Project.

Marlene Bush voiced her support of teachers getting a raise but not the central office.  She expounded on her research on the school budgets and was amazed at the salaries the central office staff was being paid.

Paul Ison asked the status of his request for a pump and haul system for the Ambrose Coal Company office.

Chairman Stallard advised that he needed to talk with Emmett Wampler at the Wise County Health Department for further information on the procedure for getting this system installed.

There being no further public comments, the public expression period was closed at 8:10 pm.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Betty Cornett, to approve the consent agenda as presented with the deletion of the rezoning request from Ola Cantrell.  The motion was unanimously approved.

1. Set public hearing (6:00 PM May 1) proposed Use Value Ordinance

Budget Amendments

1. No. 25:  Increase General Fund revenues by $30,000 (CDBG funds) place in Appropriate line items of Derby Project budget
2. No. 26:  Increase General Fund revenues by $12,672 (FEMA Local All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning Grant) distribute among appropriate line Items in Emergency Services budget

Transfer from reserve for emergencies/contingency line item

1. $1,208 to Tourism Committee for Kiosks lighting costs

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR AN ENGINEERING DEGREE AT UVA's COLLEGE AT WISE

Resolution #        2003

(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator's Office)

RESOLUTION APPROVING TRANSFER OF SCHOOL PROPERTY TO TOWN OF ST. PAUL

Resolution #        2003

(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator's Office)

MOU (5^TH) T&L/BOARD OF SUPERVISORS/GAS REMEDIATION PLAN FOR BLACKWOOD LANDFILL

RECESS

The Board took a brief recess at 8:10 pm.

The meeting reconvened at 8:20 pm.

IN RE:  HIGHLANDS JUVENILE DETENTION COMMISSION AGREEMENT

Administrator Sealover informed the Board that the Highlands Juvenile Detention Commission Agreement addresses the problem of the costs associated with the incarceration of juveniles.  A regional juvenile facility has been discussed to possibly alleviate some of these costs.  The Highlands wants to go regional. Other counties as well as the City of Norton are in favor of buying into this.  At the present time, Wise County is the major customer of this facility.  He asked the Board's favorable action on becoming a part of this, in principle, but changes need to be made to the language of the proposed agreement itself.  The County has an existing agreement with Highlands that was signed a couple of years ago and is sufficient until the language in the proposed agreement can be  "fine tuned" for the needs of the participating parties.  He noted that several organizations such as Catholic Charities, Lonesome Pine Office on Youth and the Court Service Unit are pursuing alternatives to incarceration.

A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Jeff Salyers, that the County become a part of the this endeavor, in principle, subject to approval of language in the proposed agreement by the County Administrator.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  BUDGET AMENDMENT # 27

A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Jeff Salyers, to approve budget amendment #27 to increase General Fund revenues by $450 (Project Lifesaver Special Fund) place in Sheriff's (Law Enforcement ) police supplies line item to purchase two transmitters. 

Aye-     Barry Nelson             Nay-Edgar Mullins

            Virginia Meador

            Betty Cornett

            Douglas Stallard

            Bob Adkins

            Jeff Salyers

IN RE:  BUDGET AMENDMENT #28

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Betty Cornett, to approve budget amendment #28 to increase General Fund revenues by $75 (Victim-Witness Special Fund) place in Victim-Witness travel/training line item. 

Aye-     Barry Nelson             Nay-Edgar Mullins

            Virginia Meador

            Betty Cornett

            Doug Stallard

            Bob Adkins

            Jeff Salyers

IN RE:  BUDGET AMENDMENT #29

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Virginia Meador, to approve budget amendment #29 to transfer $17,800 from the Inmate Phone Commission Special Fund to the General Fund; add to Sheriff's Correction and Detention budget machinery and equipment line (purchase a replacement van to transport inmates).

Aye-     Barry Nelson             Nay-Edgar Mullins

            Virginia Meador

            Betty Cornett

            Doug Stallard

            Bob Adkins

            Jeff Salyers

IN RE:  BUDGET AMENDMENT #30

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Betty Cornett, to approve budget amendment #30 to transfer $5,000 from the Courthouse Security Fee Special Fund to the General Fund; add to the Sheriff's Civil Papers and Security budget part-time salaries ($2,400) and overtime ($2,600) line items.               

Aye-     Barry Nelson             Nay-Edgar Mullins

            Virginia Meador

            Betty Cornett

            Doug Stallard

            Bob Adkins

            Jeff Salyers

IN RE: APPROPRIATIONS /  FOURTH QUARTER

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Betty Cornett, to approve the fourth quarter appropriations as presented.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE: APPOINTMENT /  BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

A motion was made by Virginia Meador, seconded by Betty Cornett, to recommend that Deborah Kilgore be reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  FISCAL STATUS REPORT

The fiscal status report was presented to the Board for its information.

IN RE:  CLOSED SESSION

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Bob Adkins, to go into closed session to consult with attorney and staff concerning annexation, boundary adjustments and disposition of publicly held real property  as permitted by section 2.2-3711A.(7&3) of the Code of Virginia.  The motion was unanimously approved.

After a lengthy closed session, a motion was made by Betty Cornett, seconded by Virginia Meador, to reconvene the regular meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION / CLOSED SESSION

The certification for closed session was read by Supervisor Salyers.

A motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Betty Cornett, to approve the resolution certifying matters discussed while in closed session.  The motion was unanimously approved by roll call vote.

RESOLUTION #         2003

(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator's Office)

BOARD COMMENTS

Edgar Mullins asked that a letter be sent to Paramont Coal Company asking that they repair the road that was left in poor condition after their mining operations ceased.  He asked that approximately 100 ft. of that road leading to the cemetery be repaired.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, a motion was made by Jeff Salyers, seconded by Barry Nelson, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved

ATTEST:                  WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

_____________________    _______________________

Clerk                                Chairman

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