The Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Continued Meeting on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors meeting room located in the Wise County courthouse.  The following were present:

Honorable Ronald L. Shortt – Chairman
Honorable Steve Bates – Vice-Chairman
Honorable Virginia Meador
Honorable Robert R. Adkins
Honorable John W. Peace, II
Honorable Robert E. Robbins
Honorable Leland Branham
Honorable Fred A. Luntsford – members of said Board and
Glen A. Skinner – County Administrator
Shannon C. Scott – Assistant County Administrator
Karen T. Mullins – County Attorney
Annette Underwood – Executive Secretary

AGENDA ADDITIONS

Chairman Shortt read the following items to be considered for addition to the agenda:

1. Presentation of FY 2005-2006 County Audit

2. Presentation of PPTRA percentage (Treasurer Holbrook)

3. Approval of FY 2005-2006 County Audit

A motion was made by Fred Luntsford, seconded by Steve Bates, to approve the above items to be added to the agenda.

Supervisor Meador, referring to the #3 addition, stated that she was not comfortable approving something she has not had adequate time to review.

After discussion, Supervisor Luntsford amended his motion to add items #1 and #2 to the agenda and remove item #3.  Steve Bates seconded the amended motion.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  PRESENTATION – FY 2005-2006 COUNTY AUDIT

Larry Sturgill, CPA presented an overview of the County’s FY 2005-2006 audit ending June 30, 2006.  Mr. Sturgill stated that it was his opinion that the financial statements that are contained within the audit report present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the County of Wise as of June 30, 2006.  It is a “clean” opinion with no findings in the financial statements during that period of time.

IN RE:  PRESENTATION- PPTRA PERCENTAGE

Treasurer Holbrook provided a handout to Board members with the percentage analysis of the PPTRA.  The  Personal Property Tax Relief Act  (PPTRA) which the State of Virginia several years ago, required the County to give tax relief on personal property qualifying vehicles.  The purpose of this Act was to eventually eliminate personal property taxes but was frozen at 70%.  Last year, it was decided, by the State, to give each locality in the State a set dollar amount.  The County’s dollar amount is $1,380,233.00, which will be coming to the County each year in four (4) separate increments throughout the year. 

Ms. Holbrook reviewed historical data from 2000 thru 2005.  To maintain those figures, a 66% tax relief reimbursement was implemented. This year, by adding one (1) year, 2006, and in comparing the actual amount of money the State has provided based on qualifying vehicles for 2006, and based on the 66%, the figure as of April 2007 was $1,378,539.00.  By using the methodology that has been provided, the percentage for 2007 will be 62.33%.  If the percentage is left at 66%, the County will have to absorb $84,000.

Ms. Holbrook noted that the Board must approve a percentage with the 2007 annual budget.

Commissioner of Revenue Doug Mullins reaffirmed Treasurer Holbrook’s estimates given on the PPTRA percentages.  He commended the Board on eliminating the $1,000 valued vehicles or less last year which has saved a lot of man hours and relief for county citizens.

IN RE:  BUDGET FY 2007-2008 – SET PUBLIC HEARING

Regarding the budget, Administrator Skinner presented a budget summary update as follows:

Administrator Skinner asked that the Board include these changes in the proposed budget to be sent out for public hearing. 

A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by John Peace, to set a public hearing for June 14, 2007 @ 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors meeting room on the proposed County Budget for FY 2007-2008 to include the 62% PPTRA tax relief to owners of qualifying personal use vehicles that are subject to the personal property tax on such vehicles.  The motion was unanimously approved.

BOARD COMMENTS

Supervisor Robbins and Supervisor Peace gave a brief report on the recent budget committee meeting that was held with the School Board.

Supervisor Peace asked that Mr. Scott review all the positions in the constitutional offices and make a list of those not covered by the Comp Board but are fully funded by the County.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, a motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Robby Robbins, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.

ATTEST:                                             WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

____________________________            _______________________________________
Glen A. Skinner, Clerk                            Ronald L. Shortt, Chairman

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