The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted against approving the proposed fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 budget and made several changes to it during its meeting on Monday, May 12.
Before the board discussed the budget, County Administrator Beth Simms addressed public questions regarding take-home vehicles, county debt, and the county’s unassigned fund balance.
“Patrick County employees do not have take-home vehicles. Staff report to work in their personal vehicles and utilize county-owned vehicles for official duties such as maintenance calls, building inspections, and related services,” she said.
As of July 1, the county’s outstanding debt is $26.7 million, with approximately 71 percent attributed to school construction and facility improvements.
“Much of the debt originated from capital projects between 2005 and 2010. All obligations are being repaid on schedule, with final maturity set for fiscal year 2040,” Simms said.
Contrary to public claims of overspending, Simms said the county has made deliberate efforts to improve its financial position.
“One clear indicator is the growth in our unassigned fund balance. In FY 2020, our unassigned fund balance was $6.4 million, representing 13.95 percent of operating expenditures. At the close of the most recent fiscal year, that figure had grown to $15.5 million, or 22.74 percent of operating expenditures—an increase of more than $9.1 million,” she said.
Simms encouraged board members and residents to seek accurate information directly from county administration.
As the board still needs to trim approximately $197,000 to balance the budget, Smith River District Supervisor Doug Perry suggested using a portion of the unassigned fund balance.
“Taxpayers paid into it, and if it’s above that best practice number, then I think that would be a suitable use for that,” he said.
Chairman Jonathan Wood, of the Peters Creek District, agreed.
“This is money that the county has paid in—your tax dollars have gone to this,” Wood said.
When discussing additional cuts, Mayo River District Supervisor Clayton Kendrick made a motion to remove the $15,000 budgeted for financial advising from Davenport & Co.
“I think we ought to stop some of these outside studies this year,” Kendrick said.
Dan River District Supervisor Andrew Overby seconded the motion.
“I think they’re needed,” Perry countered.
Based on Davenport’s proposal, Overby said he didn’t believe the services offered were beyond what county staff could do by researching what other localities have done.
“I mean, it seems like we’re trying to recreate the wheel and come up with a brand new policy when it really shouldn’t be that hard,” he said.
Blue Ridge District Supervisor Steve Marshall disagreed.
“None of us up here are qualified to replace these professionals. That’s why we have them. Not an insult, but I think a lot of times members of boards of supervisors and councils tend to lose sight of what their role is, and I believe the role is to hire competent professionals to handle situations like this,” he said. “I don’t believe this is the role of our regular, everyday staff.”
Kendrick said he had faith in the staff to handle the work and save money.
“They did most of the budget,” he said.
Perry noted that staff already has full plates without the added workload.
“I’m not on all these outside surveys,” Kendrick replied, before asking County Attorney Jim Guynn, of Guynn Waddell, P.C., about his reaction.
“Every county and city in the Commonwealth has financial advisors,” Guynn said.
Wood said he believed Davenport probably earned every bit of the $15,000 budgeted.
The motion failed in a 2-3 vote, with Overby and Kendrick voting in favor, and Wood, Perry, and Marshall opposed.
Perry then made a motion to adopt the FY 2025-26 budget in the amount of $76,203,341. Marshall seconded the motion, but it failed 2-3. Perry and Marshall voted yes; Kendrick, Overby, and Wood voted no.
Overby made several additional motions to cut capital expenses:
To reduce the county access control system funds to $50,000. Passed 3-2 (Wood, Kendrick, Overby in favor; Marshall, Perry opposed).
To remove $486,045 for an emergency generator at the administration building. It failed 2-3, with Overby, Kendrick in favor; Wood, Marshall, Perry opposed.
To remove $50,000 for courthouse carpet replacement. Passed 3-2 (Wood, Kendrick, Overby in favor; Marshall, Perry opposed).
To remove $400,000 for a new ambulance. Failed 2-3 (Overby, Kendrick in favor; Wood, Marshall, Perry opposed).
Perry made a motion to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from five percent to seven percent.
“I know that as we get more visitors in the county, they depend on strong, reliable EMS service,” he said, noting a recent rescue of a hiker. “Money needs to come from somewhere to support these services.”
The motion failed for lack of a second.
In other business the board also:
*Heard from Kurt Bozenmayer, who questioned the $400,000 allocated for a new ambulance, asking whether it was a replacement or an addition. He expressed concern about abandoned vehicles near the Mayo River Rail Trail and called for an exit plan before new vehicles are added to the fleet.
* Heard from Jane Fulk who questioned the pay raises outlined in the budget, noting that some employees were receiving raises of up to 19 percent while EMS personnel were only receiving three percent. She said last year’s raises totaled nearly $1 million, and this year’s adds another $500,000. “These raises do not seem to be fair or equitable,” she said.
* Heard from Steve Ferring, who criticized what he saw as inconsistencies in proposed salaries, alleging reductions in increases for 33 employees, including five constitutional officers. He argued that managing personnel salaries should be a public process and handled by the administrator, not the board behind closed doors.
* Heard from Galen Gilbert, who opposed the proposed 0.16-cent increase in personal property tax and said the funds, if raised, should be set aside exclusively for fire and rescue services. He also recommended employee raises be limited to no more than the 2.4 percent Social Security increase.
*Discussed the personal property tax rate.
*Heard a facilities update from Facilities Director Mike McGuinness.
*Discussed potentially replacing the HVAC system at the courthouse.
*Heard from Tourism and Economic Development Director James Houchins about the EDA’s strategic plan.
*Approved a proclamation naming May 18-24 as EMS Week.
*Approved meeting minutes from April 14 and 28 in a 4-1 vote (Marshall opposed).
*Approved bills, claims, and appropriations.
*Heard reports from the county administrator and board members.
