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04-16-2024 Work Session Agenda Packet BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WORK SESSION Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - 3:30 PM Board Meeting Room 39 Bank Street, SE, Chatham,Virginia 24531 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER (3:30 PM) 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA ITEMS TO BE ADDED 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA For the citizens’ convenience, all Work Session and Committee Meetings are now being recorded and can be viewed on the County's Facebook and the same YouTube location as the Board of Supervisor’s Business Meetings. Please remember that the Board’s Work Session is designed for internal Board and County Staff communication, discussion, and work. It is not a question and answer session with the audience. Accordingly, during the Work Session, no questions or comments from the audience will be entertained. Respectfully, any outbursts or disorderly conduct from the audience will not be tolerated and may result in the offending person’s removal from the Work Session. As a reminder, all County citizens, and other appropriate parties as designated by the Board’s Bylaws, are permitted to make comments under the Hearing of the Citizens’ Section of tonight’s Business Meeting. 5. PRESENTATIONS a. County Broadband Project Update (10 minutes) (Staff Contact: Rob Taylor) b. Potential Unpaved Roads to be Added to County’s Secondary 6- Year Plan (10 minutes) (Staff Contact: Jay Craddock, VDOT) 6. STAFF, COMMITTEE, AND/OR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER REPORTS a. Potential Pittsylvania County Code Section 6-6 (Exemption on Real Estate of Certain Elderly and Disabled Persons) Revisions (10 minutes) (Staff Contact: Kim VanDerHyde) b. Future County Strategic Initiatives Discussion (15 minutes) (Staff Contact: Stuart Turille) 7. BUSINESS MEETING DISCUSSION 8. CLOSED SESSION a. Closed Session (Personnel) (Staff Contact: Board of Supervisors) 9. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION & CLOSED SESSION CERTIFICATION a. Closed Session Certification (Staff Contact: Kaylyn McCluster) 10. ADJOURNMENT 5.a. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Information Only Agenda Title: County Broadband Project Update (10 minutes) Staff Contact(s): Rob Taylor Agenda Date: April 16, 2024 Item Number: 5.a. Attachment(s): None Reviewed By: Rob Taylor, RiverStreet Networks, will present to the Board an update on the County’s Broadband Project. For the Board’s review, related documentation is attached and/or will be distributed at the Work Session. 1 5.b. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Information Only Agenda Title: Potential Unpaved Roads to be Added to County’s Secondary 6-Year Plan (10 minutes) Staff Contact(s): Jay Craddock, VDOT Agenda Date: April 16, 2024 Item Number: 5.b. Attachment(s): 1. 2023 Board Presentation - VDOT Reviewed By: Jay Craddock, VDOT's Resident Engineer, will present to the Board an update on potential unpaved roads to be added to the County’s Secondary 6-Year Plan. Related documentation is attached and/or will be distributed/presented at the Work Session. 2 VDOT Maintenance Area Route # Road Name Length (miles)Timeframe Rondo 750 Oxford Rd 1.4 Gretna 924 Pocket Rd 0.8 Rondo 929 Victoria Rd 1.9 Gretna 789 Valley Rd 1.1 Gretna 766 Magnolia Rd 0.5 Rondo 783 Tomahawk Mill Rd 2.45 Gretna 654 Daltons Farm Ln 1 Gretna 940 Owens Mill Rd 0.4 Rondo 803 Hawkins Rd 1.4 Brosville 848 Joe Carter Rd 0.7 Gretna 792 Tucker Rd 1.5 Brosville 1527 Almond Rd 1 Mt. Airy 893 Chestnut Ln 0.5 Brosville 842 Hollyville Dr 0.7 Rondo 822 Ponderosa Rd 0.5 Kentuck 709 Herman Farmer Rd 0.7 Kentuck 975 Eddies Ln 0.5 Gretna 778 Jasmine Rd 0.7 Kentuck 697 Dabney House Rd 2.9 Mt. Airy 618 Farmers Rd 0.6 Mt. Airy 892 Mockingbird Rd 1 Gretna 778 Jasmine Rd 3.2 Mt. Airy 683 Johnson Mill Rd 0.6 ROADS HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE ARE VDOT'S SUGGESTIONS TO ADD TO THE SSYP. OTHER ROADS LISTED ARE ALREADY ON THE PLAN 2028 This Construction Season 2024 2025 2026 2027 3 6.a. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Information Only Agenda Title: Potential Pittsylvania County Code Section 6-6 (Exemption on Real Estate of Certain Elderly and Disabled Persons) Revisions (10 minutes) Staff Contact(s): Kim VanDerHyde Agenda Date: April 16, 2024 Item Number: 6.a. Attachment(s): 1. Elderly PCC 2. Elderly Tax Exemption Chart Reviewed By: Kimberly G. Van Der Hyde, Finance Director, and/or the Honorable Robin M. Goard, Commissioner of the Revenue, will review with the Board potential revisions to Pittsylvania County Code Section 6-6, Exemption on Real Estate of Certain Elderly and Disabled Persons. For the Board's review, related documentation/information is attached. 4 PCC SEC. 6-6. EXEMPTION ON REAL ESTATE OF CERTAIN ELDERLY AND DISABLED PERSONS. 1. Purpose. In accordance with Virginia Code § 58.1-321, 1950, as amended, the Board of Supervisors hereby deems those elderly persons or permanently and totally disabled persons who fall within the provisions of this article to be bearing an extraordinary tax burden on the real estate and manufactured homes defined herein in relation to their income and net worth. 2. Definitions. a. “dwelling" shall mean the full-time residence and domiciliary, including a manufactured or mobile home, of the person claiming the exemption. b. "elderly" shall mean a person not less than sixty-five (65) years of age as of December 31 of the year prior to the year for which exemption is requested. c. "fair market value" shall mean, when applied to real estate, based upon the appraised value, and not the assessed value, as shown on the records of the Commissioner of Revenue. When applied to personal property, fair market value shall mean the actual value as appraised by the Commissioner of Revenue. d. "income" shall mean total gross income from all sources, without regard to whether a tax return is actually filed. Income shall not include life insurance benefits or receipts from borrowing or other debt. e. "manufactured or mobile home" means a structure subject to federal regulation, which is transportable in one or more sections; is eight (8) body feet or more in width and forty (40) body feet or more in length in the traveling mode; or is three-hundred and twenty (320) or more square feet when erected on site; is built on a permanent chassis; and is designed to be used as a single family dwelling, with or without a permanent foundation. f. "permanently and totally disabled" shall mean unable to engage in any substantially gainful activity by means of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment or deformity which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for the duration of the person's life. g. "real estate" shall mean real property and dwelling structures, and shall include manufactured or mobile homes which are presently being used as a dwelling, and are connected to the required utilities including plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical utilities. h. "relative" shall mean any relation by blood or marriage. i. “taxable year" shall mean the calendar year, from January 1 until December 31, for which exemption is claimed. 5 3. General Provisions. A. Real estate owned and occupied as the sole dwelling of a person or persons who are not less than sixty-five (65) years of age or who are determined to be permanently and totally disabled are exempted from so much of the County Real Estate Taxes as provided for in Section 4 hereof, subject however to the following restrictions and conditions, in addition to those set out elsewhere in this section: 1. The combined annual income shall be based on adding together the income received during the preceding calendar year, without regard to whether a tax return is actually filed, by (i) owners of the dwelling who use it as their principal residence, (ii) owners' relatives who live in the dwelling, except for those relatives living in the dwelling and providing bona fide caregiving services to the owner whether such relatives are compensated or not, and (iii) nonrelatives of the owner who live in the dwelling except for bona fide tenants or bona fide caregivers of the owner, whether compensated or not, shall not exceed twenty-five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars per year; provided that the first four thousand ($4,000.00) dollars of annual income of each relative/nonrelative, other than the spouse of the owner, shall not be included in such totals; and 2. That the net combined financial worth, including equitable interests, of the owners and of the spouse of any owner, excluding the value of the dwelling and the land upon which it sits, not exceeding one acre, does not exceed sixty thousand ($60,000.00) dollars as of the 31st day of December of the immediately preceding calendar year, and through the taxable year to which such exemption is to apply. B. The person or persons claiming such exemptions shall file annually, after the (1st) day of January but not later than the fifteenth day of February, with the Commissioner of Revenue of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, or such other agent or officer as may be designated by the commissioner, on forms supplied by the County, an Affidavit setting forth the names of related persons occupying the real estate for which the exemption is claimed, their total combined net worth, including equitable interests and the combined income from all sources of all persons specified. The application deadline may be extended on the approval of the Commissioner of Revenue, if the applicant is applying for the exemption for the first time or in cases of hardship, and if proper application is made along with a sworn affidavit that failure to apply by the fifteenth day of February was due to reasons beyond the applicant's control. The Commissioner of Revenue shall require that the applicant, spouse, and any and all relatives living in the dwelling supply proof of age in the form of Birth Certificates or Passports or Driver’s License; and proof of income in the form of copies of their W-2s, 1099-DIV, 1099- INT, 1099-MISC, 1099-R, SSA-1099 Social Security Statements, and such other documents as may be required by the Commissioner of Revenue to determine income and total combined net worth. C. If the person claiming the exemption is under sixty-five (65) years of age, the Affidavit filed under this section shall have attached thereto a Certification by the Social Security Administration, the Veterans Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board, or if such person is not eligible for certification by any of these agencies, a sworn affidavit by two (2) medical doctors licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Virginia, to the effect that such 6 person is permanently and totally disabled. The affidavit of at least one such doctor shall be based upon a physical examination of such person by such doctor. The affidavit of one such doctor may be based upon medical information contained in the records of the Civil Service Commission which is relevant to the standards for determining permanent and total disability, as defined herein. D. The fact that persons who are otherwise qualified for tax exemption are residing in hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, or other facilities for physical or mental care for extended periods of time shall not be construed to mean that the real estate for which tax exemption or deferral is sought does not continue to be the sole dwelling of such person during such extended periods of other residence so long as such real estate is not used by or leased to others for consideration. 4. Exemption. (a) The exemption shall be as follows: Total Income from All Sources Tax Exemption $0 – $15,400 100% $15,401 - $16,600 90% $16,601 - $17,800 80% $17,801 - $19,000 70% $19,001 - $20,200 60% $20,201 - $21,400 50% $21,401 - $22,600 40% $22,601 - $23,800 30% $23,801- $25,000 20% (b) The total annual exemptions shall not exceed four hundred and fifty ($450.00) dollars. (c) The tax exemption herein permitted may be granted for any year following the year of the taxpayer occupying such dwelling and owning title or partial title thereto reaches the age of sixty- five (65) years or is determined to be permanently and totally disabled. (d) If the ownership of the property for which application for exemption is made is not held solely by the applicant, or jointly with the applicant's wife, then the amount of the tax exemption percentage as provided for herein shall be in proportion to the applicant's ownership interest. 5. Changes - Ownership, Income, or Financial Worth. Any change in respect of total combined income, net combined financial worth, ownership of property, or other factors, which occur during the taxable year for which the affidavit is filed, and which has the effect of a reduction or termination of any exemption, shall nullify or reduce any exemption for remainder of the current taxable year, and the taxable year immediately following. A prorated exemption is provided for the portion of the taxable year during which the taxpayer qualified for such exemption. 7 6. Prorated Exemption upon death of qualifying individual. Notwithstanding Section 6-6(5) herein, a change in ownership or a nonqualifying individual, when such change resulted solely from the death of the qualifying individual, or a sale of such property shall result in a prorated exemption for the then current taxable year. Such prorated portion shall be determined by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction wherein the number of the complete months of the year such property was properly eligible for such exemption is the numerator and the number twelve (12) is the denominator. The proceeds of the sale which would result in the prorated exemption shall not be included in the computation of net worth or income required by Section 6-6(3) herein. 7. Certification to the Treasurer. The Commissioner of Revenue shall certify to the Treasurer of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, annually those persons who qualify under this article for an exemption and the amount thereof. The Treasurer shall deduct the amount of exemption from the applicant's real estate tax for that year. 8. Penalty. Any person who knowingly gives false information to support a claim for an exemption under this article, or any person who willfully fails to notify the Commissioner of Revenue or other designated officer of changes in conditions which would result in a reduction or termination of the exemption. (B.S.M. 12/19/06); (B.S.M. 12/18/18); (B.S.M. 3/12/19) 8 NEIGHBORING LOCALITIES’ ELDERLY/INDIGENT/DISABLED TAX EXEMPTIONS City of Danville, Virginia Requirements for Elderly/Indigent/Disabled Real Estate Tax Exemptions: • The claimant must have the title to the property for which the exemption is claimed; the claimant must have owned or partially owned the property by June 30 of the immediately preceding tax year; • The property for which an exemption is claimed must be occupied as the sole dwelling place of the claimant; those claimants who are currently residing in hospitals, nursing homes, etc., for an extended period of time will still consider the property their sole dwelling as long as the property is not used or leased by others for consideration; • The claimant must be 65 years of age or older or permanently and totally disabled as of June 30 of the preceding tax year; • The total combined income of the owner and all other residents of the property (from all sources) must not exceed $35,000 or $42,500 (applicant who is permanently and totally disabled); the first $4,000 of income from relatives, other than a spouse who is living in the dwelling, shall not be included in the total; a permanently and totally disabled owner can deduct an additional $7,500 from their total income; and • The combined financial worth, including equitable interests of all owners of the dwelling and their spouses cannot exceed $50,000 as of December 31 of the preceding year; this excludes the value of the dwelling and the land, not to exceed one acre upon which the dwelling is situated, including the value of furnishings, household appliances, and other items typically used in the home. Franklin County, Virginia To be eligible for Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly or Disabled Homeowner’s Program, per Franklin County Code § 20-18, property owners must meet the following requirements: 1. The owner or their spouse must be age 65 or older on January 1, or permanently and totally disabled (no age requirement) on January 1; 2. Total household income cannot exceed $25,000; and 3. Combined net worth of the owner or their spouse cannot exceed $80,000 (excluding the value of the dwelling and up to five (5) acres of land). Net worth includes, but is not limited to, additional land, year-end savings and checking account balances, vehicle value, etc. 9 If a property owner qualifies, the relief received will never be re-paid to the county by the property owner or their family should the property be sold, or the property owner passes away. Qualified property owners must apply annually, no later than May 1st, to receive the benefit. Bedford County, Virginia You may be eligible for a partial exemption of real estate taxes (this partial exemption applies to a person's primary residence), if: (1) If you are over the age of 65 or permanently/totally disabled; (2) Have an annual household income less than $50,000; and (3) Have a net worth less than $150,000, you may be eligible for a partial exemption of real estate taxes. This partial exemption applies to a person's primary residence. To apply for a partial exemption, contact the Commissioner of Revenue's office to receive an application. You must submit an annual application between January 2 and February 29. Exemption is based on the tax due amount. The taxpayer will receive 100% exemption, if their tax due is $500 or less. The taxpayer will receive 85% exemption, if their tax due is between $500 - $1000. Halifax County, Virginia Requirements for Elderly/Indigent/Disabled Real Estate Tax Exemptions: • The applicant must be 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled on December 31 of the previous year. Disability certification is required. • The property for which tax exemption is claimed must be owned or partially owned and lived in by the applicant on December 31 of the previous year. If the applicant is in a hospital or extended care facility, they may still qualify if the house is not rented or leased. • Gross combined income cannot exceed $22,000. The income of relatives (other than the spouse) living in the house over, and above $8,500, must be included in the gross income. • Net worth cannot exceed $60,000. The house and up to one (1) acre are excluded from the $60,000 net worth value. Campbell County, Virginia To qualify for Elderly/Disabled/Indigent tax exemption, a homeowner must: 10 (1) Be at least 65 years of age as of January 1 of tax year; (2) Have an annual “household” income of $50,000 or less; and (3) Have a net worth that does not exceed $100,000. The income will include “all income” from all people who live in the home. The applicant may exclude the first $10,000 of income of each relative who also lives in the home. Net worth includes the value of your assets such as stocks, bonds, savings and checking accounts, rental properties, land value more than one (1) acre, vehicles, farm equipment, etc. It does not include the value of your home and up to one acre of land on which it sits. The maximum amount of tax relief currently allowed is $1,000. The application deadline is April 1, 2024. Amherst County, Virginia You may be entitled to an exemption on Real Estate Tax or Mobile Home Tax, if: (1) If you are 65 years or older on January 1st of the tax year or 100% disabled; (2) Earn less than $50,000 in income from all sources; and (3) Have less than $150,000 in net worth. Applications for relief from Real Estate Tax or Mobile Home Tax must be filed January 15th through March 31st annually. City of Lynchburg, Virginia You may qualify for Real Estate Tax Relief, if: (1) You own and are living in your home in the City of Lynchburg; (2) Are 65 years of age or older, or permanently disabled; and (3) Have a yearly income of $46,100 or less, and a net worth of $100,000 or less. Roanoke County, Virginia The Commissioner of the Revenue's office administers Roanoke County's Real Estate Tax Freeze program for the Elderly and Disabled. You may qualify for a tax freeze if you meet the following conditions: 1. The person or persons applying must be owners or partial owners and must occupy the dwelling on the real estate for which application is being made; 2. Filing dates for this program are January 1 through March 15 each year; 11 3. A dwelling jointly held by a husband and wife may qualify, if either spouse is 65 years or over on December 31st of the year preceding the taxable year, or permanently and totally disabled; 4. The gross combined income of the owners and any relatives living in the dwelling during the preceding calendar year shall not exceed $56,566; however, the first $10,000 of income of each relative, other than a spouse or owner, shall not be included in such total’ and 5. Effective January 1, 2009, the net combined financial worth, including equitable interests, as of December 31st of the preceding calendar year, of the owners and of the spouse, shall not exceed $200,000. This amount shall not include the value of the sole dwelling and up to one (1) acre of land. Henry County, Virginia How to qualify for the Elderly/Indigent/Disabled Real Estate Tax Relief: 1. You must be 65 years old or totally AND permanently disabled as of Jan. 1, 2024; 2. Gross income cannot exceed $24,000 from all sources; and 3. Net financial worth cannot exceed $50,000. Application due May 1, 2024. 12 6.b. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Information Only Agenda Title: Future County Strategic Initiatives Discussion (15 minutes) Staff Contact(s): Stuart Turille Agenda Date: April 16, 2024 Item Number: 6.b. Attachment(s): 1. 5 Areas of Strategic Needs for April 16 Reviewed By: Stuart J. Turille, Jr., County Administrator, will present his future County strategic initiatives. Related documentation/information is attached and/or will be distributed at the Board's Work Session. 13 Proposed Pittsylvania County Strategic Initiatives Strengthen and Support the Fire-EMS System Goals: 1. Complete current Fire-EMS study, review recommendations for implementation 2. Continue improving positive communication and collaboration with volunteers, Public Safety, Committees, Board and Administration, as a business partnership 3. Improve scheduling of planned depreciation and replacement of equipment 4. Continue discussions about important operational matters such new drug box law, volunteer recruitment, long-term system planning as an operational business and critical customer service to our citizens 5. Improve coordination to pursue grants for equipment. We are pursuing these now. A Written Regional & County Economic Development Strategy Goals: 1. We need a clear, written Regional strategy to attract global companies to the megasite and our industrial parks, a more proactive strategy for targeted industrial sectors. (Working on this now with DRF and City Manager which will require a 1/3 grant match) 2. Strategy is to emphasize our assets: additive manufacturing, workforce development from early school to college level in advance manufacturing training, This sets us apart from other areas 3. Now need also a County plan to include agriculture, the Towns, then north end, Smith Mountain/Leesville lake, local and small businesses to encourage more local entrepreneurship, shops, retail growth in the County. The IDA is pursuing this 4. Better coordination with other local governments, the IDA and civic agencies on strategies 5. Continued emphasis on Workforce development to develop meaningful careers and keep our young people here. More Active in the Community Goals: 1. Update Comprehensive Land Use Plan, to protect our agricultural heritage while allowing areas for growth and workforce housing 2. Write a clear Housing Plan—already a shortage; more industry will mean more need for housing, particularly at mid-price workforce level for our teachers, public safety staff, etc. 14 3. To attract a workforce, and keep our young folks here, we need more Parks and Recreation opportunities and other quality of life events, programs and infrastructure. The Park Master Plan is underway, generating much interest. 4. Beautification/litter: • Let’s clean up the visual appearance of the County (not just litter), beginning with Earth Day April 27, then ongoing with the Beautification Committee. This is important for economic development, community spirit – and its our home! • Since last year we have met regularly with stakeholders, Sheriff, VDOT, and State and individual citizens, but needs better coordination, not just piecemeal by complaints • Litter update—we have identified a DEQ grant to fund a position to assist with this, as well as an existing position we are repurposing. Upgrade the Built (Infrastructure) environment Goals: 1. Continue to expand water-sewer infrastructure to implement the water sewer map study and bring more folks on public system 2. Continue upgrade and maintenance of the Historic Buildings (already begun with Moses building) 3. Pursue more grants, State and Federal subsidies for historic buildings (have a request in with Senator Warner for Moses building) and water-sewer infrastructure 4. Planning for future space needs of the organization, ETC, 911, jail/courthouse relocations, Administration. This is underway. Improve Citizen Engagement Goals: 1. Continue outreach efforts such as the Citizens Academy we began this year 2. Schedule quarterly listening meetings throughout County; need more pro -active engagement (apart from difficult zoning or budget issues as they occur) to listen and explain all we are doing to improve the community and to meet citizen needs 3. More outreach to local and possible business owners regarding their needs (Economic Summit idea) 4. Improved cooperation with other governments and civic agencies 5. Continue good work of our PR Director with social media, podcasts, videos of staff efforts to bring to light all the things we are doing, as an active engaged agency, to improve the lives of our citizens, to do the right things for their hard- earned tax dollar! 15 8.a. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Closed Session Agenda Title: Closed Session (Personnel) Staff Contact(s): Board of Supervisors Agenda Date: April 16, 2024 Item Number: 8.a. Attachment(s): None Reviewed By: 16 Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body. (1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1) Subject Matter: County Administrator Purpose: Conduct Annual Performance Review/Evaluation; Review/Discussion of Same 9.a. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Action Item Agenda Title: Closed Session Certification Staff Contact(s): Kaylyn McCluster Agenda Date: April 16, 2024 Item Number: 9.a. Attachment(s): None Reviewed By: PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ CLOSED MEETING CERTIFICATION BE IT RESOLVED that at the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors’ (“Board”) Work Session on April 16, 2024, the Board hereby certifies by a recorded vote that to the best of each Board Member’s knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the Open Meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“Act”) and identified in the Motion authorizing the Closed Meeting were heard, discussed, or considered in the Closed Meeting. If any Board Member believes that there was a departure from the requirements of the Act, he shall so state prior to the vote indicating the substance of the departure. The Statement shall be recorded in the Board's Minutes. Vote Kenneth L. Bowman Yes/No Timothy W. Dudley Yes/No Eddie L. Hite, Jr. Yes/No William V. ("Vic") Ingram Yes/No Murray W. Whittle Yes/No Robert M. Tucker, Jr. Yes/No Darrell W. Dalton Yes/No 17