[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6269526,"mediaKeyId","3043676-f9694b96c11f997ddaa4fde02def627f","parentId",3043676,"title","Madison County narrows staffing additions: permit technician kept, PRA conversion scaled back to 30 hours, IT position retained","audioSeconds",1663,"startMs",5577000,"endMs",7240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043676-f9694b96c11f997ddaa4fde02def627f&start=5577&end=7240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043676-f9694b96c11f997ddaa4fde02def627f/thumbnail_5577000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269526/Madison-County/Virginia/Madison-County-narrows-staffing-additions-permit-technician-kept-PRA-conversion-scaled-back-to-30-hours-IT-position-retained","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269526-0217dcc973e6540257a32fa20a6b72ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588117&Signature=Fq55RjtwCgvTmTS08SaXNubAuRZ7irbZMgS-fMd-vd7Pxoq9Muw7sYFEZKuWDnhGxX6VcDPrHDM9wntp6gSv7-lFOg9S3d95aciECJWNAM5wLm5bsFxx~3VzLIzhCLot7gITadSL7pDP05tbJDzH3cQR4kkVUsH9jBrXzHqP5y1peQkIQMvg-DkVbSH1YqFw-t7FGcGomu0aesce20YLbGCz85GYFBFUZgT3E6YykowyZNElTngVet-r~ET6KaJRbaM6pMlgy7SzYF5cweRXrt3hO67j4t-lcbilm2yY4NQiGP6QLniSeDuehHqrMLfTwUwa6Su1QWqiezAANS-rGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Madison County, VA","date","2025-04-17T23:54:36.53Z","article","Madison County supervisors reviewed four proposed personnel changes and asked staff to hold or modify several requests as part of the FY26 budget discussion.

This matters because personnel changes affect recurring operating costs and the county’s ability to stay above its fund‑balance target while providing basic services.

Staff presented four positions under consideration: a building/zoning permit technician (vacant), an IT position to replace a promoted employee, a conversion of a Parks & Recreation part‑time administrative post to full time (PRA conversion), and a part‑time animal‑shelter role. Supervisors and staff discussed workload, market pay, certification needs and how fringe benefits drive total budget impact.

Key directions from the board:
- Permit technician: Board members emphasized the workload in building and zoning and instructed staff to retain the position. They recommended recruiting at a lower entry point (mid‑$40,000 range) if a candidate lacks certifications; staff said the grade allows a range and certifications warrant additional pay.
- IT position: The board directed staff to keep the IT hire given ongoing enterprise projects (ERP/Laserfiche/Avenity), servers and radio/911 maintenance; members said IT capacity is critical and not appropriate for cuts.
- Parks & Recreation administrative position (PRA): Supervisors agreed to convert the PRA position to a 30‑hour post instead of full‑time, which reduces costs and limits a jump into full county payroll benefit costs; staff noted that some administrative responsibilities would transfer to finance, HR and accounts‑payable functions after the merger.
- Animal shelter part‑time: The board recommended postponing filling the 16‑hour animal‑shelter position and reassessing hours/market availability.

Staff provided clarifications about fringe calculations, noting that family health‑insurance cost assumptions and VRS (retirement) contributions materially change total employer cost. Board members instructed staff to place $20,000 into contingency to offset a reduced salary assumption on the building‑permit tech if the board decides to recruit at a lower step.

Ending: Staff will adjust the personnel budget per the board’s direction—retain the IT position; recruit the permit technician at a reduced salary band if appropriate and place $20,000 in contingency; convert the PRA role to 30 hours; and defer hiring for the animal shelter position. Those changes will be reflected in the updated budget model for the public hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors' Budget Worksession 04/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Supervisors debated four requested positions and directed staff to preserve an IT hire, retain the building/zoning permit technician (at reduced salary assumptions), convert a parks & recreation part‑time role to 30 hours instead of full time, and hold the animal‑shelter part‑time position.","taxTitle","Madison County, Virginia","taxId",37279,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269531,"Finance staff flags 2.5% asset‑maintenance reserve requirement tied to audited property value",224,4208000,4432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043676-f9694b96c11f997ddaa4fde02def627f&start=4208&end=4432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043676-f9694b96c11f997ddaa4fde02def627f/thumbnail_4208000.jpg","/articles/6269531/Madison-County/Virginia/Finance-staff-flags-25-assetmaintenance-reserve-requirement-tied-to-audited-property-value","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269531-09d97bdf4326044d97d4c8bcf437cdbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588117&Signature=X5qz0CtCkAzESJWApAMkACNku6W8EkAPMbs7UYq-8KEcRwAGhh05A0-PlQ1VuXscXirx6LoF9m5nefJeX3CC~YChsqlz6iQqu2TTyj~Vcz3en~3nqnVLs1PU47ACsC5Uq5ysotjJ0JOvkKiV1wZWWbLsxDCBcjBKWP-KTqTE54lEEqoS12C3qiDqLLTZnqcNjBPm1NmpfoE-iIEDlyxE0b5vjRQ2wBeMZ0fOd2Dyp6xwgJIp85uFpO7Liwp4V22S8wRU96~yeG-uYr5Bd8jH5~fL-2MJjYCMPhzQPBKy3pghl~hrq5yKa2hFPVrms9D78E76NG0iAK~FJ5eqV7wT0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madison County finance staff told the Board of Supervisors that the county’s Asset Maintenance Replacement Policy will require setting aside an assigned reserve equal to 2.5% of the net book value of depreciable county property beginning in the fourth budget year after the policy’s adoption.

The point matters because setting aside that 2.5% reserve will reduce the county’s unassigned fund balance available for operating uses and could influence how much the board relies on pay‑as‑you‑go funding versus debt financing.

Miss Warren (finance staff) explained the policy language adopted in April 2021 and showed figures from the FY24 audit. Per the policy, “beginning in the fourth budget year after the adoption of these policies … the county will provide for major maintenance of its facilities each year with a goal of reinvesting or setting aside for future use 2.5% of the replacement value of County facilities.” Using FY24 audit figures for buildings and equipment (net of depreciation), staff calculated that a 2.5% reserve would equal $867,017. Miss Warren also noted the policy allows counting specified operating maintenance and capital appropriations toward that 2.5% target (for example, $100,000 of maintenance in facilities operating budget reduces the net new reserve required).

Staff told supervisors that the 2.5% set‑aside does not replace the board’s 18% unassigned fund‑balance target; the 18% rainy‑day requirement remains a minimum for unassigned balance. Miss Warren recommended the board could (a) defer formally moving the amount into assigned fund balance until the FY25 audit is complete, (b) set it aside now out of available unassigned fund balance, or (c) propose modifications to the financial policy when staff presents an update.

Board members asked clarifying questions about whether the 2.5% is additive to the 18% rainy‑day policy; Miss Warren confirmed it is separate and would be accounted for in assigned fund balance. Supervisors and staff discussed how facility operating maintenance and known capital projects could be counted to help reach the 2.5% target without an immediate additional appropriation. No policy change was adopted at the meeting.

Ending: Staff will include the 2.5% calculation in the FY25 audit presentation and will include options for the board to (a) set the amount aside, (b) defer action until the FY25 audit is final, or (c) revise policy language in a future financial‑policy update.","Finance staff advised supervisors that under the county's asset maintenance replacement policy, beginning the fourth budget year after adoption the county should set aside 2.5% of net book value of depreciable real property into an assigned reserve; that amount would be about $867,017 based on FY24 audit figures.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269535,"Madison County supervisors weigh $4 million borrowing and 2-cent tax increase to fund pared-down capital plan",3190,228000,3418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043676-f9694b96c11f997ddaa4fde02def627f&start=228&end=3418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043676-f9694b96c11f997ddaa4fde02def627f/thumbnail_228000.jpg","/articles/6269535/Madison-County/Virginia/Madison-County-supervisors-weigh-4-million-borrowing-and-2-cent-tax-increase-to-fund-pared-down-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269535-08591de725e13060370e9c30900d6a0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588117&Signature=Iz4JJAxI~~mqLv5Fh~t9XoE1db7B8fhY-91shBxmROYKfUyigw0YtXQ8sly4QQmdFj7WjEBKDH4eJid51yVy1zbSn4fVWWkNp2WQNb87xR9MUUJbj6Mq17b1MiMgiIUiAzRFwSZNIWz9j-fIL-zvNjYtlEzskciWQmW~BAVJnOZ-lJ1Km3Sn7sXm1Gd9S~PiVMsMsQNg77zFTJF0fb6CkCqJ549olJ--5nn2RFOj9KgDgc30Vzz0PeaZU~Y2rqDQT3-AABQRFMD0QGTFmFMjFSSWNs-w-oZVoKDN9blrWqWWa52D0PS84qLx5F4Q9o9os0tRfAlY5e8AH3-3DIl2OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madison County supervisors discussed a proposed capital-improvement package that county staff trimmed to reduce borrowing needs and recommended using $4 million in debt financing alongside a 2-cent real-estate tax increase to fund priority projects.

The matter matters because the county’s capital backlog and replacement needs exceed available pay‑as‑you‑go funds, and supervisors must balance maintaining a minimum unassigned fund balance while addressing building, safety and IT requirements.

County staff presented a revised joint school-and-county CIP that reduced the two‑year facility need to just under $2.2 million on the county side and about $2.687 million for schools. Finance staff said the combined total after revisions sits at about $4,887,100 before additional line‑item cuts. Jennifer (finance staff) told the board that drawing down a $4 million interim financing package would generate interest income while funds sit in the county’s SNAP account, and that Davenport (financial advisor) returned a financing scenario showing $4 million of debt could be supported if the board raised the tax rate by 2 pennies in FY26 (with options to add another $2 million later if needed).

Staff walked the board through facility‑level needs and proposed cuts. Key items discussed included:
- Circuit Courthouse: window replacement and security camera upgrades; staff recommended removing a $62,053 allotment for courthouse roof work after Cowan Roofing reported “many more years” of life in the metal roof. Fire suppression for the records/secure storage area remains under review; VSC (vendor) pricing was estimated near $200,000.
- Sheriff’s Office: an older generator and automatic transfer switch were estimated at roughly $150,000; supervisors discussed seeking grant funding or engine overhaul instead of full replacement to reduce costs.
- Transfer Station: a proposed replacement scale was listed at $100,000; board members suggested obtaining Apple Valley’s assessment to consider replacing load cells and electronics instead of the full deck to reduce the estimate.
- CID (old ABC building): membrane roof estimate updated to $88,000 and other repairs increased the recommended total for that facility.
- IT and 911/server projects: staff noted the server replacement estimate may decline and that a VDEM grant of about $200,000 is likely reimbursable and will reduce net cash impact when reimbursement is received.

Jonathan (county staff) and Jennifer (finance staff) repeatedly urged grouping long‑life items (15+ years) for debt financing and leaving shorter‑life items to pay‑as‑you‑go. They explained interim financing would be interest‑only initially and that loan proceeds placed in the county’s SNAP account would earn roughly 4.25–4.35% until drawn for projects. Jennifer summarized that converting a $6 million borrowing scenario to a $4 million close this year—plus reinvesting proceeds—would reduce near‑term interest expense and keep the county above its fund‑balance minimum in staff models.

Board members directed staff to pare the CIP further to remove about $800,000 from the $4.887 million combined total. Supervisors identified specific candidates for removal or delay, including some roofing, seating and acoustic tile projects at War Memorial, a generator overhaul in the Sheriff’s tab, and nonessential drywall/cabinetry work at other facilities. Several members urged pursuing grants for the generator and other high‑cost items.

Quotes from the meeting recorded in the transcript include Jim Smith of Brightwood, a public commenter, who said: “The word of the day is flatline. She suggests that we try to flatline all requests for budget before we go to the taxpayers for more funding.”

The board did not adopt final financing tonight; staff scheduled a public hearing on tax rates next week and a budget hearing on May 13. Supervisors were briefed on the mechanics and timing: if the board approves interim financing for $4 million now, it could add another $2 million before permanent closing if additional capital is needed.

Ending: Staff will return with revised line items and grant updates; the board signaled support for the narrower $4 million debt scenario and a 2‑cent tax increase as the working plan while they finalize the FY26 budget and public hearings.","Supervisors reviewed a revised capital improvements list and finance staff outlined a plan to borrow $4 million supported by an initial 2-cent real-estate tax increase; board members trimmed several CIP items to reduce borrowing needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Madison County narrows staffing additions: permit technician kept, PRA conversion scaled back to 30 hours, IT position retained

Finance staff flags 2.5% asset‑maintenance reserve requirement tied to audited property value

Madison County supervisors weigh $4 million borrowing and 2-cent tax increase to fund pared-down capital plan