Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. {{indexmenu_n>1}} ====== 05/20/2026 Board of Supervisors : 2026 Budget Adjustment - Public Hearing ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:05_20|5-20 Agenda and Budget Public Hearing]] Given that the previous plan to spend the money sent back to Richmond (**__$687,617.50__**), was rejected by Richmond, apparently the School system scrambled to come up with expenditures that Richmond would accept before the June 15th deadline. To spend the (Richmond allowed) amount of $498,113.00 The school system decided to buy 2 each 53 passenger "yellow" school buses, 1 smaller white activity bus (that can't be used for transporting students to and from school), a transport car, along with kitchen upgrades (for culinary arts) and weight upgrades for the gym. ====== 05/05/2026 Board of Supervisors : Real Property Tax Ordinance Revision - Public Hearing ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:05_05|5-05 Agenda and Budget Real Property Tax Ordinance Public Hearing]] During this meeting, the main issue was modifying the Real Property Tax Ordinance to change various taxes and fees due dates, allowing for additional time to collect.\\ The County's books audit was presented to the board. I gave some thought to getting a copy and reviewing it but something like this (in Government) is, "you get what you pay for", The County wanted a clean bill of health so, absent something that would have had to be hot and glaring, Admin got what they wanted - a clean bill of health. Accounting firms will not, where possible, bite the hand that feeds them.\\ ====== 04/27/2026 Highland County School Board Meeting : Actual Budget ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:04_27|4-27 Agenda and Budget Public Hearing]] While still far too high (a bit over 7%) at least the taxpayer will not be fleeced this year with rate increases. For the reasons stated in my -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:speaking_notes_4-27-26.pdf|speaking notes]], rates increase year after year are taking an unseen and unsung human toll. The BOS direction, as it appears to be, is to take the shortfall from the reserve rather than raise tax rates. While I would have preferred to see a budget increase capped at 4%, I am all in favor of reducing the reserve "slush fund" as a measure to help in preventing large outlays, solely at the Board's discretion. (As an example - the unnecessary purchase of the car wash and, subsequent, conversion to an EMS building.) ====== 03/19/2026 Highland County School Board Meeting : Proposed Budget ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:03_19-special_hcsb_meeting|03-19-2026 - Highland School Board Budget Meeting]] (Files may be viewed or downloaded from this page, **to include the HC school division's proposed budget**.)\\ This budget presentation, for all intents and purposes, was nearly identical to the meeting on March 12th. The ask, essentially 12%, was the same. The only difference is that this presentation was delivered by the superintendent. He kept insisting that this budget was "required", hinting that it was minimum or bare bones. This was nonsensical of course. Otherwise, how did last year transpire without the requested 12%? To properly characterize what the superintendent and the school board is asking, look at -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:speaking_notes_3-19-26.pdf|my notes]] for their 3 minute public comment session. In the bottom line, the school division created a financial mess last year that was finally resolved by the County sending a massive **__$687,617.50__** check to Richmond. Now, as it that wasn't enough, they're asking for 12%..?? ====== 03/18/2026 Board of Supervisors: Budget Session ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:03_18|03-18-2026 - Budget Session]]\\ This session seemed to be more about how much would need to be transferred from the general fund, to prevent a tax increase. While I'm for that generally speaking (a large slush fund invites the Board to spend it), there was no mention of two key issues: * There was no side-by-side comparison between this year's proposed budget, versus last years passed budget, to see the relative increase. * There was no mention of NOT giving out the requested (ridiculous) increases which are multiples of last year's inflation. \\ We have to remember, the County is not growing meaning that the administrative job is staying the same. Therefore, why would any budget be given more than an inflation increase of 3%?\\ \\ ====== 03/12/2026 Highland County School Board Meeting : Proposed Budget ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:03_12-special_hcsb_meeting|03-12-2026 - Special Highland School Board Meeting]] (Files may be viewed or downloaded from this page, **to include the HC school division's proposed budget**.)\\ In consideration of the scheduled initial 2026 budget proposal being on this meeting's agenda, I attended out of morbid curiosity. I had hopes that the budget request would be realistic, but expected something outlandish. I wasn't disappointed. First I delivered my -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:speaking_notes_3-13-26.pdf|personal speaking notes]] before seeing their proposed budget, in a severely abbreviated form (only 3 minutes are allowed). I presented some of the latest data from the -> [[https://www.doe.virginia.gov/data-policy-funding/data-reports/statistics-reports/superintendent-s-annual-report|Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Superintendents report]]. The most notable stat's from what I reviewed was tables 15 and 17 for Highland County - which are [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:final-fy24-table-15.pdf|Per Pupil Expenditure]] and [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:table17-fy24.pdf|Student to Teacher Ratio]]. I wouldn't be surprised to find that (1) the superintendent to not present this information to the School Board and (2) that the School Board did not, independently, look it up. In accordance with [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:final-fy24-table-15.pdf|table 15]], Highland is 4th from the highest in the state of Virginia and supplied $24,507 per student in fiscal year 2024/2025. (Note this is not the actual full cost. That number is found by taking the finalized budget amount, divided by the number of students. That actual cost is around $30,000 per student.)\\ In accordance with [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:table17-fy24.pdf|table 17]] (where lower is considered to be better) Highland County has the lowest Student to Teacher ratio in the State of Virginia, BAR NONE. For a quick summation of this, see my [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:speaking_notes_3-13-26.pdf|speaking notes]]given during the 03/12/2025 school board meeting. Given what I've seen, and noting that I've been closer to County budget processes than any Highland citizen that is NOT on the County's payroll; I can see the set up for another ridiculously high tax increase on the horizon. Is it needed? No. Highland County is a case study in steadiness and regularity. There are no population surges to speak of, no crime waves, and no swelling of students registering in the school system. So why are the citizens of Highland be pelted with tax and fee increases? From personal observation, there appear to few primary reasons:\\ * Horrendous decisions by the current and the last Board of Supervisors.\\ The needless purchase and conversion costs of the old car wash and all that ensued in the aftermath (paid EMS personnel drama, the recall, etc.). All of it was both expensive and tragic. The lying and other drama of the current Board is an indicator of the quality of their collective judgement. The net result is the taxpayer was left holding the bag and, ultimately, paying a very large bill. Ergo, we got a 15.9% real-estate tax increase last year. * The willingness of County Department Heads to endlessly pursue budget and personnel increases.\\ As previously noted, little of any real consequence is changing in Highland county, yet Department Heads are continually pushing for pay and benefits increase along with (the worst) additional personnel slots. As an example, the Department of Social Services went from 3 full time and 1 part time position to 6 full time positions and, if I'm not mistake, they're looking for a 7th. Department Heads are given nearly unlimited time at the Board's podium and microphone to make "their case". * What seems like the apparent inability of the elected Boards to "follow up". These Boards, as it seems, are willing to take what is said to them, by Department Heads, at face value. Further, they seem to be oblivious to the fact that everything being said to them, by Department Heads, is coming from a source with a baked-in conflict of interest. Boards are given one sided information where they, seemingly, couldn't be bothered with balancing the picture. Yet when a citizen stands up, objects, and attempts to paint in the other side of the picture, the Board is dismissive as if the citizen is being unreasonable. These Boards do not seem to understand that their primary job is to protect the citizens of Highland County, not Department Heads and by extension the staff that they hire. * Members of these Boards seem to believe that the entire job is "presiding" over scheduled meetings and voting when, in fact, that's just the barest beginnings of what is needed. A discerning vote can not be cast without complete information that will not be provided Department Heads. They have to do some grunt work and, from what I've seen, it's not being done. Some of them can't even find the time (15 minutes or so) to read and approve meeting minutes. ====== 03/03/2026 BOS Meeting : A Budget Reality Check ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:03_03|02-24-2026]]\\ Most of this meeting was related to ceremonial motions and routine matters. Where the budget is concerned, after the 6 hour presentation where public input, was not allowed and after a week of "simmering" on what was said, the Board was already becoming "comfortable" with their next course of action. Again, as noted in my -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=opinions_corner:floyd_m:03-03-2026_taxation_without_representation_part3|Letter To the Editor]], this was not an accident - it's by design. I spoke plainly on the budget -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:speaking_notes_03-03_-_budget_comments.pdf|Budget Comments]] and the notion of adding more office space -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:speaking_notes_03-03_-_office_space_comments.pdf|Office Space / AI comments]] and a couple of the Board members reacted. Why? I challenged both the status quo and collective assumptions of the "Board" were the formulation already appears to be, "gosh by golly - we don't have a choice, we're just going to have to raise taxes again!" There are other choices to made that include common sense and accountability but they require more than simply showing up "to preside" and going along to get along. ====== 02/24/2026 BOS Meeting : The "Proposed" Budget Addendum ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:02_24|02-24-2026]]\\ I posted the documents requested of County admin, that were presented to the Board during the presentation on the 24th, to include the "cent's per hundred" rate sheet from times past. That particular tactic was "slippery" on the part of the County Administrator. The sheet would give the impression that; "See, our taxes were much higher in the past!". Without the property tax assessments for the ENTIRE COUNTY from the same years (includes the average value per acre, housing values, etc.), the tax rates are absolutely meaningless. The audio recordings, in conjunction with the County Administrators proposal document, will shed some light on the dearth of the request. I take few exceptions to the entire process. - After a Board is elected, they're seeing far too much of County Department managers. Those on the Board without management training or solid grounding in personel management - As noted prior, sessions this long become an indoctrination process. Forcing the Board to sit through these extended sessions creates "buy in" simply through participation. This is a salesman tactic that works. - Presenters should be allocated the same time as the public was granted, in last year's public hearing. (In this case that would have been approximately 40 minutes - not 6 hours.) The concept is simple - **Equal Time** should be given those who are actually paying the bills, as is given to those who are spending money. - Lastly, I don't' want the County Administrator and/or Department Heads spending hours of public time ginning up justifications to spend even more money. I call that "spending money, asking for more money to spend". This is, singularly, counterproductive. The Clerk of the Court included a request, as well, that included "salary supplements" which if properly defined should be labeled "bonuses". Make of that what you will but I wouldn't consider it without full knowledge of what all positions are being paid, along with the past histories of Compensation Board raises. The State of Virginia has a role to play in compensating Constitutional officers that can not be ignored. ====== 02/24/2026 BOS Meeting : The "Proposed" 2026/2027 Budget is Presented ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:02_24|02-24-2026]] <- Files may be viewed or downloaded from this page.\\ In another exhaustingly long presentation—the better part of six hours—the proposed budget included several increases. The presentation referenced a 115-page document and was conveniently scheduled during County staff’s standard working day, ensuring that the vast majority of taxpayers couldn’t attend. The budget document is available -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:fiscal_year_2027report_for_board.pdf|here]]. I understand exactly why it’s presented in such an extended, protracted fashion. It’s an indoctrination process that achieves Board “buy-in,” co-opting a part-time BOS as they listen to the “difficulties” staff face, the “great work that’s being done,” and statements like “this is an expensive business,” along with “we have no choice,” etc., etc. I really don’t understand why the Board sits through these sessions year after year. The BOS is unlikely to follow up on any of the budgetary information, nor will they examine online data to see the obvious trend—that the cost of local government is already out of control. With that said, the process is effective. The Board seems willing to rubber-stamp the increases requested, with little to no pushback, despite citizens objecting to them. Again, this indoctrination method is very productive for County staff. Already, Harry Sponaugle made comments during this very meeting such as “we’re already locked in” and “how much is 1 cent on the real-estate tax rate?” Jerry answered, “about $82,600.” More than once last year, after a tragically high 15.9% real-estate tax increase was passed, I tried to get the Board to look at the budget outside of the press to get one done. None were interested in doing that. After being pelted nonstop with “budget, budget, budget,” a kind of fatigue set in to where (once the budget was passed) all they wanted to do was get out of the meetings as quickly as possible. This seemed to be the case for months. This is the issue with the BOS listening to all of this during a “work session,” where the public can not speak. The public has no voice during the process and, as time wears on, the BOS falls into a mode where they simply want it to “go away.” The easiest way to do that is to rubber-stamp the request, regardless of the effects on taxpayers. During this meeting, a spreadsheet was shared with the Board—but not with the public—regarding the “cents per hundred” tax rates (I’m guessing, based on years past). In the comments, I heard references to “higher” rates in the past. What must be kept in mind is that the “rate” multiplied by the “value” equals the effective tax (which, in the case of Highland County, has been rising for years). The rate, without the assessed value, means next to nothing. Just to better understand why something like this would be presented to the Board, I requested the document. This document is now available -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:past_tax_rates.xls|here]]. \\ ====== 02/03/2026 BOS Meeting : The 2024/2025 Budget is Finally Closed ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:02_03|02-03-2026]]\\ I didn't attend this meeting which, after the many I've been too, proved to be something of a vacation. However, according to the paper, exhaustive budget presentations have been scheduled and there is more talk about expanding office space for the County's administrative employees. While I've attempted to inject some common sense on the topic, the office space issue (as in expanding it) is still being floated by H. Budziniski.\\ \\ In the bottom line, as if last year's 15.9% real-estate tax hike was not enough, we (the citizens of Highland County) are being set up for another massive increase. All of the elements appear to be there.\\ \\ ====== 01/06/2026 BOS Meeting : First of the Year (Delayed entry) ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2026:01_06|01-06-2026]]\\ Interesting times are on the horizon. Details to be added in coming days... ====== 12/12/2025 BOS Meeting : Holiday Pay Passed by Unanimous Vote - Amended ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:12_11|12-11-2025]]\\ \\ In a display of "wrong-think" Harry Spounagle does a diatribe, during this meeting, on why the Board should be paying across-the-board bonuses to County employees. See the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:12_11|agenda page]] to hear it for yourself. To my surprise, Harry informed all, during this meeting, that the Highland BOS has been doing this since 2020.\\ \\ I wrote a second Letter to the Editor of the Recorder on the topic of ->[[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=opinions_corner:floyd_m:12-08-2025_taxation_without_representation_part2|across-the-board bonuses]]. It's going to take a few more letters to describe the issue of exorbitant BOS spending and how we got here - the bloating process has being going on for a long time.\\ \\ In the bottom line, all politics are local. Highland County is no exception. There are many out there who want to point fingers at the State Capitol and Washington DC. That's easy to do. What's not so easy is coming to the realization that we have the exact same thing going on in Highland County and doing something about it. If you want to clean up the political neighborhood, you start with your own backyard first.\\ \\ ====== 11/20/2025 Addendum : Holiday Pay Schedule Proposals ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:11_19|11-19-2025]]\\ \\ Following are the Holiday Pay Schedule proposals provided to the Board of Supervisors during yesterday's meeting.\\ (The following information was not shared with the public during the meeting; a request was necessary to obtain it.)\\ \\ {{:board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:proposed_bonus_schedule.jpg?600|}}\\ \\ At the maximum bonus level of $37,779.00, and adding in the $50,000 increase in medical insurance this year, we're looking at $87,779—more than 1 cent of the amount collected in real-estate taxes (roughly $82,000 per penny). With the current rate at 54 cents per hundred, that means that close to 2% of collected real-estate taxes will be going to “extras” in a year when Highland citizens were compelled to absorb a 15.9% real-estate tax increase.\\ \\ To get an understanding of where the proposed bonuses are going, a quick review of County employee salaries is worth a look. See -> [[https://www.openthebooks.com/members/employer-detail/?Id=2040&tab=1&Year_S=2024|Open the Books - Highland County]]. These figures are one year out of date and do not include all part-time and less-than-part-time employees. 2025 salaries are likely to be somewhat higher.\\ \\ **The major takeaway**, from Open The Books is at the top of their [[https://www.openthebooks.com/members/employer-detail/?Id=2040&tab=1&Year_S=2024| Highland County web page]]. __**In roughly 7 years time**__, the cost of __**Highland County salaries**__ has almost **DOUBLED**.\\ Note that, as of a FOIA request earlier this year, there are **77 employees** on the County side alone.\\ \\ **Money for me, taken from thee, comes to mind...**\\ \\ ====== 11/19/2025 BOS Meeting : Board Votes to Pay for an Enormous School System Accounting Issue ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:11_19|11-19-2025]]\\ \\ - The BOS voted to pay the $687,617.50 (the exact amount quoted at the meeting) to the bureaucrats in Richmond. While I don't have any say in this, I believe this payout was a huge mistake. I would have voted to repay Richmond's contribution (a maximum of 20%) and nothing more. By any accounting, that sum would have made Richmond whole. That check would have been accompanied by a formal letter indicating what the sum was for (i.e., making Richmond’s contribution whole, which is what any legal system attempts to do). Specifically, the letter would have stated that the sum was not for rewarding Richmond with Highland County taxpayer funds for Richmond's interpretation of a perceived accounting error that, as best as I understand it, no one truly has a handle on—what happened or what the issue actually is. Again, I believe, for better or worse, this issue needs to go to court because the law that makes this nonsense possible could only have been dreamed up by education bureaucrats on a power trip. If this is allowed to stand—if Richmond is permitted to bully Highland County taxpayers into paying back more than Richmond's measly 20% contribution—more issues like this may be headed our way in the future.\\ \\ - While some of the $687,617.50 amount will be paid for by the cash merged into the General Fund from the school’s capital fund, I would ensure that next year the school system makes up the difference fully in a dollar-for-dollar budget cut. Highland County taxpayers cannot be expected to make up differences for accounting errors, regardless of the reason, or anomalies like this will become the norm rather than the exception.\\ \\ - A set of across-the-board bonus options was presented to the Board but not provided to the public. See the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:11_19| Agenda page for 11-19-2025]] for details.\\ \\ ====== 11/05/2025 BOS Meeting : Additional Days Off with Added Christmas Bonus ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:11_05|11-05-2025]]\\ \\ - The BOS held a joint session with the School Board regarding the $1.1 million accounting issue that Richmond's education bureaucrats insist is a problem. Keep in mind that Richmond actually contributed roughly $200,000 of this disputed sum, where, if it's not spent exactly how they say it must be spent, they were insisting that the entire sum ($1.1M) be returned to Richmond. (This means their 20% contribution + Highland’s 80%.) The current offer on the table from Richmond is that the BOS pay something like $671,000 of the $1.1 million back and then "apply" to get all funds beyond something around $170,000 (most of Richmond’s contribution) returned to the County with conditions and strings attached. This would mean Richmond would have the *option* to return something like $500,000 — or maybe not; no guarantees. The entire proposition is ludicrous. See the recording on the [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:11_05|Agenda page]] in the time slot beginning at 12:35. The current proposal relies on Richmond’s generosity in returning Highland County funds back to Highland, again with stringent conditions. This is not equitable by any stretch of the imagination. If I were on the Board, I would return Richmond’s paltry 20%-ish contribution, and if they insisted on more — essentially trying to pull back more money than they contributed — it would be, “we’ll see you in court.” I’ve heard that this is “the law.” If it is, it would be a public service to challenge it in court because such a law is an obvious legal overstep. A change is needed. - The highlights of the housing presentation show Highland County with the highest percentage of home ownership in our area. The suggestion is that the 800 or so unoccupied houses in Highland be refurbished and put on the market as rentals. (These houses are likely hunt camps or are simply not habitable.) I'm completely against this idea for a few reasons. The primary reason is that Highland enjoys a relatively low crime rate because of home ownership. As any law-enforcement officer would tell you, the majority of crime — and the residences of criminals in general — are in rentals. This also applies to so-called “low-cost housing.” In every city, the low-rent district is where drugs, alcoholism, and high crime are found. I would strongly advise those interested **not** to consider increasing the availability of rentals or taking funding for low-cost housing. Low-cost housing is, generally, where crime is the highest. While the tax base may increase, initially, the costs of law enforcement and increased adjudication in the courts will soon catch up and far exceed any tax gain, while decreasing the quality of life for Highland County residents. The drawbacks to low-cost housing far exceed the touted benefits. - Amazingly, despite the paid holidays already on the books, the County Administrator requested additional days off for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays for (I believe) all County administrative employees. Equally amazing is that Harry Sponaugle actually requested that the County Administrator come up with an amount for “Christmas pay.” I’m completely aghast at how taxpayer funds are being disrespected. As it seems, at least two of Highland’s BOS members are doggedly consistent in their generosity with your taxpayer dollars. (See the Agenda page for the audio file link and the appropriate time slots. Listen for yourself.) - Henry Budzinski did not (again) read BOS minutes from previous meetings, so passing the minutes into the record was tabled **again**. This would be a 15-minute proposition at best. Yet he asked to represent the BOS at another function. This should tell constituents all they need to know: Budzinski likes to “preside over” but does not like to do any of the actual work required of being a Board member. Given the “deer-in-the-headlights” look of two Board members on some occasions, I have doubts about whether they’ve actually read the information packets provided before coming to these meetings. - A good number of residents from Back Creek complained to the Board about barking dogs at a specific residence. Apparently, the Sheriff’s department has been called on numerous occasions about the noise and incessant barking. Residents made a pretty compelling case that the non-stop barking is at a level beyond being a mere nuisance. Since the County lacks a noise ordinance, during past call-outs there was nothing the Sheriff could do. There was back-and-forth on whether or not there should be a noise ordinance in Highland County, the legalese the ordinance would need to be enforceable, etc. Essentially, nothing firm was decided. \\ \\ ====== 10/07/2025 BOS Meeting : Proposal to Hire a "Financial Director" ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:10_07|10-07-2025]]\\ \\ The quest to create greater expense — which will require more taxpayer dollars — never ends. The latest idea, as of this meeting, is that Highland needs a "Finance Director." Apparently, this epiphany came about during a conversation between Henry Budzinski and a School Board member. If hired, this would likely result in the addition of a mid- to high-end salary ranging from $80K to as much as $110K. In essence, when benefits are added, we're in the neighborhood of another cent per hundred for this salary alone. I have serious doubts that this salary would be offset by not replacing at least a few positions as employees retire or depart which, if the Board seriously entertains Budzinski's idea, what should happen. No, a tax increase is much easier on all concerned except, of course, for those who are left to foot the bill — the County's taxpayers.\\ Further, a "Director" is rarely an all-in-one "doer," so a secretarial position and a financial assistant would likely be the next order of business, along with additional office space and IT services. These costs could easily add up to a recurring $250,000 annual expense.\\ \\ The Board voted to transfer the School System’s funds, remaining at the end of the last fiscal year, to the general fund. The amount is roughly $254,000.\\ \\ ====== 09/17/2025 BOS Meeting ====== (Delayed) Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:09_17]]\\ \\ While this was a relatively short meeting, Henry Budzinski did not disappoint. Apparently he's looking for more tax revenue, to increase the sizing and funding of local government, by looking into allowing ATV's on public roads. This is, supposedly, popular in other locations and thought to be "a real money maker". The question is, for who? I suspect the average taxpayer won't see a dime from this, nor will this idea reduce the tax rate. At best, it's another scheme to let out the local spending belt another notch. ATV's on public roads is almost certain to be accompanied by underage driving.\\ \\ There was also mentions of "the office space problem" and how the trailers need updating. There are so many opportunities for additional spending which, inevitably, results in tax increases. This will always be the case if the expenses side of the ledger is never examined.\\ \\ ====== 09/02/2025 BOS Meeting : FOIA Training ====== (Delayed) Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:08_20]]\\ \\ The first part of this meeting, and the main topic of this meeting, was FOIA training for County department heads and staff. The basic idea put forth was, when in doubt, FOIA law favors disclosure of information to citizens with a Virginia address. There was some discussion over billing for a FOIA inquiry which, as was explained, is to be limited to the actual costs involved in producing the requested documentation. The term $200 was bandied around as a possible amount. At one point an EDA member piped up with questions that seemed to revolve around the potential of billing a FIOA request as a means of discouraging or repelling a request.\\ \\ Personally, I found the notion of billing a FOIA request as being absurd for several reasons.\\ 1. We're living in the age of information. Electronic copies are, essentially, free.\\ 2. 10 of thousands in taxpayer funds are spent on information processing equipment. If this equipment is utilized properly, with information categorized and stored correctly, compliance with a request shouldn't take more than a few minutes.\\ 3. Every salary in every department, every single piece of equipment that is used by local staff, and every sheet of paper, is paid for with tax dollars. Essentially, "The County" incurs no expense at all regardless of the size and scope of a document request whether it's electronic or hard copy. All has been pre-paid, down to the last dollar.\\ 4. Finally, if a request is billed, where does the billed amount go? To "The County". Essentially, billing a taxpayer for information is an additional tax layered on top of the taxes previously taken from the tax payer, to maintain department staff and equipment that complies with the request.\\ \\ In the bottom line: County entities are accountable to taxpayers - not the other way around.\\ With that said, I understand that legal firms and news sources might attempt to take advantage of FOIA requests, and that they should be billed for voluminous requests. On the other hand, compliance with a FOIA request from a taxpayer should be considered as a required and free service.\\ \\ In discussions along these lines and to their credit, the County Administrator and the new legal counsel made it clear that, where possible, FOIA requests shouldn't be billed.\\ ====== 08/20/2025 BOS Meeting ====== (Delayed) Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:08_20]]\\ \\ There were no unbugeted expenses mentioned during this meeting. (Thankfully) As usual, there's no discussion of the budget and all are happy to conclude meetings in accordance with the pre-written agenda with little to nothing discussed on reining in, or controlling, the budget.\\ \\ This one item, __the tax rate__, is the sole responsibility of the supervisors yet it is never discussed in meetings, outside of agenda items that are controlled by the County administrator during budget season. At that point, the notion is structured that "it's too late" to cut or change anything. ====== 08/05/2025 BOS Meeting : $17,000 for a Zero Turn ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:08_05]]\\ \\ This month's unbudgeted expense was +$17,000 for a new zero turn mower for the landfill. Given the purported ages of the two existing mowers (20 and 23 years old), one would think that a replacement of one of them would have been in the budget at some point.\\ \\ Notably, the Chairman made a comment along the lines of "time is passing fast". On that I would agree. Nothing, so far, has been done or even mentioned regarding next years budget. On the most important job of the Board, setting the tax rate, despite my reminding them more than once - crickets... If ignored until the budget comes up again, we'll see the wringing of hands and the usual talk of "we have no choice" when the County Administrator puts forward the suggest of another tax increase.\\ \\ The Kabuki theater, this annual skipping record, is tiresome. Highland County and it's residents deserve better, but what they'll get is an ever higher tax burden with little to no benefit.\\ \\ ====== 07/16/2025 BOS Meeting ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:07_16]]\\ \\ Henry Budzinski was absent.\\ This was the shortest meeting I've attended so far. With the exception of advertising for tree trimming, this meeting was blissfully devoid of additional spending efforts or attempts to lay the ground work for the same.\\ ====== 07/01/2025 BOS Meeting ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:07_01]]\\ \\ I'll be adding more soon with specific notes on topics presented at the meeting and a few items Board Members spoke about, while interrupting my paltry 5 minutes at the podium. (After listening to EDA rep's - 4 of them - who spoke at l-e-n-g-t-h.) In the interim, look at the referenced Agenda Page, above, and take a look my personal speaking notes. ---- ====== 06/03/2025 BOS Meeting ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:06_03|06/03/2025]]\\ \\ Other than paying half (of half) of the monthly power bill for an existing communications tower, and a proposal to relocate a weight room made by County Recreational staff, there was little of general public in this BOS meeting.\\ \\ From my personal speaking notes -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:speaking_notes-6.3.pdf| supplied]] (and on the agenda page), following are the categories that I touched on:\\ \\ **Early Budget Planning**:\\ I urged the Board to begin budget planning earlier, and in starting next years process __now__, to avoiding rushed or reactive decisions.\\ **Employee Count vs. Population:**\\ 147 employees for a population of ~2,300 almost begs for close scrutiny of staffing levels in our small county.\\ **Attrition-Based Cost Control:**\\ I put forth a proposal to reduce costs through attrition (rather than layoffs). This is a measured, non-disruptive approach to budget reduction.\\ **Cost Per Student Analysis:**\\ The actual per-student cost ($30,000) brings forth questions of educational efficiency and whether taxpayers are getting good value for their money.\\ **Challenged Further Tax Increases:**\\ If another tax increase is to be proposed, a **referendum** is a democratic and transparent way to test public opinion about taxes. The people of Highland would be accountable for the final decision.\\ **Criticized Across-the-Board Bonuses:**\\ In the public sector, blanket bonuses reflect a lack of accountability. Performance-based pay (bonuses) should actually be performance-based.\\ ====== 05/21/2025 BOS Meeting : Joint Session with the Planning Commission ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:05_22|05/22/2025]]\\ \\ This meeting was not attended. See the Ref Agenda Page.\\ ====== 05/21/2025 School Superintendent Briefed on The School System's Budget Issue ====== \\ Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:05_21|05/21/2025]]\\ \\ This was a routine meeting with very little that stood out.\\ \\ However, the Superintendent handed out a budget summary showing the approved budget total of $6,059,853.27 being amended to $5,941,610.89 — a difference of $118,242.38. While any kind of savings is welcome and should be applauded, in this case, the top-line budget reduction amounts to roughly 1.95%.\\ \\ Furthermore, the "approved budget" was already an increase over last year's budget. The amended total budget ($5,941,610.89) is still higher than last year's total ($5,931,936). Considering the increase in the composite index, where Richmond pays less (20%) and Highland pays more (80%), this year's __increased cost__ to the Highland County community is still roughly 10% more than last year.\\ \\ However, the bottom-line school budget "per student" can be easily understood without all the accounting jargon, "standards of quality," etc. Using simple math—dividing the amended total budget ($5,941,610.89) by the number of students (now reported as 198)—we arrive at the actual, shockingly real cost: **$30,008.13** //per student//.\\ ====== 05/06/2025 VDOT Briefing on Their Project Schedule ====== <html><span style=font-size:150%;">(And a Public comments reminder of what happened during this budget cycle.)</span></html> \\ Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:05_06|05/06/2025]]\\ \\ Per the documents provided on the [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:05_06|Agenda Page]], Highland County has a total of 147 employees on the payroll. On the Quick Stats document I provided to the Board, I noted that the count is 150 which includes the members of the Board of Supervisors (who are paid part time employees) but even that number is not the complete count. The number is actually 153 if School Board Members are taken into account but for the sake of consistency, we'll leave the total at 150. As noted on the [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:quick_stats.pdf|Quick Stats Document]], the ratio is 1 (County employee) to 13.3 (residents). If it's not self evident, this level of employment is not sustainable.\\ ====== 04/28/2025 Special Meeting - Real-Estate Tax Rate Set at 51 cents, a 15.91% Increase ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:04_21|04/28/2025]]\\ \\ The real-estate tax rate was set at **51 cents per hundred**. With 44 cents being last year's real-estate rate, 51 cents per hundred is a **15.91% increase**. While this rate is lower than the maximum proposed rate of 56 cents per hundred, (which would have been a 27.27% increase) if these increases are not contained, Highland County residents and farmers are headed for serious trouble.\\ \\ Adding to the above, funds will be pulled from the general (reserve) fund to simply cover the bills and payroll. This sets up Highland County businesses and residents for another outsized tax increase next year.\\ \\ As I've said before (apparently it needs saying again) the Highland County's budget is about County employment positions - I.E. "payroll". As the County's population is decreasing, so should the County's number of local government employees. Cut positions by 10% and there will be, roughly speaking, a 10% decrease in costs.\\ \\ The equation is simple: Expenses versus Income. No one (and I do mean "no one") is questioning the expenses, read "payroll", side of the equation. In a condensed version, the County Administrator simply says "it costs this much". (And) "This is what we need to pay the bill." I have yet to hear ANYTHING meaningful, at all, that addresses the expense side of the equation. Instead, in general terms, the conversation has been, "if we go with tax rate *A* we'll have to transfer *this much* from the reserve". Cuts offered, if any, did not impact the overall budget in any meaningful way. Instead, the entire focus was on how to raise income. In this context, that was how much income would been needed to fund "the budget".\\ \\ ====== 04/21/2025 Tax Increase / Budget Public Hearing ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:04_21|04/21/2025]]\\ This was the last public hearing, notionally, before tax rates are set.\\ \\ The BOS heard the public's options on (1) the proposed 27% real-estate tax increase and, in general, increasing the budget. I personally pointed out that they're willing to listen to department head for hours on end, while public comments (those who are actually paying the bills) are limited to a matter of minutes. Under those circumstances, where the Board allows themselves to become a captive audience to exhaustive presentations, the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome|"Stockhom Syndrome"]] sets in where they begin to identify with Department heads versus the taxpayers they were elected to represent. This is a time tested process that has a very high success rate in securing more tax dollars.\\ \\ During roughly 40 minutes the public said, more or less, the same thing that I did in my -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:speaking_notes.pdf|Personal Speaking Notes]]. "We can't afford more tax - go with level (the same as last year) funding."\\ \\ ====== 04/16/2025 Superintendent Presents 24/25 Budget Issue ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:04_16|04/16/2025]]\\ The Superintendent presented a budget issue, regarding last years school funding. In the basics, since all of last years funding was not spent, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in Richmond is proposing clawing back most of their contribution which is, roughly, $1,000,000 Since the specifics of this issue are convoluted, to better understand it, listening to the meeting's [[https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/elqi9kcuit16pho2torgu/R20250416-181026.MP3?rlkey=xmrpfsnxc98x5osg69mfl4re4&st=yi0ych3l&dl=0|audio file]] (beginning at 16:53) is recommended. ====== 04/12/2025 The Superintendent's Budget Presentation - 10% more ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:04_01|04/01/2025]]\\ The Highland County School system responded to a FOIA request for the Superintendent's presentation to the Board of Supervisors. -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:250401_budget_presentation_for_supervisors.pdf|Presenation]]. (Other formats are available on the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:04_01|Ref Agenda Page]]). Featured, in the presentation is a history of funding increases beginning in 2023, on page 9. The increases are 5.5, 3.8, 8.5, and 2.1 respective to the years 2023 through 2026. The projected 2026 figure of 2.1% is a "fun with numbers" exercise, in that the actual requested increase for **local funding**, for 2026, is a bit North of **10%**. ====== 04/01/2025 BOS Budget Session - School asks for more than 10% ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:04_01|04/01/2025]]\\ \\ In the School's presentation they asked for an increase of over 10%, due to a change in Richmond's composite index (where Richmond lowered their contribution to Highland County). With zero challenge to Richmond's Composite Index's assessment that Highland County is one of the "top of the State's Counties" where wealth is concerned, apparently, the School system wants County taxpayers to make up the difference. The "proposed" tax rate increase of **27%** (from **44** to **56** cents per hundred) to make that possible, in addition to giving County staff what they want, is patently outrageous.\\ \\ For a comparison of the funding Highland County is providing to the local school system, the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:superintdendents_report-fy24-table-15.pdf|2024 Superintendents report]] is provided. (Additional formats are available on the [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:04_01|Agenda Page]].)\\ \\ On line 45 of the referenced 2024 Superintendents Report, the cost "per student" of educating K-12 in Highland County was **$24,507**. That places Highland County as **SIXTH**, from the absolute highest in the State, of **143** of the State's Counties, Towns and Cities. By way of example, on line 53 - **Loudoun County** which is -> [[https://usabynumbers.com/richest-counties-in-the-us/|the RICHEST County in the Nation]], spent **$21,183** per student last year. That's right, the **RICHEST County in the Nation** spent **$3,324 __LESS__** last year, __per student__, than Highland County. Shocking, isn't it? Yet, as it seems, we're not paying enough. It's also worth noting that **$24,507** is NOT the TOTAL cost of educating a Highland County student last year. The total cost is found by taking the total 2024 budget ($5,945,436) and dividing it by the number of students (197). The 2024 total cost per student is **$30,179** which is substantially **HIGHER** than the advertised cost per student.\\ \\ With my time at the mic, I said more than our paper reported. (No criticize of the paper is intended or implied. After sitting through Department head budget presentations that were hours in duration, to cover just a __few__ salient points from the taxpayer's view point in the 5 minutes allotted, I had to move it along. Even using short hand, it would have been difficult to cover the details.) In any case, even with a mere 5 minutes, Harry Sponaugle, asked me to "**wrap it up**" where not once was something like that said to Department heads during their l-o-n-g budget presentations. That should be a pretty strong indicator of his leanings, in this matter. For those who are asking for more money? No problem, take your time. For those who are paying the bills? "You need to wrap it up." I'll be providing more detail from my personal speaking notes, and the Superintendent's presentation, in the near future. . ====== 03/27/2025 Joint session of the BOS and Planning Commission - Special Use Permit. ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:03_27|03/27/2025]]\\ \\ The [[https://highlandcovabz.org/|Planning Commission]] approved, and the BOS concurred with, a conditional special use permit at:\\ **3356 Jackson River Rd.**\\ **Monterey VA, 24465**\\ \\ The purpose of the permit is for the sale of fence posts and fencing supplies, with the possibility of selling feed and grain. While the permit for selling fence posts and fencing supplies has been approved, the permit "condition", for selling feed and grain, is reliant on approval by VDOT.\\ \\ ====== 03/19/2025 More 2026 Budget Presentations ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:03_19|03/19/2025]]\\ \\ **Highlights:**\\ \\ Melissa Dowd rolled out her latest rendition of the Emergency Medical Services Fee Ordinance.\\ The Draft of the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:ems_fee_ordinance_version3_03.02.2025_002_draft.pdf|Ordanance Fee]], as presented on March the 4th, was adopted without changes.\\ \\ Within the Ordinance, "HABITABLE DWELLINGS" are defined as:\\ **//A habitable dwelling unit shall be defined as a structure or building that is designed or used for residential occupancy, either temporarily or permanently, by one (1) or more persons, in which any of the following can be done or is provided: sleeping, eating, cooking, or plumbing.//**\\ Given the above definition, a tent could be assessed an EMS fee.\\ \\ The Treasure gave a "Projected Revenues" presentation.\\ While and electronic document is not available for reference, at the moment, the paper version handed out during the meeting featured the following: \\ **Revenue Sources** (Projected using the Property Tax rate of .45 per hundred.)\\ \\ * **Actual** 2024/2025 **$8,188,843** * **Estimated** 2025/2026 **$8,709,811** \\ The above represents, roughly, a **6.36% increase** in revenue. A bit over $100,000 of the above total relies on an "assumed" real-estate tax increase from 44 cents (the current rate) to 45 cents per $100. Such an increase would represent a **2.27%** in the real-estate tax rate. This projection is also dependent on an additional $125,000 in EMS fee collections.\\ Ref: -> the [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:treasurer_presentation.pdf|presentation sheet]]. \\ ====== 03/12/2025 The 2026 Budget Is Presented to the BOS with a 12% increase ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:03_12|03/12/2025]] \\ \\ **Highlights:**\\ \\ The proposed **2026** budget total is **$4,419,604**.\\ \\ **Summary of costs** -> [[https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5dtfxb16g1d09kwvnsh6e/R20250312-085025.MP3?rlkey=5twsayaguduuctcdretonbnxn&st=rszucp1t&dl=0|Audio1]] at time slot 22:46:\\ - Salaries are 47% of the budget.\\ - Operating expenses are 28% of the budget.\\ - Personnel benefits are 13% of the budget (This 13% should be lumped in with salaries as it's an additional human resources cost, for a total of 60%.)\\ - Locally supported programs make up 12% of the budget.\\ \\ **Henry Budzinski** - yet another attempt to stir up nonsense with the Commonwealth's Attorney -> [[https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5dtfxb16g1d09kwvnsh6e/R20250312-085025.MP3?rlkey=5twsayaguduuctcdretonbnxn&st=rszucp1t&dl=0|Audio1]] at time slot 2:33:51.\\ \\ ====== 03/04/2025 BOS Meeting - Dept of Social Services, Increased Insurance, EMS Ordnance and More EMS Prattle ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:03_04|03/04/2025]] \\ \\ **Highlights:**\\ \\ - The Highland County Department of Social Services (DSS) requested additional funding to cover the costs of unbudgeted requirements. As it seems, 3 applications where filed that increased DSS costs, for what remains of this fiscal year, by $11,360. The local share of that cost is approximately $2,272. The BOS elected to pay for the local share out of the General fund.\\ \\ - There will be a considerable increase in the County's cost of providing medical insurance to County employees. The contracted cost is up approximately 12% which translates, roughly, to $50,000. However, it's worth noting the the cost of this particular contract has been level during the last few years. (That's somewhat amazing in consideration of the inflation rate during the past few years.)\\ \\ - EMS Ordinance:\\ Melissa Dowd briefed the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:ems_fee_ordinance_version3_03.02.2025_002_draft.pdf|Draft EMS Fee Ordinance]]. Draft EMS Fee Ordinance. See the 03/04 Meeting Agenda and linked Audio file for briefing details.\\ - EMS Prattle part 2:\\ **Henry Budzinski** requested that Paul Trible arrange a meeting between the Board and Highland County's Volunteer EMS management. (The audio covering this topic is available in this file -> [[https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1bpmymvt3h6mkw84xqvp4/R20250304-174714.MP3?rlkey=fc1n1enfmqjiu7n6cqkg6hbel&st=i3d7477x&dl=0|Audi01]] at time slot 38:00) Such a meeting would bypass legal counsel in matters pertaining to a lawsuit in progress. A similar attempt was made by Henry Budzinski was during the last meeting. See the file audio1, time slot 51:03 on the agenda page for -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:02_19|February 19th]]. As it seems, Mr. Budzinski doesn't understand that the issues surrounding EMS volunteers and paid staff are now in the hands of the Court system. Until the legal issues are settled, any outstanding "issues" can only be discussed between each party's lawyers.\\ \\ (Audio file time slot ref's, for the above, are available on the agenda page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:03_04|03/04/2025]])\\ ====== 02/19/2025 BOS Meeting: The Highland Food Pantry, A New EMS Fee Ordnance, EMS Prattle ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:02_19|02/19/2025]] \\ \\ **Highlights:**\\ \\ - The Highland Food Pantry, did an ad-hoc presentation of how they came into operation, what they're doing and who they're doing it for. In simple terms, the operation was taken over from a Church (arguably where such an operation belongs). In conjunction with a State sponsored food truck, the pantry is serving low income residents that qualify in accordance with specified criteria. The issue with this is, it's a __charity__. Charity's should not be going to taxing authorities for funding. They should be going door to door, allowing individual citizens to chose whether or not to contribute. The importance of this can't be emphasized enough. Some citizens will want to contribute to saving historical structures, rescuing neglected animals, others the environment, etc., etc., If the Board of Supervisors sponsor this charity they will be deciding, in place of Highland County citizens, what is or what is not a worthy cause. They'll be, effectively, **forcing** the County's citizens to pay for that cause. The knock on effect of this is, the BOS will get endless requests for funding from still more charities. I've personally seen pleas to a Board to fund Cancer research where the presenter used terms like "have a heart". Another requested funds for a Civil War reenactment group. The issue becomes, what is a "worthy cause"? A worth cause has many definitions. The BOS should not be deciding what that is, in place of County residents.\\ \\ - The EMS Fee Ordinance. Perhaps the third time is is a charm. As it seemed, what was offered during this meeting was a "copy & pasted" version of sections of the last two iterations of the fee ordinance. When complete, it will be interesting to see what the draft looks like.\\ \\ - EMS Prattle Part 1:\\ **Henry Budzinski** specifically asked for EMS topics, under Items C, b. to be added to the Agenda. Ref -> [[https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ly8mpqpza9b4kczj7dxcu/R20250219-174757.MP3?rlkey=ebs4g1e7va04h2cq2ejsnuqo1&st=2s6swrjn&dl=0|Audio1]] at time slot 51:03\\ It's fairly obvious that topics related to Volunteers and Paid EMS staff can not be fully addressed until pending litigation is complete. ====== 02/18/2025 Special Meeting ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:02_18|02/18/2025]] As it appeared, the Board called this meeting to interview a potential new county attorney. Before the meeting began, the young gentleman introduced himself as, as it sounded, "Julie or Jules Hart" (I'm not sure of the spelling). As it seemed, Mr. Hart is based out of Richmond. Mr. Hart left, after about an hour into the closed session. While this is speculation; facial expressions and body language indicated that the interview did not go as he planned.\\ \\ **Highlight - EMS ordinance:**\\ The second half of the meeting was concerned with the EMS fee ordinance. As it seemed, with a failed attempt to hire a new county attorney, Harry Sponaugle and Henry B. voted to hire Melissa Dowd for the revision of the ordinance. Paul Trible. voted NO. (The motion and vote is in the audio recorded at 00:45, in file "Audio2", of the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:02_18|02/18/2025 BOS meeting]].) I believe Mr. Trible is correct, in this regard. The EMS fee ordinance has already undergone one significant revision of Mrs. Dowd's penmanship. (See the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:county_ordinances:ems_fee_ordinances| EMS Ordinances]].) Paying Mrs. Dowd a third time to patch the holes in her past ordinances seems untoward.\\ \\ We have to keep in mind that a number of the County's shortfalls are attributable, at least in part, to Mrs. Dowd's stewardship as county attorney. Chief among them is the lack of a consolidated reference for Highland County ordinances, passed by the Board of Supervisors in times past. While the new County Administrator is working on this issue, for years (decades?) there has been no formal record of local ordinances as passed by the Board of Supervisors, other than BOS meeting minutes. Currently, there is no "Book of Ordinances", a numbering system, cross reference, etc., for Highland County ordinances. With such a glaring issue outstanding, there are bound to be more issues waiting for discovery.\\ \\ ====== 02/08/2025 EMS Fee Ordinances ====== As mention in the last news note (below) the County administrator provided the ordinances controlling current EMS fee collections on 02/06/2025.\\ \\ Ordinance files are available -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:county_ordinances:ems_fee_ordinances|here]].\\ ====== 02/04/2025 BOS Meeting ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:02_04|2/04/2025]]\\ \\ **Highlights:**\\ \\ - After being tabled, repeatedly, since -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2024:05_15|May the 15th of 2024]], the proposed [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:highland_county_code_of_ethics_004_.pdf|County Code of Ethics]] was put to rest. One can only speculate that it was too limiting to Board members who may prefer, shall we say, "spirited exchanges".\\ \\ - A **Conditional Use Permit** was approved for a -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:cup_ivan_miller.pdf|Saw Mill]] operation, contingent on VDOT approval for a business entrance. Business activities like this are, obviously, beneficial for Highland County. A small number of jobs will be supported along with the local availability of a universally needed commodity - lumber.\\ \\ - EMS Fees, exemptions, and other fee related topics were discussed. To better understand this topic EMS Fee Ordinance documents, dated August 2020 and April 2021, were requested. They'll be posted when provided.\\ \\ - Unit 701 came to the fore again. As it seems, it will cost something in the neighborhood of $5000 to $6000 to make the ambulance operable again which would then make it sell-able for something in a speculated range of $6000 to $10000. (With no guarantees on the "estimated" sale price.) A discussion was had regarding towing it back from Charlottesville, at an estimated cost of $600 to $700, then sending it a scrap yard where it might fetch a price of $1000 or so. Given that this ambulance has already consumed an estimated $70,000 of Highland County tax payer dollars, for very little to no service, sending it to the scrap yard or selling locally might be the financially prudent thing to do. The Board decided to get one last opinion on the repair and sale possibility before acting.\\ \\ Going forward, hopefully, there will be a postmortem / lessons learned discussion where the purchase of first responder vehicles are concerned. Units 701, 702 and the Car Wash are case examples of unneeded expenditures at taxpayer expense. These expenses were a center piece of the ongoing -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:recall_petition:exhibit_a|recall petition]].\\ ---- ====== 01/15/2025 BOS Meeting ====== Ref Agenda Page -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:01_15|1/15/2025]]\\ \\ Without the former County Attorney inserting herself into numerous Agenda line items, this meeting was conducted smoothly and went quickly.\\ \\ The first order of business was to elect a Chairman and Vice Chariman. The result of a motion and vote is as follows:\\ \\ The new BOS makeup:\\ \\ Chairman - Harry S.\\ Vice Chair - Paul T.\\ Member - Henry B.\\ \\ Of note was the presentation was given by an accounting firm, RE the County's finances. As presented by the accounting firm, there were no notable discrepancies in their -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=county_financials:audits:2024|2023/2024 report]]\\ (While specific reasons were not mentioned, as it seems, there were discrepancies in the 2022/2023 report.)\\ \\ During public comments:\\ Sheriff Bob Kelly said a piece on the active shooter incident, at the school, and the School Superintendent lamented his woes with the school's heating system.\\ (See the audio file on the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2025:01_15|1/15/2025 page]].) \\ The above sums up most of the major Agenda issues.\\ ---- ====== 01/07/2025 BOS Meeting Canceled: Inclement (Snowy) Weather ====== ---- <html><center><span style="color:#000066;font-size:300%;">Merry Christmas to all</span></center></html> <html><center><span style="color:#000000;font-size:125%;">Let us remember the reason for the season</span></center></html> \\ {{ ::the_reason_for_the_season.jpg?600 |}} ---- ====== 12/18/2024 RIFA, and The Recall of Henry Budzinski and Harry Sponaugle: ====== - **Breaking:** As of today, petition signatures for the recall of Henry Budzinski and Harry Sponaugle have been -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:recall_petition:signatures_certified|certified]]. - **RIFA:** Ref the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2024:12_18|December 18th BOS meeting]]:\\ It appears that Augusta County's RIFA proposal has been put to bed, at least for the time being. \\ ---- ====== 12/16/2024 RIFA: ====== To RIFA or NOT to RIFA:\\ The Board of Supervisors was given a presentation on August County's RIFA (Regional Industrial Facilities Authority), on [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2024:11_06|November the 6th]] . I didn't get a chance to comment on the initial proposal until ->[[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2024:12_03|December the 3rd]]. Listen to the time segment specified on the -> [[https://www.hcspotlight.org/doku.php?id=board_of_supervisors:meeting_agendas:2024:12_03| December the 3rd page]]. In the bottom line, this proposal has the potential to turn into a tax dollar sinkhole.\\ \\ As stated in simple terms, from a taxpayer's point of view:\\ **"The Board should not be spending taxpayer money, looking for more money to spend".**\\ \\ \\ ---- ====== 12/11/2024 Decisions... ====== Setting up the front end of this server, to be easy to use and intuitive for Highland County citizens, will be something of an evolution. The decision for the front end, a Wiki site, seemed to be a logical choice. With the addition of a dynamic menu in a sidebar, a wiki can be designed to accommodate numerous articles and file attachments in a manner that is information dense while being easy for visitors to navigate. So far, so good.\\ \\ \\ ---- ====== 12/08/2024 New Beginnings ====== For the PC and Server enthusiasts in Highland County, this site was built on a VPS (Virtual Private Server) running Ubuntu Server (OS), Nginx (Web server), php8 (web scripting language), and Dokuwiki (the front end). It's been a long time since I've built a web server from scratch. Things have changed on web, from a security standpoint. Good security is not longer an option. It's a must.\\ site_news/site_news.txt Last modified: 2026/05/22 00:15by editor