Paid Supplement To The Virginia Gazette A PUBLIC INFORMATION REPOR ON THE OPERATION, UAL REVENUES AND EXPENDI­ TURES OF T E COUNTY F JAMES CITY DURING E PERIOD FROM , 1974 FISCAL YEAR 1974·75 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1975.

MESSAGE

The Board of Supervisors is pleased to present this second published Annual restructuring our tax system, and completing a Comprehensive Plan to better Report which was prepared by the County staff. It describes the organization manage tomorrow's growth. The Sanitary District 3 sewer project, 199 water of your County government, the various projects and programs which it un­ line, dirt street program, mini-parks, refuse container project and Toano dertook during the last fiscal year (July 1,1974 to June 30,1975), and the ways water system are significant efforts to improve the basic quality of life of our in which your tax dollars were spent to carry out the program of service aJ)­ people. The Board, in efforts to create a more equitable real property tax proved by the Board of Supervisors in its 1974-75 Budget. This is a public in­ structure implemented the Agricultural Use 'fax, Tax Relief for the Elderly, formation report to the citizens of James City County. By closely studying the and the general reassessment described above. The Comprehensive Plan looks projects undertaken last year, it is hoped that you will be better able to assist toward our future needs and to insure that today's cherished semi-rural life in preparing the budgets for coming years. style and tomorrow's growth and development can coexist in a more har­ monious balance. As you examine the information contained on the following pages, it will be apparent that this past year was one of achievement. As you may remember As the Board of Supervisors took action on these projects and activities during from last year's Annual Report, FY 73·74 was one of organization and the past year, it consistently attempted to conduct the public business in restructuring of our various Departments. Many of the projects which were public. Open meetings, public work sessions, citizens advisory groups and begun that year moved into construction or completion in FY 74-75. These public hearings were used to obtain broad citizen participation in the decision­ many projects which were begun during the period covered in this report have making process. Vacancies on boards and commissions were advertised to been carried out without an increase in real property tax rates but have, in­ allow every citizen the opportunity to serve and to allow the Board of Super­ stead, been financed by the growth in our tax base, by use of Federal Revenue visors to select from many qualified applicants. Executive sessions were only Sharing Funds for capital improvements, and by obtaining several significant used to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation, as allowed by law. federal grants. In fact, as a result of the general reassessment of real We hope that the level of citizen involvement which was expressed last year property, the Real Estate Tax Rate was reduced from $4.00 to $2.80. These two will continue to increase in coming years. steps made the property tax burden far more equitable than it had been. John E. Donaldson, Chairman The three major areas of activity during the past year were developing a wide Board of Supervisors range of capital improvement projects which serve today's County resident, October, 1975 ANIZATION

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

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JOHN E. DONALDSON JACK D. EDWARDS ABRAM FRINK, JR. STEWARTU. TAYLOR MAYOW. WALTRIP Jamestown District Berkeley District Roberts District Stonehouse District Powhatan District MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND I ITIATIVI

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENT

One of the most significant projects which the County has undertaken in Asecond action of major significance which the County undertook during FY recent years is the development of its first Comprehensive Plan. The work 74-75 was the establishment of the Office of Real Estate Assessment on was begun during FY 73-74 with most of the effort that year being spent on November 1, 1974. Previously, periodic general reassessments were per­ establishing a staff section for long-range planning and conducting initial formed by the Comissioner of the Revenue with much of the actual background studies. During FY 74-75 most of the elements of the plan itself assessment done by technical assistance from the State. These were prepared. The Goals and Objectives and Economic Base Study were reassessments were performed infrequently, the last being in 1970. Between presented during June and July, 1974. The Land Development Concept was general reassessments, inequities would occur as new construction and new presented at six public meetings in July, 1974, revised for a public meeting in subdivision of land was assessed at curent market value while older property October, 1974, and was the SUbject of a Public Hearing in January, 1975. Over still reflected the 1970 values. The establishment of this new office will permit 2,000 people attended these various meetings plus the numerous work continual reassessment on an annual basis with all properties reflecting their sessions of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. In its final fair market value. Additionally, the creation of this new office allows the form, the Land Development Concept was approved by the Board in Commissioner to concentrate on her other major duties of Personal Property February. Since that time, the Major Thoroughfare Plan and Water and Tax Assesment, Business Licenses, and assisting the public on income tax Sewer Plan were prepared and presented in July. The Public Facilities Plan matters. was prepared and presented in September. These various elements will establish basic policies for the future, serve to schedule public capital im­ The Office of Real Estate Assessment acted quickly after November to provements, and lead to more orderly and phased growth and development of perform a complete general reassessment of all real property in the County. the County. During the year, the number of parcels to be assessed had increased from 7,871 to almost 9,000. As a result of this reassessment, the assessed value of all real property increased from $43.0 million to $84.2 million. This dramatic increase was a result of new construction that was added that year plus the more accurate market values set for undeveloped land and older structures. As a result of this reassessment, County expenses could be spread over a DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS broader and more equitable tax base and the tax rate was reduced from $4.00 to $2.80 on a 30 percent assessment ratio. In August, 1974, the Board established a Department of Public Works to coordinate and manage the various water and sewer projects which were then in operation or under construction in the County. With the millions of dollars involved in new utility systems, a professional and competent engineering staff was now essential. Previously the Service Authority supervised water and sewer construction and operation in their Project SANITARY DISTRICT 3 Areas and the County Administrator supervised Sanitary Districts, the landfill and mosquito abatement program. Both operations utilized the The construction of a sewer system for Sanitary District 3 is a major public services of hired consultants to plan and construct utility systems. A County works project which has been under development for several years. The Engineer was hired in August 1974 and the functions of the Service Authority project will cost $5.3 million of which a $2.1 million bond issue was approved and County Administrator were consolidated under this new Department. by the oters of the District in 1972, $2.7 million is from State and Federal With this capability, virtually all operations and inspection work is per­ Grants and $0.5 million from connection fees. The project will alleviate formed by the Department staff as opposed to private contractors. present or potential health hazards for the 1,200 initial households to be served in Berkeley, Jamestown and Powhatan Districts. The sewers will The Department operates all public water and sewer projects and Sanitary eliminate the use of individual septic tanks and one small secondary sewage Districts, coordinates new utility construction, reviews site plans, ad­ treatment plant. Final bids were opened and construction has begun. The ministers the Sediment and Erosion Control Ordinance, supervises the work will take approximately 24 months to complete. The project was construction of the Sanitary District 3sewer project, and operates the landfill designed by private consultants and the supervision and inspection of con­ and mosquito abatement program. The financial accounting and water and struction will be performed by the Department of Public Works. sewer billing are being integrated into the County financial management system as accounts are converted to the computer.

DIRT STREET PROGRAM USE TAX A number of gravel or dirt streets exist in residential areas of the County which pose serious problems to residents and emergency vehicles. Most of In July, 1974, the Board of Supervisors established Agricultural Use Tax these were built prior to the adoption of the 1964 Subdivision Ordinance, procedures for the County. This is a major innovation in property tax which requires all new residential streets to be built to Highway Department assessment to encourage the preservation of farming activities in the County. Standards. In 1973-74, County Federal Revenue Sharing funds were used to Under conventional procedures, real property is assessed at its fair market resurface Alesa Drive, Debra Drive, Riverside Drive (south), Beechwood value based upon its highest and best use. When applied to farm land in a Drive, Indigo Terrace Road, Canal Street and Berkeley Town Road with rapidly developing area this often means that taxes escalate beyond the level construction done by the Department of Highways. During FY 74-75, and 75­ farmers can afford, forcing them to convert the land to other uses despite the 76, this program has continued with $315,000 from Federal Revenue Sharing fact that they may wish to only farm the land. Recent State legislation per­ and $75,100 from the Department of Highways. Work was begun during FY 74­ mits Counties the option of assessing such land based upon its use rather than 75 on Blow Flats Road and will also include Riverside Drive (north), Laurel the market value of the property. Owners must apply before November 10f Lane, Tarleton Bivouac, Cypress Drive, and Powhatan Spring Road. the preceding tax year in order to be eligible. This year, the first under the program, 106 applications were filed. The assessed value of these properties was reduced by $852,330, prodUcing a tax savings of $23,865 for their owners.,

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

SOCIAL SERVICES During FY 73-74 the County and the James City Service Authority purchased an NCR-399 accounting machine to assist the Office of Accounting and During FY 74-75, four additional caseworkers were added to the Department Purchasing to better manage the increasing accounting functions of the of­ of Socail Services. The reason for these new positions was to provide an fice. During the past fiscal year, the County payroll, monthly water and improved level of service to clients, to doublecheck all records and payments, sewer bills and County General Fund revenue and expenditures were con­ and to more closely screen cases and eligibility. The caseload of the verted to the machine. This greatly reduces the staff time required for Department increased significantly over the year as a result of depressed routine accounting and bookkeeping, allows this office to concentrate its economic conditions. The State reimburses the County for more than 80 efforts on financial management, and produces automated summary reports percent of the costs of this Department. to permit Department Heads to better manage their budgets. ,S UNDERTAKEN DURING FY 74·75

TOANO WATER SYSTEM 199 WATER LINE

The community of Toano is served by a small pit well system. The quality of During FY 74-75, appropriations were made and work was begun on ex­ this water supply has been declining for years and the quantity of water it tending a major water line from Black:s Crossing, along the right-of-way of produces is inadequate for fire protection. In February, 1975, the County Route 199, to Route 5. This line will permit the extension of smaller lines to submitted a grant request under the Federal Community Development Act to serve areas of existing and future development south and west of William­ obtain funds to upgrade this system. In July the County was notified that the sburg. The cost of this project will be $950,000 over three years, to be financed request was tentatively approved for a $104,000 grant to pay for a new deep from Federal Revenue Sharing Funds and existing bond reserves. When the well, a standby well, a 30,000 gallon storage tank, 3,000' of water mains and line is operational, these costs will be recovered through user charges and five fire hydrants. The final paperwork is now being submitted and actual availability fees. The construction of this central water line will allow newer construction will be done during FY 75-76. large scale development to be served from surface rather than ground water supplies. This in turn will protect the quantity and quality of ground water for existing domestic wells.

TAX RELIEF FOR THE ELDERLY NEW DEPUTIES A second change to tax legislation was tax relief for the elderly which was adopted by the Board in 1973 and went into effect during this past year. These During FY 1974-75, two new Deputies were hired for the Sheriff's Office. The legislative changes permitted property tax relief, on a graduated scale, for salaries for these two Deputies were paid by a federal grant under the Public low to moderate income elderly persons. To qualify, a person must be 65 Employment Service Act. The Sheriff's Office now has a staff of the Sheriff, years of age or older and have an income of $7,500 per year or less. During the one Chief Deputy, two investigators, ten Deputies, four Dispatchers and one year, 88 persons qualified for the program. The assessed value of their Clerk. The addition of these two positions increases the ability of the Sheriff's property was reduced by $350,740 and their taxes paid were reduced by $9,821. Office to respond to crimes, investigate incidents and perform preventive It is hoped that this program will ease inflationary pressures on elderly activities such as patrolling. persons living on fixed incomes.

MINI-PARKS HISTORIC SITES

In March, 1975, the Office of Planning and Development published an in­ The mini-park program is an effort to expand recreational opportunities to formational report titled "Heritage and Historic ites - An Inventory and areas of the County which are remote from existing parks in or near Description of Historic Sites in James City County." This report catalogs WiWam burg. In c min y ar it j hoped th y will become. ucJeus a over TOO historic sites and should be of interest to citizens who are interested County neighborhood park system. During FY 74-75, the existing neigh­ in the history of their community. It should also be useful to the Planning borhood parks at Chickahominy Road, Mooretown Road and Grove were Commission and developers in fitting future development into the fabric of improved under this program. The work, which will soon be finished, con­ our past. sisted of grading, seeding, construction of basketball courts, and the pur­ chase and installation of playground equipment. The project was financed with $34,000 from Federal Revenue Sharing. The $16,000 remaining from the original appropriation of $50,000 will be used to off-set part of the cost of two tennis courts to be built at Norge School. SEDIMENT AND EROSION CONTROL ORDINANCE

REFUSE CONTAINERS The Sediment and Erosion C~mtrol Ordinance was approved by the Board of Supervisors on March 10, 1975. Through the use of permits, drainage plans and inspections it serves to prevent erosion and the deposit of sedimentation A pilot refuse container project was begun during FY 74-75 which permits on downstream properties. The ordinance is oriented toward site develop­ centralized refuse collection and disposal. With the County Landfill in ment, clearing, grading or new construction and specifically exeinpts operation, but remote from most residential areas, this project has been of agricultural activities. It should have major environmental benefits and value to the neighborhoods served and helps to eliminate roadside litter. It serve to protect the values of downstream property which often suffer as a was financed by a $4,464 appropriation from Federal Revenue Sharing result of sediment and erosion. Funds. Containers were placed at Chickahominy Road, Croaker, Carriage Road, and at two sites in Grove for deposit of household refuse. The boxes are rented from a private contractor and collected twice or more per week. The program was begun in January, 1975. The pilot project proved successful and new sites at Five Forks, Centerville, Mooretown, Norge, Toano, Government BUILDING CODE Road, Strawberry Plains and Chickahominy Haven will be added during the 1975-76 fiscal year. Asecond major item of legislation passed during FY 74-75 was the adoption of the Virginia Uniform State-wide Building Code on October 14, 1974. It replaced the previous Southern Standard building code as mandated by recent State legislation. The code contains minimum performance standards MAPPING PROGRAM which all new construction must meet and is administered by the Building Official. The County-wide aerial mapping program, begun during FY 72-73 was completed during FY 74-75. Aerial photographs were taken in March of 1973 from which reproducible 1":200' photos, 1":200' planimetric maps and 1" :200', 400' and 800' topographic maps are available. These maps are far more accurate and detailed than others available. They have been used by YEAR-ROUND LEASH ORDINANCE the planning office, Planning Commission, Highway Department, Depart­ ment of Public Works, developers, foresters and farmers to determine On May 27, 1975, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance which topographic, vegetation and drainage characteristics of property. The prohibits dogs from running at large within a subdivision zoned R-l, R-2, R-3 production of these mylar base maps was financed over three years by an or R-4. Dogs must be on a leash or under the immediate control of its owner. appropriation of $150.000 from Federal Revenue Sharing. These maps are The ordinance does not apply to the premises of the owner or for dogs on a available to the general public for a nominal fee to cover the costs of bona fide hunt, field trial or training. The ordinance is enforced by the County reproduction. ~ Animal Control Officer. REVENUES EXPE DITURES County revenues are derived from a wide variety of sources. While most people are Total expenditures for I<'Y 74-75 are shown on the chart below and totalled $5,528,354. aware of Real Estate Tax and Personal Property Tax, these comprise only 39.5 percent This figure is substantially lower than revenue, resulting in a balance of $1,103,478 being of General Fund Revenues. In addition to the General Fund, which supports operating carried forward into the current fiscal year for projects which are not yet completed expenses, the County maintains separate accounts for Federal Revenue Sharing and a cash reserve. The major item of expenditure is the operation of the Public School ($357,313 received last year) and for each Sanit~ry District. Over 20 percent of the system which accounts for 45.17 percent of the total. Social Services account for an General Fund Revenue is from State refunds for various public assistance and Con­ additional 17 .27 percent, but as mentioned under Revenues, the County is reimbursed by stitutional Offices which are mandated by State legislation. Total General Fund the State for over 80 percent of the cost of ese programs. Debt service or interest on Revenue was $6,631,832 for FY 74-75. This includes $1,080,781 which was carried forward the outstanding Sanitary District and school bond issues comprise another 14.03 per­ from FY 73-74 for projects already committed and a cash reserve. By category, the cent. The operations of all other County departments c9mprise the remaining 23.5 actual revenue received was $1,672,248 from Real Estate Tax, $952,701 from Personal percent of total expenditures. Public Health and Safety totalled $328,546 and includes Property Tax, $849,670 in State reimbursement for Public Assistance, $661,385 in State the Health Department, Sheriff, Jail, Fire Department and Animal Control Officer. refunds, $399,004 in Sales Tax, and $246,536 in Business and Professional Licenses. Public Works totalled $208,131 and includes the County Engineer, Building Inspections, Following the general reassessment of real estate, the percentage of County Real refuse disposal, mosquito control and buildings and grounds. Administration totalled Estate Tax paid by Election District was Berkeley 29.5 percent, Roberts 20.0 percent, $212,314 and includes the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, County Ad­ Jamestown 19.6 percent, Stonehouse 15.5 percent and Powhatan 15.2 percent. ministrator, Accounting and Purchasing, County Attorney and Planning. The last category, Miscellaneous, totalled $552,150 and included the Commissioner of the Revenue, Assessment, Treasurer, Clerk, Courts, Commonwealth's Attorney, Extension Services, Registrar, Elections, Civil Defense, employee benefits and contributions and transfers.

REVENUES $6,631,832 EXPENDITURES $5,528,354

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS COUNTY STAFF Sheriff 564-3365 Many citizens have inquired as to the number of personnel assigned to Rescue Squad 564-3377 various County Departments. The figures below reflect the number of full­ Fire Department (Toano) 564-3377 time employees in each Department at the end of the last fiscal year. In some cases, such as the Jail, Commonwealth's Attorney and Health Fire Department (Williamsburg) 229-1313 Department, these employees work for two or three jurisdictions and the County pays only a small part of their salary. In other offices such as the County Administrator 220-1122 Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue, Sheriff, Social Services and Extension Service the State pays from one-half to 80 percent of the Zoning Administrator 220-1122 operating expenses and salaries. The budget for this past fiscal year Planning 220-1122 reflected an increase of ten positions over FY 73-74. Four persons were added to Social Services due to new Federal and State welfare programs, Department of Social Services , .564-3314 two persons to staff the new Office of Real Estate Assessment, and one person each added to the Sheriff's Dept., Jail, Health Dept. and Department of Public Works , ,., .220-1122 Agricultural Extension Service. Building InsPections 229-1161 Commissioner of the Revenue 229-2911 County Administrator 6 City-County Jail 11* Accounting and Purchasing 3 Fire Department 6 Clerk of the Circuit Court 229-2552 County Attorney 2 Social Services 21 * Clerk of the District Court 229-2228 Planning 3 Health Department 17 * Commissioner of Revenue 5" Public Works 2 Treasurer 229-1404 Real Estate Assessment 3 Service Authority 13 Treasurer 4 " Building Inspections 6 Commonwealth's Attorney 229-6080 Circuit Court 5 '" Extension Service 4 " 4 " Animal Control 1 Office of Real Estate Assessment 229-0044 District Court Commonwealth's Attorney 2" Voter Registrar 2* Voter Registrar 229-3355 Sheriff 18 " Building and Grounds 2 140 School Superintendent 229-6432 Animal Control Officer 564-3365 " Funded in the County Budget but not under the operational control of the Board of Supervisors. Information 220-1122

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