“You’ve got to draw the line somewhere,” said Councilman Bruce Rappaport at a regular Front Royal Town Council meeting on May 28, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Warren County Government Center at 220 North Commerce Avenue. The evening featured a handful of applications for special use permits and culminated in a revisitation of urban agriculture, a topic that has been contentious for the council.

Town Council comes together for a regular meeting on the evening of Tuesday, May 28, in the Warren County Government Center. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

Rappaport remarked during a discussion of a proposed amendment to the Town code to rectify contradictory language. Amid that effort by Planning and Zoning to streamline the code, certain regulations were presented for codification that would limit urban agriculture in ways that Councilwoman Amber Morris, in particular, resisted. “I would love to,” she said in reply to Rappaport’s concern that a lack of regulation could lead to the introduction of cows and horses within the Town limits. The amendment being considered would allow for livestock in the Town limits on property where agriculture is permitted, but Rappaport’s point still raises an interesting question. When is regulation too much or too little?

Fifth from left, Mayor Lori Cockrell, accompanied by the council, stands with scholarship recipients Blake Ramsey (3rd from left) and Dillon Braddock (4th from left). Ramsey and Braddock also led the gathering in the pledge of allegiance.

Mayor Lori Cockrell (R), having acknowledged the Front Royal Federal Credit Union for seventy-five years of business, stands with two bank representatives.

Mayor Lori Cockrell (L), having acknowledged Stokes General Store for seventy-eight years in business, stands with Andy Stokes.

To Morris, who supports the idea of free-ranging chickens within Town limits, requiring keepers of chickens to provide four square feet of coop space and eight square feet of run space per chicken is too much. If this requirement, reflected in Tuesday night’s failed amendment, were codified, there would be people who find themselves suddenly in violation and need to make significant changes to their operations, according to Morris. Furthermore, she believes that owners of beehives should be able to sell their honey, and owners of chickens should be able to sell their eggs. In this respect, she and Councilwoman Melissa Dedomenico-Payne agree. In a brief exchange at the meeting between Dedomenico-Payne and Planning Director and Zoning Administrator Lauren Kopishke, wherein Dedomenico-Payne expressed that she wants the citizens of Front Royal to be able to make money off their agricultural products, Kopishke explained that her department wants to keep commercial activity from being practiced in residential zones in ways that do not honor the current code by introducing commercial activity into residential areas. Dedomenco-Payne said that it is not as though anyone is opening a farmer’s market in his or her backyard, to which Morris interjected that one should be able to if desired.

Thus, the amendment was a mix of things already in the code that needed to be made consistent, as well as new elements, all the above being things that drew a mixed reaction from the council. This amendment is part of an ongoing effort by the Planning and Zoning Department to entrench their practices in code and “give teeth,” using Kopishke’s words, to policies that protect the health and safety of animals in the Town limits. Too much or too little? When it came to a vote, the verdict seemed to be too much. While Councilman Wayne Sealock abstained, Councilmen Glenn Wood and Rappaport voted in favor of the amendment but were overruled by Councilwomen Dedomenico-Payne and Morris and Councilman Josh Ingram. After wrapping up other business, which included the renewal of Town Manager Joe Waltz’s contract, the council went into closed session.

Click here to watch the Front Royal Town Council Meeting of May 28, 2024.

As referenced in our lead story on the Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting of Tuesday, May 21, the board faced three public hearings on rather routine matters, as well as approval of a seven-item Consent Agenda from which two items were pulled for additional discussion. All those items were eventually approved, only the Station 6 AC proposal drawing a lone negative vote. Below is a summary of the supervisors action agenda of May 21.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

33. Public Hearing – VDOT Secondary 6-Year Plan – Mike Berry, Public Works Director; Staff summary: VDOT and the Warren County Board of Supervisors, in accordance with Section 33.2-331 of the Code of Virginia, will conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Secondary Six-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2030 and 2025 Construction Budget in Warren County. All projects in the Secondary Six-Year Plan eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds.

Following one public hearing speaker, Paul Hunt, inquiring about a specific road project he was told did not make this year’s plan, on a motion by Richard Jamieson, second Vicky Cook, approved unanimously.

Public Works Director Mike Berry at the podium presents staff summary on a number of items before the board. Below, citizen Paul Hunt didn’t get the answer he was looking for in query on a road he was told did not ‘make the cut’ on this year’s VDOT 6-year secondary roads list. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

7. Public Heariing – Shenandoah Shores Sanitary District Water Rate Increase – Alisa Scott, Finance Director, Mike Berry, Public Works Director; Staff summary: The Shenandoah Shores Property Owner’s Association has voted to approve a 7.5% increase on water rates for Shenandoah Shores residents for fiscal year 2024-2025 and 2.5% for each fiscal year to follow, if necessary, who are hooked up to the community well. It has been three years since the last increase and the cost of material and labor has gone up considerably. The approval of the water rate was voted on by the Shenandoah Shores appointed Board.

There were no speakers at public hearing. On a motion by John Stanmeyer, second Cook, approved unanimously.

1. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement with Front Royal Cardinals, Inc. for use of Bing Crosby Stadium – Dana Winner, Office Manager, Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Dan Lenz, Parks and Recreation Director; Staff summary: The Front Royal Cardinals, Inc. request to lease Bing Crosby Stadium. The Front Royal Cardinals, Inc. will use the complex for their 2024 baseball season. All leases with County-owned real property must first have a public hearing.

Again, no speakers at public hearing. On motion by Jamieson, second Cook, approved unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

PULLED from Consent Agenda for discussion – items L-1 & L-3:

1. MOU for Animal Impound Agreement between Humane Society of Warren County and County of Warren – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator: Staff summary: Section 3.2-6546 of the Code of Virginia allows for the County to contract with a private group such as the Humane Society of Warren County, Inc. (the “Society”) to maintain or cause to maintain an animal shelter on behalf of the County for the confinement or disposition of animals. The County has contracted with the Society previously. The Animal Impound Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Society is for the shelter and control of stray, injured, or quarantined animals brought to the Society’s animal shelter from within the County and the Town of Front Royal, Virginia (the “Town”). Since the Sheriff is integrally involved in Animal Control, they are now a party to this Agreement. This Agreement is for a 3-year term, and if not otherwise terminated will then automatically renew from year to year.

COST & FINANCING:

During the Initial Term, beginning July 1, 2024, (FY24/25) the County shall pay the Society for the services rendered by the Society pursuant to this Agreement the Price of $412,000. Each year thereafter, the Price shall be increased by 2% or the CPI-U for the prior year, whichever is higher, not to exceed 3%. The Price shall be paid out in twelve equal monthly installments ($34,333). There are additional charges stated in the Agreement for various items, including veterinary changes and unusual animals.

On a motion by Cook, second by Jamieson, approved unanimously.

3. Fire Station 6 Air Conditioning System – James Bonzano, Fire Chief, Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator. Staff summary: The Department of Fire and Rescue Services recently explored the feasibility of upfitting the Shenandoah Farms Station Apparatus Bays with an Air Conditioning System. This upfit is needed to better protect the temperature-sensitive medications utilized for the treatment of advanced life support patients and to create better working conditions for the career and volunteer responders of the station.

In early 2022, the Department of Fire and Rescue Services and the County of Warren made the difficult decision to demolish the facilities living areas and southern apparatus bays due to unsafe conditions. This left the station with a standalone apparatus bay which houses an ambulance transport unit, an engine, brush truck and boat. This area is noted to be outfitted with heat via propane fuel but formerly lacked air conditioning due to being readily available to “open” the facility and circulate air via fans and natural air flow during the summer months.

At the request of Supervisor Cullers, staff has researched the viability of retrofitting the medic unit(s) with an onboard refrigeration unit vs. the installation of the Air Conditioning Unit at the Shenandoah Farms location. Below is the cost break down of such system: Onboard Air Conditioning Unit for Medic Units:

$2,852 per cooling unit plus shipping

$2,575 per installation

$5,427.00 total cost per unit.

On a motion by Cook, second Stanmeyer, approved by a 4-1 vote, Chairman Cheryl Cullers dissenting.

Item “L” the Consent Agenda as amended minus items 1 and 3, was approved unanimously. Those remaining items were:

L 2. Cooperative Agreement for the DWR Bentonville Boat Access on Shenandoah River known as Indian Hollow Access – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator

L 4. Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing – Little League Complex License Agreement with Front Royal Little League – Dana Winner, Office Manager, Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator , Dan Lenz, Parks and Recreation Director

L 5. Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing – Warren County FY24-25 Budget – Alisa Scott, Finance Director

L 6. Authorization to Advertise – Increased Transfer Station Tipping Fee – Mike Berry, Public Works Director

L 7. Authorization to Advertize – Linden VFD Dissolution – Gerry Maiatico, Assistant Fire Chief

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Click here to watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of May 21, 2024.

At its meeting of Tuesday, May 21, the Warren County Board of Supervisors faced three public hearings on rather routine matters — approval of the VDOT 6-year plan for secondary roads; a water rate increase in the Shenandoah Shores Sanitary District to cover increased costs; and the annual lease agreement between the County and the Front Royal Cardinals Valley League summer baseball team for use of Bing Crosby Stadium — as well as approval of a seven-item Consent Agenda from which two items were pulled for additional discussion. Those two items were the annual lease agreement between the County and the Humane Society of Warren County for use of the Humane Society’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter for the State-mandated municipal animal control impoundment function, and a proposal to install an air-conditioning system in the Fire & Rescue Department’s Fire Station 6. All those items were eventually approved, only the Station 6 AC proposal drawing a lone negative vote of the evening.

However, preceding that business was first, a Closed Session convened at 5:30 p.m. to get legal advice on two matters, first the EDA “financial scandal” litigation with individual defendants and the Town of Front Royal, and then on “Funding of the School Board and School Governance Issues”. There were no announcements out of the closed session which appeared to end shortly before the open meeting’s 7 p.m. convening.

County Attorney Jason Ham visits Vice-Chairman ‘Jay’ Butler prior to start of Tuesday’s meeting, likely reviewing the motion prepared by legal staff adding an item to the meeting agenda. That item was a Resolution outlining the board’s support for the county’s public schools system. Below, other than County staff in back of the room there weren’t many citizens present to hear that resolution read into the record two hours later, or to hear Sarah Downs Public Comment urging full funding of the public schools budget shortly after the meeting’s start. Downs is the citizen seated furthest back in 6th row of public seating. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

But if the supervisors had no public comment on those behind-closed-doors discussions, one Public Comment on non-agenda items speaker did rise to comment on the public schools funding issues prominent in recent Fiscal Year-2025 budget work sessions and meetings. That speaker was Sarah Downs, who noted she was a 2017 graduate of Skyline High School who has previously addressed the board on local governance issues. And while Downs started on a positive note — “I was relieved to see the work you are doing to collaborate with our school system and increase transparency. I was also happy to see the commitment you have made to raise teacher and staff pay.” She also offered a cautionary warning on the board’s seeming reluctance to accept the full Public Schools Administration’s budget submission:

“I’m also here to discuss some of the concerns expressed here by citizens on May 7th. We can all agree tax increases are not always welcomed, but they are necessary. Our Sheriffs Department and Fire & Rescue must be fully funded, absolutely,” she noted of the board’s public statements in that regard before adding, “But to not fully fund or cut the funding of our Public Schools would be devastating,” Downs warned. She offered some financial statistics to make her point:

“Virginia schools on average receive $1,400 per student from the federal government, $6,200 per pupil from the state, and the rest must be made up from local funding, which results in on average a spending of roughly $10,000 to $11,000 per child. The state with the most spending on children in public schools is New York where they spend 200-percent more, at $30,000 dollars on average per child,” Downs observed, including two supporting LINKS in a full draft of her remarks we acquired:

<https://educationdata.org/public-education-spending-statistics#virginia> and <https://schoolquality.virginia.gov/divisions/warren-county-public-schools#desktopTabs-5>

“I make this point to say that our school system is working with a fraction of what other counties and states contribute to education. And yet our high schools overall have a 92% graduating rate according to the 2022 data,” Downs continued. She noted student discipline and safety issues she has previously addressed, but tied that to staffing issues created by a lack of funding to maintain experienced staffing at a variety of levels.

“Overall, we will not see improvements in our school system until we see increased funding. An Investment in our school system is an investment in this county’s future and to consider otherwise would be a disservice,” Downs concluded pointedly of not including public schools as a full-funding priority service to the community.

Graphic pages from a County Budget process PowerPoint presented during County Administrator Ed Daley’s staff report to the board.

Perhaps ironically, an “Additional New Business” Agenda item “M” was added near the meeting’s outset on a motion by Vice-Chairman “Jay” Butler. The item was titled “Resolution of Support From the Warren County Board of Supervisors for Warren County Public Schools, the Warren County School Board, Teachers, and Students of our Community”. It was read into the meeting record by Board Chairman Cheryl Cullers as the final action of the evening. But that was about two hours away as Downs finished her comments urging more financial support for the public school system from the supervisors. See the full board Resolution here.

Next following “Public Comments” it was on to the action agenda cited above, and some discussion of the monthly review of “Appropriations and Transfers” and departmental “Approval of Accounts”, as well as a review of the County’s budget process during staff reports. See related story.

Click here to watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of May 21, 2024.

As the July 1st start of Fiscal Year-2024/25 approaches less than seven weeks away the Warren County Board of Supervisors is attempting to grasp all the variables involved in departmental and outside agency budgetary requests. To that end at its Tuesday, May 14, work session the supervisors got a report on the current status of FY-2024/25 budget proposal regarding projected revenue versus expenditures. Also received was a report on a three-year renewal of the impoundment contract for the Humane Society of Warren County’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter, and a related proposal to add an annual leave incentive for newly hired certified Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies, at least some if not all of whose duties would include Animal Control. Also on the agenda was a report on the FY-2023 audit of County finances by Robinson, Farmer, Cox, and Associates Michael Lupton that kicked off the work session.

RFCA’s Michael Lupton at the podium, presented a summary of his company’s FY-2023 audit of County finances to kick off Tuesday’s work session as County Administrator Ed Daley and Finance Director Alisa Scott listen at staff table. Come on, Ed, smile for the camera like Alisa is. Those FY-25 Budget numbers you’re going to present can’t be that grim – and the Finance Director’s got your back. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

The current FY-25 budget summary was presented second on the agenda by County Administrator Ed Daley. A total of 37 pages (29 for expenditures, 8 for revenue sources) indicated total expenditures originally proposed at $99,388,111, currently pared down to $97,422,667, an across-the-board reduction of $1,965,444. That compares to revenues projected on May 7, at $91,431,528, currently cited at $97,117,329, an increase of $5,685,801. If those numbers hold that would mean a $305,338 revenue shortfall that would have to be balanced by either additional cuts or an increase in revenue. Would the latter be provided by altered tax increase numbers or internal fund balance borrowing? The collective board angst over implementing the County’s first tax increases in about four-to-five years despite highly inflationary service costs over that period would seem to indicate the latter were that path chosen if a board majority believed the expenditure sources were valid costs the County should be absorbing.

Two charts presented in the County FY-25 Budget revenue and expenditures report from the county administrator. It might be noted that WC has the second lowest displayed tax rate 2-cents above Frederick Co. and 20-cents below Page and Clarke Counties, among other comparisons.

During discussion several board members cited budget priorities including Fire & Rescue and law enforcement staffing and operations. Also cited as a priority within the public schools budget, which has seen some questioning about a perceived lack of administrative transparency on some operational fronts, was funding to maintain adequate staffing of experienced teachers.

Board Chair Cheryl Cullers, a former public schools nurse, particularly cited funding to hire an Agricultural programs teaching position currently vacant at Skyline High School. See related BOS Press Release of Thursday, May 16.

County Board Chair Cheryl Cullers, pictured here with Vice-Chair ‘Jay’ Butler, expressed strong support that the supervisors not cut funding that will allow public schools to maintain and add teaching staff as necessary. Cullers was a long-time public schools nurse. Below, Public Schools Finance Director Rob Ballentine, far right in public seating area, listens to the FY-23 County Audit Report, including references to the County and Public Schools Admins’ budget communication processes.

Animal Impoundment

Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows presented what has become over the years a rather routine contract renewal of a state-mandated municipal service, impoundment of stray, threatening, or otherwise unidentified roaming animals. Meadows reiterated what has long seemed an accepted County staff consensus, that the County’s contract with the Humane Society of Warren County’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter for Animal Control impoundment services is estimated to save the County a significant sum of money in not having to establish its own department to oversee its own impoundment facility with corresponding staffing costs and benefits. As noted above, Meadows presented a related item, a proposal to add an annual leave incentive for newly hired certified Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies, at least some of whose duties would include Animal Control. The Sheriff’s Office provides the County’s animal impoundment operational pickup service. However, Animal Control deputies can also serve other law enforcement duties when not on animal control calls. Meadows explained to the supervisors the advantage in including an up-front annual leave incentive to attract experienced deputies, who would be losing accumulated annual leave by leaving their previous employer to come here.

Several supervisors had questions about the animal shelter contractual arrangement, particularly Fork District Supervisor Vicky Cook. Cook asked if the proposed annual shelter contract of $412,000 was an increase over the previous final year of the existing contract. Yes, Meadows replied, a $2,000 increase. Cook also seemed troubled by the fact that the Humane Society of Warren County “is financed by a 501-C3 non-profit.” She also questioned a projected 2% annual option years cost increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Cook pointed out that the County wasn’t contracting for consumer items, but a service. Meadows replied that the cost of that service included consumer costs like food and water for the animals, utility and facility support costs. She also noted that using the CPI included the possibility of an annual decrease in the contract price were the price of goods to decrease, which other options did not contain. And while it might be a long-shot, were prices to go down, so would the annual cost of the contract.

2023 Audit Presentation

And again as noted above, the work session kicked off with Michael Lupton of Robinson, Farmer, Cox, and Associates presentation on the Fiscal Year-2023 audit of County finances. It was a multi-faceted presentation initiated shortly after the work session’s convening. See the linked 17-page Audit PowerPoint presentation for summary highlights, including the page 7 notice for the: “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion on the Discretely Presented Component Unit – EDA” Discreetly presented you say?!? Must have something to do with ongoing litigations and liability claims.

Warren County Audit Presentation – FY2023

Watch the May 14, 2024, Warren County Board of Supervisors Work Session.

It was a very concise, if occasionally emotional, meeting of the Front Royal Planning Commission on Wednesday, May 15. The commission faced approval of a two-item Consent Agenda for advertisement for public hearings, and one public hearing on a Special Use Permit (SUP) request for a non-commercial lodging house at 1324 Old Winchester Pike in an R-3, Residential District. The applicant, Janelle Embrey of Abode of Liberation, was the only speaker at that public hearing. As for the emotion, the commission, already one member down, bid farewell to two members, Glenn Wood and Brian Matthiae, who both confirmed to Chairman Connie Marshner that it would be their last meeting. Wood will now focus on his recently achieved position as a town councilman, and our understanding is Matthiae and family are leaving the area.

As Commission Chair Connie Marshner, standing, and Planning Director Lauren Kopishke share some information pre-meeting, Commissioners Glenn Wood, white jacket to Marshner’s left, and Commissioner Brian Matthiae, dark jacket far right, prepare for their last meeting as commission members. Council better pick up the pace with those vacancy interviews, the planning commission won’t have a quorum to convene soon.

As for the one public hearing, after Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware summarized the proposal for conversion of the former Bed & Breakfast facility to a non-profit lodging house for assistance programs offered to adults with certain disabilities, Embrey explained her plans for the seven bedroom Abode of Liberation facility. Having received her non-profit status, she told the commission she just wanted to make sure she was complying with all related Town Codes for her type of adult assistance facility.

Prior to a vote on the permitting, Commissioner Wood commended Embrey, not only for her planned human services operation, but for initiating the permitting approval process by contacting Town officials to make sure she would be operating by all applicable Town codes. Wood soon seconded Commissioner Michael Williams motion for a recommendation of approval of the Special Use Permitting for the Abode of Liberation adult assistance lodging house to the Town Council. And when the roll-call vote reached him at 3-0 in favor, Wood enthusiastically added an “ABSOLUTELY Yes” final vote.

Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware at podium, responds to questions. Below, Abode of Liberation principal Jenelle Embrey was commended by the commission for bringing her code compliance questions to the commission prior to beginning operations of her impaired adult assistance non-profit lodging house.

Prior to the Abode of Liberation public hearing the commission approved its Consent Agenda items for Advertisement for coming Public Hearings. The two items were:

• 2400250 – Rappahannock HC, LLC – A Rezoning Application requesting an amendment to the zoning map to reclassify 1321 Happy Creek Road, identified by Tax Map 20A21-2-4 from R-S, Suburban Residential District to R-1, Residential District.
• 2400294 – Mark Poe – A request for a Special Use Permit to allow a short-term rental located at 415 E. Main Street, identified by Tax Map 20A8-8-6. The property is zoned C-2, Downtown Business District and is located in the Historic Overlay District.

Post public hearing, Commissioner Williams opened Board Reports with an apology to the community and his fellow commissioners for what he termed “an inappropriate word” he had been alerted to the fact that he had used at a previous meeting. Williams said he had reviewed the meeting tape and was embarrassed to realize that a reactive comment to information presented to the commission had been picked up by his microphone, though it had not consciously been meant for public consumption. Commission Chair Marshner and Commissioner Wood both commended Williams for his public apology for his wording faux pas.

Commissioner Wood acknowledged his leaving the commission and thanked his fellow commissioners present and past for the opportunity to serve and learn with them. He pointed to a developing trend toward unanimous consensus by the commission on their recommendations to the Town Council as a sign of collective background research of proposals brought to them.

“We appreciate your service. And the commission has greatly benefited by your expertise and your manner of statesmanship. And we do appreciate that and you will be missed,” Chairman Marshner responded to Wood’s farewell remarks.

Town Planning Director Lauren Kopishke wrapped the meeting up with her monthly report for April. She cited 227 walk-ins by citizens in April: “To date this year we’ve had 954 citizens come into our office, not including phone calls that we receive,” Kopishke told the commission, adding, “In the month of April we issued 19 zoning permits, we had six new code enforcement instructions and six re-inspections, and we had nine property maintenance (re-inspections). And then we had six new sign permits and 14 new business licenses.”

Kopishke also gave what she termed a “slight update” on Zoning Ordinances related to a recent joint planning commission-town council meeting that resulted in staff edits to the codes on short-term rentals after discussion with the Town’s consultant, whom she observed she would be meeting with again the following day, May 16. She said Planning Department staff hopes to have a new draft Zoning Ordinance to the commission for review by the end of June.

Its business taken care of and farewells acknowledged, the 7 p.m. meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

Click here to watch the Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting of May 15, 2024.

The Front Royal Town Council met in work session at 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 13, at Town Hall for discussion of several rather routine matters, most headed for consideration at the May 28th meeting as part of the Consent Agenda. Prior to getting to those items Mayor Lori Cockrell presented a Proclamation for council’s endorsement acknowledging National Police Week May 12 to 18. The holiday in remembrance of the sacrifices of law enforcement officers was begun by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, when he established Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, which today has expanded to the week-long National Police Week remembrance.

Mayor Cockrell acknowledged two recent remembrances of local officers. Those were   the recent naming of a bridge at South Street for former Town Police Officer Lt. William Patrick “Pat” Farrell and the earlier Commerce Street bridge renaming for FRPD Sgt. Dennis Smedley. Farrell was an FRPD officer from 1971 to 1982, when his early retirement was caused by declining health from an on duty incident in November 1977 when he was bitten and scratched by a suspect authorities did not know at the time was infected with Hepatitis B. Farrell eventually succumbed to Chronic Hepatitis on July 24, 1991, at the age of 43. As noted above, Council recently dedicated the South Street Bridge in Farrell’s name, as they had previously with the Commerce Street Bridge for Sgt. Smedley, killed in the line of duty in 1983.

Mayor Cockrell at head of table convenes the May 13 work session. First on the agenda was a Proclamation endorsing National Police Week, recalling two local officers remembered here recently for their line of duty sacrifices. Then it was into closed session on two personnel matters.

Following the proclamation and remembrance of Officers Farrell and Smedley Council adjourned to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. for an interview to fill a planning commission vacancy and discuss an item added at the work session’s outset. That was a personnel matter related to providing staff backup for Town Manager Joe Waltz, who is currently absent due to illness it was noted. Following the closed session adjournment at 7:30 p.m., as indicated in Amber Morris’s motion to add the item, Council unanimously authorized Finance Director B. J. Wilson to perform the duties of Town Manager in Waltz’s absence.

Perhaps the most interesting discussion of a series of budget and financial matters scheduled to come before Council in coming meetings was how to appropriate the expenditure of approximately $505,000 requested by Finance Director Wilson as part of a Budget Amendment “to account for revenues that exceeded FY24 budgeted amounts and to approve a FY24 Budget Transfer in the amount of $535,000 to allocate $515,000 (which it appeared was amended to $505,000 in a corrected agenda packet number by Wilson) in additional funds” to the FY24 budget. For while the staff agenda summary suggested that money be used “to advance the Town’s paving plan and to allocate $30,000 for Town Hall security” some Council members had other ideas as expressed beginning at the 19:05 mark of the linked Town video.

The idea of using those transferred funds to achieve established Council goals other than street maintenance initially came from Councilman Glenn Wood (addressing blighted, derelict buildings or creating a Deputy Town Manager’s position) and Vice-Mayor Wayne Sealock (funding additional FRPD officer positions) Councilwoman Morris commented that she liked the blighted building idea; however, it soon became apparent, with a twist (at the 29:28 video mark). That twist was committing the money to the Town’s unilaterally overseen Front Royal Economic Development Authority (FREDA, also known as the Business Development Board).

Finance Director B.J. Wilson, at the podium, had a busy work session, as he not only presented Budget Amendment requests, but stood in for Town Manager Joe Waltz, out due to illness. Councilwoman Amber Morris, first seat from podium to right of table, suggested investing a $505,000 budget amendment amount to help FREDA launch economic development operations.

“I think we’ve looked at for a long time, since FREDA was propped up in 2019 or whenever it started … We haven’t had funds to fund FREDA. And I think a one-time funding mechanism to FREDA would generate year-over-year revenue back to the Town in dividends if we did it appropriately. So, instead of throwing money at something that would be completed one time and done, I think if we fund FREDA and let them loosen the reigns and can go to work, that could generate revenue in the budget for next year and all the years to come, which is what we’re looking to do.”

After some additional conversation Mayor Cockrell asked council’s preference in coming to an immediate decision to enable it to be voted on at the May 28th meeting, or forward it to the first June work session for additional discussion and a decision on which fiscal-year budget the appropriation would be included in. The consensus was to point to the early June work session and a decision that would facilitate the money’s commitment in the appropriate fiscal year budget depending on a final consensus on usage.

Other Business

Several of the other budgetary requests moved toward consideration at council’s May 28 meeting the Tuesday after the Memorial Day holiday, others toward June discussion and decisions. They included:

Item 3-A – FY24 Budget Amendment to Receive Funds for Electric Pole Stock Replacement. As noted in the staff agenda summary, Finance Director Wilson explained that council was being requested to “… approve a budget amendment for the Town’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget in the amount of $20,721.76. The Town has received $20,721.76 from Bright Speed to reimburse the Town for replacement of 22 electric poles. If approved, this budget amendment would offset the additional expense incurred by the Department of Energy Services for the pole replacements.”

In addition the staff summary notes: “Per the Pole Attachment Agreement between the Town of Front Royal and Bright Speed (formerly Century Link/Sprint), it is stipulated that in the event of the Town replacing one of Brightspeed’s poles with a Town stock pole, ownership of the pole transfers to Brightspeed. However, Brightspeed is obligated to provide the Town with a replacement stock pole. Regrettably, this practice has not been adhered to by Century Link in recent years, resulting in a shortfall of 22 poles owed to the Town. Following Brightspeed’s acquisition of the company, a decision was reached to address this discrepancy by invoicing Brightspeed for the expenses incurred by the Town for pole replacements – totaling $20,721.76.” The item was moved to the May 28 meeting for action.

Item 3-B –  FY2023-2024 Write Off for Bad Debt – BJ Wilson/staff summary: Council is requested to approve the removal of 5 years or of outstanding accounts receivable (bad debts) totaling $48,897.84 (151 utility accounts) on the Town’s ledger for the remainder of fiscal year 2023-2024. Staff has identified the accounts as bad debt and uncollectible based upon the Bad Debt Policy approved by Town Council in March 2019  and statute of limitations.

It was further noted that, “Annually the Town of Front Royal bills approximately $30 million for utility service. The Town of Front Royal Department of Finance collects approximately 99% of the utilities billed annually before accounts are deemed uncollectible and written off.” So, the bad debts mark about one percent of the Town’s utility service. The previous three fiscal years of authorized bad debts were cited at: FY21 – $41,474.18; FY22 – $46,705.80; FY23 – $47,314.36, with the FY24 total of $48,897.84 pending approval, expected to be authorized at the May 28 meeting.

B.J. Wilson was still at it late into Monday’s work session, as he filled in for the absent Town Manager and Town Attorney, in addition to his four budget updates to council.

Item 3-D – FY24 Budget Amendment, Financing, & Purchase for Single Axle Vac Truck – BJ Wilson. The staff summary noted: “The Town’s FY25 adopted budget for sewer maintenance includes funding for an annual financing payment on a single axle vac truck. Council will be requested to approve the purchase of a new single axle vac truck; specifically, a Vaccon non cdl 3-yard unit, from Atlantic Machinery Inc. using the cooperative contracting via the Virginia Sheriff’s Association Heavy Equipment Procurement Program bid#24-05-0713 in the amount of $451,518.00. This new vac truck will replace unit#644 a 1993 Ford L8000 … Council will be requested to approve the purchase of a new single axle vac truck; specifically, a Vaccon non cdl 3-yard unit, from Atlantic Machinery Inc. using the cooperative contracting via the Virginia Sheriff’s Association Heavy Equipment Procurement Program bid#24-05-0713 in the amount of $451,518.00. This new vac truck will replace unit #644 a 1993 Ford L8000.” Item also appears headed to a vote May 28.

Under “New Business” council was informed by Finance Director Wilson in the absence of Town Attorney George Sonnett that the Town would be required, as it is annually along with all municipalities across the state, to bring its local traffic and vehicle laws into compliance with any changes at the State level. Staff recommended that Council approve advertisement for a public hearing at the June 22nd regular meeting, so the changes will be in place at the July 1 start of FY-2025.

The work session adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Click here to watch the May 13, 2024, Front Royal Town Council Meeting.