County Supervisors Unite in Movement Toward a Finalized Budget for Coming Fiscal and Calendar Years

The Warren County Board of Supervisors displayed a somewhat rare recent voting unity with a number of unanimous 5-0 votes of approval of various budget-related items at its Special Meeting of June 9th. A number of those items were tabled for additional information and later action at the Board’s meeting of June 2nd. However, only one item was listed under the banner of “Unfinished Business” with three additional ones categorized as “New Business” prior to the convening of the work session, where voting actions cannot be taken.

Action Items

The evening’s Action Items included:

A-1/ Unfinished Business item, Permission for the County Fire & Rescue Department to apply for grants, AFG, and SAFER were cited, to primarily help bring departmental personnel needs into line, at least partially, with 18 new positions cited of an optimum number of 24 additions noted by Assistant Chief Gerry Maiatico during his presentation on the item. On a motion by Richard Jamieson, seconded by John Stanmeyer, approved by a 5-0 vote. However, Chairman Cheryl Cullers prefaced her “Aye” vote with a long pause and acknowledgment of her concerns about potential impacts on constituent finances.

For a change, the WC Board members were on the same page, approving a series of 4 motions related to budgetary matters by a 5-0 vote. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Discussion at various points of the Special Meeting/Work Session referenced several years in which previous boards failed to raise taxes to cover the County’s new financial needs, leading to the necessity of a 9-1/2 cent Real Estate Tax hike this year.

Under “New Business” (item B) were three additional matters needing action one way or the other prior to the July 1st coming of Fiscal Year 2026/2027.

B-1/ Authorization for a Grant Agreement with the Department of Aviation for improvements at the County’s Front Royal Airport (FRR). On a motion by Hugh Henry, seconded by John Stanmeyer, approved by a 5-0 vote:

County Public Works Director Mike Berry explains the financial and operational dynamics of a developmental grant acquisition by the County’s FRR (Front Royal Airport). Below, WC Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Troy Wright responds to board questions on funding cycles between the county government and its public schools system.

B-2/ Approval of an additional appropriation for Warren County Public Schools Capital Improvements, particularly cited as a 29 to 30-year-old “chiller unit” replacement at Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School. On a motion by Hugh Henry, second from Richard Jamieson, approved by a 5-0 vote;

B-3/ Authorization to Advertise a Budget Amendment exceeding 1% of total expenditures. County Finance Director Alisa Scott was accompanied by Social Services Director Jon Martz and a CSA (Comprehensive Services Act) representative in presenting this item. On a motion by Supervisor Stanmeyer, seconded by Hugh Henry, approved by a 5-0 vote.

WC Finance Director Alisa Scott presented overviews on several funding items, including a Budget Amendment adjustment involving the Social Services and the CSA, or if our online research was accurate the Children’s Services Act.

Following those three items under “New Business,” a motion into the evening’s Work Session, where votes cannot be taken, was convened.

Below are County Staff summaries of the above-cited action items under the Unfinished Business and New Business categories of Tuesday’s meeting:

Action Item Overviews

A-1. Fire and Rescue AFG and SAFER Grant Review – presented by Gerry Maiatico, Assistant Fire Chief

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: “The Department of Fire and Rescue Services is currently evaluating the anticipated application process for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.  While the application period for these grants has not opened, the Department anticipates an announcement in the near future.

“During this agenda item, the Department will provide a list of options for application of the SAFER Grant and associated staffing levels for the Board to consider. This presentation will include an overview of the ‘period of performance’ of the grant and will review the anticipated matching funds of the grant for years 1, 2, and 3 and total cost for year 4 and beyond.

In front of an un-packed house other than County Staffers in the back of the room, Assistant Fire & Rescue Chief Gerry Maiatico opened the budget presentations with a detailed update on grant applications the department is seeking, particularly to address staffing issues in several stations around the county.

“Following the conclusion of this agenda item, the Department will seek board approval to apply for each of the AFG and SAFER Grants with a targeted number of staff positions for the SAFER grant application.  This would not commit any funds as no matching funds would be required until the grant award and acceptance by the Board.

“COST & FINANCING: This agenda item has no cost associated with the grant review.” Staff recommended approval of the grant applications.

B-1. Grant Agreement — Department of Aviation – Presented by Mike Berry, Public Works Director

“EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: By executing a Master Agreement on Terms and Conditions for Accepting State Aviation Funding Resources effective on July 19, 2023, the County of Warren agreed to the terms and conditions for accepting state aviation funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the County has submitted a request for a grant of state funds to assist in the development of Front Royal-Warren County Airport together with the appropriate supporting documentation. The Commonwealth, acting by and through the Virginia Aviation Board and/or the Virginia Department of Aviation, has approved a project for development of the Airport, which consists of the following:

“• Supplemental Windcone (Construction) …

“COST & FINANCING: The Maximum Obligation of the Commonwealth payable under the Grant Agreement shall not exceed $14,323.18

“PROPOSED OR SUGGESTED MOTION: I move that the Board of Supervisors approve the Grant Agreement.”

B-2. Additional Appropriation – Warren County Public Schools Capital Improvement (HJB)

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: On May 26, a chiller unit failed and ceased operation at Hilda J. Barbour (HJB) Elementary School. A technician from Johnson Controls evaluated the equipment and determined that the motor must either be rebuilt or replaced. The estimated cost to rebuild the motor is $49,690; however, a rebuilt motor carries only a limited warranty. Given that the chiller at HJB is 29 years old and considering the significant mechanical issues currently being experienced, staff recommends replacing the chiller rather than rebuilding the existing motor. In addition to purchasing and installing the new chiller system, it is recommended to rent a portable chiller to provide temporary cooling capacity during the replacement of the current system.

To fund the replacement and installation of a new chiller system and the rental of a portable chiller, approval is requested for the Superintendent to seek an appropriation of $700,000 from the Board of Supervisors.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Troy Wright juggles the computer he has been bringing to supervisor meetings recently as he returns to the podium to respond to additional questions on County/Public Schools issues surrounding year-to-year funding and other technical variables.

COST & FINANCING: $700,000 – Capital Improvement

PROPOSED OR SUGGESTED MOTION: I move that the Board of Supervisors approve the following additional appropriations to the School Board’s FY 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Budget: an increase of $700,000 to … fund the replacement and installation of a new chiller system and the funds to rent a portable chiller.

B-3. Authorization to Advertise – Budget Amendment exceeding 1% of total expenditures – Presented by Alisa Scott, Finance Director, Director of Social Services

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY:

Per the Children Services Act’s (CSA) funding projections dated 05/19/2026 and approved by the Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) an additional $1,782,684.00 is requested for CSA warrants issued. The Local only contribution is $115,000.

COST & FINANCING: $1,782,684

PROPOSED OR SUGGESTED MOTION: I move that the Board authorize the Budget Amendment exceeding 1% of the total expenditures for a public hearing.

Work Session 

Items discussed during the Work Session included:

C-1/ Transfer of Budget Guidelines:

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: This fiscal policy provides guidance on budget transfers. Budget transfers only apply to the budget within a line item that has already been adopted by the Board of Supervisors as part of the annual budget adoption process.  The Finance & Purchasing Department shall provide a list of budget transfers as a monthly report to the Board of Supervisors.

Interdepartmental transfers shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors, except for budget transfers from the Non-departmental department budget to health care and salary expenditures.

C-2/ Discussion Revenue Diversification: Presented by Alisa Scott, Finance Director, and Sherry Sours, Commissioner of Revenue.

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: Under Va. Code § 58.1-1748, Warren County is authorized to levy a disposable bag tax, authorizing the Virginia Department of Taxation to enforce, collect, and deduct the direct costs incurred by the Department in administering the tax from the amounts due to the county.  Warren County must hold a public hearing and approve an ordinance change in order for the revenue to be realized.  After the ordinance is approved, the Commonwealth requires a 3-month notice for the tax to take effect on the first day of a calendar quarter.  If the ordinance is approved in July, the levy would take effect on January 1, 2027.  The rate limitation is $.05 per plastic bag.

Revenues: Used for purposes of environmental cleanup, providing education programs designed to reduce environmental waste, mitigate pollution and litter, or providing reusable bags to recipients of SNAP and WIC benefits.

COST & FINANCING: Fiscal revenue is estimated to be $49,000-$60,000.  If adopted January 1, 2027, the revenue will only be realized for half the fiscal year, estimated at $24,500 – $30,000

C-3. Discussion – High Top Road Platted Housing Development – Submitted by BOS

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: The Board of Supervisors will discuss the approximately 50 lots of platted new housing in correlation to citizens on High Top Road regarding well water and infrastructure issues.

Another view of the supervisors as Tuesday’s Special Meeting on budget-related issues heads toward a 3rd hour.

C-4. Discussion – Warren County Board of Supervisors and Warren County School Board MOU’s

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY: The Board of Supervisors will discuss the Memorandums of Understanding regarding Meals Tax, Carryover Funds, and Lump-Sum Appropriation of Local Funds for Warren County Schools.

Watch the County Video for more details on both these pre-voting and work session discussions.