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.

Community leaders and local business owners gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Service Title LLC’s new location. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a significant milestone for Christy Heflin, Raymond Heflin, and their partner Kellea Shaney.

Nike Foster, Executive Director of the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce, kicked off the event by expressing enthusiasm for the new venture. Chamber President Byron Biggs and Front Royal Mayor Lori Cockrell shared their support and admiration for the team.

“Thank you, everybody, for being here today. We’re so excited to help cut the ribbon on this new venture,” Foster said. Biggs added, “I’ve known Christy and Ray for a while, and they are wonderful with their clients and the community. We’re glad to have them in our community.”

Mayor Cockrell reminisced about the building’s history and her long-standing relationship with the Heflins. “I’ve known Christy and Raymond for a long time. They are great people and business people who do a lot for our community. Congratulations on this new venture.”

Christy Heflin expressed her gratitude to the crowd, saying, “We’re excited about this new space and look forward to many years to come.”

After the ceremony, publisher Mike McCool spoke with Christy, Raymond, and Kellea about the new Service Title LLC. “We are a full-service settlement agency, providing title insurance and handling all kinds of real estate settlements,” Christy explained. “Kellea works on the title binders and commitments, and Raymond and I work with clients at the settlement table.”

Raymond Heflin highlighted their extensive experience in the industry. “We’re also lenders with Alcova Mortgage and hold real estate licenses with Brenda Morris of Morris & Company Realty. This new venture is a different side of the business for us.”

Kellea Shaney, who has been with Service Title since it opened in 2009, expressed her excitement about the new chapter. “I’m excited to be continuing my job with Raymond and Christy. It’s great to serve people on this side of the business.”

Service Title LLC serves the state of Virginia and is working on obtaining a license for West Virginia. The company aims to provide a seamless and efficient real estate transaction experience for bankers, brokers, agents, or private individuals.

The community’s support for Service Title LLC’s new venture was evident, reflecting the company’s longstanding relationships and reputation for excellence. As the real estate market continues to evolve, Service Title LLC is well-positioned to offer comprehensive real estate services in the valley.

For more information about Service Title LLC, contact Kellea Shaney, Senior Title Insurance Underwriter and Settlement Processor, at kellea@servicetitlellc.com.

With mosquito season in full swing, the buzz isn’t just about the annoyance of itchy bites—there’s a serious side to these pests. Mosquitoes are notorious carriers of dangerous diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever, making effective repellents crucial for comfort and health.

DEET, developed by the U.S. Army in the 1940s and available commercially since the 1950s, remains one of the most effective ingredients in mosquito repellents. Despite early concerns about its safety, public opinion has largely shifted, favoring DEET’s effectiveness over potential risks, especially in areas prone to mosquito-borne illnesses.

How does DEET work? It doesn’t repel mosquitoes in the traditional sense. Instead, it confuses them. DEET interferes with the receptors on mosquitoes’ antennae, effectively dulling their ability to detect and feed on human blood. This makes DEET-based products a top choice for preventing mosquito bites.

The research underscores the superiority of DEET in prolonging the time until the first mosquito bite. A New England Journal of Medicine study found that DEET products were significantly more effective than other repellents. For instance, a product with just 6.65% DEET can protect for about 112.4 minutes, while options with higher concentrations, like OFF! Deep Woods, with 23.8% DEET, offers up to 301 minutes of protection. In contrast, citronella-based products lag behind, providing only 10 to 20 minutes of relief.

However, when it comes to children, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises caution, recommending that repellents for young users contain no more than 10% DEET. The debate continues among experts regarding the safety of DEET products for children, but the consensus is clear on one point: DEET is effective.

For those looking for more information on choosing the right mosquito repellent and understanding the safe use of DEET, resources such as health.harvard.edu provide valuable insights.

Staying informed and prepared is key as we navigate through peak mosquito season. Whether camping, hiking, or just enjoying an evening in your backyard, a good repellent can make all the difference between a pleasant outdoor experience and an uncomfortable, risky one.

The Warren County Board of Supervisors (WCBOS) has strongly supported prioritizing teacher raises in the Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) budget for the 2025 fiscal year. The Board is advocating for a budget that accommodates a 3% raise for teachers, including step increases and hiring an additional agriculture teacher at Skyline High School.

John Stanmeyer, Shenandoah District Supervisor, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “I think we have found some great solutions that allow the School Board to provide their employees what is needed while also addressing the funding challenges we have faced throughout the County.”

Chery Cullers, the Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairperson, echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism about resolving the budget challenges. “I’m excited to see these funding challenges come to a close with priorities on public safety and teacher salaries as we resolve this upcoming budget season,” Cullers remarked.

The WCBOS has requested that the School Board prioritize these labor-related increases over any non-labor expenditures. This collaborative effort between the WCBOS and the WCPS School Board aims to finalize a balanced budget that addresses the needs of teachers and enhances the quality of education in Warren County.

As the budget planning continues, both boards are committed to working together to ensure that the final budget supports the community’s educational priorities and financial well-being.

Stay tuned to the Royal Examiner and the Warren County government website for more updates on the budget discussions and decisions.

Front Royal Police Department arrest report for the past 7 days:

Larry P. Beahm, 63, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester, Va.

He was born on July 22, 1960, in Page County and was the son of the late Boyd F Beahm and Lamont P Beahm.

He is survived by a daughter, Krista Beahm of Front Royal, and a granddaughter, Kayle Beahm of Luray; brother, Randal Beahm Sr. of Luray; sister, Robin Eye of Waynesboro.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Beahm, and a beloved dog, Shooter.