March 21, 2012 12:10 am
BY KATIE THISDELL
Stafford County Supervisors took up several items at Tuesday's meeting pertaining to future development and the county's budget, including consideration of reducing the proffer amount for proposed developments.
Stafford has been eligible to collect cash proffers since 1989, and guidelines were last revised in 2005. No major rezonings have taken place since then.
Negotiated during the zoning of a property, cash proffers offset a proposed development's impact on the county's resources, including schools and fire and rescue services.
Guidelines for land dedications, rather than cash proffers, have also been used.
County staff now say that the current methodology is outdated and needs to be adjusted to match current economic conditions in Stafford.
"This current system is creating sprawl in the county," Supervisor Paul Milde said, referring to increased by-right development in the county. He said he supports a reduction in the proffer amounts.
The proposal, made by the offices of planning and finance and budget, would set guidelines on cash proffers and credits, though these can be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
"Nothing is set in stone," Supervisor Jack Cavalier said. "Everything is negotiable. Things have changed. We need to come up with new guidelines. As Paul [Milde] says, perhaps we're a little high now."
The recommendation will go to the Planning Commission for 90 days, including time for a public hearing.
Also on Tuesday, supervisors set a hearing next month at which residents will have the chance to voice their opinions about the county's proposed fiscal 2013 budget.
The hearing will be held Wednesday, April 4. The regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting was rescheduled because of the April 3 special election for the Garrisonville supervisor.
Interim Supervisor Ty Schieber, a Republican, is running against political newcomer and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jac Starkey, a Democrat.
The proposed budget is $246.6 million. That includes a $4 million increase for education and $2 million for public safety, as well as increases for several other budget categories.
The proposed budget recommends an equalized rate of $1.08 per $100 of assessed value. This follows the board's priority of no general tax increases.
The current real-estate tax rate is $1.08.
Each penny on the tax rate brings the county $1.24 million.
The budget proposes a reduced rate in the Warrenton Road Service District, but the public hearing will be based upon the equalized rate. Supervisors can then decide to lower the rate after the public hearing, but not raise it without advertising for another public hearing.
The full budget can be found on the county website. The April 4 public hearing will be at 7 p.m. in the board chambers of the George L. Gordon Jr. Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road.
Supervisors also are considering a proposal to increase ambulance fees when services are required from the Stafford Fire and Rescue Department.
The fees were enacted in 2006 and last updated in 2008. In December, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services approved an increased allowable cost. MED 300, the county's ambulance billing contractor, recommends increased rates to maintain pace with inflation.
Fees cover the costs of transport, medicines and equipment used, but not the full cost of ambulance services.
Current rates are: $400 for Basic Life Support, $500 for Advanced Life Support 1, $675 for ALS 2 and $10 per mile of transport.
Stafford's rates are lower than the average rates of 10 EMS providers within Virginia.
Recommended increased fees are: $500 for BLS, $650 for ALS 1, $800 for ALS 2 and $12 per mile of transport.
Insurance reimbursement will pay only so much of the rate, no matter where the fees are set, according to the county's background report.
The cost recovery fee increase would bring in an estimated $106,000 in revenue, from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, commercial insurance private pay and nonresident user fees.
County residents will see no out-of-pocket costs, according to the county's report.
"We do not bill our county residents--it's called compassionate billing," Fire Chief Rob Brown said.
No public comment was made.
Also at the meeting:
The board deferred a memorandum of agreement for the proposed research and technology park in North Stafford.
At the next meeting, a five-year lease for 1,140 square feet of office space at Quantico Corporate Center could be finalized.
The Silver Cos., which is developing the QCC, has agreed to pay up to $315,000, which would more than cover rent for the first five years.
A conditional use permit was approved for a Wawa gas station and convenience store at 9 South Gateway Drive, at the intersection with U.S. 17 at the Target-anchored Carter's Crossing.
A gas station used to be located there. The applicant was Silver-Honaker Development Co.
Supervisors approved a repeal of the cluster ordinance in the zoning and subdivision ordinances, due to inconsistencies with state code.
Not having an ordinance is also out of compliance with state code.
The Planning Commission is working on revisions.