AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

William G. Downey, Scott District Supervisor

July 19, 2004

Staff Lead:

Department:

Janice Bourne, Director

Finance

Topic:

 

A Resolution to Waive the Expenditure Authorization Limitation and the General Election Requirement in the County’s Debt Referendum Policy for the New High School

Topic Description:

 

The Board of Supervisors is requested to approve the attached resolution requesting two requirements in the County’s Debt Referendum be waived.  The two requirements are (1) the authorization which limits expenditures to preliminary architectural and engineering design work; and (2) the requirement that the referendum be held coincident with the general election.  By waiving the November general election requirement, the School Board will be able to plan for a special Spring election.  Voters will benefit by receiving more complete information on the design and having more time to receive the pertinent information needed to make an educated decision.  By waiving the limitation on preliminary design, the School Board will be able to continue the design work through completion and maintain the project schedule.  If the project is delayed following the election, the design can still be used.

 

In the event that the Board of Supervisors decides not to approve the resolution to waive the expenditure limitation and the general election requirement, then the Board of Supervisors is requested to adopt the attached resolution requesting the Circuit Court to order a special election to hold the referendum.  If the Board of Supervisors approves the resolution requesting the waivers, then the request to order the election for the purpose of the referendum will be brought before the Board at a later date.

 

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:

 

Consider the attached resolution to waive certain requirements in the County’s Debt Referendum Policy for the new high school.

 

Financial Impacts Analysis:

 

The Registrar’s Office has estimated the cost of a special election to be $22,100. 

 

A contract for the design of the new high school was executed in June 2004 with Moseley Architects.  The design work through 35% completion is $735,752.  The completed design costs are $1,491,390.

 

The preliminary total estimated cost of a new high school expressed in 2005 dollars is $46,269,093, based on a March 12, 2004 report from McDonough Bolyard Peck Construction Engineering.  Debt service for the balance of the project costs would be incurred beginning in Fiscal Year 2007.

 

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request: 

Fauquier County Finance Department

Fauquier County Budget Office

Fauquier County Registrar’s Office

 

Attachments: 

  1. Resolution Waiving Debt Referendum Requirements
  2. Resolution Requesting a Referendum