City Dismayed
Over Agreement
By KYLE BENNETT
City Editor
Covington City Council feels “blindsided,” Vice Mayor Stephanie Clark said.
Alleghany County’s decision to terminate the 31 year-old joint Fire and Rescue Services agreement has left members of council unhappy, and council expressed their dismay during their work session Tuesday night.
“Regionalization does not sneak up on you,” Clark added, referring to the county’s plan to fund the city the same amount it funds the county fire departments and rescue squads.
Almost 50 percent of the city fire and rescue squad calls are in Alleghany County, and the agreement specified payment based on Protected Property Value. During the last billing cycle, Alleghany County paid Covington $202,000 for emergency services in the county.
Covington City Manager Clarie Collins said under the terms of the old agreement, Alleghany County was obligated to pay 50 percent of capital expenditures for the city’s fire and rescue departments.
Currently, the city is making payments on the new ladder truck as well as a new ambulance.
Whether the county is still responsible for payment, Collins noted, “That would be an issue legal counsel would have to address.”
Alleghany County has offered to pay $35,000 annually for fire service, $35,000 for rescue squad service and $30,000 for the capital expenditures.
Councilman B.B. Bryant says the county is trying to force the proposal on the city.
“We haven’t agreed to it. We’re not an entity under them,” Bryant said.
“We haven’t agreed to participate ... plain and simple,” Bryant noted. “The burden, bottom line, will fall on the taxpayers of the city of Covington.”
Covington Mayor Harrison Scott said the city and county need to have a signed agreement in place before the old plan is terminated on July 1.
“I wonder about answering calls in the county without an agreement.” Scott added that the city would still be obligated to answer calls in Alleghany County under the terms of the Mutual Aid agreement. Several fire and rescue members also reside in Alleghany County, Scott noted.
Bryant hinted at restricting emergency calls to within the city limits.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Scott interjected.
Later in the meeting, Bryant hinted once again about limiting response to the county. “There would be some angry residents with county administration because there would be some changes to the response in the city of Covington. We have got to take care of the citizens of Covington first.”
Scott said the county needs to provide more funding for all county departments. “This is not solving the problem in the county because their departments need more money,” Scott added.
Councilman Rob Bennett said the agreement is a money issue but cutting funding to emergency services is not the answer.
Of cutting funding for emergency services, Bennett added, “To me, that would be the last place you would want to go.”
Bennett said that a disagreement on emergency services reimbursement will be a hinderance to any potential consolidation talks.
Petitions are being circulated through the Alleghany Highlands that would compel the city and county to draft a consolidation agreement.
Council questioned Collins to whether the county will pay for the services based on the old agreement.
Collins said she has spoken to Alleghany County Administrator John Strutner about payment. The city bills the county on a one-year delay.
Clark said she would feel more comfortable with a written confirmation from the county indicating their intention to pay under the terms of the old agreement.
Collins agreed.
Collins said emergency services crosses boundaries. “It’s a bigger picture than what the governing bodies think about.”
Collins added, “What is the worth of assuring adequate emergency services?”
In other items considered for the May 13 agenda, council is planning to revise the Cemetery Ordinance to allow mausoleums at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The mausoleums would be located in a section of the cemetery containing shale. Plans for the structures would have to be submitted to the city for approval.
Council is also considering increasing the fee for opening and closing an adult grave to $400. A public hearing will be scheduled for council to receive input on the proposed changes.
Council heard from resident Randy Fenderson regarding a drainage issue on Rockbridge Avenue. He said some drain pipes have large, exposed holes and a section of his property is being undermined.
He provided pictures of the area to council which also showed where some citizens were dumping trash into the area.
Fenderson asked council for cooperation in making draining improvements to the site. By a consensus of council, Collins was authorized to work with Fenderson to address the issue.
Other items placed on next week’s agenda include:
— consideration of a business license refund request from Highlands Tree Service since the business is located in Alleghany County and not Covington;
— consideration of an appointment to the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Board of Directors.
— a public hearing to receive nominations for one seat on the Covington City School Board;
— consideration of a resolution to honor Chad Sizemore, state wrestling champion;
— a presentation from the area child advocacy group;
— a request from Harrah Properties for a water refund;
— a request from AET for a $9,000 water refund;
— consideration of revision of the city code regarding the water refund process;
— consideration of an appointment to the Roanoke Valley/Alleghany regional Commission;
— consideration of an $82,250 appropriations ordinance to the Alleghany Historical Society for renovation of the freight depot. The city serves as the fiscal agent for the historical society. No city monies will be used in the project.
— consideration of an appropriations ordinance for $2,110 for the probation office;
— consideration of an appropriations ordinance for a fund transfer of $2,500 for “StreetScene”;
— consideration of a fund transfer of $2,000 for advertising;
—consideration of a resolution for a personal property tax discount.