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partments, asked the supervisors to provide $116,214 to their organization. This is an increase of $15,817 compared to the current budget. Of the total, $86,214 is for insurance, including accident insurance for personnel, liability insurance for the departments, and insurance covering replacement costs for the equipment. Also included in the request is $6,500 to complete the upgrading of communications equipment, $10,500 for new equipment, particularly breathing apparatus for firefighters, and $3,000 to begin the process of converting to the computerized “Enhanced 911” system to receive and dispatch emergency calls.
Jackson District representative Ellis Bingham asked if there was some w ay the county could consider being self-insured for the equipment. “We have a pretty good track record in this county,” he said. “I hate to see all this money going out the window.”
None of the other supervisors seemed interested in taking the risk of being self-insured.
Hampton District representative Mike Massie said, “The citizens owe a debt to the volunteer departments, but in two years this budget has doubled. We’re looking at five percent raises everywhere else, and we have 15 percent here. We have to control cost. We’re the highest in per capita contribution to fire and rescue of all the surrounding counties, and we're the bottom of the barrel in most categories."
Donald Gore, president of the Fire and Rescue Association, said, "You’re correct. In the last two years this budget has doubled, but up until four or five years ago it was minimum. We’re playing catch up. I don’t anticipate much of a jump from here on out."
Sheriff Woodward, who is also the chief of the Castleton VFD, pointed out that a complete upgrade of the communication equipment in Page County was included in the county budget, not in the fire and rescue budget.
WRen the supervisors next considered his budget, he noted that, other than an increase from purchasing one car to purchasing two, which had already been approved, the only increase he was requesting is for full funding of a single subscriber’s health insurance for his employees.
“I think you’re doing a good job of holding the cost down,” Mr. Massie said.
"I think we need to consider upping what we charge other jurisdictions for keeping their prisoners,” Sheriff Woodward said. He noted that we charge $15 per day, and Culpeper recently approved charging $45 per day. The supervisors voted to increase the charge from $15 to $25 per day effective June 1.
Col. Bingham asked the supervisors to consider making a contribution to the Rappahannock Athletic Association, which sponsors youth sports. “We give to everybody. I would like to give some back to our youth,” he said. The supervisors did not act on this suggestion.
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