FF Questionnaire
King William County Virginia
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The King William Tea Party Candidate (B.O.S.) Questionnaire
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"Why Would You Vote For Anyone
Who Won't Answer All the Questions You Need Answered
To Make an Informed Decision - Before The Election" ?


In Our Ongoing Efforts To Proivide Voters With the Information On the Candidates'
Positions - We sent the Following 14 Questions in a Questionnaire To All
Candidates Running for the Board of Supervisor Position.


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Question 1


Name one item you would specifically cut from the county budget?


District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Recreation Department
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - To determine this would require a majority vote but I would recommend the abolishment of the funding for health care for B.O.S. members. Additionally, I would vote to halt the grant request process for the walking trail that would only link the administration bldg. and the courthhouse. The B.O.S. is drawing funds from the emergency fund now to just operate and this would be an additional cost for the taxpayer.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Art Galleries


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - BPOL Tax



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - Prisoner housing cost increased by $286,000 in FY2016 primarily due to increase number of prisoners being placed in the regional jail. While the county cannot control the number of KW citizens incarcerated, I am hopeful the number will stabilize or decrease for FY2017.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - The B.P.O.L. must be removed from the county budget immediately. This would encourage both old and new business in the county, much like the elimination of this odorous tax did in Stafford county.
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Arts Alive is just one example.

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Question 2


Should the B.O.S. need additional revenue next year where would you find it?

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Cut spending in recreation and stop subsidizing utilitiesDepartment
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - The first thing that you would need to know is the amount of additional revenue needed. I would request cuts from all departments with the department heads making the recommendation on what to cut/reduce.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Reductions in current spending levels.


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - In some sort of actual cut in county spending.



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - Next year will be the first year of the state biennial budget. I am hopeful that state funding will move closer to fully funding state mandates placed upon localities (education, constitutional offices, prisoner housing, stormwater management, etc.)
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - After a review of the current FY15/16 budget and county tax base, the fair place to go for additional revenues is in Land Use. I support the elimination of the Forestry Tax exemption, as King and Queen county has done.
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Before I look for additional revenue, I would look to make cuts in the budget for items which are not essential. Should additional revenue be needed, it would NOT come from homeowners. Instead, other existing revenue sources identified in the county budget would be maximized, as well as consideration of new sources which would require approval by the General Assembly.

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Question 3


Should the B.O.S. exert more pressure on the KW school budget (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - The members of the school board are elected so any pressure should come from the electorate - However since the BOS authorizes the taxpayers money to the schools, we should urge the KW school board to be as fiscal responsible as possible
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - I feel they should maintain a diligent vigil on the review of expenditures of the school system and look for ways of reducing the expenditure which would not jeopardize the educational quality of the students.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Yes


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - Yes



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - During the tenure of the current BOS, local funding of schools increased by 4.9% (average of 1.2% annually). The rate of inflation increased by approximately 6% during the same four year period.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - Yes.The only hope of finding County Budget control is a line item justification review of the KW School Budget. The county must seperate what is a 'critical need' from that which is a 'nice to have.' Critical needs include adequate Teacher compensation; while nice-to-have includes; a Cadillac medical plan that includes full medical coverage for all full and part-time KW School personnel, with an average monthly cost to the County taxpayer of $764 per employee. County Taxpayer's must hold the School Board, in turn the KWBOS, for every cent of the School Budget spending.
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Yes, the BOS should do more that rubber stamp a budget from which a one day workshop is held. Funds should be scrutinized in order to maximize teacher compensation and reduce other line item costs, such as administration.

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Question 4


Have you examined the school budget? (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Yes
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - I have reviewed the school budget for 2015/2016. An examination of a budget would include questions directed to the superintendent, principals, and teachers; However, the appropriate responsibility of this type of detail rests on the King William School Board.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Yes


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - No



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - Yes
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - Yes.
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Yes, I have. I have also compared the school expenditures with other counties (Nottoway & Madison) w/like student populations.

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Question 5


Have you examined the county budget? (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Yes - for many hours!
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - Yes, I have reviewed the budget, examining the budget would probably include questions directed at the department heads relating to expenditures.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Yes


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - No



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - Yes
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - Yes.
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Yes, I have looked at the County budget with respect to current line item categories and past years. The proposed FY 2016 budget is over $3 million higher than when this Board took office.

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Question 6


Did you support the .12 Real Estate Tax increase this year? (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Yes - The general fund increase was .05 and the school fund was .07 - This was based on the reassessment equalization.
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - I feel that the B.O.S. should have looked at this issue seven years ago until waiting until the new real estate appraisal reduction. We have known that the real estate market had been reduced dramatically for seven years. If they had examined this problem earlier they may have been able to reduce the impact on the tax payer.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - No


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - No



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - Yes, the rate increase represented a revenue increase based upon the overall reduction in property values in a year when non-negotiable expenditures were increasing by $820,000. The non-negotiable increases primarily included the cost of prisoner days, state mandated CSA expenditures, and an increase in debt service approved prior to this BOS term.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - No!
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - While I was not in a position to vote on the increase, it is well documented that I opposed the increase (see page 8 of htt://www.countrycouriernews.com/uploads/2015-03-01 CountryCourier.pdf

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Question 7


Would you support a 2 year spending freeze? (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Yes - if all expenses stayed the same, state and federal mandates did not continue to increase, county employees and teachers did not get a raise, we quit putting criminals in jail, etc.
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - I would support a spending freeze or more especially flat line spending. The period of time necessary would be dependant on our financial situationon an annual basis with five year plan included in the process.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Yes


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - Yes



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - It would be reckless to make such a commitment to KW citizens prior to knowing the impact of State and Federal mandates and funding on the locality.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - Yes!
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - I would support a one year spending freeze. To publicly state support for a 2 year spending freeze would be "lip speaking" given the unknown economic status and uncertainty as to what financial monster this current board has hidden.

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Question 8


Was it appropriate for the B.O.S. to deplete the reserve fund to balance this years budget? (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Knowing what the increased tax rate would be based on the reassessment and other increased expenses, the board decided to use some of the reserve instead of further increasing the tax rate.
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - I feel that they had backed themselves into a corner because of failing to have long range budget planning, the implementation of the split levy cost this county an enormous amount of money, their failure to slowly implement tax increases or reduce spending to cover the major reduction in the realestate value market, and they should have been planning for this reduction in taxable real estate.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - No


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - No



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - Unassigned fund balance grew from $1.5 million at the end of FY2011 to $4.7 million in FY2014(s $3.2 million increase). Based upon the balance, it was appropriate to use $630,639 of reserves to balance the budget. The remaining reserve balance will still be above the recommended 10% of total operating revenue. Futhermore, the County previously relied upon a line of credit to pay operating cost and make payroll. The maximum amount borrowed was $2.5 million in FY 2011 and $1.2 million in FY2012. As the result of sound fiscal practices of the current Board, there was no use of the line of credit in FY2013 through FY2015 which resulted in interest cost savings.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - No! The question now is ; what is the current B.O.S. Plan to cover 'unexpected' cost during FY15/16, and what are they going to do in the future to maintain, replenish, and or even have a 'Reserve Fund.'
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - No, This was done solely to minimize the tax impact to homeowners in an election year (i.e. buy votes).....Rest assured, this Board has plans to raise property taxes post election to offset revenue lost from lower assessment values.

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Question 9


To attract new business to KW county would you support eliminating the BPOL tax? (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - No - I do not believe this tax has a negative affect on new business - The other question is, since all of the revenue from BPOL goes to the schools, how would you replace this revenue?
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - I dosn't think that we can totally eliminate the B.P.O.L. tax because it would reduce revenues in the amount of $301,000. I would be open to a possible elimination of imposing of the B.P.O.L. tax on new businesses entering the county for a one year period of time. This would include a contract with the business that would require their operation in the county for a period of no less than three years.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Yes


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - Yes



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - I would consider a responsible plan that did not place undue burden upon our residents.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - Yes!
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - I would support elimination of the BPOL tax once I concluded (thru personal investigation or a report) that it would be beneficial to attracting business. A phased reduction may also be a consideration.

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Question 10


List 2 county expendures currently funded that you would consider or categorize as non-essential.

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Recreation and subsidizing water/sewer
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - A. Just as I previously stated, The elemination of the health care benefit provided to the B.O,S. members.
B. In a recent B.O.S. meeting, they authorized the county administrator to seek approval of a grant to build a walking path which would connect the administration building and the courthouse. The counties share would be $50,000; However, the county administrator stated that it should only cost the county $20,000. The item that was not discussed is the maintenance costs for the county snd the increased demand on public works personnel. The costs maybe minimal to many, however, the continued spending when it is not necessary is improper representation of the county.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Parks and Recreation - Library


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - Arts Alive and Airport Authority



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - As presented by the County Attorney, only a small percentage of the County operating budget is not required by law or existing contracts. The significant services that are not mandated by law include fire/ems, animal shelter, and parks & recreation. Our citizens have shared that, although not legally required, these services are valued as essential.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - Full funding of the Animal-Shelter and Arts Alive.
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Here are several that come to mind - The aggregate expenditure amount (i.e. too top heavy) for County administration/finance; 100% of health care for Board members; Arts Alive; Continuing Education/Training; Data/Cell phone plans, and school administration costs.

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Question 11


List your past civic involvement over the last 10 years (Specific)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - King William Board of Supervisors,
King William Social Services Board,
Board of Directors - Arts Alive, Inc
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - Past member of Kawanis
Prior Board member of the Virginia Chiefs of Police Highway Safety committee,
Trysa Baseball Coach,
Established and organized the silent auction for the Cubs Scouts in West Point Pack 340 which has raised up to $800 dollars for the group,
MPRA Stewsrtship Day (River Cleanup)




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - KW Chamber of Commerce


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - I have been the third district Supervisor for the past 3.5 years. Also, I am currently the president of the King William Chamber of Commerce and the Treasurer of VDOT's Employees' Benefit Association.



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - King William County Board of Supervisors, King William, VA
Board Member Since January 2012, Vice-chairman 2014, Chairman 2015,
King William County School Board , King William, VA
Board Member 2004-2011, Chairman 2010 & 2004, Vise-chairman 2009,
Gethsemane Church of Christ, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Finance Team member - ongoing,
King William County Schools PTAs
Member and HHMS officer - various years
Government Finance Officiers Association, Chicago, Il(National Association)
Exective Board - 2015, Treasury and Investment Management Standing Committee - member 2005 to 2013, Chair-2011 to 2013, Vice-Chair-2009 & 2010, Sub-committee Chair - 200b, GFOA Nominating Committee-2013 & 2014.
Association of Government Accountants, Alexandria, VA
2014 Distinguished Local Government Leadership Award,
Virginia Association of School Business Officials, Richmond, VA
Board of Directors - 2014, Certification Program Instructor - 2015,
Chesapeake Bay Governor's School Tappahannock, Va
Board member 2009-2011,
Virginia School Board Association, Charlottesville, Va
Member 2003-2011, Insurance Services Supervisory Board Member 2010 & 2011.
American Institute for Certified Public Accountants
Member since 1996
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - King William County Representatives to the Middle Peninsula Disabilities Board, Member of Richmond Regional Emergency Response Management Team. President of the Virginia State Trucking Association Safety Council, Fedex Operations Representative to Norfolk United Way, Cancer Awareness, Fedex Operations Representative to Norfolk United Way, School Safety Program.
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Past member and secretary of King William Ruritan Club, past volunteer for WATCHDOGS at Acquinton Elementary School; past Division Director for Hanover Men's Church Softball League; past Board Member for Citizens for King William ; past member of Mattaponi Pamunkey River Association; and current member of a local church

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Question 12

Has county spending under the currect board been -----
A. Too High,
B. Too Low,
C. About where it should be ?


.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - County Spending has been where it has needed to be to meet the needs of all the citizens of King William and the ever increasing demands from the State and Federal governments
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - A. Too High




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - A. Too High


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - A. Too High



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - C - about where it should be.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - (a) Too High! The taxpayer needs to know what 'every' cent spentis spent for i.e. each budget item must have a detailed explanation of the item and the exact cost included in the Budget as a 'line-item-appendix.'
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - A. Too High

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Question 13


Will you participate in the candidate debates being planned? (Y/N)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - Yes
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - Yes




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - Yes


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - Yes



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - I will participate in debates as invited, except for the TEA Party debate. In 2011 the organization did not communicate with me that the opposing 4th District candidate had cancelled and instead I was engaged in a debate with the moderator, Bob Shannon. Bob Shannon was not a candidate.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - Yes
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - Yes, I will participate.

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Question 14

Why are you running for the B.O.S.? (50 words or less)

.
District 1.
C. Thomas Redd III.
Answer - I am seeking re-election to the Board because the citizens of West Point deserve and need experience and leadership on the Board of Supervisors. As the County continues to grow, we need someone with the knowledge and experience in local government to make sure the First District is strongly represented.
District 1.
William "Bill" Hodges.
Answer - I would list the most important factor is folks advising me on how disgusted they are with our local government and their feeling that they do not feel represented and the fact that our citizens continue to complain about the high tax rate.




District 2.
Travis J. Moskalski.
Questionnaire not received.
District 2.
Linda Benson.
Answer - The County's budget has mushroomed from $49 to $63 million dollars with flat population growth under this Board of Supervisors. I believe my experience of making business more effective with creative solutions can be of service to the citizens of King William in the reining in the County's spending problem.
Linda Benson


District 3.
Stephen K Greenwood.
Answer - I am running for the B.O.S. to try, once again, to cut some spending in the county. The wishes of the citizens of K.W. are not being listened to. Also, we still do not have the proper infrastructure, including utilities and high speed internet, to aggressively attract new business to the county. This would be one great way to reduce the tax burden on the citizens. It is time that we actually cut spending/taxes to be more in line with other counties of our size and demograohics.



District 4.
Terry Sims Stone.
Answer - I offer my years of local government and financial experience to serve the county where I grew up and reside. I stand by my record on both the King William Board of Supervisors and School Board. I am available to serve should the 4th district constituents want me to do so.
District 4.
David Hansen.
Answer - I am a person of integrity, who believes that I can be a good KW Supervisor. Our folks need and deserve Supervisors who have experience in a zero based-budget oversight process. If elected, I will serve one term; I will do everything I can to reduce budget expenditures.
David Hanson
District 4.
C. Stewart Garber, Jr.
Questionnaire not received.


District 5.
Otto O. Williams.
Questionnaire not received.
District 5.
Bob W. Ehrhart II.
Answer - I'm tired of citizens being ignored by politicians and of homeowners bearing the burden of taxes (i.e. punching bag) in this county! I offer creativity, willingness, and change.

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