A restaurant purchased kitchen equipment on January $1,2017.$ On January $1,2019,$ the value of the equipment was $$14,650.$ The value after that date was modeled as follows.

$V(t)=14,650e^{-0\mathrm{.}158t}$

a$)$ What is the rate of change in the value of the equipment on January $1,2019?$

b$)$ What was the original value of the equipment on January $1,2017?$