Board probes budget

By JIM LAWRENECE
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: April 17, 2008

STAFFORD — County Administrator Anthony Romanello outlined his plan Tuesday to recoup $9.2 million as a result of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors’ decision to advertise a real-estate tax rate of 84 cents.

Romanello was directed to do so without cutting school, fire and rescue and sheriff’s office budgets. 

Projects such as repaving of and improvements to the administration’s parking lot have been put on the back shelf, as have salary increases for county workers, funds for non-mandated training, the Bluemont Concert Series, a partnership with WTOP radio station to promote the county, new computers, some facets of the school lunch programs and improvements to county structures.

Non-mandated programs for employees, such as holiday parties and picnics, have been recommended for elimination.

Impact on employees will be an increase in burden of paying family health care services to the tune of about $600 annually.

Holding positions open will continue, and Romanello estimated that one out of five positions will not be filled.

The budget submitted by Romanello at the board’s regularly-scheduled board meeting included the 10 percent reserve that the county holds back for emergency spending.

The fund is self-imposed by the county and must be maintained to keep its bond rating. If the money must be used, it must be replenished within three years. Losing the county’s AA bond rating would impact its borrowing integrity and increase its debt.

Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde, R-Aquia, questioned the transportation fund. Recordation and gas taxes resulted in about $5 million, the lion’s portion going to Virginia Railway Express. Anything extra from that fund can be used for road improvements.

The county entered into a contract with VRE in 1986, and non-payment on that obligation would be a “no-no,” said County Attorney Joe Howard.

Questions concerning Spotsylvania’s decision to recommend a 4 to 6 percent decrease in outside agency payments was raised. Such a cut in Stafford County would result in about $200,000 in savings.

Stafford Supervisor Harry Crisp, D-George Washington, expressed worry about a cut to the Registrar’s Office, especially in an election year.
County Commonwealth’s Attorney Daniel Chichester noted the board’s commitment not to cut the sheriff’s office, fire and rescue, and schools. He added, though, “If you reduce our ability to try cases, you are affecting the sheriff’s office in doing theirs.”

He cited, specifically, a part-time position dedicated to victims and witnesses.

“Please do not eliminate this position,” he said.

Budget cuts of $174,000 have been reduced to $44,000 for his office.

Supervisor Joe Brito, I-Hartwood, expressed a desire to see less overtime paid. He stated his “jaw dropped” when he saw the figures on how much was paid out. He gave an example of $1.2 million paid by the sheriff’s office. He suggested 12 officers could be hired for that amount.
He and Milde, who noted he did not want to sound “anti-public safety,” had concerns about funding of fire and rescue services. Though the services were “24/7,” Milde stated that they had doubled them in the last four years.

A discussion on SSYP road projects for the next six years was discussed. Of all the projects, only two were kept on the list: the widening of Courthouse and Garrisonville roads. 

One project, a connector road called “New Andrew Chapel Road,” was dropped off the list by way of the Stafford County Planning Commission, a point strongly contested by Milde, who wanted it back on the list.

“I’m not asking for money. All I’m asking is that it be put back on the list,” he stated.

His motion to put it back on the list did not make it to a vote. A substitute motion by Supervisor Bob Woodson, D-Griffis-Widewater, to proceed on the planning commission’s recommendation, was approved by a vote of 5-2, Milde and Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer, R-Garrisonville, dissenting.

The evening meeting included a public hearing on the advertised 84-cent real-estate tax rate, up from the previous 70 cents.
About 100 people filed into the Colonial Forge High School auditorium. About 40 of them, from elementary school children to senior citizens, had something to say.

About six commented on the proposed tax rate. Three lauded the board for keeping down the rate. They cited an overall dramatic gradual increase in the rate over the last seven years. One of those was a senior citizen who had lived on Poplar Road all his 79 years and had seen the tax rate increase dramatically.
One not only expressed her approval for the lower tax rate, but recommended further cuts in the budget.

The majority of the statements were made in support of several programs including the schools system, the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging and local legal services.

One resident — a military wife - detailed cuts in neighboring jurisdictions, the largest being Spotsylvania at $6 million. She compared this to Stafford’s recommended decrease of $14 million.

One county teacher who commuted from Fairfax County said she felt that without a raise she would have to move to Fairfax.

“All I can ask is who is getting ahead in Stafford because it’s not the teachers,” she stated.

One person — a former Marine and volunteer for the sheriff’s office — said he felt that public safety was most important, with education being secondary. Unless children are safe, he said, an environment conducive for education cannot be attained.

Three elementary school children were on hand to offer their thoughts on school funding. They expressed concerns about the schools not having enough money for supplies, teacher salaries, and a decrease in available programs, such as foreign languages.

The board has recessed until April 22 when discussions concerning on the budget will continue.

The next scheduled meeting will be at the county administration building at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 6. 

Jim Lawrence is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at .