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AREA GOVERNMENTS, SCHOOLS TRYING TO MAKE DO WITH LESS
Here's how Fredericksburg-area local governments are faring as the new fiscal year starts
Date published: 7/1/2009 By Emily Battle As the new fiscal year starts today, local governments and school systems across the region are dealing with budget and work force reductions brought on by the recession. FREDERICKSBURG Fredericksburg's 2010 budget eliminates 11 positions in City Hall, mostly through attrition. Three part-time positions were eliminated through a reduction in force, and one full-time position was converted to part time. The city has two high-level posts open now--the city manager and economic development director. Fredericksburg has not begun the process of filling these positions at this point, but the council did put some money in the budget to fill them later in the year. Employees in City Hall all saw a 1 percent cut in their paychecks beginning in April. Employees making more than $70,000 a year saw a 1.5 percent cut. City Council members decided to raise the meals tax from 5 percent to The city school system had no layoffs and no employees received raises, including the superintendent. The council restored $300,000 of a planned $1 million reduction. --Emily Battle and Hugh Muir STAFFORD COUNTY Stafford County government supported 864 full-time employees a year ago. Today, that number is down to 826. This year's employment figure includes 12 new fire and rescue positions that were added as part of the fiscal year 2010 budget. Most of the vacancies came through attrition and retirement, although there were six layoffs last year, and the internal auditor will be eliminated this year. Later this summer, eight county employees will leave via an early retirement program. Among the positions that remain unfilled is a deputy county administrator post that was created when current County Administrator Anthony Romanello was promoted in 2008. The Stafford County school system has 3,428 positions in the budget for this fiscal year--23 more than last year. The division eliminated nine jobs--most of which were janitor positions--because of an increase in contracted services, said Budget Director Patty Sullivan. However, the school system added 28 teaching positions and four paraprofessionals. Federal stimulus money is funding 25 of the teachers. The school system did not lay off employees. --Jonas Beals and Jeff Branscome SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 7/1/2009
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