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Spotsy finance news is bleak
Spotsylvania supervisors start planning county's budget for the upcoming fiscal yearDate published: 11/25/2009 BY DAN TELVOCK Spotsylvania County supervisors saw financial projections last night that show it will be very difficult for them to offer employee raises or more money for the school system and public safety without raising taxes in fiscal year 2011. Spotsylvania County's finance director said last night she anticipates at least a $1.5 million shortfall in the current budget because of lower sales and communications sales tax revenues and lower interest earnings. The county is in good position to deal with the shortfall, only if revenue does not continue to drop, finance staff said. Earlier this year, supervisors decided to hold $2.6 million from the county budget and $5.2 million from the school budget as a safety net for the current budget than ends in July. Finance staff also said they are projecting a $1.2 million shortfall in the zoning, planning and building departments, where most costs are self-supported by fees. The shortfall is because of a significant drop in fees for inspections and building permits. County Administrator Doug Barnes had said earlier that he has no plans to recommend more layoffs from these departments, saying they are already at "bare bones." He presents the fiscal year 2011 budget to supervisors on Feb. 23. For fiscal year 2011, finance staff is estimating a 20 percent decrease in property values. The county finishes its reassessment process in January. If there is a 20 percent drop in real estate values, supervisors will have to increase the real estate tax rate from 62 cents per $100 of assessed value to 78 cents just to generate the same amount of revenue in this current fiscal year budget, which is called an equalized tax rate. Barnes said he plans to craft the fiscal year 2011 budget based on an equalized rate. With the gloomy budget projections, county workers may go a second consecutive year without a pay increase. Health insurance rates are anticipated to increase, which could mean higher premiums for county employees. Sales tax revenue is at a four-year low in the county. There is a larger percentage of people in Spotsylvania who are late paying their mortgages compared with the state and national percentages. Spotsylvania also has the second-most foreclosures in this region, behind Prince William County. To prepare for financial trouble, county supervisors and staff reduced spending and revised the health insurance plan earlier this year to maintain rates, along with holding $2.6 million from the general county budget. The county will continue to freeze hiring for 19 vacant positions. No one spoke at the pre-budget public hearing that followed the finance presentation. Supervisor Hap Connors said staff should continue investigating ways to work jointly with the School Board and other local governments in the region to find savings. He was the only supervisor who commented on the presentation. "We all know this is going to be a tough budget year. I am confident we can handle it," Connors said. Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 11/25/2009
Combined Departments
(posted by
TxBe2God
, Nov. 25, 2009 8:17 pm)
Has the County and the school system combined any departments (i.e. personnel, payroll, purchasing, maintenance, etc.)? If not, why not? As for the hams, maybe it is a supervisor within the sheriff's department giving these to his employees - paid for out of his pocket, not county funds. We do this - give a gift of food - to my husband's workers each year. It is just a little "thank you" from him to them and it not provided for the company they work for.
Economic Response to Stimuli
(posted by
DeanFetterolf
, Nov. 25, 2009 2:23 pm)
For the impatient ones out there - Economic recovery is never instantaneous and neither was the decline in the economy. An economy as big and complex as ours (yet alone the global economy) does not respond instantaneous to stimuli of any kind. Cash strapped local governments must spend their Federal simulus money allotment FIRST and then be reimbursed! That's hard to do when you can barely meet payroll.
1beachbum
(posted by
navyorchid
, Nov. 25, 2009 1:41 pm)
A deputy mentioned it during a conversation when another company cancelled the hams this year! Also mentioned new equipment and new personnel so unless they are lying....
NAVYORCHILD
(posted by
1beachbum
, Nov. 25, 2009 12:32 pm)
What are you talking about holiday hams? In reference to hiring new personnel, there is a hiring freeze on the county and I believe every department is only allowed to hire positions where a position was left vacant
Revolution76
(posted by
JustAnAverageGuy
, Nov. 25, 2009 12:20 pm)
I agree. If we in the private sector are making sacrifices, then why can't the government do the same? The cuts should start at the top with the big-whigs making $100-$200k or more, so the cuts won't hurt as bad for the folks at the bottom of the totem pole trying to eek out a meager living on $25-30k. I have also taken a pay cut to help keep my company afloat. 7.5% is a lot better than 100%.
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