|
|
|
| Wed, Dec. 02 - - Mobile - RSS | |
|
|
Spotsylvania trying to avoid hike
Spotsylvania supervisors consider budget to fund core priorities without raising property taxesDate published: 4/12/2004 By GEORGE WHITEHURST Spotsylvania County supervisors have come up with a budget that avoids raising real-estate taxes next year while increasing spending in several key areas. Board members tentatively agreed during a recent work session on a tax rate that offsets recent property reassessments, which saw values jump an average of 20 percent. The rate of 86 cents per $100 of assessed value would help finance a $330 million budget without increasing the average Spotsylvanian's tax burden. "I think the priority of the board was to have a quality budget--first and foremost--and then to see how we might best fund it and see if we could maintain the equalized tax rate," Board Chairman Bob Hagan said. "Through a series of discussions and compromises, we were able to achieve an increase for the schools, full funding of the programs recommended by our county administrator and still maintain a level tax rate." County Administrator Randy Wheeler initially proposed a 96-cent tax rate, which he subsequently knocked down to 93 cents. But several supervisors still expressed discomfort. "We have to live within our means," Supervisor Hap Connors said recently. The plan now under consideration avoids a tax increase through a combination of $2.9 million in unexpected additional revenue and various cost savings. Among the savings is a $900,000 state-authorized reduction in contributions to the Virginia Retirement System for county teachers. The proposal includes money for more deputies to patrol residents' neighborhoods, more firefighter/medics to respond to emergencies and the opening of a new high school. The board will meet at 3 p.m. tomorrow to decide on last-minute budget additions and may approve the spending plan. Hagan says even if all of issues aren't settled this week, a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 will be in place by the end of the month. The board's top spending priorities are education and public safety. The proposed budget includes a $7.1 million boost in local funding for schools, as well as a projected $2.4 million increase in state funding. A portion of those monies will finance the opening this fall of the Riverbend High School. The Sheriff's Office is slated for a $1.3 million increase this year, much of that to hire 10 new officers. Sheriff Howard Smith had requested funding for 20 new slots but said he was satisfied.
Date published: 4/12/2004
|
 |
|||
|
|||
