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Caroline: shortfall this year, next year's budget "tight"

By COREY BYERS

Date published: 6/26/2008

Less than a week before the fiscal year ends, Caroline County officials found out they are facing a $600,000 shortfall in this year's budget.

Treasurer Elizabeth Curran told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that revenues such as personal-property and real-estate taxes have fallen short of expectations. But Curran said state funds, tax payments and other fees are still coming in, and that money will help fill the budget gap.

The county's financial advisor, Courtney Rogers, said Caroline has 45 days after June 30 to close the gap. He said the county's fund balance, or savings, can be used for that purpose.

Rogers noted that county officials have expected a shortfall since winter.

At Tuesday's meeting, supervisors unanimously signed off on a $90.2 million spending package for next year. It includes $35.8 million for the county's general spending.

Supervisors agreed to add about $3,000 back in the budget for Caroline's Promise, a youth-centered program.

County Administrator Percy Ashcraft told supervisors he hopes to improve communication between county staff and board members in the future.

"We need to keep you notified about cash flow so you have a better sense of where we are financially," he said.

Ashcraft said he also wants to sit down with supervisors and come up with a long-term financial strategy for the county, adding that he prefers a plan to crisis management.

Ashcraft, financial advisors and county staff worked with supervisors on this year's budget without a county finance director. The position has been vacant since last year.

Board Chairman Floyd Thomas called the budget "very tight" and said the board understood its fragility. He suggested the board start reviewing monthly, rather than quarterly, reports for next fiscal year.

Caroline's budget woes for this year are not unique.

Fredericksburg could face a shortfall of up to $3 million, while Spotsylvania and Stafford are also struggling with $9 million and $1.5 million gaps, respectively.

Corey Byers: 540/735-1976
Email: cbyers@freelancestar.com

The new fiscal year starts July 1 for all localities. Below are some highlights from Caroline's budget: SCHOOLS: Will receive $12.4 million--about $1 million more than this year. The School Board had requested a $3 million increase. SHERIFF'S OFFICE: Will not be adding deputies as proposed in the county administrator's budget, but will assume authority over Animal Control. COUNTY EMPLOYEES: Raises are only 2 percent across the board this year. There will be no merit raises. OUTSIDE AGENCIES: Most contributions were cut in the administrator's budget, and supervisors also cut many contributions by 10 percent.

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Date published: 6/26/2008

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