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Roads, reduced parks measure going on ballot Date published: 8/20/2008
Stafford County voters will decide this fall whether the county should borrow up to $70 million to help fix the area's congested and dangerous roads.
In a 4-3 vote yesterday, the Board of Supervisors approved a transportation bond referendum to go onto the November ballot. Supervisors George Schwartz, Paul Milde and Bob Woodson voted against the bond question. Board members differed on how the bond would be repaid. Although the money is borrowed over time, repayments would cost between $4 and $4.5 million per year. Some of the payments could come out of the county's transportation fund which includes revenue from the gas tax, and service-district taxes collected from commercial property owners. The transportation fund also includes money collected from a business tax that goes into effect in 2010. The Business, Professional and Occupational License Tax could generate an estimated $2.3 million to $2.6 million annually. But since there is an organized resistance to help repeal the tax, supervisors questioned whether it's a reliable source of revenue. "So, where's the money going to come from if we don't get it from BPOL?" asked Milde. Still, bond supporters argued that revenue streams can be adjusted and shifted in the future to help repay the debt incurred from road improvements. "Simple fact is, we are already paying for it," said Rock Hill Supervisor Cord Sterling. "At least in this case, we're asking the voters 'What's your priority?'" Supervisors were also considering a $30 million parks and recreation bond referendum this year, but instead slashed the bond amount and pushed the question to the November 2009 ballot. In a 5-2 vote, the board agreed to ask voters if the county should borrow up to $24 million for projects such as several new sports fields and upgrades to existing facilities. Supervisors removed a $6 million, 25-meter indoor swimming pool, similar to the Woodlands pool, from the list of bond projects. In the wake of a lean budget year and tough economic climate, some board members questioned whether Stafford could afford the additional spending.
Date published: 8/20/2008
It comes from the money tree. My parents told me they never
had a money tree but I didn't believe them. The BOS has a
pouch like Johhny Appleseed and they just plant more trees
for future generations to pick from. It's really a no brainer!
The majority Dem board continues to vote more taxes, while trying to take away property rights, i.e. land use plan and USA. Were you at the BOS hearing Tues nite? No economic impact analysis, just taking away commercial and industrial properties. These guys need to be held responsible for the fiscal damage being done to the county. Loss of bond rating, co $ spent on defending lawsuits, more taxes, less income stream..where does it end
(oh, I mean "MisterB") is stupid enough to think that the County spending $70 million plus interest on roads will not increase property taxs or impact other County services. And where does he think the money in the transportation fund comes from? TAXPAYERS!
funding the debt service is tied to a tax they want to repeal. The other republicans are just giving lip service to being against BPOL. They're fine with BPOL if it funds their transportation bond. It's disingenuous to say this referendum asks the people if they're willing to pay for roads. It asks the people if they're willing to make someone else (i.e. our local businesses) pay for roads.
The Transportation Bond will not impact Real Estate taxes or impact school, park or Fire and Rescue funding. The Bonds will be 100% paid for from the revenue in the transportation fund.The BOS has finally come up with a sensible transportation funding plan that does not reach into the citizens pockets.
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