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Spotsylvania County; What things cost and how they are paid for. Date published: 2/1/2009
I HAVE BEEN asked to explain how we collect and spend money in Spotsylvania County. It is my honor and pleasure to do this, and I hope that I can do it in a way that won't be boring. Similar to most family budget decisions, local government spending in Spotsylvania County can be broken down into categories--needs, wants, and desires. And like most families, we have to make choices. In addition, our budget includes spending for federal and state mandates, which tend to be costly, and compliance with them is non-negotiable. Sometimes, it's hard to determine if those mandates fall into a need, want, or desire category, but again, these are non-negotiable and we're not often, if ever, consulted. Last year, the board passed a fiscal-year 2009 (FY09) budget of $435.5 million. (For those readers who may not know, the current fiscal year runs from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009.) Unlike the federal government, state and local governments are required to balance their budgets and cannot run deficits--meaning that our revenues must match our expenditures. The majority of our revenues come from two sources: state contributions ($174.4 million) and property taxes ($130.3 million, including real estate, personal property, heavy equipment, mobile homes, and penalties and interest). Another $82 million comes from retail-related tax revenues (e.g., sales, communication, utilities, business-license taxes, local vehicle-license fees, recordation, transient occupancy, meals, and other local taxes), and other licenses and fees, and service charges. The balance, approximately $49 million, is derived from federal sources, debt proceeds, and fund balances. On the expenditure side, to better synchronize our decisions with the views of the people, the board created a satisfaction survey to prioritize our investments. Not surprisingly, after having knocked on thousands of doors over those years, residents have consistently rated quality public education, strong public safety, and transportation improvements as their highest priorities. These priorities, together with state mandates covering such important issues as health and welfare, represent the majority of
Date published: 2/1/2009
Since you voted for a tax rate increase from $.56 to $.62 I will decide if I thank you for raising the taxes on my house while the price was falling. And Hap, you can bet I won't thank you next time you are up for reelection. http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/042008/04112008/370759
about the Spotsy financial situation. However, the bottom line is that the BOS MUST decide to RAISE taxes or CUT spending. There are no other alternatives at this point. The "rubber has met the road."
Dear Mr. Connors...please do not forget, when you talk about the 3 things that fuel the economic engine, that the "government" really is the PEOPLE. Without the people's money there is very little or no government.
The fact that our economic downturn was caused by a tanking housing market and mismanagement and greed in our banks and financial institutions prove that our economy is not 100% dependent or controlled by government, so that should ease your mind a little bit. But, it is a fact that our economic engine depends on 3 things to keep it going - business, consumers, government. Two of those have retrenched, and so that's when gov't has to pick up the slack and prime the pump.
The Commissioner of Revenue, a Constitutional Officer elected by you and others, is in charge of reassessments. While I appreciate the overture, your thanks should instead go to her.
The size of government does matter. A government that controls 100% of the economy and does so efficiently is still not a government that I want to have or to fund. A government that efficiently spends money on unnecessary goods or services is still a big problem.
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