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Stafford supervisors debate how to use $6.2 million surplus Date published: 12/2/2009
BY JONAS BEALS Less than a week after confirmation that an accounting error left an extra $6.2 million in county coffers, the Stafford Board of Supervisors voted to start spending it. Supervisors narrowly passed a resolution yesterday that uses $1.4 million of the surplus to give bonuses to certain school employees and sheriff's deputies. The resolution, approved on a 4-3 vote, specifies that $1 million be allocated to teachers, $57,000 to school paraprofessionals, $15,000 to school nurses and $344,000 to deputies. Supervisors Joe Brito, George Schwartz and Bob Woodson voted against the resolution. Brito and Schwartz, who go off the board in January, said they supported salary increases instead of bonuses. The vote came after a heated discussion by board members and admonitions from County Administrator Anthony Romanello and Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky. Both recommended supervisors wait and consider such financial decisions during spring budget discussions. "This would make the challenge for the board next spring even more difficult," Romanello said, referencing projected revenue shortfalls. "Staff believes decisions like this one are best considered in the context of the budget process." Though he voted for the bonuses, Supervisor Paul Milde called the proposal a political stunt and a gimmick perpetrated without proper consideration by a lame-duck board. "Mr. Brito," Milde said. "Shame on you for subverting our process with a last-minute $1.4 million expenditure. Way to go out." Brito added the resolution to the agenda just prior to yesterday's meeting. He said his intent was to bring Stafford teacher salaries in line with those in Spotsylvania. Some board members expressed concern over using one-time money to increase salaries, a recurring expense. The surprise surplus resulted from an accounting error involving a transfer between the school system and county government in 2007. The situation was discovered earlier this year. After the vote on the bonus resolution, Brito made a second proposal to return the remaining $4.8 million to taxpayers via rebates. "What a novel idea," said Supervisor Harry Crisp, a Democrat. "It's unheard of that government should think about returning money to taxpayers." Republican supervisors questioned the wisdom of such a move because of the current economy. "This amounts to a $6.2 million raid of Stafford's accounts," Milde said. "I see Democrats trying to give away $6.2 million."
Why in the world are we giving pay raises to the incompetent teachers and deputies of the county, this is ridiculous. my children go to stafford county public schools and they are harassed everyday by administration and deputies who work at these schools, not to mention all the illegal searches they are always trying to conduct to those who do not know their rights. this county is disgusting.
I am amazed with the poor decisions of the BOS when the state and national economy is struggling and there is no sign of recovery. In the same paper Sen. Edd Houck states, " Localities will feel the pinch." This money should be held to prepare for the shortfall for FY10/11. The county currently has frozen positions, reducing the level of service to the community, and they decide to give the money for teachers? Maybe the school should keep the money for the school progams to educate our children.
Yes it would be nice to spread the money to all employees. After all they work to.
Last time we were 6.5 in the hole. Now we have a 6.5 surplus. ??? Maybe we're not asking the right questions???
School Boards in more than 40 states have some form of local taxing authority. Time for Richmond to wise up.
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