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Powhatan’s new board discusses 2013 budget Published: January 23, 2012 By Emily Darrell The Powhatan County of Board of Supervisors held a two-day budget and CIP retreat on Wednesday and Thursday of last week to discuss Powhatan’s financial future in fiscal year 2013. Finance Director and Acting County Administrator Jerry Whitaker said that the county will be starting the year with an estimated budget gap between $2.83 million and $6.44 million – the lower figure reflecting the gap if a neutralized real estate tax is applied, and the higher figure reflecting the gap if no neutralized tax rate is applied. Whitaker said that he expects the recent real estate assessments – which are the primary reason for the budget deficit – not to deviate more than about two percent after reassessments are made. “At this point we still feel pretty confident that those numbers will stand,” Whitaker said. Throughout the two-day retreat, which was held at the Powhatan Public Library, heads of all county departments – including Parks and Recreation, the Sheriff’s Office, and Powhatan County Public Schools – were invited to share their prospective 2013 budgets and to offer suggestions as to how they might shave three to five percent off their existing budgets. This proved more difficult for some departments than others, with many department heads feeling their current budget to be already so limited that the quality and efficiency of service they can provide is reduced. Sheriff Greg Neal, referring to a letter he had drafted to the finance director in December, said that he could not find any way to reduce his department’s nearly $4 million dollar budget by three to five percent unless there was a reduction of personnel, something he said is “not an option for the Sheriff’s Office.” “We really need to add other positions that were requested in previous years because of the increase in workload that I associate with the economy,” Neal wrote in his letter. “Although I will not be requesting those positions this year due to the financial situation we all must deal with, my not asking is by no means because the positions are not needed.” Neal said that the many of the Sherriff’s Office’s vehicles are also in need of replacement and that, although the department delayed asking for funds in 2011 and 2012, the department will have no choice but to request the money in 2013. The Sheriff’s Office was not alone in feeling that budget reductions were nearly impossible. Treasurer Faye Barton, in a letter drafted in mid-November to Whitaker and former County Administrator Carolyn Bishop, wrote that “if these cuts take place, not only will there be upset taxpayers because the bills will not go out as frequently as before, but we could possibly be borrowing money once again to cover payroll and debt owed to our vendors.” Some departments, on the other hand, were able to present three to five percent reduction scenarios, mostly by slashing operating costs such as employee travel and office supplies. Brandon Stidham, head of Planning and Community Development, suggested eliminating his department’s travel budget altogether and also suggested a reduction to his own salary. Commonwealth Attorney Bob Beasley, suggested a furlough (unpaid vacation time) for his department of four, feeling this to be a more desirable option than reducing salaries or cutting personnel. Beasley said that not only would it allow his staff to have a little more time off, it would also allow their salaries to remain the same on paper, benefitting them if and when the economy improves and departmental raises are once again an option. Budget and CIP talks will continue over the next several months. The 2013 budget is slated to be adopted in April of this year, and the 2013 CIP is slated for adoption at a public hearing in June. |
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bw
Feb. 2, 2012, 11:41 AM
P-forgot to mention, your $37,000 was $20,000 more than I made last year. Darrell G
Jan. 29, 2012, 10:01 PM
In one message you make a reasonable case for all to move on. Something I have thought about quite a bit recently. Something that is in the best interests of the community, on that we are agreed. In the very next one, you begin attacking, making proclaimations and adding fuel to the fire. Pulling the “we” crap. Now I am committing war crimes ???..stop before you hurt yourself. Lines were crossed that should never be crossed, and in some instances, they were done with public equipment or in official public capacities, or on the public dime. I am not going to just let it go and be nice so long as anonymous cowards like yourself continue to stoke it. If you truly wish to move on, then knock it off. I have nothing more to say on the issue….of course, that depends primarily on the fan club. THANK YOU
Jan. 29, 2012, 08:11 PM
“No quarter will be given” Wow, in military terms (which one can only assume you are using since you continue to refer to a “war”), that is a severe violation. We know you are ex-military, too. That is a war crime. Under the laws of war “... it is especially forbidden ... to declare that no quarter will be given”. Shows truly what you are. THANK YOU
Jan. 29, 2012, 07:55 PM
Nope, that isn’t the case. We just choose to move on for the good of the community and don’t obsess about it like others. I have actually worked with the previous CA on several issues, business related and with my home, as well as contacted her on several occasions for zoning issues and found her to be extremely competent, as apparently do many in the entire state. But you chose to ignore all of that. I am sorry you have been personally attacked, but so has she. Time to move on. Darrell G
Jan. 29, 2012, 07:44 PM
Thank you, I’m trying to read and comprehend what’s in the works now and where the parties involves seem to be headed. In other words, I don’t have enough information yet to make an informed judgement. All signs do point to an honest attempt by all parties to prioritize and find a way to make it come together. Another week will probably give more insight. Darrell G
Jan. 29, 2012, 07:40 PM
It’s amazing that many who spewed their emotional bilge and hate, created anti-new board facebook pages, talked of circulating petitions to recall the supervisors, continue to spread rumor and falsehoods, and singled out private citizens for attacks now “want to move on” when the facts start to come to light and blow up in their faces. I was called a liar and many other things that can’t be repeated. I was singled out for “the business”,People calling at all hours anonymously,anonymous drive-bys, dragging my kid into it, threatening my home and family. I’ve been threatened with slander and libel suits for stating the truth. I’ve read emails where the former CA herself was not only oblivious to her responsibilities and accountability, but called me a liar and despicable….......through a back door PR campaign. The former CA could have bowed out with “dignity and grace” and instead chose to make a drama production. The Fan Club wanted a war,and they got one the moment they made it personal rather than issue related. No quarter will be given. THANK YOU
Jan. 29, 2012, 07:30 PM
Thank you. Couldn’t agree more. Check out the Goochland paper. Lots going on there. School budget in full force and they are discussing outsourcing the custodial staff. That has been discussed by our School Board. Are they going to discuss that again? DG, weigh in on something important now that you won the CA battle (and many of us were not pleased with that result, but know the community needs to move on). Have you looked at the School budget and ways to share the cuts there? Do you think (as we have seen Jason Moore say many times) that there are too many people at the top? What do you think about parks? Please
Jan. 29, 2012, 07:26 PM
Please move on to a new topic, DG. You seem intelligent, but the CA issue is really getting old. Respectfully requested from many. Darrell G
Jan. 29, 2012, 07:22 PM
Save our parks, Perhaps listen to the wild, nonsensical rumors a little less and actually call somebody and ask them ? Surely your smart enough to see when someone is talking out of their backside ? Doc, That “Outta here” memo is the “vacation” memo that I have referred to. It details “the new and fun way we will approach the Administrator role” while someone was out for a week…....while acting finance director, with a large budget hole, coming up on a joint workshop with the schools…....At least SOMEONE had “fun” that budget cycle. Save our parks
Jan. 29, 2012, 06:50 PM
Are the “three” really going to get rid of the parks and rec dept? I keep hearing this! This is AWFUL. My daughter uses the special needs program and my mother the seniors programs. And, my son plays sports all the time! Why would they do this? I heard Mr. Williams didn’t even know where the Fighting Creek Park fields were!!!! How can they even consider cutting when they have never even been there! And, Mr. Hodge’s kids don’t go to public schools. There seems to be some seriously funny stuff going on with these three. Mr. Moore all of the sudden supporting schools, too. They talk out of all sides of their mouths and don’t even know what goes on with the programs we have. WHAT A SHAME. Are we going to be the only government around without a parks and recreation dept? That seems so stupid! The people that run the department are so GREAT. Submit Your Comments Below Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. |