County's spending proposals show a 15.7 percent jump
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Spending for the largest county government in the Richmond metro would increase from $954 million to $1.1 billion starting in July, a 15.7 percent hike if the proposed budget is approved.

Chesterfield has by far the largest public school system in central Virginia and Chesterfield schools claim 51 percent of the budget. Much of the county revenue comes from property taxes which continue to grow dramatically because of escalating assessments.

Next month the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors will lower the property tax rate from the current $1.07 per $100 of assessed value. Last month the Chesterfield Observer reported that at least three supervisors favored reducing the rate to $1.04. Each one penny reduction cuts county revenue by $2.5 million. The FY07 budget is scheduled to be voted on April 12.

Outside of the school budget, the county is budgeting $3.8 million for a 4 percent performance-based merit increase for eligible employees. The county is adding 51 new employees in FY07 with human resources (7), mental health (6) and social services, utilities and buildings and ground (5 each) gaining the most.

County spending also includes contributions of $100,000 to VCU for its engineering and business schools and $380,000 for the Greater Richmond Partnership. The latter marketing group recruits businesses to move to the Richmond metro.

Needs in social services are being impacted by seven staff vacancies and a caseload of over 1,000 per case worker. "Burnout is occurring, causing staff illnesses," according to Bruce Miller, a Social Services Board member.

Some of the social services programs include foster care, temporary housing, Medicaid and food stamps that are reportedly being affected by "the rapidly increasing Hispanic population," according to the county.

The budget proposed by County Administrator Lane Ramsey provides for an administrative assistant and an HVAC mechanic for the Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Clarence Williams asked the supervisors for 17 more deputies and two sergeants so he could stop drafting deputies to work overtime.

"We need this help now," Williams told the board last week, "so there won't be any unnecessary liability to the county."

More inmates are seeking mental health care while at the jail, and more than half of the juveniles being detained also require mental health assistance.

Fees increasing

Inmates at the county jail will be charged $1 per day next year for what Budget Manager Allan Carmody called a "hotel tax for inmates." That will collect $57,000 annually.

Other residents of the county will be seeing fees go up as well. Water and sewer rates, for example, are going up $3.10 bimonthly if the budget is approved. Quarterly curbside pick up of refuse increases from $12 to $16, reflecting higher fuel costs.

The county wants to start charging builders $48 for time when an inspector comes to a job site and discovers the builder is not ready for the inspection. Carmody said building inspectors made 2,900 unnecessary trips in FY05. Chesterfield County will hold the public hearing on its budget on Wed, March 22 in the public meeting room at 7 p.m.