County spending down for second year

Stegmaier For the second consecutive year, county spending from the general fund will be down. For FY11 (starting July 1), it will be 2.1 percent less than the previous year, dropping to $700.4 million, as proposed by County Administrator Jay Stegmaier. This year’s budget dropped to $714 million from $749 million.

About 45 percent of the general fund comes from real estate tax revenues. According to Jonathan Davis, the county’s director of real estate assessments, residential assessments continue to decline – down 4 percent from November 2009 to January this year. The general fund pays for county services like schools, police, fire/EMS, libraries and parks and recreation.

“This is the second year in a row of a shrinking budget,” said Stegmaier. “[But] we’re getting a footing that is sustainable for the future.”

In private conversation several county leaders indicated it is difficult to cut spending because citizens “felt a sense of entitlement” about programs being reduced or eliminated, “similar to what is occurring in Virginia and nationwide.” Fewer programs mean fewer employees. The number of county government employees peaked two years ago at 3,137, declining to 3,069 this year and going down again to 2,983 in FY11. That will bring the number of employees per 1,000 residents to 9.4 – comparable to 2000.

Carmody “The [budget] emphasis is not on reducing the quality but the quantity of services provided,” Budget and Management Director Allan Carmody told the county board in his presentation last week. Administrative and support costs have born the brunt of the reductions thus far. “To continue cost reductions in that area is not possible,” he added.

The program cuts are spread across a number of county departments. Libraries will be closed one additional day per week. The two waste convenience centers will be closed two days a week. In the parks and recreation department, funding for historical, outdoor and nature programs is being eliminated. Cutbacks in mental health will reduce personnel and hours so fewer patients will be seen.

So far, the county’s proposed curbside recycling fee for single-family homes has been flying under the radar. If approved by supervisors, the county would charge $20-$25 a year per residence, regardless of whether or not the service is used. The fee would generate an estimated $2.2 million, enough for the program to become self-supporting. It would appear on real estate bills “as a separate line item,” according to Matt Harris in the budget and management office.

A fee would also be levied on commercial properties, multifamily complexes and singlefamily residences not currently served by the curbside recycling program. In exchange, the county would provide an undetermined number of drop-off recycling locations for those residents and businesses to use.

The county is also proposing a hike in EMS fees.

“We’re going to have a similar problem in FY12,” said Board Chairman Dan Gecker. He and other board members believe state government is cutting its budget in part by “shifting the costs” to local governments.

Vice Chairman Jim Holland is more optimistic about growth at the state level, which would increase state funding to localities.

Carmody predicted that the general fund will grow again in FY14 and FY15 when property assessments begin to improve. He expects FY15 revenue for the general fund to be $737.5 million with more citizens to serve, about $4 million more than FY08.