PE OK's Budget

Published 4:38 pm Thursday, May 2, 2013

PRINCE EDWARD – With a series of motions in a Tuesday afternoon work session, County Supervisors put to rest the budget for the coming year.

Prince Edward will not have a tax increase, but they are projected to dip into their fund balance by nearly $1 million.

The board, specifically, approved a school budget for the coming year that totaled $26,278,811 (which included $1,181,676 for the school cafeteria fund-and includes no local revenue as a transfer from the County's general fund), and $8,346,800 in local revenue.

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Though the schools did not receive the $1.37 million in additional funding originally requested, the County's budget does meet the modified request for $240,148, which will help fund a two percent pay increase for school employees, a 5.8 percent increase in health insurance costs, and provide a match for a grant for an early reading specialist.

Board Chairman William “Buckie” Fore, in brief remarks before board action, offered some perspective, noting that the County is projected to collect $6,582,002 in real estate taxes.

“This fact plainly shows that education is still the number one priority in the County budget,” he said.

While that motion-and a separate motion to retain the current tax levies-was passed without dissent, the resolution to approve the County's budget garnered two opposing votes.

Leigh District Supervisor Don Gantt and Prospect Supervisor Howard “Pete” Campbell voted against the resolution for the overall $53,874,191 budget.

The County's tax levies for the calendar year (January 1, 2013-December 31, 2013) were approved without dissent. The effective tax rate (per $100 of assessed value) will remain at 42 cents for real estate and mobile homes; merchant's capital stays at 70 cents, tangible personal property continues at $4.50 for vehicles; and the effective rate for tangible personal property for business furniture and fixtures and heavy equipment continue at 90 cents; machinery and tools will stay at 42 cents.

The tax rate for farm machinery and equipment also stays at zero.

Some Funding Highlights

Among the funding highlights in for the budget package: there is a two percent salary increase for County workers and a three percent increase for constitutional offices (though the state did provide some funding for the constitutional office increase); $700,000 is factored for housing prisoners in Piedmont Regional Jail (representing the first time the County has had to budget such costs), and $1,150,500 for opening a new cell and closing another at the County's landfill (should it be needed in the coming year); and it keeps the County's health care plan as is and factors $133,200 in costs.

The budget also does not include any expected added revenue from the opening of a new quarry.

“There is hope that several items that are in a state of flux at this time, such as the jail (which could be less than budgeted) and the quarry, will either increase our revenues or decrease expenses,” Fore offered in his comments. “It is anticipated that those items, added to what appears to be now a growing economy, and growing local revenues will help overcome this deficit.”

What is not included, however, were funds for the fire department's 10 percent increase on top of the $68,000 each department currently receives. Vice-Chairman Howard Simpson proposed, and the board agreed, to carry over the request to December.

And, while it's not a guarantee, the board would essentially take a look at the request and at County tax revenue to see if it is feasible.

“Well, this budget started out with a million dollar deficit, how reasonable is it to think we can even entertain it in December?” asked Gantt.

Simpson's motion was approved with Prospect Supervisor Howard “Pete” Campbell (who acknowledged a possible conflict) abstaining.

In Other Action…

Supervisors approved a Southside Training Employment and Placement Services (STEPS) request to act on behalf of the County in the provision of rapid re-rehousing, prevention and shelter services. It was noted that the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development was attempting to locate a non-profit organization to serve the region to provide homeless related shelters. An emergency solutions grant, which STEPS is seeking, provides funds to assist citizens when emergency housing issues arise.

STEPS, it was noted, will partner with Madeline's House in provision for shelter services and the County does not have to provide a funding match and there are no administrative requirements.