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County Awaits Consultant Study of Pension Plan
Options
July 2011 - This Fall the Board of Supervisors and County staff will
receive a consultant’s report outlining options for addressing the
County’s $1.7 unfunded pension liability, and advice regarding how to put
our retirement plans on a more firm, long-term, financial footing. I
eagerly await the consultant’s report.
Board Makes Right Decision on Covanta
March 2011 - During our meeting last week, the Board of
Supervisors made the right decision when we opted not to purchase the
Covanta incinerator, and instead agreed to a new long-term lease.
County Executive’s Proposal Begins the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget
Deliberations
February 2011 - Last week, County Executive Anthony Griffin released his
proposed County Budget for FY 2012, which begins July 1, 2011. Because
residential property values increased 2.34 percent over FY11, the average
homeowner would pay an additional $110 under the County Executive’s
budget. In this section there is also a budget survey, similar to last
years, as well as an article on the tax assessments for the coming year.
Proposed School Budget Includes Increased County Transfer
Request
January 2011 - On Thursday, January 6, Fairfax County Public School
Superintendent Jack Dale presented his proposed budget to the School
Board. In it, he requests that the Fairfax County transfer be increased
by $48.8 million, or three percent more than Fiscal Year 2011.
Initial Budget Forecast Shows Need for Continued Spending
Reductions
November 2010 - Fairfax County is not out of the fiscal woods yet.
That was the message made clear from the initial budget forecast
presented to the Board of Supervisors by senior County staff on October
24. As it stands today, Fairfax County faces a $55 million shortfall in
the coming year, rising to $120 million if property tax payments are kept
at their present level. By law, the budget must be balanced when passed
next April.
Important County Changes
August 2010 - Two consolidated departments, Code Compliance and
Neighborhood and Community Services, get their start as a result of
Fiscal Year 2011 budget restructurings.
A Summary Look at the Fiscal Year 2011 Adopted Budget
May 2010 - On April 27th, 2010 the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
adopted the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, which begins on July 1. The FY 2011
plan approved by the board provided a balanced budget. Total General Fund
Disbursements are projected to total $3.31 billion, a decrease of $92.2
million or 2.71 percent compared to the FY 2010 Revised Budget
Plan.
State Budget Provides Large Net Increase for Fairfax Public
Schools
April 2010 - Two actions of the General Assembly produced some
significant changes in state funding for Fairfax County Public
Schools.
County Executive’s Proposed Budget Cuts Spending, Increases
Taxes
March 2010 - Last week, County Executive Anthony Griffin released his
proposed County Budget for FY 2011, which begins July 1, 2010. County
revenue is projected to drop six percent due to falling residential and
commercial real estate values and decreasing sales tax and deed
recordation revenues. Along with some spending requirements to address
the sustainability of our retirement systems and our fiduciary
responsibilities, these reductions result in a $257 million shortfall. To
close this gap, Mr. Griffin proposed a number of measures
Fairfax County Needs a New Savings Account
March 2010 - As we grapple with the worst County budget picture in
decades, some residents rightly ask, “Is there anything we can do to help
cushion this kind of blow in the future?” The answer is yes. Fairfax
County needs a savings account; in this case something called a
fluctuation reserve. In bad years, the County could draw on this fund,
just like a family who sets money aside in good times, to be used in
tough times.
Seeking Your Input: County Budget Questions
January 2010 - To help Supervisor Cook assess available options, please
answer the following questions. You may email your answers to
braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov and write “budget survey” in the subject line,
or mail the responses to the office.
Seeking your Input: Should the School System Help in Meeting the
Budget Challenge?
September 2009 - In our July newsletter we laid out the County’s
upcoming budget challenge in clear terms. From 2000 to 2007 real estate
tax payments doubled. Spending increased an average of six percent per
year on the county side and the county transfer to the schools increased
seven percent. Then the economy collapsed. Now next year, even if
we start no new programs, hold all existing programs to their current
dollar level, and not give any pay raises, we are still faced with a
potential $315 million shortfall due to declining real estate tax
revenue.
Board Retreat Covers Significant Ground
July 2009 - The first Board of Supervisors’ retreat in five years
covered significant ground on the County budget, affordable housing
policy and transportation, among other issues. I was pleased to
participate in these important discussions.
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