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Fiscal 2010 budget approved
After months of discussion and countless hours spent by county staff, the Culpeper County fiscal year 2010operating and capital budget was approved on Tuesday morning by the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors to the tune of $126.9 million.The vote was not unanimous, going 4-3 in favor, but carried with votes from board members Steve Walker(East Fairfax), Sue Hansohn (Catalpa), Brad Rosenberger (Jefferson) and Larry Aylor (Cedar Mountain). Steve Nixon (West Fairfax), Bill Chase (Stevensburg) and Tom Underwood (Salem) voted against it.
Earlier discussions had a proposed budget at the high end of $140.5 million.
While this budget will eliminate several positions, it was also approved with the stipulation that there would be no involuntary reduction in the work force. "We plan to offer incentives for early retirement," said Sue Hansohn (Catalpa District), "so that a person retiring on their own would save another position from being cut."
"There will be some early retirements and [this budget] keeps the school at level funding," added Hansohn.
Proposed changes in the tax rate had bounced between $.61 per $100 of assessed value and .$69 per $100 of assessed value throughout the budget process. Ultimately the board adopted a $.65 tax rate.
"The overriding decision for me came from understanding that in my district level funding or equalization would have been at $.65," said Hansohn. "In the county, land prices actually went up — not down."
"Some people may experience a tax increase, but the majority will be level. In these difficult economic times, this is what I felt needed to be done," added Hansohn.
Chairman of the Board William "Bill" Chase had mixed feelings about the final outcome. "It's the second year in a row that we have reduced it," he said. "For most people, because of the reassessment, very few will experience a slight rise, as a rule, taxes will go down, but I was unhappy with some of the cuts made."
At next Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, it is expected that official appropriations will be done.
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