County Administrator Percy Ashcraft proposed the 2010-11 Budget to the Board of Supervisors at its February 23 meeting.

Ashcraft reiterated the grim news that has been circulating for weeks from the state regarding the bleak revenue picture. Although the General Assembly has not completed its work, Ashcraft told the supervisors that this budget is based on the information he currently has and warned it could be even worse news when state lawmakers are finished in March.

The State revenues are projected to have severe impacts on funding for Constitutional offices and state sales taxes. Added to the Budget dilemma are projected losses in local funding in recordation taxes, building permits and many other local revenues.

In order to address the revenue shortfalls, Ashcraft proposed cutting 14 full-time positions from the County Budget and reducing all employee salaries by 1-2 percent. Those employees earning under $40,000 would suffer a one percent reduction and those over $40,000 would be cut by two percent. These measures will save the County $995,000.

Ashcraft bypassed proposing a tax increase to the Board of Supervisors, saying it would have been an easy way to deal with declining state and local revenues.

“Now is not time to be raising taxes on our citizens,” Ashcraft said. “We have more of our folks unemployed and relying heavily on social service programs. Paying more taxes is not something I am encouraging the Board of Supervisors to consider.”

Ashcraft reported to the Board that unemployment has risen to 9.6 percent in Caroline County, easily a record high since the statistic has been kept.

Ashcraft did request a five percent increase in utility fees for users on the Public Utility system. This conforms to the long-range plan to stabilize rates over a five-year period.

In addition to the personnel cuts, Ashcraft also proposed reductions in other services such as reducing hours at convenience sites; closing the Cannery; and eliminating the summer jobs program. He also has proposed less funding for the Public School Division, including $10.9 million in his proposal compared to $11.3 million last year.

A public hearing will be held on the Budget on March 9 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Other highlights of the meeting include:

• County staff was asked to prepare a resolution to appear on the March 9 agenda offering support for the residents in and around Port Royal for its opposition to the new military training school at Fort AP Hill.



• Vice Chairman Floyd Thomas (Mattaponi District) won support for asking that March 30 be “Vietnam Veterans Day” in Caroline County and that veterans be recognized at a future BOS meeting.



• Received a report from VDOT resident engineer Charlie Stunkle who asked for a worksession on the six-year road plan. That worksession was approved by the BOS for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 before the regular meeting.



• Stunkle also reported that the Carmel Church road improvements are 20 percent ahead of schedule despite the bad weather this winter.



• John Stoddard of the Port Royal District and Ray Ratliffe at large were reappointed to the Industrial Development Authority.



• Michael Diebold was appointed to the Recreation Advisory Committee.



• Arnie Levine of FRED Transit spoke before the Board and it was agreed to return to the old schedule that was in place as of January 17 of this year. Citizens had raised concerns about the new schedule. Levine said returning to the old schedule will be in effect March 15.



• The Board denied acceleration of a public hearing on a rezoning of property for a major development in Carmel Church.



• The Board directed County Staff to meet with officials for the Town of Bowling Green to see if the Victory Park project could be scaled back and that matching funds for the TEA-21 grant could be shared by both the County and the Town.



• Deferred action on a proposed towing ordinance until more information can be retained from Sheriff Lippa.



• Approved a new health insurance program for County employees that will cost the County $121,000 more in the FY 2011.



• Adopted a resolution proclaiming February “African-American History Month” in Caroline County.