Cutbacks in Service in Albemarle County

An article by Brandon Shulleeta in today's Progress (it's here) lists the ways in which Albemarle County might scale back services under the fiscal 2010 budget.

At $303.7 million (this amount has been proposed but not yet adopted), the 2010 budget would be $30 million less than this year's budget.

Cutbacks could include:

1. Most county employees would get no pay increase in fiscal 2010.
2. JAUNT may have to raise its fares.
3. The police department may leave three officer positions unfilled ("the police department’s goal is to have 1.5 officers per 1,000 residents, and it is 21 officers shy of the 141 positions needed").
4. Funding for the county’s Acquisition of Conservation Easements program could be halved.
5. The school division could eliminate positions for overseeing (a) a Hispanic-outreach program and (b) a business partnership program (which includes facilitating student internships at local businesses).

The article points out that Albemarle's payment to Charlottesville this year will be considerably larger than last year: "The county will have to fork over more than $18 million this year under a revenue-sharing agreement with Charlottesville ... that’s about $4.4 million more than last year."

163. David Slutzky continues to stir up strong feelings on both sides of the local political divide, at least according to C'Ville and The Hook. What property tax rate does Slutzky want (the advertised rate for next year is 74.2 cents (versus 71 cents currently)? What are his priorities in terms of County services?