Draft budget below CC schools’ expectations
Charles City county administrator Zach Trogdon revealed the first draft budget for the 2014 fiscal year. And even though 51 percent of the budget is designated for county public schools, visible concern could be seen on the faces of school board members and superintendent of schools Janet Crawley.
Trogdon unveiled a total budget of $20,951,258 at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting. Of that amount, $10,665,964 is designated for schools and includes $4,581,216 in local money for schools.
That local dollar amount, however, falls $200,000 short of school officials’ request. Also, the local contribution does not include the $157,716 schools are seeking to fund Gov. Bob McDonnell’s two percent pay raise for school employees and money to support the textbook fund.
School board members had hoped to receive level funding in the amount of $4,781,216 based on the current school year. Once the $200,000 reduction was announced by Trogdon, school board interim financial director David Papenfuse immediately grabbed his notebook and hastily proceeded toward the school board offices.
District 3 supervisor and chairman Floyd Miles Sr. gave Trogdon a directive in addressing the deficit and reduction.
“I want you to meet with the school board post-haste and explain to them about the budget issue,” said Miles. “I want to make sure they have a clear understanding on what’s going on.”
Trogdon said afterward that the board will go into great length and discussion about the funds being for asked to support the pay raise and textbooks.
“We will look to work with schools on that,” said the county administrator. “It’s something that we want to get done with them.”
Crawley, meanwhile, commented on the severity of the new deficit.
“We’re back to square one,” said the superintendent. “We now have to work our budget again with $200,000 less than what we have.
“We tried to save positions and programs,” she continued. “Now it’s even harder and we didn’t want the kids to suffer.”
The $200,000 figure is a minimum, according to Crawley. If supervisors deny contributing funds to cover raises and textbooks, that amount would swell well above $350,000. School board members cut $355,000 during their budget work session on March 11.
Other allocations to the draft FY2014 budget include $8,353,294 for the general fund, $1,571,424 ($469,303 in local funds) to social services, and $360,846 ($266,013 local) towards public utilities.
Trogdon told board members that the primary focus in the budget is to maintain public safety, increase the fund balance, and help infrastructure rehabilitation. Trogdon’s recommendations include hiring a second investigator for the sheriff’s department, replacement of HVAC systems in county buildings, and maintaining the structural integrity of those buildings.
A public hearing on the county’s budget is scheduled for April 17 at 7 p.m. in the Charles City government complex.
In another matter, supervisors approved an emergency act to enter into a contract pertaining to the county’s recent E911 issues.
Board members approved a contract with Carousel Industries to provide emergency services to Charles City after the previous provider went out of business.
Charles City’s E911 services have been upgraded, including new lines and equipment plus replacement parts. In total, the cost is $151,785.07. Prior to the new emergency services, New Kent County had been fielding Charles City’s E911 calls.