York Will Give Nonprofits Less So Schools, Sheriff Can Get More

By Desiree Parker Wednesday, March 31, 2010

York County has tweaked its proposed budget, adding almost $1.2 million in funds for schools and safety and slicing funds for community organizations, regional partnerships and county employees and services.

Having already trimmed about $11 million over the past two years, York County’s $124.6 million proposed operating budget has little fat on it, supervisors have said. The school board, facing the potential of losing 10 teaching positions and 6 para-educator positions, asked supervisors for $600,000.

"I'm a little surprised at the $600,000," supervisor Tom Shepperd said at a meeting last week when the school board asked supervisors for more funds. "I'm surprised you didn't ask for millions. We cannot idly sit back and watch a critical function go down the tubes."

Supervisors agreed to fund the entire $600,000 request, which the school board included in the budget they approved earlier this week. Also, the county's supervisors added $120,000 for sheriff’s vehicles and other support, $230,000 for a mandatory refund to state revenue, and $240,000 to make up for state budget cuts.

This extra $1.2 million in spending means the county had to slash elsewhere. Civic and cultural agencies were reduced by 50 percent, down $123,600, and regional agencies (like Chesterfield County Med-Flight program, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, and the Hampton Roads Partnership) lost a combined $44,200.

The county will achieve additional savings of about $54,000 by outsourcing concessions at the York County Sports Complex.

For county staff, group life premium payments are reduced by $230,000 (the state reduced the premium), and the county will lower its contribution to the other post-employment benefits reserve by $313,000. Several unfilled county positions will remain vacant, saving an additional $150,000.

As for county services, recycling pickup will be reduced to every other week, at a savings of $100,000, and corridor landscape maintenance program will shift to in-house work, trimming $175,000.

Read the original proposed budget here.

The budget is set to be adopted on April 6.