Proposed Reductions in Lo Co Budget
This is my third budget as your Supervisor. Time flies. I was sworn in January 4, 2000 and have proposed budget reductions in 2000, 2001 and now here it is 2002.
Each time, I propose millions in reductions. This would not affect building schools, salary levels of anyone, or essential services like fire, rescue or law enforcement, in my opinion.
The annual picture:
There is both a short term debt and the first 2 years, I proposed specific reductions in the rate of increase. This year I proposed milions in short term reductions ($65 million -- $35 million from the county budget and $30 million from the education side of the budget) , but was shot down on them.
The six year plan:
This year I am listing specific reductions in the long term six year plan for spending in Loudoun with my comments.
I list $65,640,000 in long term projects that are completely unnecessary.
Former supervisors, current supervisors and many fiscal and economic experts understand and appreciate the opinions I express on behalf of my constituents for this debate.
I respectfully disagree that to have increases of hundreds of millions of dollars to grow the government in every direction in expensive downtown Leesburg is the only method of management.
I will write you separately on "purchase of developement rights" because they are a good example of how this board of Supervisor (7 of them) waste millions of dollars.
As for this current e-mail, I did receive three votes (Hiatt, York and myself) on some of them. And one proposal, to cut out the Franklin Park Nature Center for $620,000 completely passed (7 yes, 2 no). The rest of my proposed reductions did not pass, leaving $65,005,000.00 in unnecessary planned capitol spending over the next six years in the budget.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BUDGET FY03
REDUCTIONS IN THE RATE OF INCREASE
SUPERVISOR EUGENE DELGAUDIO MOTION at a budget worksession on MARCH 19, 2002
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS BE REMOVED FROM THE CIP
Center for Rural Innovation $6,300,000 *
Purchase of Development Rights $980,000
Govt Office Space Plan $40,560,000 *
Animal Shelter Phase II $1,135,000 *
Public Safety Firing Range $5,950,000 *
Woods Road Solid Waste Management Facility $2,805,000
School Transportation Site $5,230,000
Franklin Park Nature Center $620,000 *
Loudoun Teen Center $2,050,000 *
Here are my comments that I make on each project:
Center for Rural Innovation $6,300,000 *
*This estimate based on Land Acquisition Budget. I respect staff response but need this out of the cip and the number I am using is just a place holder based on Patricia Grigsby public statement about the waste.
Purchase of Development Rights $980,000
*This has been discussed at the Finance Committee but is zeroed out here. Since some of the FY02 PDR money still has not been spent, this figure includes previous allocations less PDRs already granted.
Govt Office Space Plan $40,560,000 *
· *The voters did not like the new govt center, or the plans to make it even bigger. Nor did they like the plans for expanding the School Administration building.
Animal Shelter Phase II $1,135,000 *
The animal shelter just got expanded and renovated and the County budget discusses at length how the current shelter is not well located for serving Loudoun's population. Bad investment.
Public Safety Firing Range $5,950,000 *
*The Sheriff's office already has a firing range, which it leases at far, far, lower cost, and has had no problems with it. Perhaps a lease or shared facility with another jurisdiction is better.
Woods Road Solid Waste Management Facility $2,805,000
Sell this white elephant.
School Transportation Site $5,230,000
Pricey real estate for some School buses. At $174,333 per acre, these had better be some very nice parking places. Why does it take 30 acres to park 80 buses. not take more than 4 acres to accomodate 80 buses.
Franklin Park Nature Center $620,000 *
IS THIS PROJECT REALLY NECESSARY?
Loudoun Teen Center $2,050,000 *New project with no specified goals or standards and is right up there with "midnight basketball".
There you are, that's $65,640,000.00 in reductions with most or about 76 per cent in the county side of "government growth". The board accepted only $635,000 in my proposals. Thanks to those of you who encourage me in making these proposals as I am honored to make them on your behalf and on behalf of all taxpayers who wish to know where the waste is in this government--- in detail.