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| Budget cuts equal $260K |
| By thefranklinnewspost.com |
| Published: 09/11/2009 |
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Friday, September 11, 2009 By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer Franklin County schools will escape a major reduction in state revenues as a result of Gov.TimﾠKaine's latest cuts of $1.35 billion in the state budget because of shortfalls in state revenues. However, the governor made other budget cuts that will affect Franklin County and other localities in Virginia. Kaine cut the sheriff's offices across the state by nearly 5 percent, and state appropriations to local jails will be cut by about 7 percent. The Franklin County Sheriff's Department will see a reduction of $145,547 in its current budget, according to Franklin County Finance Director Vince Copenhaver. Sheriff Ewell Hunt said he hopes to avoid any loss of personnel. The department has a few open positions that he will not be able to fill, he said. "Regardless of the cuts, we will continue to provide the best possible service to county residents," Hunt said. Other cuts in the county's budget add up to $115,802, including reductions for the offices of the commonwealth attorney, treasurer, commissioner of revenue, clerk of court, Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act, registrar and library state aid, Copenhaver said. Still, Franklin County and other local governments will feel less pain than higher education and state agencies. Funding to local governments accounted for less than $50 million of the $1.35 billion spending reductions, Kaine said. Nearly 600 state employees are being laid off, and state-supported colleges and universities will have large cuts. Ninth District Del. Charles Poindexter (R-Franklin County) said that the state's budget crunch could be even worse in January when the General Assembly meets to prepare the budget for the next biennium. "It is going to be really challenging. We won't have the (federal) stimulus money" for the next budget cycle, he said. "That will make a difference," he said. Poindexter said he is also worried that some legislative proposals in Congress will increase costs for state government and small businesses, and reduce state revenues. "It's going to be tough. We're going to have to make some tough decisions," Poindexter said. State Sen. Robert Hurt (R-Chatham) could not be reached for comment on the budget cuts. Kaine's budget cuts also include a furlough of state employees on the Friday before Memorial Day in 2010. The unpaid day will not apply to personnel, such as police and emergency crews. Kaine has also announced that state employees will also be required for the first time since 1983 to contribute to their own state retirement plans. Of the 593 state employees to be laid off, 225 are with the state Department of Corrections. Two prisons -- the Botetourt and Brunswick correctional centers -- will close. The state will also close the juvenile correctional center in Natural Bridge. Kaine has made cuts of 13 to 15 percent for public colleges and universities. But he said the net effect of the cuts will be as little as 7 percent because he will ask the federal government for permission to redirect some of the stimulus money the state was not due to receive until the 2011 fiscal year. Read More. |
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