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At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, County Administrator Rebecca Dickson said the county is projecting a revenue shortfall of about $2.5 million in the 2010 budget.

Last year the Board of Supervisors set aside $1.2 million from the county’s fund balance in response to a tumultuous economy.  This leaves a $1.3 million shortfall that needs to be addressed this year.

Schools have been asked to contribute $650,000, said Dickson.

“On the county side… I’ve asked folks to identify $600,000 in cuts right now,” she said. “They have done that.”

She said that these cuts included unfilled positions and a reduction in part-time staff.

Dickson said that things don’t look any better for 2011, when revenue is expected to fall by $5.4 million.

The biggest drop in revenue sources comes from a $3.7 million loss in real estate taxes.  “The county is projecting a 12 percent reduction in assessed values from last July to this,” said Dickson, “and next January, another five percent reduction. That’s a significant loss.”

The county is also looking to lose $550,000 in interest income and $511,000 in personal property tax.

“Other local taxes are down $100,000,” said Dickson. “We hope local sales taxes hold.”

Both the general county and the schools look to share in the budget shortfall in the coming year, said the county administrator.

“$2.9 million on the school side and $2.5 million on the county side,” said Dickson of how much needs to be slashed from the 2011 budget.

“On the county side, nothing’s off the table,” she added.

Schools are expected to make deeper cuts since they represent about 55% of the county’s overall budget.  In a letter sent last month to School Superintendent Linda Underwood, Dickson wrote that in 2011 local funding for schools will be cut by 15 percent, or $2.9 million. The county also is asking the school system to cut $650,000 from this year’s $27.1 million budget.

Several citizens stood to protest cuts to the school budget, citing concerns that the quality of Goochland’s schools will suffer from decreased funding.

“Cuts to electives, to substitute teachers will be destroying the school system that many in this county have worked to build,” said Carolyn Elliott. “Our children will pay the price and unfortunately so will the county.”

One teacher asked about alternative funding for the school budget.

“Like everyone else I’m worried about my position,” said John Driscoll, a fifth grade teacher at Goochland Elementary School.  “But I’m equally worried about the heart of this county. I’ve heard rumors of a rainy day fund; if there is such a thing, look in your hearts and use it.”

Bill Williams was one of several people who said they would be willing to pay higher taxes to fund schools. “No one wants to hear the tax word raised,” he said. “But I’d be more than happy to look at an increase in my tax rate to maintain our excellent school system and other services in the county,” he said.

Dickson reminded the audience that the budget is far from being finalized.

“This is just the beginning of the process so we can have the discussion we’re having right now,” she said.

Quick hits
Online check registers reflecting county and schoolS expenses are now posted at co.goochland.va.us

Supervisors voted unanimously to support an upcoming grant for sidewalk and streetlight improvements in the Courthouse Village

Supervisors voted to extend its deadline for payment of business personal property taxes for 90 days without incurring the 10 percent late penalty. The new deadline for paying business personal property taxes will be March 5, 2010.

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