The Cook Advisory
A timely update from Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook
April 12, 2011
Supervisor Cook's Statement on the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Markup
Today, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors marked up its Fiscal Year 2012 budget. The measure passed by a vote of 7-3. I joined my colleagues, Supervisors Michael Frey and Pat Herrity, in opposition. Though largely a formality, the official budget vote will occur during the Board's meeting of April 26th.
Real property taxes were doubled between 2000 and 2007, and after several years of economic contraction that has impacted all of us, we are just beginning the slow journey toward recovery. However, while home values are significantly below where they were in 2007 when the recession began, tax payments are roughly equal. With a real estate tax rate of $1.07, the Board's FY 2012 budget results in an overall tax increase for our citizens; one that will be felt especially hard in Braddock District, where assessments increased at a greater rate than elsewhere in the County - 3.69 percent versus a countywide average of 2.34 percent.
This budget includes no significant spending reductions on County programs, or any significant reorganization to gain efficiencies. When coupled with the fact that general fund disbursements will be larger in this new budget than at the beginning of the recession, the message seems to be that we are no longer interested in generating savings that can benefit the taxpayer.
The failure to continue to look for savings also means that this budget does not lay an adequate foundation for the long-term future challenges identified by this Board. There is still no plan in place to fund the infrastructure required for an urbanizing Tysons Corner or the environmental regulations mandated by the EPA to protect the Chesapeake Bay. We have zeroed out some infrastructure maintenance budgets and must grapple with employee compensation. Instead of dedicating funds from the vehicle registration fee to help meet our significant transportation needs, we have used it to plug a gap in the General Fund. If the Board has decided to cease its search for spending reductions, then a future of significant tax increases is on the horizon.
Overall, the County is in good shape. With better fiscal discipline, our future can be brighter than our past. My vote against the budget is an effort to maintain the pressure on the Board of Supervisors to continue to look for budget savings and efficiencies.
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