ATTA Challenges County Government - It's time to Follow Through on Good Ideas

The Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance (ATTA) has been advocating for county government to identify and implement operational efficiencies and more careful capital expenditures. Better stewardship of tax revenues contributed by taxpayers leads to more responsible government.

ATTA has publicly recognized the Albemarle County School Board for conducting its Resource Utilization Review and paying heed to its results. ATTA is encouraged by the preliminary work being done by the School Board to implement the report's recommendations.

ATTA has repeatedly recommended that general county government should conduct a similar review and follow its recommendations. ATTA is encouraged at the growing support within the Board of Supervisors for such a review:

• Ken Boyd has been pushing for years for the county to perform a comprehensive evaluation of its budgeting process.
• Dennis Rooker (WINA, April 3, 2008) "... (we are) continuing to do a thorough look at the budget for efficiencies. I think that there will be momentum for the Board to do an efficiency study much like the Resource Utilization Study that schools just completed."
• David Slutzky indicated on (WINA, April 7, 2008) that he would support the county doing a similar exercise as the School Board has done.

It appears that we only need the support of one more supervisor to move forward.

ATTA suggests the following actions:

The School Division should continue its study and implementation of the findings in its Resource Utilization Study by doing the following:

• Identify each cost saving measure or change suggested by the Resource Utilization Study that are under consideration.
• Provide a timeline to the public for the analysis and implementation of each measure.
  As each of the measures move to implementation, publish estimated savings or cost additions to the school division for yearly operating or future capital expenditure.

Local Government, in the absence of a more comprehensive program, should continue its current Programs and Service Review initiative. The goal of this program is a 10% reduction in operating expenses, as targeted in the budget manual. However, optimum results would be achieved with commission of an outside group to conduct a 'Resource Utilization' type study, similar to that conducted by the School Division. This professional approach would provide:

• A thorough knowledge of government "best practices" and appropriate "benchmarks" to ensure that Albemarle County programs are both effective and efficient.
• A disciplined approach to the measurement of service levels, for example if 1.5 police offices per 1,000 population is a the objective standard, what can our citizens expect in specific benefits in terms of reduced crime, higher conviction rates etc.
• Thinking that is creative and innovative in recognition of opportunities.
• Clearly identified cost savings and a time line for implementation of more effective and efficient government.

In this way, the Board would continue to make progress immediately with its current Program and Service Review initiative, and then merge those efforts into a more comprehensive "Resource Utilization" activity.

ATTA challenges the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to show its commitment to more responsible government today. While the tax rate is an important issue, how we get there is more important. It's time to change the process. It's time for the Board to demonstrate its commitment to efficient government and effective use of taxpayer's money.

Dennis Rooker (WINA, April 3, 2008): "Part of our job is to make sure the county operates like a business, to make certain that it's efficient."

It's time to stop talking; it's time to start acting.

There is no more blood in the turnip. There is no more tolerance in the taxpayer.

We call on county government to do what is right.

County Under Fire Over Rescue Station Spending

Thanks in large part to the extensive research completed by Peter Wurzer of the Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance, the Daily Progress has picked up the story of how Albemarle County residents are concerned about the significant cost overruns involved with the Hollymead Fire Rescue Station. The station's grand opening occurs at 2pm this afternoon.

The new station, originally budgeted at $3.7m in 2004, ended up costing nearly $5.9m. In response to concerns over the cost, county spokesperon Lee Catlin mentioned the needs for extra community rooms, office space, bunkrooms, and UVA design requirements.

While we take no issue with the need for a new fire rescue station in Hollymead, the issue is: should it have cost $5.9m, nearly 60% over budget?

• Should it contain a community meeting room when we already have on available at nearby Hollymead School?
• Should the bathrooms have four different kinds of tiles with tiled accent courses driving up costs?
• Should we have sculptured ceilings in the main hallway and lounge?
• Is a floor medallion needed at the intersection of the main hallways?
• Did we really have to have a portico on the back and four columns on the front?

The questions are not merely academic at this point, as there are two more fire rescue stations in the works. Can we come back down to earth and build a structure that meets appropriate needs without careless spending of taxpayer dollars?

Undoubtedly, the architectural requirements at North Fork necessitated some higher costs for the Hollymead station. Nonetheless, this was known well in advance, and doesn't answer the question of why the estimated cost was calculated so badly during the plan's inception.

As plans for the two future stations get underway, taxpayers need to be wary of any estimate that's provided by the county. Why? Look no further than Hollymead.

A Different Perspective on the School Board Budget

Most likely, you've noticed that the local media has lately been taking much greater interest in the county budget discussions. Recently, the Daily Progress covered the school budget debate. Given relatively small enrollment growth, why is spending increasing so dramatically every single year?

Although there are certain clear reasons for why spending may need to increase above the current baseline (fuel prices, unfunded mandates, etc), a key question is- can our schools operate more efficiently so that the baseline could potentially be lowered?

This is not new ground. To see a wide array of options regarding how our schools could operate more efficiently, check out the Resource Utilization Study, recently completed on behalf of the School Board. After reading through it, you'll likely come to the conclusion that instead of automatically building cost increases on top of current spending, maybe we should be taking a closer look at how we're already spending existing funds.

Peter Wurzer Interviewed at Charlottesville News & Arts Weekly

For those of you interested in learning a little more about Peter and his efforts through the Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance, check out this brief C-ville.com interview with him.

The Growing Tax Burden - DP

Take some time to read this evening's editorial in the Daily Progress, which discusses how so many Albemarle County taxpayers have been squeezed by skrocketing county budgets.

The Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance is working for you, making sure local media outlets pay attention to the alarming increases in government spending in our county. If you haven't already, subscribe to these future updates by feed or email, and send us a note with your thoughts on these issues.

In Case You Missed It - Daily Progress Talks Budgets

In case you missed it, yesterday the Daily Progress posted an extensive story covering the past and present issues with the county budget.

As you read through it, notice how effectively the Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance is driving the discussion. Yet we can't rely on free press coverage alone. To help us expand our efforts and spread our message to taxpayers through Albemarle County, please consider sending a contribution of any size, using our donation form. We're also always looking for people willing to volunteer their time and talents.

NEW VIDEO: Keith Drake Discusses 2008 Budget Cycle on NBC29's "Political Pulse"

Earlier this week, NBC29 profiled the efforts of the Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance in this year's county budget cycle. Catch Keith Drake's interview with NBC29, where he discusses this year's county budget cycle and the Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance's efforts to make sure it's a successful budget cycle for county taxpayers.

In addition to the video, you can check out NBC29's news column on the subject.

NBC 29 Chats With Peter Wurzer

With Albemarle County budget planning in full swing, ATTA's Director of Research Peter Wurzer talks with NBC 29 about the dangers of focusing on how the county can get more money to cover its shortfall, instead of focusing on how current funds are being spent.