Stafford, Va. –– Stafford County on Tuesday unanimously passed a $241.2 million operating budget for 2012 that includes a reduction in the tax rate, more funding for schools, as well as a reduction of the number of county government employees.
The budget is 3.2 percent higher than 2011’s budget of $233.7 million.
In the new budget, real estate taxes dropped two cents to $1.08 per $100 of the assessed value.
Officials say that coupled with last year’s reduction, residents will see an overall 5-decrease in real estate taxes.
The Stafford Board of Supervisors also allocated $6.6 million to the county’s School Board –– the money to be used for operations, debt service and capital improvements.
While the School Board can use the money how they see fit, the Board of Supervisors also passed a capital improvement plan that includes a replacement for the aging Stafford High School, as well as construction of a technology education center for students in the county, according to officials.
Board Officials also say the money, if used properly, would provided a 2.5 percent pay raise for school employees, restore 56 faculty positions now on the chopping block, maintain employee health insurance premiums, and would provide for new buses and classroom technology.
“The Board was able to fund the community’s priorities and reduce taxes for our citizens,” said Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Dudenhefer in a press release. “The budget proves that we are a responsible and accountable government and that we are being good financial stewards of public dollars by adhering to our financial policies so that we can move closer to an improved bond rating while at the same time, enhance the services we offer.”
The budget also comes as bad news for some county government workers.
Over the next year, Stafford officials will reduce the number of government employees who do not work in public safety by five percent.
Between 2009 and 2012, officials say the county will have slashed 19 percent of its non-public safety government workforce.
