Snyder Blasts Draft Budget; Council Approves 1st Reading
Snyder
“I want nothing to do with the proposed budget. I think it’s dead wrong.”
With those words Councilman Dave Snyder began a blistering attack on the FY 2010 budget currently under review by the Falls Church City Council.
Mr. Snyder, a former mayor and the longest serving member of the Council, criticized the proposed budget’s funding of public transportation and public safety, its treatment of City employees, and its approach to long-term planning.
Anticipating a counter-attack, he stated “I will not be forced to rely on information that has been supplied by others (i.e., City staff) in order to make [my] counter-proposals. I want to bring the budget back to a reasonable balance fiscally and one which is consistent with the values of the community.”
Strong as they were, Mr. Snyder’s views were not shared by his colleagues who voted 6-1 to approve the first reading of the budget. The second reading or approval will be held on April 27.
Baroukh
Councilman Nader Baroukh, though stating that he had serious misgivings about the budget as presented, voted for approval in the hope that the Council gradually could achieve some consensus. However, he cautioned that his vote did not mean he approved the operating budget and Capital Improvements Plan as they currently stand.
Webb
Gardner
Councilman Lawrence Webb cautioned the Council against potentially creating a divide in the community by “overly focusing on ‘hot button’ issues” such as the GEORGE bus system, and urged members to work together as a group toward a common goal. Mayor Robin Gardner seconded Mr. Webb’s view.
The proposed budget advertises a tax rate of $1.09 on each $100 of assessed value. However, the Council is expected to approve a rate of $1.07, an increase of four cents over the current rate.
City Manager Wyatt Shields announced public sessions on the budget Saturday, March 28, and Saturday, April 4, both at 10 a.m. at the Community Center. Residents are encouraged to attend and express their concerns to council members and City staff.
FY 2010 Budget Ordinance:
http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Council/Meetings/2009/March23/FY10BudgetOrdinance032309.pdf
Tax Rate Ordinance:
http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Council/Meetings/2009/March23/TaxRateOrdinance032309.pdf
By George Bromley
March 24, 2009
I’d like to see coverage of the lawsuit by the Fairfax County Water Authority against the City. I know that you’re all volunteers, but I can’t cover it because I don’t know enough about the legal system. On March 18th, a judge (state judge?) ruled against the City’s demurrals. Demurrals were the City’s objections to the lawsuit. Ten days earlier, in an unrelated case, a Loudoun County circuit judge ruled in favor of plaintiffs, who had brought a class-action suit against the Town of Leesburg for charging higher rates for water to non-residents. Disclaimer: I live outside the City, I buy water from the City, and I think the City exercised poor judgement in the actions leading up to the suit.