BRISTOL, Va. – Uncertainties about state funding are slowing the annual budget process, city leaders said Tuesday.
The state spending plan, approved earlier this month, includes a 4.2 percent cut in some state money to localities, but how much and in which areas remains unknown, City Manager Bill Dennison said.
"The [state] director of planning and budgets has 30 days to circulate a list of state aid allocations and its categories," Dennison said. "We know a percentage figure, and statewide it will be $50 million to localities each biennium. But the other numbers, we just don’t know."
The City Council discussed the budget process at the conclusion of its regular meeting on Tuesday.
"We’re late with our budget," Mayor Jim Rector said. "We’re about a month behind."
City leaders hope to have the state information by mid-April so they can fill in the blanks of the city’s fiscal 2008-2009 spending plan.
"A lot of the budget is done, but there are some segments we can’t finish," Dennison said. "The police department budget and sheriff’s department budget aren’t done."
Dennison said the "unknowns" are currently his biggest fear.
During his remarks, the mayor cautioned it will likely be a lean budget year.
"I don’t think any city department can expect an increase in city funds," Rector said. "Depending on what we get from the state, we may struggle to level-fund."
The city School Board recently approved its 2008-2009 funding request, which includes an additional $300,000 from the city.
"We met with the School Board previously and told them we expect to level-fund," Rector said. "We’ll do what we can."
Vice Mayor Harold Leonard urged his fellow councilmen to consider every possible alternative to increasing taxes.
If the city receives state figures next month as expected, the council may take up budget deliberations in May, Rector said.
In other action, the council recognized outgoing City Attorney Walt Bressler for his nearly 30 years of service. Bressler recently accepted a position as general counsel for Bristol Virginia Utilities.
"He has offered us sound advice and bailed us out when we didn’t take his advice," Rector said as he presented Bressler a plaque.
"It’s been an honor. Thank you," Bressler said.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532
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