Citizens asked the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) to spend more money on services and programs they care about during the Public Hearing session of their April 9 meeting.
The Bluebird bus program, which takes senior citizens on day trips, got the most attention from citizens. According to the various speakers, this program has been around 30-plus years, and used to cost $30,000; however, the price has risen to $40,000 per year.
According to the County Executive’s five-year plan, the Bluebird program is slated to be cut in accordance with the BOCS’s recommendation. However, the program is still very popular with seniors, several of whom attended the meeting to request supervisors reinstate the program's funding.
“A lot of the county money goes to the younger populations,” said one Manassas senior, who mentioned county funding for youth and school sports as well as possibility of building a pool in the new high school.
She said the Blue Bird bus trips are very important to citizens of her generation, many of whom are not interesting in just sitting idly at the senior center.
“Isn’t not for us,” she said, “because we are a lot more active and would like to stay that way.”
Many residents of the Lake Jackson community came out to ask the BOCS to fund repairs to their dam. They said repairs to the dam would help preserve Lake Jackson, and thereby help the community around the lake continue to prosper.
Citizens described the lake front community as different from the average suburban landscape. In Lake Jackson, children do not play just on roads or in playgrounds.
“My children would rather climb on the trees, or swim in the lake,” said Scott Bishop, a third generation resident of Lake Jackson.
Residents further noted that when real estate values remain high in Lake Jackson, the county benefits through tax revenue. However, to not repair the dam residents said could mean the exodus of members of the Lake Jackson community.
Fire and Rescue professionals asked that the county funds their needs for new equipment, trucks and professional staffing, including additional EMTs. They said that going without those investments puts first responders in danger, and also falls short of the county’s commitment to excellence.
Fire fighters and police also requested that as the county's economy is recovering, they receive cost of living and step or merit raises, along with matches to their retirement investment portfolios.
A few different groups came out to request services for those who are homeless and/or in need of mental health services. Public health care professionals told the BOCS that to receive community-provided mental health services in Prince William County through public funding means waiting on lists for months or even years.
“I see (the staff’s) frustration at not being able to serve our citizens in a timely manner,” one speaker said.
The business community also spoke up in opposition to the BOCS decreasing its budget for economic development. One speaker reminded board members that they will not be able to realize their county’s strategic plans without a financial investment.
Rob Clapper, President and Chief Executive Office of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, thanked the BOCS for being fiscally responsible, but asked that they do not change the revenue sharing agreement they have with the school system. In addition, he suggested that the school system undergo an enhanced performance audit, after which the county could decide if they need additional funding.
Supervisor Wally Covington (R) of the Brentsville District brought up this request after the adjournment of the Public Meeting, and asked the County Executive look into this request.
However, Prince William Education Association President Jim Livingston spoke in on behalf of funding towards education. He asked the BOCS not to reduce the tax rate any more than they already have. Livingston noted that the County Executive’s budget was created around the BOCS’s recommendations, and said it is a tremendous waste of manpower to craft budgets they have “no intention of adopting.”
Livington told the BOCS that the School System already cut $5 million from their budget.
“Every school in the county will feel the effect of those reductions. Other reductions would be catastrophic,” Livingston said.
In addition, SERVE asked for the county’s additional support. The Life-Long Learning Institute of Manassas asked that their volunteer organization be granted shared office space free or at a significant discount. Write by the Rails members asked that the county continue to fund the Arts Council.
At next week's meeting, the BOCS will discuss the possibility of meeting the needs requested by individuals and programs.
Chairman Corey Stewart (R) asked that Supervisor Martin Nohe (R) of the Coles District create a “working” budget he believes will be most agreeable to everyone on the board at least as a starting point.
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