Supervisors Fund Class Size Reductions, Body Cameras for Police

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BoCS LogoThe Prince William Board of County Supervisors decided at Thursday’s markup session to provide extra money to the school division to fund class size reduction. They also agreed to fund body cameras for police, trail maintenance and they increased the amount that triggers the BPOL tax. These promises are not yet binding.

In response to an amendment proposed by Woodbridge Supervisor Frank Principi (D), board members decided to provide $1 million in FY16 for class size reduction. The money would come from the revenue stabilization fund. They also pledged to continue to provide $1 million for each year of the five-year plan. These funds would be outside the funds they already provide the school division via the revenue sharing agreement.

The agreement is contingent upon the School Board matching the $1 million with their own $1 million above and beyond the funds they have already set aside for reducing class sizes within their FY16 budget. It thus requires the School Board locate $1 million in savings.

Although the supervisors agreed to provide funds every year, that money would not be used to reduce more classes each year as on-going funds are required just to keep the class sizes at the new smaller size. It is possible supervisors could strike similar deals in the future, providing the School Board with more money to use to reduce class sizes.

The plan is not as aggressive as one originally proposed by Gainesville Supervisor Pete Candland (R) and Brentsville Supervisor Jeanine Lawson (R). Their plan would have provided the schools with $30 million over the next five years so that they could reduce more classes across the county annually.

Candland proposed that funds come from the recordation tax. However, other supervisors worried that it would take too many cuts to the general fund to make up for the transportation funds that the recordation tax currently funds. Candland and Lawson agreed to compromise.

“It is not as bold as I was hoping, but a great step moving forward, and I would be happy partnering with Mr. Principi on this.” Candland said.

The straw motion passed with a 5-3 majority as most supervisors agreed that reducing class sizes, which are the largest in the state, is a priority for the county. Supervisors Michael May (R-Occoquan), Marty Nohe (R-Coles) and John Jenkins (D-Neabsco) voted against the motion.

County Attorney Angel Horan said the agreement would be legal since it provides the school board the opportunity to refuse the funding.

Deputy County Executive Chris Martino said rating agencies do not like to see the revenue stabilization fund used for on-going expenses. Therefore, Chairman Corey Stewart (R) made the legislation open ended as to where the board could find their revenue source in future years.

The Board of County Supervisors agreed to pass other popular legislation Thursday evening as well.

Body Cameras for Police

The board resolved to spend $3 million funding body cameras for Prince William Police officers. Police Chief Steven Hudson thought the body cameras would be more effective than dash cams since they would record more and would promote civility on both sides of the cameras.

Hudson said there is currently not a problem that would require body cameras, but he would prefer his officers get ahead of any possible problems that might occur.

"It's fast becoming an expectation of communities around the country," Hudson said.

Supervisors voted to use one-time funds to pay for the body cameras.

BPOL Tax

At the behest of Supervisor Marty Nohe, the supervisors passed a reduction in the BPOL (Business Professional Occupancy Licenses) tax. As the law now stands, businesses not exceeding $250K in gross receipts are exempt from the tax. That number would climb by $50,000 each year, beginning in 2016 until reaching the ceiling at $500,000 in FY2020.

Potomac Supervisor Maureen Caddigan (R) noted such legislation is necessary to compete with other counties, especially Stafford, whose tax policies are more business friendly.

While the reduction in tax revenue might hurt the county initially, it may grow the business sector as well by helping existing businesses grow their businesses and hire more employees. It also serves to attract new businesses into the county.

“In the context of our budget, which is a pretty big budget as we are the second largest county in the state, it’s a small shift of revenue over the five years plan...But it makes a big difference, a very big difference to those entrepreneurial businesses who are trying to create jobs in this county, and it’s something I’ve advocated for since I first got on the board. It is something I will continue to advocate for,” Nohe said.

That motion passed unanimously.

Recreational Trails

A majority of supervisors voted to fund trail maintenance throughout the county at the cost of $76,000 in FY16. Neabsco Supervisor John Jenkins (D) said it was worth the investment, considering the county already spent millions building the trails using mainly proffered funds.

That motion passed 7-1. Candland held out since the board had not yet approved funding for water and sewer at Long Park, which he was pushing for.

The trails will be paid for via extra funds available in the FY16 budget at the 3.88 percent residential tax increase.

Sewer and Water at Long Park

Supervisors did not yet agree to bring a sewer line to provide cleaner water to Long Park in greater Haymarket in the Gainesville District.

A representative for Public Works seemed to think that building an additional well at the site would be a cheaper solution. But Candland worried it would be a temporary solution as that well could also be contaminated with chloraform, which can result in E.coli, as the current well water frequently is.

Bringing water and sewer to the park would cost $166,000 annually in addition to the initial one-time cost of $1.25 million.

Many supervisors did not like Candland’s solution for finding funding. Candland proposed to fund water and sewer by eliminating the allowance they give the Hylton Performing Arts Center and eliminating the community survey. Those funding sources were rejected via a tie vote from the board. May, Lawson, Candland and Stewart voted "aye" to the eliminations.

Candland next proposed looking more closely at county vacancies. Members learned from Budget Director Michelle Casciato that the majority of vacancies were mandated by the state or were in agencies, such as public safety and libraries, that supervisors asked her not to touch. The remaining vacancies seems to be in much-needed positions, working directly with the public and especially the most vulnerable in the county as the mentally ill.

The supervisors suggested they hold off on funding Long Park until they have more information.

Traffic Solutions

Between $2-3 million was allocated to a traffic fix in the Occoquan District. The project needs $3 million, but the county came just short of that, and will need to seek out some additional funding, which supervisors believe is doable.

Results of the Markup Session

Nothing voted upon at the markup is set in stone as the tax rate has not yet been set. Should supervisors still choose to reduce the residential tax rate from 3.88 percent increase, other programs would need to be cut. However, they approved new initiatives assuming they would adopt the 3.88 percent residential tax increase.

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