Lexington officials still unsure
of new state budget's impact
After weeks of bitter debate, the General Assembly has passed a two-year, $77 billion budget. But Lexington officials are still waiting to see how budget cuts will affect the city’s spending.
City Manager Jon Ellestad said state funds provide about $1.1 million for Lexington’s $13 million budget.
"We also have a school budget which is 40 to 45 percent state-funded," Ellestad said. The school budget is about $6 million.
The debate over the budget forced the General Assembly to extend its session by five days. A final version of the budget was completed March 13 after the House approved the measure unanimously and the Senate passed it 26-14.
Gov. Tim Kaine and the lawmakers were working to tighten the budget because the state is projected to have a $2 billion revenue shortage. The cuts include $50 million that would otherwise have gone to local governments.
Though local cuts over the next few years are not expected to amount to more than a few thousand dollars, Lexington Police Chief Steve Crowder said he and other police officials are worried about losing "599" funding, state revenue that goes to local police departments.
About 20 percent of the law enforcement budget in Virginia cities is paid through 599 funds, according to the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. County sheriff’s departments rely even more heavily on state funding, but that funding is delivered through a separate program.
Lexington police receive about $250,000 of their annual $1.66 million budget from the state. The state money helps pay the salaries of Crowder and the 15 officers who work under him.
The department currently has one vacancy, but Ellestad said Crowder is not allowed to fill the position until the city knows how much money will be cut.
"We’re scared that in the long term they may take all of it out," Crowder said about the General Assembly. "That would be really bad for us, but it would be especially devastating to a lot of small towns like Clifton Forge."
Though the General Assembly’s regular session ended when the budget was passed, Kaine, at the assembly’s request, immediately called for a special session. Legislators are working on a new transportation funding plan and debating a nearly $2 billion bond initiative that would pay for major construction projects at state universities and community colleges.
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Phylissa
Mitchell
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Pamela Lucke
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd