Stafford County looks to be in good financial shape as of the middle of this fiscal year, the locality’s chief financial officer told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night.
Overall, CFO Andrea Light said, revenue for the general fund is projected to be about 0.5 percent — or about $4 million — above budget, while expenditures are trending below budget.
The general fund budget for this fiscal year is $455.2 million.
At mid-year, real-estate tax revenue is under projections, Light said, but personal property tax revenue is expected to be about $5 million above budget.
Rollback taxes, which landowners pay if they take their property out of the land-use tax program, also are at $686,000, she said, almost $600,000 more than was received last fiscal year. The land-use program encourages land preservation and allows for agricultural, horticultural and forest land to be assessed at use value, rather than at its market value.
In addition, sales tax revenue is about 0.8 percent above the same time last year, said Light, and meals tax revenue continues to increase but is slightly trailing the budget.
After hearing the forecast, Rock Hill Supervisor Crystal Vanuch said she hopes the board will consider lowering the personal property tax rate in the coming fiscal year.
“I think money’s tight in a lot of households,” Vanuch said. “So I think we need to look at getting that back to the residents.”
Library board controversy
Board Chairman Deuntay Diggs also apologized on the board’s behalf to county resident Mary Becelia, who has been at the center of a hullabaloo concerning the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Board.
Becelia was removed from the library panel over the summer on the recommendation of Aquia District Supervisor Monica Gary. But then Gary attempted in September to rescind Becelia’s removal but was voted down.
Becelia was said to have been removed from the library board because of “misconduct,” but it was later deemed that she had done nothing wrong. A bit of a firestorm over the back-and-forth has continued over the past few months, however, and has even included the supervisors censuring their colleague Gary.
Diggs said the supervisors acknowledge the “significant impact” the situation likely has had on Becelia’s life.
“I wish to express my deepest apologies on behalf of the board for the hardship and embarrassment you have endured following your removal from the library board and the labeling of misconduct,” Diggs said.
He said it is his hope that the apology serves as a step toward closure for Becelia, her family and the “broader community.”
“Moving forward,” he said, “the board is committed to fostering an environment of trust and collaboration where we can all work together to ensure Stafford’s growth and success.”
Becelia, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, thanked the supervisors for the apology.
Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke, who chaired the board last year, also made a statement, saying that as the supervisors’ leader, she was advised by counsel not to contact Becelia during the situation.
That was a personally difficult posture to take, Bohmke said, but one she heeded because it took the form of legal advice.
“This entire situation is very unfortunate, and I offer my sincere personal apology to Mary and her family for what has transpired,” she said.
Becelia’s husband, Clayton Calvert, also applied to replace his wife on the library board, but the supervisors on Tuesday unanimously appointed Rock Hill District resident Janet Brown instead.
Diggs said after the meeting that Calvert’s application came in after the board had already decided on a replacement.
A legacy of service in Stafford
The board on Tuesday also remembered Robert C. “Bob” Gibbons, who served as Rock Hill District supervisor from 1991 to 2007.
Gibbons, who was 87, died Jan. 17, and Vanuch read a statement about his legacy of work.
“He served his country for over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force,” she said. “He continued his service to Virginia, this region and to Stafford County in particular for over half a century.”
Among Gibbons’ accomplishments are influencing the creation of the Virginia Railway Express commuter train line and the building of the Stafford Regional Airport.
“In recognition of his support, VRE named a train engine after him,” Vanuch said. “Ironically, it runs on the Manassas line.”
Gibbons also contributed to the county as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Utilities Commission and the Planning Commission. On the planning body, his efforts led to the adoption of the Transfer of Development Rights Program, the expansion of Transportation Impact Fees and the creation of a Historic Interpretive zoning category.
“He was also known for having a special knack for listening to people and applying that to the objectives of local government,” Vanuch said.
In other matters, the board voted unanimously to:
- Budget a surplus of $445,944 from the past fiscal year. Development Services will get $150,000, the Treasurer’s office will receive $71,922, and $224,022 in excess Impact Fee Fund revenue and interest will be devoted to the Transportation Fund.
- Raise County Attorney Rysheda McClendon’s salary from $253,052.80 to $256,859.20.
- Appoint Juan C. Bernal as the county’s new zoning administrator. The zoning administrator enforces the provisions of the zoning ordinances and oversees the enforcement of county code provisions about abandoned vehicles, tall grass and trash removal.
