County Budget Index ... an objective approach to cap spending
By Keith C. Drake, Ph.D., Chairman
Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance
As early as 2005, I proposed the county adopt a cap to the rate of tax revenue growth it imposes on citizens. A "County Budget Index" would be based on a fair combination of population growth, school enrollment growth, and inflation.
The Index could also include costs over which the county clearly has no control, e.g., complying with State and Federal regulatory requirements. It might include an additional, modest increase - on the order of one percent - to allow for improvements in existing programs such as teacher retention.
This Index would provide an objective formula to define precisely the total county budget. After factoring out other sources of revenue, the amount of revenue from real estate assessments would then define the tax rate. Such an index would be an objective measure to help separate "wants" from "needs."
ATTA recommends using the zero-based budget being considered by the Board of Supervisors as a starting point. A validated "needs-based" budget ensures future tax increases allowed by the Index are truly justified.
----
Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance (ATTA) is a non-partisan group of citizen volunteers from all socio-economic groups and political affiliations. We are dedicated to ensuring effective and efficient use of our tax dollars by Albemarle government and to protecting the rights and interests of Albemarle taxpayers.
Showing posts with label Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance. Show all posts
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, March 16, 2009
Albemarle BOS votes down tax increase
From Keith Drake and Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance (ATTA)....
You Spoke--They Listened! Albemarle Supervisors have last-minute change of heart and defeat tax increase!
By a 6-0 vote at their meeting last Wednesday, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors voted for a "Proposed Tax Rate" of 74.2 cents / $100 assessed value. That rate is the highest rate the BoS can adopt at its final budget meeting on April 8th, and represents the tax rate that keeps taxes the same as last year on the average homeowner.
With their vote, this year's proposed tax increase (presented as a "rainy day fund, only to be used if we really need it") was defeated, although several of the Supervisors appeared to support the tax increase up until the vote.
We did not defeat the concept of a Rainy Day Fund -- ATTA agrees that good fiscal management should include such a contingency fund.
Rather, we defeated a tax increase to create such a fund -- an especially poor idea in these times of economic distress many of us are experiencing.
ATTA is committed to working with the county government, to show them how to create a Rainy Day Fund from existing revenues ...
... by spending the money we already collect more effectively and efficiently.
ATTA feels the "Form 4" exercise launched nearly two years ago, and the recent Resource Management Review provide many opportunities to save money and provide the same (or better) level of services.
ATTA Thanks All Who Helped!
In our latest video, ATTA Chairman Keith C. Drake recaps last week's vote by the Board of Supervisors, and recognizes those who helped swing the vote of several of the supervisors.
Watch our latest YouTube video by CLICKING HERE.
You Spoke--They Listened! Albemarle Supervisors have last-minute change of heart and defeat tax increase!
By a 6-0 vote at their meeting last Wednesday, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors voted for a "Proposed Tax Rate" of 74.2 cents / $100 assessed value. That rate is the highest rate the BoS can adopt at its final budget meeting on April 8th, and represents the tax rate that keeps taxes the same as last year on the average homeowner.
With their vote, this year's proposed tax increase (presented as a "rainy day fund, only to be used if we really need it") was defeated, although several of the Supervisors appeared to support the tax increase up until the vote.
We did not defeat the concept of a Rainy Day Fund -- ATTA agrees that good fiscal management should include such a contingency fund.
Rather, we defeated a tax increase to create such a fund -- an especially poor idea in these times of economic distress many of us are experiencing.
ATTA is committed to working with the county government, to show them how to create a Rainy Day Fund from existing revenues ...
... by spending the money we already collect more effectively and efficiently.
ATTA feels the "Form 4" exercise launched nearly two years ago, and the recent Resource Management Review provide many opportunities to save money and provide the same (or better) level of services.
ATTA Thanks All Who Helped!
In our latest video, ATTA Chairman Keith C. Drake recaps last week's vote by the Board of Supervisors, and recognizes those who helped swing the vote of several of the supervisors.
Watch our latest YouTube video by CLICKING HERE.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
ATTA Alert: "Kill this bill ... no new taxes on Albemarle residents"
[Alert from Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance -- ATTA]
On January 14, 2009, Delegate David Toscano submitted House Bill (HB) 2161 for consideration by the General Assembly. The bill would allow an eventual 20% increase in the Sales Tax we pay, to fund transportation spending.
ATTA articulated several reasons why the underlying premise of this bill is a bad idea. Please see our letter to the Albemarle Board of Supervisors, directly below.
HB 2161 was sent to a Finance Subcommittee today. Please contact the following members of this subcommittee today and ask them to vote NO on HB 2161.
The subcommittee will meet Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at about 2:00 p.m., so please call and / or email them immediately--and be sure to tell them you're from the
Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance!
Delegate Timothy D. Hugo (Chairman)
(R) - House District 40
(804) 698-1040
DelTHugo@house.virginia.gov
Delegate R. Lee Ware, Jr.(R) - House District 65
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-1065
DelLWare@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Kathy J. Byron
(R) - House District 22
(804) 698-1022
DelKByron@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Benjamin L. Cline
(R) - House District 24
(804) 698-1024
DelBCline@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Jeffrey M. Frederick(R) - House District 52
(804) 698-1052
DelJFrederick@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Christopher K. Peace(R) - House District 97
(804) 698-1097
DelCPeace@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Kenneth R. Melvin
(D) - House District 80
(804) 698-1080
DelKMelvin@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Franklin P. Hall
(D) - House District 69
(804) 698-1069
Del_Hall@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr.(D) - House District 100
(804) 698-1000
DelLLewis@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Ward L. Armstrong
(D) - House District 10
(804) 698-1010
DelWArmstrong@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Harry R. Purkey
(R) - House District 82
(804) 698-1082
DelBPurkey@house.virginia.gov
On January 14, 2009, Delegate David Toscano submitted House Bill (HB) 2161 for consideration by the General Assembly. The bill would allow an eventual 20% increase in the Sales Tax we pay, to fund transportation spending.
ATTA articulated several reasons why the underlying premise of this bill is a bad idea. Please see our letter to the Albemarle Board of Supervisors, directly below.
HB 2161 was sent to a Finance Subcommittee today. Please contact the following members of this subcommittee today and ask them to vote NO on HB 2161.
The subcommittee will meet Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at about 2:00 p.m., so please call and / or email them immediately--and be sure to tell them you're from the
Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance!
Delegate Timothy D. Hugo (Chairman)
(R) - House District 40
(804) 698-1040
DelTHugo@house.virginia.gov
Delegate R. Lee Ware, Jr.(R) - House District 65
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-1065
DelLWare@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Kathy J. Byron
(R) - House District 22
(804) 698-1022
DelKByron@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Benjamin L. Cline
(R) - House District 24
(804) 698-1024
DelBCline@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Jeffrey M. Frederick(R) - House District 52
(804) 698-1052
DelJFrederick@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Christopher K. Peace(R) - House District 97
(804) 698-1097
DelCPeace@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Kenneth R. Melvin
(D) - House District 80
(804) 698-1080
DelKMelvin@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Franklin P. Hall
(D) - House District 69
(804) 698-1069
Del_Hall@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr.(D) - House District 100
(804) 698-1000
DelLLewis@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Ward L. Armstrong
(D) - House District 10
(804) 698-1010
DelWArmstrong@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Harry R. Purkey
(R) - House District 82
(804) 698-1082
DelBPurkey@house.virginia.gov
Rob Schilling returns to Charlottesville radio station
[From Keith Drake with the Albermarle Truth in Taxation Alliance]
You spoke. They listened.
And on Monday, January 26, The Schilling Show returns to the local airwaves in a new and expanded format!
Tune in to WINA AM 1070 on Monday at 12 noon to hear the return of The Schilling Show. And it gets better: Rob's program returns for a full two hours every day, Monday through Friday.
The Schilling Show is the local area's premier afternoon AM talk show. Without your support over the past month, it likely would have stayed off the air.
Please send a note of thanks to the management of WINA and Saga Communications who made it possible for Rob to return to WINA:
Edward Christian-President/CEO of Saga Communications
echristian@sagacom.com
Phone: 313-886-7070
Fax: 313-886-7150
Steven Goldstein-Executive VP/Group Program Director of Saga Communications
sgoldstein@sagacom.com
Phone: 203-221-1666
Fax: 203-222-9633
Rick Daniels-WINA Program Director
rick@wina.com
Phone: 434-220-2300
Fax: 434-220-2304
Renee Quesenberry-WINA General Manager
renee@charlottesvilleradiogroup.com
Phone: 434-220-2300
Fax: 434-220-2304
From Rob Schilling....
Dear ATTA Friends,
It is with humility and gratitude that I announce the return of The Schilling Show to WINA.
Just over a month ago, the show was unexpectedly cancelled due to corporate cost cutting. However, thanks to your ceaseless calls, emails and personal contacts with WINA and Saga management, they have reconsidered the value of my program to the community, and I will return to the airwaves at noon, on Monday, January 26, with an expanded two-hour version of The Schilling Show.
This never would have happened without your involvement. I am truly blessed to have such loyal friends and supporters.
Sincerely,
Rob
You spoke. They listened.
And on Monday, January 26, The Schilling Show returns to the local airwaves in a new and expanded format!
Tune in to WINA AM 1070 on Monday at 12 noon to hear the return of The Schilling Show. And it gets better: Rob's program returns for a full two hours every day, Monday through Friday.
The Schilling Show is the local area's premier afternoon AM talk show. Without your support over the past month, it likely would have stayed off the air.
Please send a note of thanks to the management of WINA and Saga Communications who made it possible for Rob to return to WINA:
Edward Christian-President/CEO of Saga Communications
echristian@sagacom.com
Phone: 313-886-7070
Fax: 313-886-7150
Steven Goldstein-Executive VP/Group Program Director of Saga Communications
sgoldstein@sagacom.com
Phone: 203-221-1666
Fax: 203-222-9633
Rick Daniels-WINA Program Director
rick@wina.com
Phone: 434-220-2300
Fax: 434-220-2304
Renee Quesenberry-WINA General Manager
renee@charlottesvilleradiogroup.com
Phone: 434-220-2300
Fax: 434-220-2304
From Rob Schilling....
Dear ATTA Friends,
It is with humility and gratitude that I announce the return of The Schilling Show to WINA.
Just over a month ago, the show was unexpectedly cancelled due to corporate cost cutting. However, thanks to your ceaseless calls, emails and personal contacts with WINA and Saga management, they have reconsidered the value of my program to the community, and I will return to the airwaves at noon, on Monday, January 26, with an expanded two-hour version of The Schilling Show.
This never would have happened without your involvement. I am truly blessed to have such loyal friends and supporters.
Sincerely,
Rob
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