By Supervisor David Karaffa
Beverley Manor District of Augusta County
The Augusta County Budget this year is extremely challenging. As a
county we face a General Assembly that is unable to pass a budget to
fund their share of our core services such as schools and emergency
services, an increased demand on Fire and Rescue in terms of manpower
and equipment, an on-going need for more Sheriff’s Deputies, and an ever
increasing need for public school funds. On top of those items are
hundreds of other increasing expenses which are
significantly driving up the cost of running this great county for our
residents.
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is wrestling
with the idea of Medicaid Expansion and whether or not it is the right
thing for the Commonwealth. I have my own thoughts on this issue, but
they are beside the point. I have sent a letter to the Governor, adding
to a chorus of local representatives across Virginia, asking for the
Governor to separate the issue of Medicaid from the budget. Richmond
needs to pass a budget so that counties and cities can be prepared for
the next fiscal year that starts July 1st. Without that budget in place
the government shuts down. This would be catastrophic for emergency
services that have paid staff across Virginia. Hopefully, the General
Assembly will come together next week and pass a budget so that we can
continue to serve and protect our citizens.
Fire and Rescue
Fire
and Rescue services are in a constant state of change. Across the
United States safety and insurance regulations have gotten so tough that
it is strangling the ability for someone to become a volunteer. It
takes one year of training in order to prepare a firefighter or rescue
worker for service. While the intentions of the regulations are to have a
safe and well trained crew, it is taking its toll on those who are
willing to commit. This has caused an overall decrease in our volunteer
force in Augusta and has forced the county to invest in a large
career staff to maintain the fire and rescue service.
This year the Board of Supervisors has approved for an additional four
career staff to be hired.
Fire
and Rescue equipment costs are always on the rise. Any piece of fire
apparatus that needs to be purchased is discussed in the hundreds of
thousands of dollars, and sometimes a million. Due to regulations, most of the
fire engines can only stay in service for a certain number of years
regardless of their condition, therefore causing a need to replace well
operating equipment. This year we are having to put more money aside to
prepare for purchasing a new ladder truck which will cost just over $1
million. In addition to apparatus, we have a county-wide radio
system that has been federally mandated to be replaced. This mandate
alone will cost our county $4.5 million.
Law enforcement
Augusta
County is spread thin with Sheriff’s Deputies. It has been difficult
for them to be everywhere they are needed; however, they have
done a fine job. I commend the Sheriff for his efforts in making sure
that Augusta County citizens are safe. In consultation with the Sheriff,
it is pertinent to hire four additional deputies. These additional
deputies will be front line personnel that will be on the streets and in
our schools.
Public schools
“Augusta
County Public Schools need additional funds.” That is what the Augusta
County School Board is telling us with their proposed budget where they have cited a shortage of $4 million. They have a plan for saving
Verona Elementary, funding technology in the classroom for all county
schools, and for raising teacher salaries in order to continue to
attract good teachers. I believe these are all laudable goals. I very
much support Verona Elementary school and understand what it means to
have it in the community so I will continue to fight to
keep it open. This year’s budget will allow $1 million per year
for new technology, three percent increase in teacher’s salaries, funding to keep
Verona open and operating along with necessary repairs, and further fund
elementary art and the middle school band. Overall, the Augusta County Board
of Supervisors will be funding four million additional dollars to the
public schools.
Proposed tax increase
There
are other costs that are going up dramatically, not only for the county
government, but also for all of our residents. Healthcare insurance
premiums are mushrooming in cost. This year alone will see a 19 percent
increase in insurance premiums that the county government and public
schools will have to pay for their employees. Combined, this increase is
over $2 million in local funds. This is just one example of how
the cost of doing business is skyrocketing.
It is for these reasons that it is prudent to consider raising real
estate taxes in Augusta County. Our current rate is $0.51 for every $100
of assessed value for a home. The proposed budget and tax rate would
go up to $0.56, which would mean about $75.00 annually for a house that is
worth $150,000. That means my mortgage will go up $6.50 per month.
Public hearing
I hope that this article has been helpful for you to understand the
decisions that face the Board of Supervisors and
what we are up against. Please know that what has been written here
represents my view alone and is in no way represents the entire board.
If you wish to attend, the Public Hearing on the County Budget will be held on
April 9, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center
in Verona.
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David Karaffa, 30, represents the Beverley Manor District of Augusta
County on the Board of Supervisors. A registered nurse, he is the
Director of Nursing at Stuarts Draft Christian Home. He and his wife,
Katie, have three daughters. Supervisor Karaffa can be reached at
DavidKaraffa@comcast.net or by contacting the government center in
Verona (540) 245-5600.
