Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance ... "What Were They Thinking?"

Guest column by Peter Wurzer
Director of Research, ATTA

Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance (ATTA) has learned quite a bit about how our county operates. Here are some of the surprising findings:

Until February 2008, no master set of county organizational charts existed. How did the County Executive, Board of Supervisors, or public know how 641 county employees were managed?

Our School Division has one spending program to extend employee longevity and another one to encourage early retirement. What?!

The School Division contribution for professional workers to the Virginia Retirement System is now 16% of salaries, up from 12% in 2006. That 4% is equal to an additional annual salary increase. This may be a state mandate, but do we factor that increase into the total compensation discussion?

The Hollymead Fire/Rescue Station: We need it, but did it need a large workout room, community meeting room, columned portico, sculptured hallway ceilings and floor medallions? It cost $5.9 million! There may be two more like it on the way.
In the past year, the county grew less than one-half of 1% (406 new residents). But the county appropriated 14 new government positions. That's a new employee for every 29 new residents!

What Can I Do?

A lot.

Write a Letter to the Editor. Today! People do read them. The more letters the newspaper receives, the more Albemarle Taxpayers will know about how we can improve the budgeting process.

Join ATTA. The more members we have, the louder our voice is.

Spread the Word. Send copies of this eNewsletter to your friends, neighbors, co-workers, church and club members. The more people that know, the more likely we'll get a more honest and respectful budgeting process. Need copies of our print edition? Email us and we'll send you some.

Participate, Volunteer, Help Out. Send us your ideas, comments, suggestions - help with membership drives, fundraising, and mailings - contribute your special talents -- there's no one else to do the work but us!

Contact your Supervisor - today. They do listen. Call them, write them, and email them. Tell them you won't tolerate one penny of tax increase unless it's justified.

Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com