There's several theories on why Christiansburg hasn't shared any budget information with the public yet.
Saying it is because Council
has to wait for State legislators to finish their budget doesn't hold water because this fact doesn't stop other localities. Most of Christiansburg's budget comes from
local taxes and fees anyway.
Saying it is because it's a
political strategy to push budget adoption out so that it occurs after town elections will be a moot point after this May's election. From this year on, new budgets will still need to be put in place every July 1 whereas
town elections will shift to November.
Saying it is simply because
that's the way it's always been isn't acceptable. Just as it wasn't acceptable to
exclude the public from this process as recently as 2008.
But if you read more than headlines, Christiansburg residents will see a
Roanoke Times article reported
"Officials with all three localities (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Montgomery County)
have started preparing their budgets for the 2010-11 fiscal year." So, Christiansburg officials, when will the public get a peek? The town manager was quoted "
There's just not enough money to do everything that needs to be done." Will these needs be clearly communicated to Council and citizens? What would "
enough money" look like, and how might it impact services, business, professionals, tourists and property owners?
If Blacksburg knew state funding for police services was expected to drop $125,000 why can't Christiansburg residents get an idea if a similar scenario will happen in our town? The article said "Officials in the towns also anticipate that sales and meals taxes will take a hit in the next budget year with residents not shopping or eating out as much."
Blacksburg's Mayor has blogged on this as well, keeping his citizens as informed as they want to be (the town's extensive
web site and email alert system provides greater details including a current headline:
"Town Releases Recommended Operating Budget").
Blacksburg and Montgomery County had a freeze on hiring and no new personnel. In Christiansburg,
four new positions were funded in the current budget and "found money" provided for an unfunded
Public Information Officer. It was reported the town has 240 full-time and 100 part-time employees, with numerous recent
job postings indicating some hiring.
This leads citizens back to the looming question about when the Aquatic Center will open. A
News Messenger article dated
June 4, 2008 reported this facility "
was on schedule and expected to be complete by early 2009" according to the building contractor. As the first quarter of 2010 comes to an end, a definitive date remains
elusive.
Including debt service, the budget provided $6,575,745 for the Aquatic Center this year and nearly 10% was staffing related. In
December 2004,
public minutes indicate residents and Council were told "
approximately 40 to 60% of operating expenses" would be recouped through memberships, competition meets and practice fees. Obviously, as long as the building isn't open it cannot generate offsetting revenue.
The article also quoted the town manager saying
"The town's vital services are funding public safety and taking care of the town's infrastructure needs." Regular
observers of Town Council meetings can tell you that failed storm water systems and broken sewer lines are becoming common citizen complaints.
Christiansburg residents may already be bracing for a nearly
6% increase in county real estate taxes as the Board of Supervisors have advertised a 4-cent per $100 hike. This means county increases are outstripping the State's
inflation rate.
Whether the approach to developing and communicating an annual town budget is a political strategy, another
wait-and-see tactic, or just because -- Christiansburg voters should become very familiar with where these public funds come from and how they are being spent.
If this approach seems unacceptable, you can "comment"
May 4th at the Armory when you vote. Or whenever the Public Hearing is scheduled and held.