| A Closer Look At The Proposed FY 2008-09 Christiansburg Town Budget |
|
|
| David Grimes | |
|
On Wednesday, EverythingNRV.com ran a story concerning the proposed $41,033,386 FY 2008-2009 Budget for the Town of Christiansburg. In that story, we listed some of the items, which were being eliminated to help balance the budget. Since the town has made it somewhat difficult to obtain, or even know what’s in the proposed budget, we have decided to look at more of the proposed cuts from other departments within the town.
In Wednesday’s story, we listed several items that were eliminated in funding for the police department. Some of the other items nixed for the police were an In-Car Camera Systems ($36,000), Security Barriers ($2,400), Transport Seats ($1,900), Radios ($9,400), Light Set ($800), Weapons Rack for Vehicles ($1,320), Reverse 911 ($30,000), and a Blood Hound ($20,000).
Click here to read Wednesday’s article.
In all, the budget calls for paying $295,000 (Console Equipment and Phone System) for the $647,720 of items requested. The police department will also get a proposed $12,000 for the firing range.
The volunteer fire department had requested six items, which totaled $191,000. None of those items were approved. They included Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA – air tanks) ($50,000), Turnout Gear ($25,000), Security System ($20,000), Grant Match ($20,000), Extinguisher TNG System ($16,000) and a Breathing Air Compressor ($60,000).
As for the volunteer rescue squad, they requested seven items totally $122,500. Of that amount, $7,500 for a repeater was approved. Other items requested included a Captains Vehicle ($65,000), Capnography Monitor ($12,000), I.O. Access Gun Drills ($8,000), Building Security System ($25,000), Radios and Pagers ($5,000), and Repeater ($7,500).
As for the Street Department, $186,000 was requested. They did approve $65,000 for a backhoe, in which town manager Lance Terpenny said was ordered last year, but would not be delivered until after the FY 2008-09 comes in effect.
A crew cab truck ($34,000), Bobcat Forks ($1,000), Drain Cleaner ($3,000), 4x4 Pickup ($25,000), Crash Cushion ($19,000), warning Signs ($5,000), Hydro Seeder ($25,000) Rock Box Spreader ($3,000), Radios ($2,000) and a Tailgate Lift ($4,000), were the items not approved for the Street Department.
The Parks and Recreation Department also had all of their requests denied. They included Fitness Equipment ($50,000), Van ($40,000), Mower ($15,000), Playground Equipment ($40,000), Skate Park Equipment ($20,000), Pickup ($30,000), ID Card Software ($15,000), Skate Park ($70,000), Ball Field Improvements ($20,000) and Lights for Kiwanis Park ($150,000).
The town did approve all of the requests for the new Aquatic Center, which will not come under the Parks and Recreation Department, $100,000,000 was set aside for Furnishings and Equipment; a new pickup truck at $20,000; Site work at $1,300,000; Aquatic Road $800,000; and $10,300,000 for the Aquatic Center.
Contributions to various charities are also being eliminated from the proposed budget. They include Free Clinic ($12,000), Museum ($10,000), Literacy ($1,800), Children’s Advocacy ($500), NRV Cares ($500), Boys and Girls Club ($7,500), Brain Injury Services ($3,496), Homeless Intervention ($7,200) were just a few that may see their funds axed under the proposed budget.
As for garbage, there are currently 6,700 customers who currently pay $13.00 per month. The current shortage in funds is $400,000 and expected expenses are $1,400,000. The town would need to charge $17.41 per month to break even.
There are 9,000 water and sewage customers who pay $39.55 (based on 10000 gallons for 2 months). The current shortage is $610,000. Expected expenses are $6,058,000 and $56.09 would be needed to break even.
You can obtain a copy of the proposed FY 2008-2009 Budget at Christiansburg Town Hall. Under law, they must provide you a copy. The town may charge you 10 cents per page and the document is 32 pages long.
The Christiansburg Town Council's next Finance Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 7 at 3 pm at the Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Note: The items listed are just some of the proposed eliminations. They may or may not be added back into the budget prior to the final vote.
Photo: (Top left) Christiansburg Town Manager Lance Terpenny explains the proposed FY 2008-2009 budget during a financial meeting Tuesday afternoon at Town Hall. (Photo by David Grimes) Comments (2)
  written by citizen, May 01, 2008
Thanks for the easy access to important budget facts, as well as information about attaining a hard-copy from Christiansburg. This is the best overview (combined with the previous reporting) I have seen made public in years, in a cost-free, convenient manner.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
Write comment
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
 |
Regardless, I wish you guys at EverythingNRV put these articles in print. That rag, The Current, doesn't even come close to the coverage you have.