Bedford County budget talks to resume

By: Justin Faulconer | The News & Advance
Published: March 01, 2010

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors is set to resume talks today over its 2010-2011 budget and cuts it is likely to absorb.

The board has not yet been given an official budget recommendation from County Administrator Kathleen Guzi because of conflicting figures coming from the state. She said last week her forthcoming proposal would definitely include cuts to services that may not be popular.

The county projects a decrease in the general fund of the new budget that takes effect July 1, she said. Guzi said recently it is set to go down less than $1 million from the current $83.7 million total.

Last year marked the first time in her career that spans more than two decades with the county that the overall budget was less than the year before, she said.

Other categories the county has to budget for include solid waste, the Bedford Group Homes and the Bedford County Nursing Home. Bedford County Public Schools also faces major reductions in funding.

“There’s no question we have a tough year ahead of us,” Supervisor Steve Arrington said at the board’s most recent meeting last week. “We’re going to have to look at things very differently.”

Despite financial pressures, the board is still unified in opposition to local tax increases to generate more money. Supervisor Gary Lowry said he wouldn’t be able to sleep well if such a measure is taken with so many living on fixed incomes.

Supervisor Dale Wheeler, who referred to himself as the board’s “most liberal” member, said he is not prepared to levy tax increases to make up for state and federal money that isn’t coming the county’s way.

“That’s going to be mean cuts,” Wheeler said.

Board members said a workforce reduction or pay cuts may possibly have to be considered at the county level. Another issue is whether to cut funding to the schools or “level fund” the division — an increase is not expected.

“It’s the perfect storm, no doubt about it,” Arrington said of the county’s fiscal challenges. “This is not a time for us to be acrimonious. It’s time for the community to come together.”

Today’s session is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the county administration building at 122 East Main St. in downtown Bedford.