County Seeks to Address Unfunded School, Mental Health Needs in Proposed Budget

On February 18, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted on its most comprehensive prospective budget in a generation. The proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget is designed to acknowledge the needs of the second-largest locality in Virginia, and rises to the investment challenge set forth by the Prince William County Public Schools superintendent and school board the week prior. (View the Proposed FY 21 Budget online.)

“The advertised real estate rates are the ceiling of what the Board could assess—we cannot go higher, and they can be lowered before we approve the final budget at the end of April,” said Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye. “In the coming weeks, we will work through the budget in collaboration with working families, the business community, advocates from various disciplines, and many more stakeholders.”

Boddye also reiterated his commitment to making the budget process as transparent and inclusive as possible. His budget committee, made up of district residents, will help him to assess priorities, as well as make recommendations for adjusting spending and revenues. A second Public Hearing was also added to the budget schedule at his request, and his March 19 town hall will include opportunities to further discuss the FY 2021 Budget.

“Prior boards did not adequately invest in our growing community. There are vital areas, such as education and mental health services, in which we need to play catch up,” said Boddye. “We are charged with limiting the tax impact on the hardworking residents of Prince William, while also ensuring that those very same families have the level of service and the quality of life that they deserve. Public input is vital to getting that balance right.”

 

Each of the following meetings will be held at the McCoart Building, and offer an opportunity for public participation in the FY 2021 Budget process:

• Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 am to Noon: Community Meeting – County budget staff gives a detailed overview of the Proposed FY 2021 Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP), also opening the floor to questions and comments from the community.
• Wednesday, March 4, 6 pm: Prince William County Planning Commission Talks CIP – The public is invited to a work session on capital improvement projects.
• Tuesday, March 10 and 17, 2 pm: Budget Work Sessions – The Board will hold budget work sessions, covering specific areas of the proposed budget. Meetings open to the public.
• Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 pm: Prince William County School Board Proposed Budget Presentation to the BOCS
• Tuesday, April 14, 2 pm: Proposed Budget Recap – Staff presents budget recap during BOCS meeting
• Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 pm: Public Budget Hearing – Includes opportunity for public comment
• Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 pm: Budget Mark-up – Board meets to determine any final changes to the budget
• Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 pm: Budget Adoption

Additionally, Supervisor Boddye will host a Budget Town Hall for Occoquan District residents, March 19, 7 to 9 pm at McCoart Building, in the Board Chambers. Registration is requested. Residents may also review the budget and submit questions online at pwcgov.org/government/dept/budget/.