Prince William County supervisors have restored about $1.5 million in proposed cuts to next year’s budget, including funding for public safety, libraries and community nonprofit groups.
The board’s straw vote restored four sworn police officer positions and two deputy sheriff’s positions that had been on the chopping block, moves that added about $365,000 to the general fund budget.
Supervisors also restored money to keep two libraries open, which had been a sticking point for the supervisors when County Executive Melissa Peacor introduced her proposed budget in February. The budget had included $855,000 in cuts to the county library budget, and would have shuttered Independent Hill and Lake Ridge libraries.
Board Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large, introduced a resolution requesting that county staff estimate potential costs to the county resulting from the provisions expanding Medicaid in the health care overhaul passed by the federal government last month.
Last month, the board approved a resolution supporting the state’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health care act. The resolution passed on a 6-2 party-line vote.
“There’s been a lot of community concern about the libraries,” said board Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large.
The board restored about $450,000 in library funds Tuesday, so that Lake Ridge library in Woodbridge and Independent Hill library in Manassas could stay open.
Supervisors also restored about $300,000 to community nonprofit groups, which had been facing an across-the-board cut of 15 percent, and added $160,000 to restore service levels for an adult outpatient substance-abuse program that serves 250 clients.
Supervisors also restored about $300,000 to community nonprofit groups, which had been facing an across-the-board cut of 15 percent, and added $160,000 to restore service levels for an adult outpatient substance-abuse program that serves 250 clients.
The board’s general fund budget totaled about $844 million after the changes Tuesday — $1.3 million less than the current year’s budget of $845.3 million.
Next year’s budget is based on a property tax rate of $1.236 per $100 of assessed value. The rate is up from this year’s $1.212 and would result in a $74 increase in the average homeowner’s tax bill.
The board is scheduled to formally adopt the budget Tuesday.
