Hudgins, Gibson Talk Budget in Reston

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins reiterated her message of the Fairfax County adjusting to "a new normal" at a community meeting at on Saturday.

The forum was one of several Hudgins is making as the county prepares to move forward on its fiscal year 2012 budget next month. Hudgins and Hunter Mill District school board member Stu Gibson outlined the county’s proposed $6.1 billion budget and to residents and answered questions.

in Fairfax County. She had essentially the same message to a smaller group in Reston. Part of Saturday's discussion was about tax relief for senior citizens.

Hudgins said she understands citizens' frustrations with a growing tax bill.

"I want people to understand where we are in the [budget] process," Hudgins said Saturday. "Tax is what you pay for civilized society. We have great quality here...on the other hand, I recognize that some tax bills have gone up. We want balance. Senior tax relief is an important element."

The proposed county transfer to the schools is about $1.8 billion, 52.5 percent of the county’s budget and the same amount transferred in the 2011 adopted budget. Seventy-two percent of the school system’s budget comes from the county.

The school board had initially requested a $48 million increase from last year’s budget. Last week, they adjusted that request to $42 million.

Gibson says the additional money is necessary for many reasons. Chief among them: the system has grown by nearly 10,000 more students since the last budget adjustment, and staff has not had a pay raise in two years.

"My biggest priority is employee compensation," said Gibson.

Gibson pointed out that per-pupil spending has dropped from $9,700 two years ago to $9,000 now. If the schools get the amount requested, Fairfax County will be able to spend about $9,352 per student.

If the allocated money is less than the $42 million, the drop in per-pupil spending over the last three years will be seven percent, Gibson said.

The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the  Fairfax County Government Center. It will formally adopt a budget on April 26.