PURCELLVILLE, Va. May 3, 2017 — On May 9, 2017, at 7:00 PM, the Purcellville Town Council will hold a public hearing on the Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Budget, which funds operations for the Town government from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
The Town Manager presented his proposed budget to the Town Council on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, with a $20 million budget balanced at the current real estate tax rate of $0.22 per $100 assessed value. Since that time, the Town Council has held four budget work sessions to discuss the Town’s operations and funding needs. In addition, the Town Council has already approved, with no increase from the previous year, the real estate tax rate, Fireman’s Field service district tax rate, and the personal property (vehicle) and business property tax rates.
At the May 1, 2017 Budget Work Session, the Town Council reviewed the budget line-by-line to propose reductions and enhancements and to review requests made by each department. This effort, in addition to the non-binding “straw votes” taken during the meeting, has enabled the Town Council to pave the way to achieving many of its fiscal goals.
Council has proposed spending reductions which will allow them to reduce the amount of money transferred (chargeback) from the Utility Enterprise funds, where most of the Town's debt resides, to the General Fund, which typically runs surpluses. Specifically, this budget is distinct from the previous one in that it uses only the General Fund revenues to pay for all activities of staff in Administration and Finance. As a result, Water Fund and Sewer Fund expenditures will decrease, which provides Council with the opportunity to lower water and sewer rate increases proposed in the Town Manager's budget. Regarding the Water Fund, the Town Council's proposed budget anticipates no increase in water rates. The Town Manager's budget proposed a 7% rate increase. Regarding the Wastewater Fund, the Council's proposed budget anticipates a modest 2% increase in sewer fees, compared with the proposed 7% rate increase.
The Town Council continues to encourage the public to provide suggestions, reactions, and general input on its proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. More information about the budget process can be found at http://www.purcellvilleva.gov/budget, including a spreadsheet comparing the Town Manager’s Proposed Budget with the Council's, to-date. The budget is a work in progress, and changes can occur up until its final adoption.
After the May 9 Budget Public Hearing, the Council anticipates holding another Budget Work Session during the 3rd week of May. The Town Council expects to formally adopt the FY 2018 Budget at its meeting on June 13th.
Citizens are encouraged to provide input to the Town Council on its budget, including concerning rates and fees. Citizens can reach the Town Council at PurcellvilleTC@purcellvilleva.gov, or by phone at 540-338-7421. Please also visit the Town's discussion board at http://www.purcellvilleva.gov/CommunityVoice.
The Proposed FY 2018 Budget, presentations, meeting dates, and online contact form can all be found at http://www.purcellvilleva.gov/budget. We will update this page throughout the budget process.
