The Virginian-Pilot
©
SUFFOLK
The city anticipates a budget surplus of $3 million to $5 million, according to an audit that is nearing completion.
The projected surplus is an estimate of the city's financial standing at the close of the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, said Finance Director Dale Walker. He cautioned that " this next fiscal year may be a whole 'nother story."
Council members responded Wednesday with a flurry of ideas on how to spend the money. The exact amount of cash won't be known for two or three weeks.
Several liked the idea of using it to fund bulk trash collections. The city recently began charging residents for the service to balance the budget, prompting complaints about the cost, lingering debris piles alongside roads and reports of illegal dumping.
"To have a surplus in this economy is really an amazing thing," Mayor Linda Johnson said.
Johnson said there are "a number of things" the council might address with the money, but she singled out bulk trash pick up service.
She acknowledged that she had been a consistent supporter of the city's new fee schedule but said in recent days she has driven around town "looking at piles of trash" and talking to residents.
"We're going to have to do something, " she said of the trash issue.
Johnson said residents should still pay for the service but that a hybrid arrangement involving city funds could be in order.
Councilman Charles Parr asked for the city manager to explore using the money in several areas, including public safety, starting a SPSA fund and adding to the city's reserve fund. A resolution supporting his request passed 8-0.
The city closed a $9.3 million revenue shortfall to balance the current budget, mostly by cutting expenses. The real estate tax rate was not cut.
A surplus of $5 million would equal the revenue from about 6 cents on the 91-cent real estate tax rate, or about $150 in taxes on a $250,000 home.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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Wow...would you prefer for
Wow...would you prefer for your city to have a deficit?? You do realize that everyone pays MORE when a city is not in good financial standing, don't you?? I guess you think it was better a few years ago when Suffolk had absolutely NO money and continued going farther into debt every day? If you had actually taken the time to watch the city council meeting (available for all to see on the city of Suffolk web page) rather than basing your comments on this latest release from the Dave Forster school of sensationalism, you would realize the audit isn't even complete. The numbers were simply estimates, and the suggestions of what to do with it were nothing more than ideas. Taking the stance that this surplus is bad news for citizens, employees, etc. is simply ignorant. This article is a great example of the Pilot's commitment to making good situations in Suffolk sound bad...but they can only do that as much as we let them. Do some research and educate yourselves, folks.
Give it back
How about returning it to the constituents that were overcharged? I know, it is a novel idea. If you do spend it, spend it wisely like on our local schools. We had to spend more this year on school supplies than we ever did in the past...a lot more. The students even had to help supply the schools with copy paper for crying out loud. If not on schools, how about a reduction in the property tax rate or a raise for our men and women in blue?
Please Use Wisdom
Coincidence or timely blessing? These are the thoughts that come to mind with this story. Just this past weekend we received some insight into some very large salaries of folks in key positions on the Suffolk City payroll via published information in the Virginia-Pilot. Now we have a story reflecting a surplus of funds. Coincidence? I do not wish to insinuate those with the large salaries are not entitled to them based on responsibility, education, training, demands, years of service, etc. However, when I look at this economy, despite the continual talk of no inflation, I see fewer groceries in my shopping cart, higher utility bills, greater health care costs, etc. My guess is those city workers who may not be in one of those "key" positions, yet were asked to press-on with no pay increase this past year, are probably facing tougher times than those with the huge salaries. Perhaps some thought ought to be given to preserving some surplus funds for some percentage of salary increase, before attempting to fund various "projects". I'm simply suggesting "wisdom" be applied by those in leadership roles to ensure the best use of an unexpected blessing--surplus funds. Thanks for consid
Think about the future
It is my understanding that city council decided to keep much of the money that the President had made available and which was supposed to go to the school systems. The teachers are trying to give an improved and solid education to Suffolk students to help ensure a bright and successful future yet receive little to no help in this endeavor. How about, as many before have mentioned, reallocate some of the money that was taking away from various entities back to them? I like a lot of the suggestions above. Give much back from where it was taken and save some in a secure emergency fund that has stringent criteria to be met before it can be used. Maybe remember that the city council members agreed to a job that is supposed to be for the good of its citizens. Suffolk's children are the future.
"To have a surplus in this economy is really an amazing thing,"
Newsflash: if you overcharge your taxpayers, and/or over-estimate your expenses, you will have a surplus. The "found money" did not fall from heaven. It is not a gift. If you have taken more than you should have, then you are obligated to either return the money to the taxpayers on a pro-rated basis, on put the money into the bank, and use it to reduce taxes in next year.
It drives me crazy when I hear pubic servants salivating at the thought of spending this "surplus".
Repeat after me, Mayor Johnson: "It is not my money. It belongs to the people who pay my salary."
and then what!
and next year ,if you have a shortage,and then what, maybe us folks, who live here in suffolk, might not want more "spending ideas" linda! how about taking care of the problems you have now. our mayor, no different than the tax and spend fools in DC.have you ever gave it a thought,that we may not want to be like, Blah beach, and taxapeake.how about saving that money,for rough times ahead,and things that come up unexpected? ever thought of that! no linda, you just like to spend, money like a teenager, with there first credit card.
Give the employees increases !
Instead of blowing this money on pet projects the first thing that needs to be done is to give pay increases to those city employees that have made do without one during the cities so called " tight " budget time.
After that is complete how about the novel concept of giving it back to the citizens you took it from!
IT IS NOT YOUR MONEY!
bulk trash
Suffolk can be so stupid sometimes! I thought it was a foolish move to make citizens pay for bulk trash pick up. If it is too costly to drive a truck around every week then offer the service every other week or maybe once a month. Fine those who set out bulk trash too early and ticket those who illegally dump their trash. Neighbors can help each other too. If I had too much trash one week I would ask a neighbor who never filled their trash can if I could place a couple of bags in theirs.
Give it back
The money is not theirs to spend.
It is the tax payers.
Give it back.
Give it back.
Give it back.
What's wrong with you people?????
This is money collected from tax payers that is in excess of the allocated budget! This is not a company who just happened to make a profit and has the pleasure of deciding how it should be spent! This is public money and should be returned to the people and companies who paid property taxes resulting in this "surplus"! Give it back to the people or at least give the lower income earning, property tax paying families a property tax holiday the next fiscal year!