February 25, 2012
People gave their opinions on next year's recommended budget at Monday evening's hearing. The new budget totals more than $321 million.
The plan's largest increases in expenditures support public safety and education. Education funding increases $2.6 million.
Many people asked the board to fund the schools' funding request.
"We would like Doctor Moran's budget to be fully funded. We think that it's a reasonable request {and} that it allows us to continue to do the work that we've been asked to do by the School Board and the Board of Supervisors and our community," said Ashby Kindler, principal of Murray High School. Kindler spoke during the public comment on behalf of principals in Albemarle.
Other commenters asked for the budget to fund programs for the elderly and asked for money to pay public defenders more.
"All lawyers don't get fabulous salaries but many of them do. But the public service folks do not. And it's particularly true of the public defenders," said Dick Reppucci, Albemarle County Resident. "In order for us to have a just and fair system, we really need to provide the resources necessary on both sides."
The board will have budget work sessions March 4-13. It will hold public hearings on its 2013/2014 budget and 2013 tax rate on March 27. It adopts the budget and sets the tax rate April 3. For more information on Albemarle's budget, click here.
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