Looks like the Board of Supervisors BOS decided to go with a tax INCREASE of $.03 cents per $100 when all was said and done. It is interesting how one of the local newspapers reported it as the BOS "Slashed" the tax INCREASE to $.03 from the advertised $.05 that was earlier reported but not yet voted on...
It was also reported that Supervisor Willis commented that there is a obvious need for additional revenue from the school board but the tax INCREASE needed to be fair to all of the citizens...
This has become a interesting process to follow in the news as well as conversations with citizen taxpayers. We all agree that we want the children to have everything that they need but what is the correct balance. During this debate there was a incredible amount requested for computer replacement and upgrade but how much of was really needed?
"A New Laptop in every Backpack" needed or just wanted? Several Letter to the Editors asked the question why and how so much money was being spent on computers and at what results? Technology is a great tool but are basics being ignored (math, reading, writing) for the more flashy computer programs?...
Another important aspect of this tax INCREASE was how much of a pay increase will go to the teachers, paid staff, and benefits... It has been a ongoing debate over the years how Augusta pay scales compare to other counties in Virginia but let's face it. It's a whole lot cheaper to live in this area as compared to Arlington, Richmond, NOVA, etc... Sure we want our teachers to be paid fairly but look at what some of them are making as compared to the citizens (Taxpayers) are making. $.03 cents might be a "Slash" but is still a substantial increase at a time when the economy is still barely improving....
It was also very interesting to watch several of the Supervisors squirm & dance on this when considering their past campaign promises......
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Supervisor Karaffa submitted and had his Letter to the Editor printed over at the NewsLeader where he asked some interesting questions. There has been talk in the local media of the BOS raising the County tax rate $0.05 per $100.00 to cover the projected shortage of $250K for County operation and numerous requests from the education sector...
"A 5-cent tax increase would raise revenue in the tax coffers over $3.2 million dollars. Traditionally, half of the revenue goes to the schools and half to the county. The county is short $250,000 for the upcoming budget, why do we need $1.6 million to cover that deficit?"
Augusta County has pretty much always had a fiscal conservative budget process and spending practices and with that have held themselves to their budgets and don't have deficits, something we could only dream of on someday on a national level.
"Augusta County public schools have asked for an additional 2.86 percent raise on top of the 2 percent raise that is already calculated into their current budget. They would also purchase $500,000 in new computers as well as make up the 100 percent insurance premium coverage for bus drivers and cafeteria workers, totaling $2.5 million in additional funding."
"Education" has always been a hot topic and has also been a common tool of the "Left" to demand more money when it comes to increased spending. If you question these increases you are painted as a greedy person refusing to invest in our children and their\our future. Fact is we already spend a incredible amount of money per student on a national level and the test results are disappointing. Just look at the recent stories coming out of NYC, Chicago, and other cities where over 75% of "Graduates" are unable to read or write to function and get hired or move on to further education...
A while back I saw a Letter to the Editor where the person questioned why $500,000 in computers. That person provided numerous common sense questions and data to show that sensible solutions could provide needed computer services at a much lower cost. To simply throw $500k at "Computers" would be foolish and should be questioned...
Good move and effort by Karaffa in seeking more info and comments by way of upcoming "Townhall" meetings. I hope he follows through with common sense solutions without specific "past influences" and does what is right for the taxpayers......
