Visions of Arlington's Anointed
The Arlington County Board held their traditional New Year’s Day “organizational” meeting this morning. The main feature coming out of the meeting is undoubtedly new chairman Paul Ferguson’s environmental initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10% by 2012. We’ll comment another day on the Board’s decision to cement its place as "Berkely on the Potomac."
We were more concerned to see how Board members would address the FY 2008 budget issue. Mr. Ferguson’s prepared comments contained only the following reference (each Board members’ comments are available here):
“as we evaluate all of our needs and wishes, we will be unable to fund everything we would like. We have a strong economy, and a long history of prudent budgeting and comparatively low taxes and fees. We will continue these commitments.”
Only Mr. Fisette elaborated somewhat in his comments about fiscal issues, which are contained in these three paragraphs:
“On taxes and budget issues, I will continue to promote fiscal discipline and accountability in balancing responsible tax policies with needed public investments.
“The real estate boom is over, assessments are leveling off. Development of the FY 08 budget will be the most difficult and tight in many years.
“Our ability to undertake new capital projects is very limited. For several years we had made correct and important decisions to invest in our aging infrastructure and to develop several new and important facilities. These one-time obligations were made at a time when interest rates were low overall – and of course Arlington’s triple triple A bond rating allows us to borrow funds at the absolute lowest interest rates available. I agree with the Chairman, that we will not be able to fund everything we would like to in the future.”
That doesn’t require a great deal of analysis, really. Let’s see, Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Fisette said much the same, which was “we will not be able to fund everything.” Sure sounds like what they say every year about this time. Now, isn’t it? And about the budget process being “the most difficult and tight in many years.” If that’s true, where are they going to find the money for their pay raises? Sounds like the Board’s usual prolixity.
The Arlingotn Sun-Gazette's reporting on the meeting is here.