Growls

Critics of aspects of the Arlington County Manager’s proposed FY 2010 budget “descended on the County Board’s March 24 budget hearing, telling board members the proposal was at best shortsighted and at worst a cynical effort to lay the groundwork for closing the facilities,” according to a report filed by Scott McCaffrey at the online Arlington Sun-Gazette. Those aspects include three branch libraries and the Gulf Branch Nature Center for which McCaffrey added:

“The proposed library and nature center cuts have become the year’s lightning rods for local residents, even though they represent but a miniscule fraction of the overall budget. Carlee has proposed cutting service at the three branch libraries from six days per week to three, while not making similar cutbacks at other branch libraries or Central Library, and has proposed eliminating staffing at Gulf Branch and moving its programs to nearby Potomac Overlook Regional Park.”

McCaffrey also reported that “representatives of the county’s public-safety personnel complained that most of the cost of health care was being shifted from the government to workers.” Residents should be concerned, but for another reason, which is staffing levels of public safety personnel. As we growled on March 22, one County Board member requested tables about the history of selected staff, including public safety personnel.

We don’t profess to have the knowledge of either the police chief or fire chief regarding the proper staffing of their departments. However, we note that from 2001 to 2010, staffing of the fire department increased on the basis of full-time equivalent personnel per 1,000 residents while it decreased far more in the police department on the same basis.

• Arlington County Fire Department. In 2001, there were 1.44 FTEs per 1,000 residents, and grows to 1.54 FTEs in the Manager's proposed FY 2010 budget. This is a 6.9% increase over 10 years.

• Arlington County Police Department. In 2001, there were 2.48 FTEs per 1,000 residents, but decreases to 2.24 FTEs in the County Manager’s proposed FY 2010 budget. This is a 9.7% reduction in staffing.

While libraries and nature centers are fine county amenities, it seems police and fire services deserve a greater priority for all Arlington taxpayers than branch libraries and nature centers. Before agreeing on a final budget next month, the Arlington County Board should determine whether police department staffing was appropriate in 2001, or whether the proposed FY 2010 staffing is more appropriate.