New Kent takes cost-cutting steps
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MELODIE N. MARTIN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: November 4, 2008
By saving for a rainy day, New Kent County is hoping to brace itself for financial stormy weather.
The New Kent Board of Supervisors has directed the county administration to institute a number of belt-tightening measures, such as leaving vacant, nonessential positions unfilled, limiting access to training funds and putting off some discretionary purchases and capital projects. County Administrator John A. Budesky stressed that the county's finances are strong and that such strategies are in preparation for possible state funding cuts and other revenue shortfalls.
"We thought if we could take steps right now to find areas where we could reduce government cost expenditures, we could potentially reduce our demand on the residents to support governmental services," Budesky said. "We are currently sound financially. We are just taking proactive measures to prepare for what might be potential impacts."
Some of that might be evident after Dec. 5, when real estate and personal property taxes are due to the county. Although New Kent has historically seen a strong tax-collection rate, current economic challenges could make it harder for residents to pay, Budesky said.
"If people are having financial difficulties, it becomes a choice of taking care of their own personal necessities versus paying a tax," Budesky said. "We want to make sure that we're in a position that if we are faced with additional cuts next year, we can attempt to avoid passing any of those costs along to our residents. We know that they're in a tight financial place as well."
Other area localities are also seeking ways to save money:
Contact Melodie N. Martin at (804) 649-6290 or .
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