- 1. THE STAFFORD NEWSwww.staffordcountyva.com THE WORLDS
FAVORITE NEWSPAPER- Since 16642011- 2012 Banner Years
forStafford!Bond Rating Upgraded Standard & Poors upgrade Job
Growth and Business Growth Lead Virginia means Countys bonds
areStafford was first in job rated AA by all three major growth in
large communities ratings agenciesin Virginia from 2006 to 2011,
and fourth in business Board Reduces Realgrowth by percentage of
Estate Taxgrowth from 2005 to 2010. The average residential tax
bill is down 11% over the last five years (inflationEducation
Receives More adjusted).Funding Public Safety Board continues to
invest in teachers and students. The Stafford had the lowest
Proposed FY13 Budget crime rate per capita among provides the
largest surrounding localities, operating transfer in decreasing by
17% fromStaffords history. 2000 2010.
2. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSFiscal StewardshipStrong Financial
PracticesStafford adheres to several strict financial policiesthat
include maintaining a balanced budget, borrowingmoney only for
capital projects, maintaining reserves,estimating revenues
conservatively and spending lessthan adopted budgets that have
improved the Countysfinancial standing. Cut General Administration
to 2005 levels Consistently lowered taxes Increased funding to
education and publicsafety Strengthened fiscal reservesBond Rating
UpgradedStandard and Poors upgraded Staffords bond rating in
Unallocated Fund Balance ($29.1 million) metJuly 2011 from AA- to
AA. The agency said StaffordsBoard goal of 12 percent of General
Fundhas strong economic fundamentals and goodRevenuesfinancial
policies and practices, which have helpedEnded FY 2011 with $6.6
million positive results ofmanagement maintain what Standard and
Poorsoperation Stafford County Public Schools had $3.2 million
considers a strong financial performance despitepositive results of
operation the recessions effect on housing values and Board reduced
real estate tax in 2010 and 2011economically sensitive revenue. A
high bond rating Stafford has seventh-highest median household
means that the County can borrow money at a lowincome in the United
States cost, ultimately saving taxpayer money. 3. STAFFORD NEWS
April 4, 2012Board Increases Funding EducationProposed FY13 Budget
provides largest operatingRising Test Scorestransfer in Staffords
history and single largestincrease in the FY13 Budget.SOL Scores
2009 2010 2011Math 87 89 90 FY12 FY13ChangeEnglish89 91 91
Operating$101.7m$105.7m +$4.0m 100% of Staffords Schools are
FullyWith pending General Assembly decisions, the schools
Accredited!have an increased buying power of approximately
$12million.On-Time2009 20102011GraduationCapital ImprovementsRate
89%91% 92% The Adopted FY12-2017 Capital Improvement Program allows
for $203.8 million for our debt capacity. The schools have $144.3
million of $203.5 million dollars, which is 75% of our debt
capacity. 4. STAFFORD NEWSApril 4, 2012 Education Total School
Operating Budget by Federal, State and Local Contributions FY08 -
Proposed FY13
FY08FY09FY10FY11FY12ProposedFY13FederalFunds$1,957,103$2,398,652$2,138,986$2,503,519$1,620,000
$1,925,000StateFunds $105,961,760 $115,342,569 $97,313,921
$96,098,467 $103,014,406$108,541,610CountyFunds$93,069,985
$96,410,089 $97,744,752 $89,497,435
$101,693,774$105,725,774Allnumbersarefrompage29oftheFY2013SchoolBoardsApprovedBudgetexceptproposedlocalfundsinFY13
5. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSEconomic Development 10-Point
PlanRetail Study The Economic Development Underway 10-Point Plan
promotes andStafford has been working with a enhances Staffords
businessretail consultant to help define friendly-climate. The
vision is trade areas, understand the to make Stafford a more
spending patterns and what the desirable community and retail gap
is. We are working to create marketing collateral that will
business location by providing: better position the County in front
job opportunities for citizens; of retailers. world-class school
system; modern public safety services;Business Advisory Committee
and abundant parks and recreational opportunities. This is the
first partnership Implementation of the planamong the Board, staff
and continues.businesses. Meetings are held throughout the year.
Research & Tech ParkThis research park at the Quantico
Corporate Centerwould focus on the defense and
intelligencecommunities, where academia, government and theprivate
sector could collaborate to educate theworkforce and conduct
cutting-edge research thatwould attract corporate investment and
well-payingCommercial Construction jobs. Classes are already being
taught at the center bythe University of Mary Washington. An
official opening1.1 million square feet in pipeline; 66,000 square
feet;is expected this fall.constructed; 426,000 square feet under
construction 6. STAFFORD NEWS April 4, 2012Stafford Leads Virginia
Job Growth and EconomyStaffords business-friendly efforts paid off
once again instrong job growth numbers. According to the
VirginiaEmployment Commission, Stafford led the entireCommonwealth
of Virginia in job growth over the last fiveyears among large
communities. 1st in Job Growth 4th in Economic GrowthStaffords
unemployment rate is one of the lowest inVirginia at 4.8%. We also
have the 7th highest medianhousehold income in the United States at
$94,317,moving up from 12th place since the last rankingStafford
Does Not Tax Income! The Commonwealth of Virginia taxes income and
receives these revenues!Commercial RevenueFor the first time in
decades, 20% of Stafford continues to experience healthy growth in
local our tax revenue comes through sales tax revenue. 2011 sales
equaled $10,667,203, representing 5.6% increase in commercial
revenue.commercial growth, up from 13% a over 2010 sales tax
revenues of $10,667,203. Our few years ago, thus lessening the tax
economic success has improved Staffords ratio ofburden on home
owners. personal property taxes vs. commercial revenue. 7. April 4,
2012STAFFORD NEWSInfrastructureBond Projects UnderwayStafford
continues to work on the transportation and parksbond projects
approved by voters in 2008 and 2009.Safety improvements are
underway on Mountain View,Brooke and Poplar roads. Expansions are
scheduled atthe VRE lots at Leeland and Brooke, and arescheduled to
completed this year. In addition, theStaffordboro commuter lot will
be expanded by morethan 1,000 parking spaces. Voter-approved parks
projectsare also underway at Chichester Park. Master planningat
Musselman Park is underway, and planning hasstarted on replacing
the Curtis Park pool.Enhanced Parks Construction on the
Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail with walking and bike paths has started.
Sidewalks at Falmouth Bottom are also being built. Improvements are
also underway at Smith Lake Park and ADA accessibility upgrades are
also planned at numerous The County widened Mine Road. The photo on
topother parks. Government Island, opened in 2009, was taken during
construction; the photo belowcontinues to draw visitors from all
over the country. was after construction ended. 8. April 4, 2012
STAFFORD NEWSBudget ChallengesImpact of State Funding Changes For
FY13*Less State FundingAid to Localities, Reduced Local Fines
$717,898 State Mandated Increases Total Change:Increase to County
Agencies (VRS/Basic Life Increases)Contingency for implementation
of VRS 5/5 $1,234,272$ 505,000 - $3,145,170Corrections (Reduction
in Per Diem payments)$ 688,000*Changes from FY12 Virginia Policies
9. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSStafford by the Numbers Structural
ChangesPercent Difference from FY0710% 5%Public Safety Employees
0%Non-Public Safety EmployeesFY8FY9FY10 FY11FY12-5%County
Population -10% -15% -20%Since 2008, Stafford County has:8,464 more
residents26 more deputies and firefighters (public safety)67 fewer
non-public safety employees (county administration) 10. April 4,
2012STAFFORD NEWSFY13 Budget Measured Approach The FY13 Budget
reflects sound fiscal management, focusing on core services,
increasing business opportunities and job creation, and low taxes.
We have adhered to a steady responsible course by continuing to
focus on these priorities. We cut general government to 2005
levels, lowered taxes, increased funding for education and public
safety and strengthened fiscal reserves, all while our population
continues to increase. The Board is trying to increase funding for
its priorities for the community - public safety, education,
infrastructure, and economic development, while also trying to keep
taxes low for citizens.