Supervisors Schedule Public Hearing For $60 Million Surplus

Come September, Fairfax County taxpayers can tell the Board of Supervisors how they would like to spend an extra $60 million that has flowed into county coffers.

County Executive Anthony Griffin has given the supervisors a proposal for how to spend the rest of the $60 million, but has also directed the board to hold a public hearing for residents who want to propose a plan for the surplus. 

 "The county is fortunate that FY 2011 revenue came in higher than anticipated," Griffin said in his message to the supervisors.

The county When the county closed its books on the 2011 fiscal year, it found it had collected nearly $50 million in taxes (sales and personal property taxes) and spent nearly $70 million less than budgeted.

Dranesville Supervisor John Foust said the county always has a carryover at the end of a fiscal year because it conservatively estimates revenues.

"We have this surplus – what do we do with it?" Foust asked. "We've been fortunate that we didn't get hit as hard as the rest of the country."

County Executive Anthony Griffin told the supervisors the combined revenue and disbursement balance, after funding obligations and Managed Reserve is $59.25 million.

Some of the extra money is already committed. Nearly $12 million will go to giving county employees a 1.5 percent pay raise – their first since 2009. The county executive also wants to save nearly $25 million for the 2013 budget.

The public hearing will be held at 10:45 a.m. Sept. 13 in the board auditorium of the Fairfax County Government Center. All those wishing to speak to the board should call the Office of the Clerk to the Board at (703) 324-3151 to be placed on the speakers list.