Bristol, Va., City Council Approves $155,000 For Youth Aid Program

By David McGee
Staff Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: June 25, 2008

BRISTOL, Va. – Before approving next year’s fiscal budget on Tuesday, the City Council had to dole out some additional money from the current spending plan.

The council unanimously approved an $155,000 additional appropriation for the Highlands Community Policy and Management Team, during its regular meeting. The money is in addition to the $984,000 already budgeted for the mandated program for fiscal 2007-2008, of which the city is responsible for 25 percent.

“If we choose not to fund this, the state will hold money out. We don’t have any choice,” Mayor Jim Rector said.

The additional funding was needed to cover increased numbers of people in a variety of programs, said Andre Richmond, director of Comprehensive Services Act of Bristol and Washington County, Va.
“Unfortunately for the youth and our fiscal stakeholders, the cost has escalated greatly in the last two years,” Richmond told the council.

The Washington County Board of Supervisors previously approved a $225,000 increase for the same reason.

“Through the third quarter of this year – which ended in March – 104 children from Bristol had entered the program compared to 101 for the whole year last year,” Richmond said.

A 1993 state law established the program to provide treatment and other services for high-risk youth, including those with severe behavioral and mental health issues.

Despite making the appropriation with less than a week left in the current fiscal year, Rector predicted the city would close the books on fiscal 2007-2008 with a slight surplus.

“We’re getting our finances in line. If a few things fall into place in the coming year’s budget we’ll be all right,” Rector said. “I think the city is headed in the right direction, if the economy doesn’t slow down here like it has other places.”

Council members also gave final approval to the city’s $56.8 million aggregate fiscal 2008-2009 spending plans for government operations, solid waste and the Clear Creek golf course.

The plan retains current tax rates for real estate, personal property, machinery and tools, along with the meals tax. The tax on hotel/motel rooms will rise 2 percent to 9 percent on July 1.

In a related action, the council formally approved identifying money they’re sending back to the state as “local aid to the commonwealth.”

The action is in response to state budget cuts that will require local governments to return a portion of their funding later this year. The city expects to return about $300,000.

“The General Assembly, in its infinite wisdom, opted to balance its budget on the backs of local government,” City Manager Bill Dennison said.

He told the council the Virginia Municipal League and Virginia Association of Counties are urging all local governments to identify the funding this way.

In other matters, the mayor presented plaques to outgoing Vice Mayor Harold Leonard and former Mayor Farnham Jarrard for their years of service. It was the last meeting for both men, who served two and three terms, respectively.

“You’ve served our city and served it well,” Rector said in making the presentations.

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