Dumfries to pay for no new taxes

DUMFRIES, Va. - The Dumfries proposed budget for fIscal 2011 does not include any increases in taxes or fees for its residents. But it does come with a price.

Dumfries Town Manager Kim Alexander is recommending eliminating five police positions and the public works operations supervisor position. She describes this as a “temporary reduction in force.”

Two of the police positions in the 14-member force are vacant. The remaining three positions to be temporarily eliminated are “yet to be determined,” she said.

Several investigations into possible wrongdoings within the Dumfries Police Department are ongoing.

Alexander has said the reduction in police officers could call for a temporary increase in assistance from Prince William County police in answering calls for service.

However, also as part of her $3.8 million proposed budget, Alexander is recommending the creation of a new position – director of economic development and marketing – with an annual salary of $57,000.

“As town manager, I completely understand that at first glance, it may seem that the creation of a new position during a time when six others are being eliminated may not seem to make sense,” Alexander wrote in a memo to the Dumfries Town Council.

“However, if the town’s ultimate goal is economic viability and sustainability, the creation of this position is the most efficient and effective way of achieving this,” she wrote. “Of all my budget recommendations, this is by far the most important.”

Alexander said last week that if the council wants to see the town tax rate remain the same or possible be reduced, the town must find ways of keeping its businesses and drawing new ones. “This new position is absolutely essential in order to do this,” she said.

Dumfries ran into a budget crises last fall when its monthly expenses were greater than the revenue it is taking in and it started dipping into its reserve fund.

To address the problem, it cut expenses, furloughed employees and raised the town tax rate to 35.3 cents per $100 of assessed value. The town sends its tax bills out twice a year. The December taxes were collected at the higher rate.

“The increase in real estate taxes in December made a huge difference,” Alexander said. “We are in much better shape than we were six months ago. We are only spending money on things that we absolutely have to spend money on.”

Alexander has presented her budget to the town council. It has not taken action on it yet.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-530-3907.