Comments on Our Loudoun Schools: FY11 Budget Final Stretch

Dan, where did you get the idea governments are mo...

2010-03-10T14:18:21.313-05:00

Dan, where did you get the idea governments are more scrutinized than businesses? Businesses put out P&L statements, which are examined by banks, investors and financial experts..as well as a board of directors which make sure waste is indentified. Governments are scrutinized by what? Reporters? But if you want unnecessary spending, switch all 12-month employees in the school system to 11-

This economy is here to stay for a few more years ...

2010-03-09T09:38:07.272-05:00

This economy is here to stay for a few more years so what is the plan for next year and the year after? The belt needs to start tightening. It's better to start cutting back now and give Loudoun taxpayers a break this year. The tax rate is the highest in the DC area.

"Translation: The school budget could be full...

2010-03-08T17:25:17.069-05:00

"Translation: The school budget could be fully funded without increasing taxes locally."

Say what? If a penny on the tax rate = $7.5 million, then an increase of $32 million in funding would lower the tax rate by about 4 cents to $1.36, which is still above the equalized rate of $1.27 and would represent a 7% tax increase for the average homeowner. Totally unacceptable!

Yes, our board members were elected to represent a...

2010-03-08T14:11:29.762-05:00

Yes, our board members were elected to represent a broad range of people, it doesn't mean that they should fund every "initiative" that any of their constituents want. They need to make some tough unpopular decisions.

At $1.40, I'm looking at almost a $1500 tax in...

2010-03-08T11:28:12.333-05:00

At $1.40, I'm looking at almost a $1500 tax increase. That's money I won't have to spend at local businesses. And yet supervisors couldn't increase the tax rate on private aircraft by even a penny.

I hate comments where people rail against "un...

2010-03-08T11:20:28.442-05:00

I hate comments where people rail against "unnessary programs" and "pet projects" with identifying anything. While there is some inefficienctcy inherent in any large organization (including every Fortune 500 company), governments are more closely scrutinized than most. What one person considers a "pet project" is to another person a "long overdue initiative&

My assessment went up 5% but, at $1.40, my taxes w...

2010-03-07T23:19:25.760-05:00

My assessment went up 5% but, at $1.40, my taxes will go up over $900, which is a 19% increase over last year. I just want our elected officials to be fiscally responsible with the money they have already been given and make good, smart decisions regarding the use of that money. When that happens, I don't complain. Problem is, I don't see that happening. Our elected officials (both

In my neighborhood, assessments were up 10 percent...

2010-03-07T15:27:42.669-05:00

In my neighborhood, assessments were up 10 percent (sometimes more) this year so I'm skeptical that the tax rate needs to be increased to $1.40.

While I fully understand that there are individual...

2010-03-07T08:45:12.351-05:00

While I fully understand that there are individual instances of people losing jobs and homes, and while we all empathize with these situations, the BOS looks at the county as a whole, and when you look at Loudoun County as a whole, you see prosperity:
http://tinyurl.com/ybuhqy7