Budget and Management Department
March 22, 2022
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA — Members of Chesterfield’s Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) have endorsed the county administrator’s proposed fiscal year 2023 budget, which includes increased funding for schools, public safety, infrastructure and an ongoing compensation initiative to support the recruitment and retention of a high-quality workforce.
In a March 21 letter to the Board of Supervisors, the committee also commended the board for its “steady navigation” and “pragmatic budgetary approach” over the past year, as well as a $52 million local tax relief package to “help combat rising costs of living on behalf of the citizenry.”
“Given the economic outlook, the committee hopes the county remains proactive in addressing future pressures that constrain household disposable incomes,” reads the CBAC letter, signed by members Brian Bondurant, Chris Eudailey, John Hilliard, Chip Hughey, Gene Johnson, Leah Mills and Sheila Walters.
The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings on the FY2023 budget and capital improvement program, and calendar year 2022 local tax rates, at its March 23 meeting.
CBAC works with county staff during development of the budget and advises the board on the allocation of resources in alignment with Chesterfield’s strategic objectives. The committee considers the county’s existing strategic plan, financial policies and budget process; reviews historical expenditure, staffing and performance data; and evaluates projected revenue and expenditure activity relative to budgeted amounts.
“We appreciate CBAC’s exhaustive review of the county’s budget, which includes funding for our brave first responders, valued teachers and school personnel and general government employees,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Chris Winslow.
“This budget provides broad and ample support for public safety, education, infrastructure and vital county programs and services,” Winslow added. “We’re doing all of this while softening the blow from national economic forces that are working against Chesterfield families.”
In its letter, CBAC expressed support for the county’s “prioritization of education,” as demonstrated by several actions taken during the current fiscal year and a proposed $18 million increase in local funding for Chesterfield County Public Schools in the FY2023 budget.
That figure doesn’t include the additional $10 million in operating funds the county is providing to the school system annually by eliminating the unfunded liability in its supplemental retirement plan (SRP).
Overall, the $28 million in new funding represents a historic local investment in Chesterfield schools.
The committee backed the county’s “sustained investment” in public safety, particularly implementation of the public safety compensation study to benefit front-line workers, the addition of full-time Fire and EMS staff and expansion of the Police Service Aide program.
It also endorsed the proposed budget’s commitment to major maintenance of public facilities, as well as a planned November bond referendum “to help fund the county’s long list of priorities and support long-term growth.”
“The committee commends the board for managing the allocation of resources throughout the pandemic and applying a discerning, data-driven approach to FY2023 by balancing such complex priorities as tax relief to citizens, investment in infrastructure, funding of education, and public safety needs,” said Hughey, who serves as chair of CBAC.