Fairfax agencies lay out millions in potential cuts
By William C. Flook
Examiner Staff Writer 10/12/08
Marshall Thielen, president of the Fairfax Coalition of Police, left, says eliminating the streets crime unit in an effort to save tax dollars would bring about 'the return of open-air drug markets' in Fairfax. — Examiner file photo Fairfax County agencies facing a coming budget squeeze have begun to lay out millions of dollars in potential cuts. Among the items that could be on the chopping block: Foreign language training for police officers, a day school for troubled youths, and a sexual violence prevention program for women.
The lists of potential cuts were furnished to the Board of Supervisors over the past two weeks by department heads hoping to identify the least painful reductions to their agencies.
The directors were asked to show how they could trim their bottom lines by as much as 15 percent, which would go toward closing a shortfall of at least $430 million across the county and its school system.
The police department, which presented its cuts at the end of September, put at the top of the list the elimination of its language immersion program, which helps officers communicate with Fairfax County’s many non-English speaking communities. That move saves $90,000.
Police also suggest getting rid of a $24,000 training fund for the neighborhood watch program and dropping the $108,000 SAFE program, which train women in self-defense.
Further down the list are the elimination of programs that manage deer and geese, closing the Fair Oaks District Station, and cutting the street crimes unit, which Fairfax Coalition of Police President Marshall Thielen said would bring about “the return of open-air drug markets” in Fairfax.
“If we have to implement those cuts, it’s going to be devastating in the long term,” he said. “Some of the things they’re looking at cutting would take years to get back.”
Fire and rescue, parks, health, sheriff’s office, family services and other departments also have come forward with suggested cuts, including closing county libraries on Fridays.
The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court has suggested axing the Enterprise School, which it describes as a coed day school for up to 40 delinquent teens, saving $330,000.
The sheriff’s office would spend $400,000 less on its community labor force, which would no longer remove graffiti or help in animal shelters.
6 Comments
Reader Comments:
POSTED Oct 13, 2008
Inquiring minds: "Just look at the man in the bowtie, wasn't he the same chap who said with Democrats in control of the assembly there would be a return to fiscal sanity? Well in less than a year we see that Kaine and The demoncrats of Virginia, have one again lied Oh mama anyone but OBAMA"POSTED Oct 14, 2008
Actual mind user: "Your comment contains no logic or reason, just meaningless insult. Democrat Kaine is making state budget cuts larger than anyone has had to - due to the economy. Do you think Tim Kaine controls Wall Street, the national housing market, and the national/global credit crisis?"POSTED Oct 14, 2008
FairfaxTaxpayer: "These LOB reviews are a farce. Not stated in the 'proposed' closing of the Fair Oaks district station is that this station is currently in the final design stages of an approved bond to completely renovate and expand the facilities. Fairfax taxpayers deserve far more than these self-serving reviews that threaten doom and gloom if budgets that have grown out of control in the fat times now have to be brought under reasonable control. If any good manager can't find at least 10% of their budget to cut from such long-term growth, why are they still being employed as managers?"POSTED Oct 14, 2008
Joe: "I hope Fairfax County does not cut from our Law Enforcement proactive Units such as the Bike Team and Street Crimes Unit. These teams help prevent, deter, and capture criminals that are in our communities. Fairfax needs these Police Teams to keep our crime low. I always see the bike team riding in our neighborhoods, speaking with kids, keeping the Police Presence in the area. As a tax payer, I definetly do not want our Police to have less resources which will increase the crime in our county."POSTED Oct 14, 2008
Tax Payer: "We moved to Fairfax County because of the excellant quality of life, safety, and security we feel here more than anyplace else in the Country. To cut public safety resources will open the door to the crime we see and hear everyday on the news from the surrounding jurisdictions. I'll pay higher taxes to feel safe."POSTED Oct 15, 2008
Deac: "Why cut public safety during an economic downturn. That is usually when crime rates go up! That Theilend looks pretty intense."