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For Release
NR#004 01-06-09
2009 State of the County Remarks of Chairman Corey A. Stewart
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA . . . Attached is a copy of the 2009 State of the County remarks that were delivered at the Board of County Supervisor’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6, by Chairman Corey A. Stewart.
Remarks for Chairman Corey A. Stewart State of the County January 6, 2009 By all measures, the United States is experiencing one of the most severe economic recessions on record, and it is unclear when we may expect economic recovery. Times are tough. And Prince William County is not immune from what is happening on a national level. We, however, are poised to meet the challenge head on. Around kitchen tables in our homes, a conversation is taking place. Prince William families- you- are concerned about the economy and your own jobs and finances, and you are trying to make ends meet. The County must do the same. We must meet around our own “kitchen table” -- this Board, our staff, and our many boards and commissions -- and make the tough decisions. Like other fast-growing counties and cities across America, we have been hit hard by the steep decline in residential assessments. But, if there is a silver lining, it is this. Last year, when other major localities in our Region hoped for the best, we prepared for the worst. As a result, while those localities are grappling with a shortfall in the current fiscal year, we are not. We have been proactive and taken steps to mitigate the affects of the economic downturn. We have tightened our belts and spending is down more than $7 million for the first few months of this fiscal year. We are doing things better, faster and cheaper. But this does not mean that our work is done – it has just begun. 2009 will present the toughest fiscal challenge this County has ever faced. Declining home values and shrinking sales tax and other revenues means a projected shortfall of $190 million for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2009. This problem is compounded by substantial cuts expected from the General Assembly. Other localities in Northern Virginia are considering tax increases in reaction to their own shortfalls. But this County will be different. While you are worried about your job, paying bills or paying for groceries, the Board believes it is unacceptable to raise your taxes and further burden you. To meet this challenge, we will tighten our belt, just as you at home are tightening yours. You at home cannot tax your way out of fiscal hardship, and neither shall we. As you may be cutting spending at home, so shall we cut County spending. The cuts will be deep. The cuts will often be painful. But the cuts mean that, while other counties consider tax increases, this Board shall deliver a tax cut to all of you at home. Accordingly, the Board directed the County Executive to prepare a proposed budget so that every single residential property owner will see a tax decrease this year. That is our goal. That is our commitment to you. We also commit this year to continuing to fix problems in our community, even when those problems are caused by federal and state government inaction. We addressed illegal immigration. The County’s policy has led to the deportation of more than 1300 illegal aliens who committed crimes in our community. While other localities in the area are now seeing an increase in crimes committed by illegal aliens, we are not. Our policy set national precedent, and is now being replicated by other localities. We addressed transportation. Transportation is a state responsibility in Virginia, but the state failed to build roads in Northern Virginia. So Prince William builds its own roads – in fact, more roads than any other county in the Commonwealth. We have built 182 lane miles of road in the County at a cost of $500 million dollars. This Board understands that the time spent on the roads is time spent away from your family; we are committed to continuing our aggressive transportation program. In 2008 alone, we widened Minnieville Road and Linton Hall Road, which was completed eight months ahead of schedule. We extended Heathcote Boulevard to provide a direct connection from Route 29 all the way to Route 15. And in 2009, the County will widen Route 15 and Minnieville Road from Cardinal Drive to Spriggs Road. The County will also begin construction on the widening of Route 1 from Joplin Road to Brady’s Hill Road. We are addressing foreclosures. In a creative program that has drawn national attention, we are leveraging $50 million per year in bank loans to county employees to purchase homes in the County. This not only encourages our Police, Fire and Rescue personnel and teachers to live in our neighborhoods, it also helps reduce the oversupply of unsold homes in the County. Although, we know that this is only a small dent into the problem, it is a start. And the best part of the program: it comes at no cost or risk to County taxpayers. Finally, we addressed economic development. Over the past forty years, too many homes were built in this County, and not enough office, high-end retail and other commercial space to support it. Office and other Commercial construction means a broader tax base, more financial stability and jobs closer to home. One year ago, the Board acted, directing county staff to work with the business community to streamline our inspection and permitting processes, and to implement these measures before the year was out. I am pleased to report that we have done just that. Despite a slowing economy and the challenges that have come to bear over the past year, 28 new and expanding companies announced intentions to invest $326 million and hire 520 new high-wage workers. With 2.4 million square feet of office, flex, and industrial space available, the County is well-positioned as the economy rebounds. The spectacular Hylton Performing Arts Center is nearing completion and will soon provide the centerpiece for a planned mixed-use town center. We are seeing interest and growth in Prince William County by government agencies and contractors. The FBI recently held a dedication ceremony for the new Northern Virginia Resident Agency. The Virginia Forensics Laboratory is nearly complete. And George Mason University’s Regional Biomedical lab is under construction. We have a difficult year ahead. Although this Board has had its differences in the past, we are united in addressing the challenges we face. We are committed to providing you at home the strong and creative leadership you deserve. We will put away partisanship, judgments and hard feelings and we will meet these challenges head on. The obstacles ahead are monumental, but they are not insurmountable. This county is a national leader, and we do not wait for others to fix our problems. We blaze our own trail. We control our own destiny. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said “The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience, but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges.” The same holds true for our community as a whole. Thank you and May God bless you and our entire community in this New Year. |
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