Below are excerpts from the FY 2011 15% Reduction Proposal: Fairfax County Public Library, dated November 17, 2009. The focus of the excerpts is on Option II, which is now the "proposed library budget cut plan." I'd like to paste it here, but I haven't managed to preserve the formatting, so pardon the untidiness, please. If you are uncertain whether your local branch is "regional" or "communty," ask at the library or check the full title of the branch (example: Pohick Regional Library).
Library Hours Proposal: Option 2
Communities open on Friday. Reduced service on weekends.
•
Reduced customer service is provided on Friday and Saturday at community libraries. Customers may browse for books, check-out and return materials, use wireless access and public computers, etc., with limited assistance from staff.
•
Reduced customer service is provided on Sunday at regional libraries. Information desk is closed. Customers may browse for books, check-out and return materials, use wireless access and public computers, etc., with limited assistance from staff.
•
All 14 community libraries are open 47 hours per week; 8 hours per day Monday – Friday, 7 hours on Saturday, closed Sunday.
•
All 8 regional libraries are open 51 hours per week; 8 hours per day Monday – Friday, 7 hours on Saturday, 4 hours on Sunday.
•
Library service is available somewhere in a service area from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday and 1 – 5 p.m.
Sunday at regionals only.
Proposed hours:
Regional Libraries
Monday & Wednesday
1 – 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday
1 – 5 p.m.
Community Libraries
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday
1 – 9 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday
Closed
Impact on the public:
•
Community libraries are open on Fridays with reduced service to customers.
•
Information desk may not be staffed on Friday and Saturday at community libraries.
•
Information desk will not be staffed on Sundays at regional libraries.
•
Programs for youth and adults will not be offered on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
•
Telephone calls from the public will not be answered on Friday or Saturday at community libraries or on Sunday at regional libraries.
•
Equipment troubleshooting will be limited on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
•
Proctoring will not be offered on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
•
No after hours use of meeting rooms is available.
•
Customers will need to learn new hours that vary by type of library.
Impact on staff:
•
Staff may work fewer weekend days.
•
Full-time staff will be required to work two evenings per week until 9 p.m. at regional and community libraries.
•
Staff will be transferred to adjust branch staffing levels to changed hours.
•
Staff workload will increase with fewer people to do the work (assuming usage holds steady).
•
During staffing shortages, the Information Desk will be closed; customers will seek help from other staff not trained to provide information assistance.
FY 2011 15% Reduction proposal for the Library Board Budget Committee meeting on 11/17/09
While it isn't stated directly, this plan also fires more librarians.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The Card to Supervisor McKay
Below is the text of the card sent to Supervisor McKay's office with some of the photos mentioned in a previous post:
Dear Supervisor McKay,
We know we're not as vital as the police and fire departments. And we're not as large or vocal as the school system. honestly, we don't want to fight with other county agencies for limited funding.
But we do want to remind you of the importance of our programs, resources, and staff. Here is a photo from this month's early-readers program, Gingerbread Tales, with over 25 children enjoying librarian-read stories. A volunteer hovers nearby--she will do the same early-readers program at local schools.
We hope alternative revenue sources will be found for the county. And if not, we hope a deeper look will be taken of non-agency arts of the budget and parts where contracts can be renegotiated--especially for items not impacting services provided.
Thank you,
The Friends of Kingstowne Library
Dear Supervisor McKay,
We know we're not as vital as the police and fire departments. And we're not as large or vocal as the school system. honestly, we don't want to fight with other county agencies for limited funding.
But we do want to remind you of the importance of our programs, resources, and staff. Here is a photo from this month's early-readers program, Gingerbread Tales, with over 25 children enjoying librarian-read stories. A volunteer hovers nearby--she will do the same early-readers program at local schools.
We hope alternative revenue sources will be found for the county. And if not, we hope a deeper look will be taken of non-agency arts of the budget and parts where contracts can be renegotiated--especially for items not impacting services provided.
Thank you,
The Friends of Kingstowne Library
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Low-Income Families' Program Cut to Saturdays Only
Did you know VITA offers free income tax preparation to families in northern Virginia with less than $49,000 in income? The program has grown over several years, expanding locations, recruiting more volunteers. A few years ago, I interviewed the VITA team at the Kingstowne Library and the area supervisor for an article on the program. At that time, they helped low-income families two evenings during the workweek and Saturdays. They told me they had a constant flow, often people waiting up to an hour--and I witnessed it.
According to the volunteer FAQs, free tax preparation services at Fairfax County Public Library sites will only be offered Saturdays for a few hours. No evening hours on weekdays. That's terrible news. After all, adults in families making less than $49,000 don't always have Saturdays available. When I worked retail, I almost never had a Saturday off.
Why aren't the public libraries used for evening sessions, too, like they were in previous years? Is it because we have fewer local families that fit the "$49,000 or less" income bracket? Is it that nobody attended evening sessions in previous years? I suspect the change is simple: Now that the libraries close at 8 P.M. (and will close earlier next fiscal year, under Option II), many volunteers and families in need won't have time to conduct a proper tax preparation in the allotted time.
In other words: When there are fewer library hours, there are fewer services provided at the libraries.
Last year, 488 volunteers helped 3,280 low-income, working families file their taxes for free and made certain eligible families took the Earned Income Tax Credit and other refunds. The refunds totaled $4.4 million. Will the program be as successful, without weekday evening hours? Sadly, probably not.
(For more information on how you can volunteer for this program or receive assistance from this program, visit http://nvacash.org/vita/?pagename=Volunteers.)
According to the volunteer FAQs, free tax preparation services at Fairfax County Public Library sites will only be offered Saturdays for a few hours. No evening hours on weekdays. That's terrible news. After all, adults in families making less than $49,000 don't always have Saturdays available. When I worked retail, I almost never had a Saturday off.
Why aren't the public libraries used for evening sessions, too, like they were in previous years? Is it because we have fewer local families that fit the "$49,000 or less" income bracket? Is it that nobody attended evening sessions in previous years? I suspect the change is simple: Now that the libraries close at 8 P.M. (and will close earlier next fiscal year, under Option II), many volunteers and families in need won't have time to conduct a proper tax preparation in the allotted time.
In other words: When there are fewer library hours, there are fewer services provided at the libraries.
Last year, 488 volunteers helped 3,280 low-income, working families file their taxes for free and made certain eligible families took the Earned Income Tax Credit and other refunds. The refunds totaled $4.4 million. Will the program be as successful, without weekday evening hours? Sadly, probably not.
(For more information on how you can volunteer for this program or receive assistance from this program, visit http://nvacash.org/vita/?pagename=Volunteers.)
Friday, December 18, 2009
Any Lawyers Reading This?
I am not a lawyer, nor am I familiar with the Virginia Code or the Dillon Rule.
But I would love to hear from someone who is!
I've been trying to find additional revenue opportunities for Fairfax County, to help with the budget shortfall. I thought I found something interesting in the Virginia Code, but I am not certain how things written in the Code work--do counties still need to get permission from the state, or can they act on what is written in the Code?
Here's the section I found interesting (cut and pasted from the Code with quotation marks added by me):
Virginia Code § 42.1-33. Power of local governments to establish and support libraries.
“The governing body of any city, county or town shall have the power to establish a free public library for the use and benefit of its residents. The governing body shall provide sufficient support for the operation of the library by levying a tax therefor, either by special levy or as a fund of the general levy of the city, county or town. The word "support" as used in this chapter shall include but is not limited to, purchase of land for library buildings, purchase or erection of buildings for library purposes, purchase of library books, materials and equipment, compensation of library personnel, and all maintenance expenses for library property and equipment. Funds appropriated or contributed for public library purposes shall constitute a separate fund and shall not be used for any but public library purposes.”
Does this mean Fairfax County can establish a special tax and dedicate the funds to the library system? If so, a 1/4 of 1% sales tax should more than cover the Fairfax County Public Library system, and that money could be shifted to the county's other budget needs.
I'm not sure what to think of the Code wording and whether this is a revenue opportunity or not. I'd appreciate hearing from someone who does know. I've asked this question a few places and heard varying responses--none very solid. I'm waiting to hear from one of our local officials' offices; they are looking into it.
But I would love to hear from someone who is!
I've been trying to find additional revenue opportunities for Fairfax County, to help with the budget shortfall. I thought I found something interesting in the Virginia Code, but I am not certain how things written in the Code work--do counties still need to get permission from the state, or can they act on what is written in the Code?
Here's the section I found interesting (cut and pasted from the Code with quotation marks added by me):
Virginia Code § 42.1-33. Power of local governments to establish and support libraries.
“The governing body of any city, county or town shall have the power to establish a free public library for the use and benefit of its residents. The governing body shall provide sufficient support for the operation of the library by levying a tax therefor, either by special levy or as a fund of the general levy of the city, county or town. The word "support" as used in this chapter shall include but is not limited to, purchase of land for library buildings, purchase or erection of buildings for library purposes, purchase of library books, materials and equipment, compensation of library personnel, and all maintenance expenses for library property and equipment. Funds appropriated or contributed for public library purposes shall constitute a separate fund and shall not be used for any but public library purposes.”
Does this mean Fairfax County can establish a special tax and dedicate the funds to the library system? If so, a 1/4 of 1% sales tax should more than cover the Fairfax County Public Library system, and that money could be shifted to the county's other budget needs.
I'm not sure what to think of the Code wording and whether this is a revenue opportunity or not. I'd appreciate hearing from someone who does know. I've asked this question a few places and heard varying responses--none very solid. I'm waiting to hear from one of our local officials' offices; they are looking into it.
You're Invited to a Party!
Yes, you! You are invited to a party--in fact, you are invited to several parties!
Here is a list of holiday open houses and town hall meetings to be hosted by elected officials serving Fairfax County residents. If you are a Fairfax County resident, please stop by these events to hear what your elected officials are working on, where their priorities are, and what they need from us. And, of course, express your opinion on how you'd like to see them work, prioritize, and help you.
Mark Your Calendars:
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova
Wednesday, January 13, 4-7 P.M.
Government Center Forum (12000 Government Center Parkway)
Please bring a donation of canned goods for local charities.
Delegate Mark Sickles, State Senator Toddy Puller, and State Senator George Barker
Saturday, January 30, 10 A.M. to noon
Snyder Center (6450 South Van Dorn Street, Kingstowne, VA, 22315)
Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay
Saturday, January 30, 1-3 P.M.
Franconia Governmental Center Community Room (6121 Franconia Road)
Yes, two of the events are on the same day. Luckily, the locations are less than two miles apart, with a convenient "lunch hour" between them.
I should mention, sometimes these events are so full people are packed in like sardines. Other times, well, once upon a time I was one of two people who showed up at an elected official's open house. In case that happens to you--be prepared with what you want to say or write it down and hand it to your elected official. Or both.
Here is a list of holiday open houses and town hall meetings to be hosted by elected officials serving Fairfax County residents. If you are a Fairfax County resident, please stop by these events to hear what your elected officials are working on, where their priorities are, and what they need from us. And, of course, express your opinion on how you'd like to see them work, prioritize, and help you.
Mark Your Calendars:
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova
Wednesday, January 13, 4-7 P.M.
Government Center Forum (12000 Government Center Parkway)
Please bring a donation of canned goods for local charities.
Delegate Mark Sickles, State Senator Toddy Puller, and State Senator George Barker
Saturday, January 30, 10 A.M. to noon
Snyder Center (6450 South Van Dorn Street, Kingstowne, VA, 22315)
Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay
Saturday, January 30, 1-3 P.M.
Franconia Governmental Center Community Room (6121 Franconia Road)
Yes, two of the events are on the same day. Luckily, the locations are less than two miles apart, with a convenient "lunch hour" between them.
I should mention, sometimes these events are so full people are packed in like sardines. Other times, well, once upon a time I was one of two people who showed up at an elected official's open house. In case that happens to you--be prepared with what you want to say or write it down and hand it to your elected official. Or both.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Who Uses the Library Meeting Rooms?
It seems like there's always something happening in the meeting rooms at the Kingstowne branch of Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL).
I once passed two people in suits in the smaller meeting room; the note on the schedule said it was an interview for one of the federal government's agencies.
I know a movie producer who used the meeting room at Richard Byrd Library several years ago for auditions for one of his first movie attempts. Since events at the libraries are free and open to the public, he dutifully posted a "walk-ins welcome" note on the door, and he did receive one walk-in, a lady browsing the stacks with her teens. She was almost as good as the actors who had responded to the Craig's List posting about the event.
Who else uses the libraries? I was recently shown the room request link (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/services/meetingrooms/ click on "rules" and check the box at the end of the rules to be allowed to schedule a meeting). So, let's take a look at who used the Kingstowne branch just this week--just these five days.
Monday: Newington Civic Association
Tuesday: Girl Scout Daisy Troop 2256
Tuesday: NOVA Junior Math Club
Tuesday: Pohick Village
Wednesday: Practice Your English group
Thursday: two events are listed but I can't see the group names
Friday: Japanese Story Time (I don't think this event was put on by the FCPL staff)
Saturday: La Leche League/ Moms of Twins/Multiples
That's in one week!
I see older Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, several other homeowner associations (Aldin Hill, for one), a different La Leche group, and the Red Cross are all planning on using the room later this month.
Clearly, many different groups use the library meeting rooms.
I once passed two people in suits in the smaller meeting room; the note on the schedule said it was an interview for one of the federal government's agencies.
I know a movie producer who used the meeting room at Richard Byrd Library several years ago for auditions for one of his first movie attempts. Since events at the libraries are free and open to the public, he dutifully posted a "walk-ins welcome" note on the door, and he did receive one walk-in, a lady browsing the stacks with her teens. She was almost as good as the actors who had responded to the Craig's List posting about the event.
Who else uses the libraries? I was recently shown the room request link (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/services/meetingrooms/ click on "rules" and check the box at the end of the rules to be allowed to schedule a meeting). So, let's take a look at who used the Kingstowne branch just this week--just these five days.
Monday: Newington Civic Association
Tuesday: Girl Scout Daisy Troop 2256
Tuesday: NOVA Junior Math Club
Tuesday: Pohick Village
Wednesday: Practice Your English group
Thursday: two events are listed but I can't see the group names
Friday: Japanese Story Time (I don't think this event was put on by the FCPL staff)
Saturday: La Leche League/ Moms of Twins/Multiples
That's in one week!
I see older Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, several other homeowner associations (Aldin Hill, for one), a different La Leche group, and the Red Cross are all planning on using the room later this month.
Clearly, many different groups use the library meeting rooms.
"More than books..."
This week I stopped by a few of the events taking place at my local FCPL branch (Kingstowne)to take pictures.
Monday: Story hour for young readers
Tuesday: Story hour for even younger readers (under 24 months--but so enthusiastic!)
Wednesday: English speaking group for adults
I also attended the Peer Review Writers' Group meeting Wednesday, where they politely asked me not to take their picture. However, shortly before they met, a nurse was using the smaller meeting room, with her two laptops, cell phone, and all sorts of paperwork strewn about the table. She was more than happy for me to take her picture--she said the only way she gets Internet access is through the libraries, and she depends on the libraries on days like this one, where she is routing when to visit which patient and cross-referencing written materials with online sources. She praised the libraries through the roof.
Why pictures?
I won't post them online--especially not photos with children in them. I plan to send them to the Lee District Supervisor's office, just as a reminder that the library is "more than books." To some it's the tools they need to run their own business, for others it's a way to practice English speaking skills and build self-confidence, for preschoolers it's an introduction to storytelling at its finest, and for many parents it's a free event where I know the setting will be child-friendly, educational, and positive on every level--without enrolling the child in daycare.
I'm certain the library is many things to other people. Perhaps you'd like to click on the "comment" button and share what the library is to you?
Monday: Story hour for young readers
Tuesday: Story hour for even younger readers (under 24 months--but so enthusiastic!)
Wednesday: English speaking group for adults
I also attended the Peer Review Writers' Group meeting Wednesday, where they politely asked me not to take their picture. However, shortly before they met, a nurse was using the smaller meeting room, with her two laptops, cell phone, and all sorts of paperwork strewn about the table. She was more than happy for me to take her picture--she said the only way she gets Internet access is through the libraries, and she depends on the libraries on days like this one, where she is routing when to visit which patient and cross-referencing written materials with online sources. She praised the libraries through the roof.
Why pictures?
I won't post them online--especially not photos with children in them. I plan to send them to the Lee District Supervisor's office, just as a reminder that the library is "more than books." To some it's the tools they need to run their own business, for others it's a way to practice English speaking skills and build self-confidence, for preschoolers it's an introduction to storytelling at its finest, and for many parents it's a free event where I know the setting will be child-friendly, educational, and positive on every level--without enrolling the child in daycare.
I'm certain the library is many things to other people. Perhaps you'd like to click on the "comment" button and share what the library is to you?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thanksgifting and Thankful for a Job
Today the Kingstowne Library staff and volunteers held their annual Thanksgifting party. No, that's not a typo: Thanksgifting.
Some companies have holiday parties with a secret Santa gift exchange. Instead of spending money on gifts for each other, the Kingstowne staff came up with the idea of buying toys. Each wraps a toy and leaves it on a table in the room where they will later have the party--no names on the tags. Then each person has a turn opening a gift and guessing who brought it--based on the gift, the wrapping paper, or even intuition. They learn a lot about each other in the process. Afterwards, all of the unwrapped gifts are taken to a local charity, Koinonia, that gives the toys to the families supported by their food bank and other year-round efforts. Koinonia says this year they have an even larger need for toys than in the past--and far fewer donations are being received. I admire the library staff for beginning the Thanksgifting idea and for including the library volunteers in the meeting/party.
But the day was not just about toys. I was also impressed with the three staff members from other nearby libraries who covered all library services during the Thanksgifting event. I was told this is how branches hold all-staff meetings: they arrange for coverage from other branches. Wouldn't it be nice if more things in life worked that way? It's so efficient.
Although this was a staff meeting and important things were discussed, the festive spirit prevailed. Still, I could not help but look around the room and count the people who were once staff librarians but were laid off during last year's budget cut. And obviously I could not help but watch the people who are pegged to leave when next year's budget cuts are finalized. Even though they know their jobs are on the line, they still bought and brought presents for less fortunate children.
I first heard about Thanksgifting last year, when I read about it in an article by one of the librarians. (She is one of the people targeted for a layoff.) This year I attended and saw what it was all about. Next year, I hope to throw a Thanksgifting party of my own or start a trend so that my friends who still work in offices or for companies with holiday parties might pick up this idea.
Happy Thanksgifting, Everyone! May your heart guide you.
Some companies have holiday parties with a secret Santa gift exchange. Instead of spending money on gifts for each other, the Kingstowne staff came up with the idea of buying toys. Each wraps a toy and leaves it on a table in the room where they will later have the party--no names on the tags. Then each person has a turn opening a gift and guessing who brought it--based on the gift, the wrapping paper, or even intuition. They learn a lot about each other in the process. Afterwards, all of the unwrapped gifts are taken to a local charity, Koinonia, that gives the toys to the families supported by their food bank and other year-round efforts. Koinonia says this year they have an even larger need for toys than in the past--and far fewer donations are being received. I admire the library staff for beginning the Thanksgifting idea and for including the library volunteers in the meeting/party.
But the day was not just about toys. I was also impressed with the three staff members from other nearby libraries who covered all library services during the Thanksgifting event. I was told this is how branches hold all-staff meetings: they arrange for coverage from other branches. Wouldn't it be nice if more things in life worked that way? It's so efficient.
Although this was a staff meeting and important things were discussed, the festive spirit prevailed. Still, I could not help but look around the room and count the people who were once staff librarians but were laid off during last year's budget cut. And obviously I could not help but watch the people who are pegged to leave when next year's budget cuts are finalized. Even though they know their jobs are on the line, they still bought and brought presents for less fortunate children.
I first heard about Thanksgifting last year, when I read about it in an article by one of the librarians. (She is one of the people targeted for a layoff.) This year I attended and saw what it was all about. Next year, I hope to throw a Thanksgifting party of my own or start a trend so that my friends who still work in offices or for companies with holiday parties might pick up this idea.
Happy Thanksgifting, Everyone! May your heart guide you.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Community Dialogue Meeting
I attended one of the Community Dialogue Meetings, Dec. 2, at Hayfield Secondary School. I had already viewed the PowerPoint presentation online, but I hoped to learn more about the county's efforts to combat the $491.6 million budget shortfall.
It was a rainy night which might have dampened the turnout. After entering the school, I walked the long hallway to the cafeteria--and both sides of the hallway were lined with Hayfield Secondary orchestra students, wearing their black concert attire and holding their instruments in a silent protest. Two at the front held up posters about the proposed budget cuts.
Inside the cafeteria, before the meeting began, I struck up a conversation with the two people sitting nearest me. One young man was wearing a black shirt with white writing on it, and I asked what the abbreviation meant. (I don't recall the abbreviation it mentioned.) It's his job title. Before the meeting began, five people arrived wearing the same shirt, and another person mentioned she'd forgotten to wear hers. So this group of school employees with matching shirts did the smart thing--they sat together on the front row to give their slogan the most visibility to the county's speakers, and when we broke into small discussion groups they split up so they'd have a voice in each group.
At first I was disappointed that the PowerPoint presentations didn't seem to have changed since they were posted online. However, the people presenting the slides added commentary that kept my interest.
I had hoped the small group discussions would be productive brainstorming sessions. Instead, they quickly fell into advocacy opportunities. When one lady commented that a school she had visited seemed to have too many "bells and whistles" several other people quickly disagreed with her, drowning her comments with their own insight into what the schools were lacking. It took a full five minutes or more for someone to point out that while some of the county's public schools have gross needs, others seem to have more opportunitites than the average university.
Several people voiced concern that teachers might next year be asked to work at several different locations. When I pointed out that due to last year's budget cuts many librarians already must work in several locations, I was immediately labeled as a librarian. (While I am on the Friends of Kingstowne Library, I am also involved with several other county agencies, including seasonal employment with one, not the libraries.)
In the past month, in my "spare time," I've tried to learn more about Fairfax County's budget. Needing to dive more deeply into one area--or risk frustration at the lack of information about other areas--I tried to read everything available on the public libraries (FCPL). Since that is the budget area with which I have the most familiarity, it's no wonder they mistook me for a librarian. At one point, hoping to open the conversation up to revenue opportunities, I brought up a bit of the Virginia Code that seemed (to my uncertain eyes) to say the county has the right to establish a tax dedicated to funding the public libraries. At least three people quickly explained, "No, no, no, the Dillon Rule won't allow it." I've heard of the Dillon Rule, but I had hoped that if something was in the Virginia Code, that meant it was allowable without examination through the Dillon Rule. A very intelligent person from the county's budget office more politely added that the current county tax structure already covers this part of the Code--meaning the library's funding is tied into the current taxes and not actually listed out as a specific dedicated funding source. (I really do mean she was intelligent. She gave the county's side of the PowerPoint presentations, and I admired her method of explaining variance reporting in response to a question from the audience. I picked this small group knowing she'd be our county representative.)
The small groups' feedback to the full audience was a bit rushed. It left me with the sense that the Community Dialogue Meetings were a good idea but were not to be the fertile field of imaginative solution finding I had once envisioned.
It was a rainy night which might have dampened the turnout. After entering the school, I walked the long hallway to the cafeteria--and both sides of the hallway were lined with Hayfield Secondary orchestra students, wearing their black concert attire and holding their instruments in a silent protest. Two at the front held up posters about the proposed budget cuts.
Inside the cafeteria, before the meeting began, I struck up a conversation with the two people sitting nearest me. One young man was wearing a black shirt with white writing on it, and I asked what the abbreviation meant. (I don't recall the abbreviation it mentioned.) It's his job title. Before the meeting began, five people arrived wearing the same shirt, and another person mentioned she'd forgotten to wear hers. So this group of school employees with matching shirts did the smart thing--they sat together on the front row to give their slogan the most visibility to the county's speakers, and when we broke into small discussion groups they split up so they'd have a voice in each group.
At first I was disappointed that the PowerPoint presentations didn't seem to have changed since they were posted online. However, the people presenting the slides added commentary that kept my interest.
I had hoped the small group discussions would be productive brainstorming sessions. Instead, they quickly fell into advocacy opportunities. When one lady commented that a school she had visited seemed to have too many "bells and whistles" several other people quickly disagreed with her, drowning her comments with their own insight into what the schools were lacking. It took a full five minutes or more for someone to point out that while some of the county's public schools have gross needs, others seem to have more opportunitites than the average university.
Several people voiced concern that teachers might next year be asked to work at several different locations. When I pointed out that due to last year's budget cuts many librarians already must work in several locations, I was immediately labeled as a librarian. (While I am on the Friends of Kingstowne Library, I am also involved with several other county agencies, including seasonal employment with one, not the libraries.)
In the past month, in my "spare time," I've tried to learn more about Fairfax County's budget. Needing to dive more deeply into one area--or risk frustration at the lack of information about other areas--I tried to read everything available on the public libraries (FCPL). Since that is the budget area with which I have the most familiarity, it's no wonder they mistook me for a librarian. At one point, hoping to open the conversation up to revenue opportunities, I brought up a bit of the Virginia Code that seemed (to my uncertain eyes) to say the county has the right to establish a tax dedicated to funding the public libraries. At least three people quickly explained, "No, no, no, the Dillon Rule won't allow it." I've heard of the Dillon Rule, but I had hoped that if something was in the Virginia Code, that meant it was allowable without examination through the Dillon Rule. A very intelligent person from the county's budget office more politely added that the current county tax structure already covers this part of the Code--meaning the library's funding is tied into the current taxes and not actually listed out as a specific dedicated funding source. (I really do mean she was intelligent. She gave the county's side of the PowerPoint presentations, and I admired her method of explaining variance reporting in response to a question from the audience. I picked this small group knowing she'd be our county representative.)
The small groups' feedback to the full audience was a bit rushed. It left me with the sense that the Community Dialogue Meetings were a good idea but were not to be the fertile field of imaginative solution finding I had once envisioned.
Why Do I Care About Fairfax County's Budget Shortfall?
It's a simple question: Why do I care about Fairfax County's budget shortfall?
Last year, the county faced a similar challenge and I didn't start a blog, attend a community dialogue session, or make any fuss. Last year, the proposed plan sounded reasonable and fair--all agencies were asked to show the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors their self-inflicted, proposed cuts at several levels, with the general belief that all agencies would be asked to cut the same percent across the board.
I thought that was fascinating--and smart. Who else knows the inner workings of each agency better than their own people? It was brilliant of the county supervisors to request these presentations. I eagerly waited for the agencies to post their presentations on the county Web site and poured through them.
Some, admittedly, were better written than others. Some gave very specific cuts. Some were more vague. Some of the programs that were listed to be cut were obviously difficult to put on the chopping block.
But in the end, after all the presentations were finished, some agencies were hit with a 15% cut while others skated through with much smaller cuts. Later I heard grumblings that some agencies knowingly proposed specific programs be cut because they believed--rightly--there was no way the Board of Supervisors would cut those darlings. And while some agencies were lauded for their full cooperation and laying themselves bare, those were the ones with the most taken from their budgets.
Last year, I was a little shocked. I thought it was meant to be reasonable and fair. This year, I am a little less nieve.
Last year, the county faced a similar challenge and I didn't start a blog, attend a community dialogue session, or make any fuss. Last year, the proposed plan sounded reasonable and fair--all agencies were asked to show the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors their self-inflicted, proposed cuts at several levels, with the general belief that all agencies would be asked to cut the same percent across the board.
I thought that was fascinating--and smart. Who else knows the inner workings of each agency better than their own people? It was brilliant of the county supervisors to request these presentations. I eagerly waited for the agencies to post their presentations on the county Web site and poured through them.
Some, admittedly, were better written than others. Some gave very specific cuts. Some were more vague. Some of the programs that were listed to be cut were obviously difficult to put on the chopping block.
But in the end, after all the presentations were finished, some agencies were hit with a 15% cut while others skated through with much smaller cuts. Later I heard grumblings that some agencies knowingly proposed specific programs be cut because they believed--rightly--there was no way the Board of Supervisors would cut those darlings. And while some agencies were lauded for their full cooperation and laying themselves bare, those were the ones with the most taken from their budgets.
Last year, I was a little shocked. I thought it was meant to be reasonable and fair. This year, I am a little less nieve.
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