The Henrico Board of Supervisors tonight adopted a $1.023 billion operating budget for fiscal 2011, one that county officials called the most difficult spending plan in recent history.
But despite deep reductions in state aid and local revenues, the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 does not ask for higher taxes and avoids cuts in services, employee layoffs and furloughs.
The board adopted the spending plan proposed by County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett without making any changes. Under the budget, 101 vacant positions will be eliminated, most county departments will have smaller budgets and outside agencies will receive 10 percent less from county help.
The general fund budget, the source for most of the county's expenditures, is $741 million or 4 percent smaller than the current one.
"How did you do it?" asked Board Chairwoman Patricia S. O'Bannon, before the board set the real estate tax rate at 87 cents per $100 of assessed value, keeping it unchanged.
John A. Vithoulkas, director of finance, credited the experience in county government, including having the longest serving county manager and the longest serving board in Virginia.
The budget includes a 5 percent increase to utility rates, which will be addressed at a public hearing on May 11.
Before July 1, county officials will have to address a projected $701,000 shortfall for the county's allocation to the GRTC Transit System for fiscal 2011.
In other action, the board authorized the condemnation of five more properties in the path of the Gayton Road extension project in western Henrico. As of today, 13 of the 62 private parcels affected by the construction are now under condemnation proceedings. Four others have reached settlements before going to court.
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