Dinwiddie considers cutting recreational programs

DINWIDDIE—The Board of Supervisors today will review a proposal to cut some or all recreational programs for the rest of this fiscal year.

Cutting all county recreational programs during the next five months will save the county about $75,000 and could be one way to begin to address a $1.5 million shortfall in the county’s current budget, county officials said. 

During a Feb. 3 special meeting, county administration officials asked Supervisors to give the recreation department some guidance on which programs to cut. Supervisors did not make any suggestions then, but will revisit the item this afternoon.

Some county groups have been circulating petitions and fliers in support of saving the programs and a good number of residents is expected to attend today’s board meeting to speak in favor of keeping the recreation department

County officials may decide today whether to cut all or some of the programs. A decision would need to be made before a new cycle of classes begins March 1, County Administrator W. Kevin Massengill said.

Supervisors are also expected to vote on whether to pay for another property assessment this year.

The county is considering having another assessment this year as a response to the 2008 reassessments that spurred public outrage and showed an average 50 percent jump in land value despite a sluggish economy and a struggling housing market in the country.

The assessment could cost about $350,000, and funds would come out of the county’s undesignated fund balance, county officials said.

Supervisors meet at 3 p.m. today. Public hearings start at 7 p.m.