An accounting error within the Stafford County school system resulted in a $5.6 million surplus that went unnoticed for two years.

The era of big government is back—at the federal level. Locally, it’s a different story. With the exception of Henrico, municipal governments in Central Virginia have been crafting budgets that are smaller in real terms than in previous years. Henrico’s budget is increasing by only 1 percent, and collectively area localities will spend 3 percent less in fiscal 2010 than in fiscal 2009.

John W. Montgomery Jr.‘s nightmare scenario would be that federal stimulus money comes in and only can be used to fund projects that have nothing to do with classrooms. Montgomery, chairman of the Henrico County School Board, is—like parents and school administrators across the country—awaiting word on precisely what the county will be allowed to do with an estimated $14 million in stimulus dollars.

E. Norborne Doyle Jr. knew how to multi-task. He served as town manager and mayor in the Brunswick County town of Lawrenceville from 1980 to 1990, when he was replaced as mayor. Mr. Doyle also was part owner of radio station WLES when he was elected to the Lawrenceville Town Council in 1964. He reported news on the air and did many other jobs around the station, said his wife, Evangeline Reese Doyle. He sold his partnership in 1980.

The Prince George County School Board last night voted unanimously to approve a $60.15 million budget for the 2009-2010 school year that eliminates 18 positions and reduces spending in other areas. The 18 positions, including nine teaching jobs, will be eliminated through attrition or are currently vacant, saving the school system $979,253. There also will be no pay increases for school system staff.

A one-time shot of federal money to stimulate the economy won’t spare Richmond-area localities from tough decisions about how they operate in the future. The leaders of the region’s four biggest localities said yesterday that they welcome federal aid, especially for repairing roads and other public infrastructure. But they remain wary about limits on how the money can be used and cautious about spending it in ways that can be sustained.

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, it will cost more to take a taxi in Henrico County and elsewhere in the Richmond area. Last night, the Henrico Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted increased cab rates recommended by the Capital Region Taxicab Advisory Board. Taxi companies that operate in Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties currently charge $2.50 for the first fifth of a mile. The new rates, which go into effect Jan. 1, will increase the charge for each succeeding one-fifth mile from 40 cents to 50 cents. That increases the per-mile rate from $2 to $2.50.