Beckett wrong on a number of issues

Pranas Rimeikis / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: February 22, 2008

I want to set the record straight about some of Mr. Jerry Beckett's comments about town government in his Feb. 17 "How I See It"  "Town Issues More Important Than A Beret."

Mr. Beckett asserted that the town council at its retreat Jan. 26, 2008, discussed the upcoming $51 million town budget. He stated that the time spent and nature of the discussion was "woefully inadequate" given the seriousness of the issue. I am not sure where he pulled that figure from, or the $500k shortfall. If his figures were accurate, it would represent a mere .01% shortfall; quite acceptable given the shortfalls facing everyone in the state and country. The actual General Fund figures are $12 million, and $262K, respectively. Had Mr. Beckett stayed for more than an hour of the four-hour meeting, he would have known that the retreat was simply the council's annual mid-year review of the current budget and not a work session on the upcoming budget. The new Fiscal '09 budget is still being prepared and will be the subject of lengthy public debate and public hearings before being adopted in June.

Mr. Beckett also raised concerns about the hiring of a part-time public information officer. He suggested that Interim Town Manager Tom Huggard could handle that chore along with his other duties. Mr. Huggard is juggling many issues. He doesn't have an assistant town manager. The town clerk is retiring. The director of environmental services recently stepped down for health reasons. Mr. Huggard has been asked to not only perform as town manager but also help step in for those positions until qualified replacements are hired. He has little spare time to respond individually to media and citizen requests. The council feels it is imperative to keep the channels of communication open with our citizens. Hiring a part-time employee could take a load off Mr. Huggard and other staff members and permit them to focus on the jobs the citizens pay them to do.

Mr. Beckett stated that taxes are rising because the town provides $71,000 to the Chamber of Commerce. That is not new but a continuation of a long time contract with the chamber to operate the visitor's center. This center brings in tourists and business leaders who visit Culpeper and spend money here. Were it not for this wonderful arrangement the town would have to hire more employees to operate the center at a greater cost than $71,000. Mr. Beckett should be aware that no money was authorized at last month's retreat for the chamber. That authorization took place in June 2007, when the current budget was approved.

Mr. Beckett complained that council "while relying on 90 percent projections and actual 10 percent revenues, the bill is now coming due." If he is alluding to the fact that government must project revenue streams, then he is correct. Only 14% of the town's revenues come from property taxes which are fairly predictable. The remaining revenues come from business and consumer related taxes, fees for services, and grants.

Revenue projection is a standard practice used to determine expenditures. Revenue projection is not an exact science. Sometimes there are deficits and sometimes surpluses.

Mr. Beckett says council doesn't respond to citizens. He couldn't be more wrong. Among others, residents in Southridge and Redwood Lakes will tell you that town council responded favorably to issues each neighborhood presented to council. Responsiveness to town citizen's legitimate concerns is now and has always been a primary function of the council. We take our obligation to be responsive very seriously. This does not mean that all requests bring the desired response, but all requests are given a fair hearing. Mr. Beckett should also understand that at times the only correct response the town can give is "No".

Mr. Beckett states that he sat at a town meeting where the council was "about to" spend money for the consultant for a new police station on property the town didn't own. He fails to state that the council then voted against the expenditure for precisely the reason he states.

Like Mr. Beckett, we all look forward to the traffic relief that will come from the completion of the Inner loop and Western Bypass around the town. What Mr. Beckett perhaps fails to understand is that these are multi-million dollar projects. It takes years to engineer and raise funds to move the plans forward unless we commit to substantial increases in taxes, which Mr. Beckett states he is firmly opposes. Anyone who is willing to look at these issues in a realistic manner understands you can't have it both ways. Waving a magic wand can't solve the town's traffic problems. But these road projects remain a high priority on the council's agenda.

The bike path Mr. Beckett complains about is a quality of life issue and helps instill that small town spirit. The same can be said for the sidewalks that Mr. Beckett claims go to nowhere. When completed, the new sidewalks will join up with the old ones, forming a circulating network around the town. If Mr. Beckett or anyone else cares to take the time to study the town's sidewalk plan, they can see exactly how this is to be accomplished. People are already using these new facilities even though they are not yet complete. When done, they will contribute greatly to the health and safety of our citizen's and will be yet another of the things that make Culpeper such a pleasant place to live. 

Mr. Beckett proposes the town withhold water and sewer service to control growth. Using water taps to stifle growth is not a viable or legal solution to control growth. By law, landowners building within town limits have a right to water and sewer, especially when the land is already zoned for a particular use. Attempts to deny citizens of these rights would end in litigation. The town would incur substantial legal fees in defending these cases, which would in turn lead to higher taxes. In the end, the town would lose. In addition, citizens need to understand that the vast majority of the recent growth in town was not triggered by any actions of the current council. Past councils made zoning and development decisions decades ago, effects of which are just now being felt. Today's council has no ability to turn back the clock and remain within the law. What has occurred however is a good lesson in why the actions of a governing body need to be deliberate and based upon careful study and understanding of facts rather than being knee jerk reactions to perceived problems which in reality have no simple solutions.

Mr. Beckett's assertions that the town didn't read the fine print with a contractor about $500,000 is totally incorrect. A developer paid for water and sewer tap fees in advance. When he discontinued the project he asked for his money back. No taps, no fees; it's that simple.

Sadly in his letter, Mr. Beckett fails to acknowledge the positive things the town council does for its citizens. Residents have a water and sewer system that provides water on demand to serve their water needs and at a fair price. Trash is collected weekly and roads are plowed and maintained. Those residents who are served by the town electric department can be assured that town employees will respond quickly to restore power when there is an outage. And the police department responds quickly when called for services. The town is sound financially. The town has low debt. The town has a good bond rating.

Because the town has promoted other sources of income, besides real estate and personal property taxes to help fund town services, the town's tax rate is low — seven cents per $100 of assessed value. These are only a few of the many positives, which make Culpeper such a nice place to live. And these positives exist in large part because of the ongoing efforts of the current and previous town councils.

The Town of Culpeper is a municipal corporation dedicated to providing services that make living in town more enjoyable and convenient for its citizens.

Those are the real answers to questions posed by Mr. Beckett and the citizens have a right to know the truth.

Sincerely,

Pranas Rimeikis

Mayor