There’s no better way to get insight into the commitments of your government than looking at the current and proposed budgets. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting (full agenda), there will be a public hearing on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Have a look. I encourage everyone to read the City Manager Budget Letter for an overview on how the budget reflects adjustments for the economic conditions.

Some highlights, all quoted from the draft budget:

• The total proposed budget (all funds) represents a 33.6% decrease in expenditures from the fiscal
  year 08 – 09 budget.
• Although there may be some relief to come from the Federal Economic Stimulus package, at this
  point the budget cannot and does not rely on such relief. Any funds received will be handled
  through budget amendments, but it should be kept in mind that those funds will likely be tar-
  geted to specific areas as determined by the Federal government.
• The proposed budget reflects sensitivity to the need to keep expenditure levels to a minimum, while
  not sacrificing the level of service that our citizens have come to expect. It also reflects a commit-
  ment to the City’s adopted Mission Statement and Organizational Values. Emphasis is placed on
  EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, ROADS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES.
• General Fund revenues are projected to decrease by $2.3 million when compared to the current
  year’s amended budget and $1.7 million less than last year’s proposed budget, percentage decrease
  of 2.6 and 2.1 percent respectively.
• Harrisonburg continues to compare favorably with real estate and personal property tax rates around the state. According to a 2008 publication by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the City has the fourth lowest nominal real estate tax rate among all independent cities in Virginia. It should be noted that the three cities with lower rates are much smaller in size than Harrisonburg. The City has the eleventh lowest rate for personal property tax rates for motor vehicles based on an adjusted effective rate among all independent cities, and again most of the lower rates are smaller municipalities than Harrisonburg.