JWB Budget
The JWB budget is the result of a seven month process resulting in the attached document (below) and incorporating input from the Finance Committee and the JWB Board.
The Board’s overall goal has been to protect the most vulnerable children from service disruption, while responding to a recessionary climate and severe declines in property values over a three year period. The County is experiencing a historic and massive decrease in the taxable values resulting in services being slashed at County, School Board, and the municipal levels.
The .7915 recommended millage rate is the same as last year, however it will generate $6.4M less. The Board has directed staff to stabilize services to children in the 2009 fiscal year, and maintain this funding for three years. The final taxable value ($64.8B) was received from the Property Appraiser’s office on July 1, 2009. This represents an 11.4% decline from last year, however, subtracting new construction yields a total reduction of 12.1%. Based on these new figures, the total budget would be $64M with a $44.6M program portfolio. Approximately 2,600 fewer children will be served with JWB funds next year, with total projected children served reaching 50,000 children. At the June meeting, the Board recommended staff seek to assure that no child is removed from child care and that the inclusion program for children with disabilities be continued at a reduced allocation.
