Forum on Arlington County $28 Million Budget Gap Set for Wednesday

County Manager Barbara Donnellan and Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy invite the public to a joint forum on strategies for balancing their Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 budgets, according to a news release from the county. Here’s more about the meeting from the release:

The forum on the budget is set for Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School cafeteria; the school is located at 1301 N. Stafford St.

Although our economic situation is stronger than most in the nation – and our real estate values are holding – Arlington County faces a $4 million budget gap and Arlington Public Schools (APS) faces an almost $24 million budget gap, for a total projected budget gap of $28 million, for fiscal year 2016, beginning July 1, 2015.

The County Manager and the Superintendent will need to make some difficult decisions. They are seeking community input as they work to balance their proposed budgets to be presented to the Arlington County Board and School Board, respectively, in February 2015.

Getting There:

• Free parking on I-66 parking deck behind Washington-Lee (enter on 15th Street) and some parking may be available in the Education Center lot and on the street.
• Washington-Lee High School is accessible from both the Virginia Square and Ballston Metro stations (Orange and Silver lines).
• Metrobus 38B and ART 41, 42, 75. View all bus options.
• Capital Bikeshare station is about a block and a half away, at Central Library.
• For real-time, interactive transit options, visit Car-Free Diet.

Translation Services:

If you require translation services in Sign Language, Spanish, or other languages, call County Manager’s Office, 703-228-3120, or APS Department of School and Community Relations, 703-228-6005 – at least three days prior to the meeting – to make the request.

Can’t Make It?

• County: Visit the County’s Budget website for all the latest updates, complete information, and to submit feedback.
• Schools: Visit the School’s Budget website for up-to-date information about the schools budget.

PHOTO of 2010 Arlington County budget forum from Patch archive