So, one of the first things the Council does in the budget process is to adopt a Five-Year Forecast.  This document is important for a couple of reasons but chief amongst them is that it gives guidance to staff about what the Council expects in terms of revenue (and by extension the tax rate) for the following couple of years.  This guidance is, in turn, used by the staff to construct the budget.

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Inside Basball Alert!!  What follows is quality public policy wonkery!!  I suspect it’s even mostly right!!

As pointed out by Mr. Randolph – The City Council adopted a Policy Statement Monday night that reads in part: 

The Citizens of the City of Manassas receive important, beneficial services from a variety of State, Federal and private agencies.  In addition, many City Departments rely on funding from State, Federal and private agencies. These State,  federal and private agencies are critical partners with the City and Manassas City Public Schools in providing services for our community. When these State, Federal and private agencies terminate programs, services or curtail funding, it cannot be assumed that the City will maintain those programs. The City’s ability to assume the financial reponsibility for State, Federal and privately funded services without significantly impacting other service areas or raising taxes is limited.”
POLICY STATEMENT #P-2012-02 – Prevent Supplanting State, Federal and Private Funds With Local Funds

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