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By Galen C. McBride
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Treasurer Louise Van Dort presented her preliminary version of the 1998-99 Washington town budget to the town council at its regular monthly meeting on April 8. “There’s a lot of money in the bank,” said Van Dort, with “$65,000-85,000 in retained earnings. But there are still bills and quarterly payments to be made.”
Her April 5 memorandum showed projected consolidated income of $208,700 for . the new fiscal year. Expense categories included administration, capital expenses, capital programs, capital reserves, employee expenses, maintenance, operations, and contributions to such projects as the July 4 fireworks fund, the fire and rescue company, development of the Visitors Welcome Center and webpage, and a town brochure. Elaine Viguerie, challenger for the treasury post, left the meeting without comment in the middle of Van Dort’s presentation.
With no town tax other than the Food and Lodging tax, the town is heavily dependent upon the tourist trade. Many of the council members running for reelection strongly support income diversification. Van Dort and others observed that the unusually mild winter weather contributed to a very good financial year for town businesses. Only about $10,000 comes in from the town’s share of the annual state bank franchise tax. The town partially subsidizes water costs. Council member Ray Gooch requested that Van Dort prepare a special report of actual waterworks expenses, by category, reflecting the amount of the subsidy. The report will be available soon.
Van Dort’s account summary for the month showed total town assets at mtre than $187,747. In an interview following the meeting, Van Dort pointed out and clarified discrepancies in the meeting handout. Cash accounts in Farmers and Merchants Bank and Rappahannock National Bank were subtracted instead of
94.9%