1. THE STAFFORD NEWSwww.staffordcountyva.com THE WORLDS FAVORITE NEWSPAPER- Since 16642011- 2012 Banner Years forStafford!Bond Rating Upgraded Standard & Poors upgrade Job Growth and Business Growth Lead Virginia means Countys bonds areStafford was first in job rated AA by all three major growth in large communities ratings agenciesin Virginia from 2006 to 2011, and fourth in business Board Reduces Realgrowth by percentage of Estate Taxgrowth from 2005 to 2010. The average residential tax bill is down 11% over the last five years (inflationEducation Receives More adjusted).Funding Public Safety Board continues to invest in teachers and students. The Stafford had the lowest Proposed FY13 Budget crime rate per capita among provides the largest surrounding localities, operating transfer in decreasing by 17% fromStaffords history. 2000 2010.

2. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSFiscal StewardshipStrong Financial PracticesStafford adheres to several strict financial policiesthat include maintaining a balanced budget, borrowingmoney only for capital projects, maintaining reserves,estimating revenues conservatively and spending lessthan adopted budgets that have improved the Countysfinancial standing. Cut General Administration to 2005 levels Consistently lowered taxes Increased funding to education and publicsafety Strengthened fiscal reservesBond Rating UpgradedStandard and Poors upgraded Staffords bond rating in Unallocated Fund Balance ($29.1 million) metJuly 2011 from AA- to AA. The agency said StaffordsBoard goal of 12 percent of General Fundhas strong economic fundamentals and goodRevenuesfinancial policies and practices, which have helpedEnded FY 2011 with $6.6 million positive results ofmanagement maintain what Standard and Poorsoperation Stafford County Public Schools had $3.2 million considers a strong financial performance despitepositive results of operation the recessions effect on housing values and Board reduced real estate tax in 2010 and 2011economically sensitive revenue. A high bond rating Stafford has seventh-highest median household means that the County can borrow money at a lowincome in the United States cost, ultimately saving taxpayer money. 3. STAFFORD NEWS April 4, 2012Board Increases Funding EducationProposed FY13 Budget provides largest operatingRising Test Scorestransfer in Staffords history and single largestincrease in the FY13 Budget.SOL Scores 2009 2010 2011Math 87 89 90 FY12 FY13ChangeEnglish89 91 91 Operating$101.7m$105.7m +$4.0m 100% of Staffords Schools are FullyWith pending General Assembly decisions, the schools Accredited!have an increased buying power of approximately $12million.On-Time2009 20102011GraduationCapital ImprovementsRate 89%91% 92% The Adopted FY12-2017 Capital Improvement Program allows for $203.8 million for our debt capacity. The schools have $144.3 million of $203.5 million dollars, which is 75% of our debt capacity. 4. STAFFORD NEWSApril 4, 2012 Education Total School Operating Budget by Federal, State and Local Contributions FY08 - Proposed FY13 FY08FY09FY10FY11FY12ProposedFY13FederalFunds$1,957,103$2,398,652$2,138,986$2,503,519$1,620,000 $1,925,000StateFunds $105,961,760 $115,342,569 $97,313,921 $96,098,467 $103,014,406$108,541,610CountyFunds$93,069,985 $96,410,089 $97,744,752 $89,497,435 $101,693,774$105,725,774Allnumbersarefrompage29oftheFY2013SchoolBoardsApprovedBudgetexceptproposedlocalfundsinFY13 5. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSEconomic Development 10-Point PlanRetail Study The Economic Development Underway 10-Point Plan promotes andStafford has been working with a enhances Staffords businessretail consultant to help define friendly-climate. The vision is trade areas, understand the to make Stafford a more spending patterns and what the desirable community and retail gap is. We are working to create marketing collateral that will business location by providing: better position the County in front job opportunities for citizens; of retailers. world-class school system; modern public safety services;Business Advisory Committee and abundant parks and recreational opportunities. This is the first partnership Implementation of the planamong the Board, staff and continues.businesses. Meetings are held throughout the year. Research & Tech ParkThis research park at the Quantico Corporate Centerwould focus on the defense and intelligencecommunities, where academia, government and theprivate sector could collaborate to educate theworkforce and conduct cutting-edge research thatwould attract corporate investment and well-payingCommercial Construction jobs. Classes are already being taught at the center bythe University of Mary Washington. An official opening1.1 million square feet in pipeline; 66,000 square feet;is expected this fall.constructed; 426,000 square feet under construction 6. STAFFORD NEWS April 4, 2012Stafford Leads Virginia Job Growth and EconomyStaffords business-friendly efforts paid off once again instrong job growth numbers. According to the VirginiaEmployment Commission, Stafford led the entireCommonwealth of Virginia in job growth over the last fiveyears among large communities. 1st in Job Growth 4th in Economic GrowthStaffords unemployment rate is one of the lowest inVirginia at 4.8%. We also have the 7th highest medianhousehold income in the United States at $94,317,moving up from 12th place since the last rankingStafford Does Not Tax Income! The Commonwealth of Virginia taxes income and receives these revenues!Commercial RevenueFor the first time in decades, 20% of Stafford continues to experience healthy growth in local our tax revenue comes through sales tax revenue. 2011 sales equaled $10,667,203, representing 5.6% increase in commercial revenue.commercial growth, up from 13% a over 2010 sales tax revenues of $10,667,203. Our few years ago, thus lessening the tax economic success has improved Staffords ratio ofburden on home owners. personal property taxes vs. commercial revenue. 7. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSInfrastructureBond Projects UnderwayStafford continues to work on the transportation and parksbond projects approved by voters in 2008 and 2009.Safety improvements are underway on Mountain View,Brooke and Poplar roads. Expansions are scheduled atthe VRE lots at Leeland and Brooke, and arescheduled to completed this year. In addition, theStaffordboro commuter lot will be expanded by morethan 1,000 parking spaces. Voter-approved parks projectsare also underway at Chichester Park. Master planningat Musselman Park is underway, and planning hasstarted on replacing the Curtis Park pool.Enhanced Parks Construction on the Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail with walking and bike paths has started. Sidewalks at Falmouth Bottom are also being built. Improvements are also underway at Smith Lake Park and ADA accessibility upgrades are also planned at numerous The County widened Mine Road. The photo on topother parks. Government Island, opened in 2009, was taken during construction; the photo belowcontinues to draw visitors from all over the country. was after construction ended. 8. April 4, 2012 STAFFORD NEWSBudget ChallengesImpact of State Funding Changes For FY13*Less State FundingAid to Localities, Reduced Local Fines $717,898 State Mandated Increases Total Change:Increase to County Agencies (VRS/Basic Life Increases)Contingency for implementation of VRS 5/5 $1,234,272$ 505,000 - $3,145,170Corrections (Reduction in Per Diem payments)$ 688,000*Changes from FY12 Virginia Policies 9. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSStafford by the Numbers Structural ChangesPercent Difference from FY0710% 5%Public Safety Employees 0%Non-Public Safety EmployeesFY8FY9FY10 FY11FY12-5%County Population -10% -15% -20%Since 2008, Stafford County has:8,464 more residents26 more deputies and firefighters (public safety)67 fewer non-public safety employees (county administration) 10. April 4, 2012STAFFORD NEWSFY13 Budget Measured Approach The FY13 Budget reflects sound fiscal management, focusing on core services, increasing business opportunities and job creation, and low taxes. We have adhered to a steady responsible course by continuing to focus on these priorities. We cut general government to 2005 levels, lowered taxes, increased funding for education and public safety and strengthened fiscal reserves, all while our population continues to increase. The Board is trying to increase funding for its priorities for the community - public safety, education, infrastructure, and economic development, while also trying to keep taxes low for citizens.