Prince William County, Va. – Residents learned more about how some of their tax dollars are used and then urged a Woodbridge leader to bring change to the system.
Prince William County Supervisors all use what are known as Discretionary Funds — monies left over after the bills of running the supervisors’ offices have been paid. The funds have been a topic of discussion in past weeks after Prince William Brenstville District Supervisor Wally Covington retracted a $100,000 donation that would have to a charity in which his wife works as a volunteer.
On Thursday, the Prince William County Committee of 100 hosted a meeting in Manassas to discuss the usage and workings of these funds.
The public meeting had a panel of four speakers: Prince William Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi, Certified Public Accountant and recent candidate for Prince William At-large Supervisor John Gray, Paul Moessner, who sits on the ACTS Board of Directors, and Michael Thompson, President of the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy.
Discretionary Funds are often doled out, at the elected leaders’ discretion, to local projects or organizations in the county.
Principi said some of his funds were extremely helpful in providing support to the 300 victims of Tropical Storm Lee, whom last fall had their Woodbridge homes flooded. The supervisor added that only three percent of his annual budget is used for Discretionary Funds.
Thompson spoke out against using these types of funds, and is avidly opposed to the way they are handled and their implications on the image of the county. Thompson cited that many counties around the country have done away with their process of using discretionary funds and that, “discretionary funds are not common in Virginia.”
While Principi firmly supports the continued system of discretionary fund use in the county, he said changes should be made.
“We should adopt a set of guidelines that the Board of County Supervisors use for funds,” said Principi. The elected leader added there should be, “a cap or sealing on the amount of reallocation of funds that carry over [in the fiscal year].”
Principi added the discretionary funds in his budget were used to, “offset the cost of housing, food and healthcare [for residents].”
The yearly budget for each county supervisor is $335,000, and 70 percent of this annual budget is spent on salaries and benefits for staff members. Another 27 percent of this budget goes to basic operating costs.
Principi gave a detailed summary of his criteria for making donations from his discretionary fund account, while there is no set guideline for doing so, saying that he does not donate to any organizations with any religious affiliation, nor does he donate to start-up organizations, or private organizations.
Moessner expressed his belief that discretionary funds are a positive force in the county he himself has petitioned Board of County Supervisors for money from these discretionary funds to fund projects and initiatives for ACTS programs.
Gray, a member of the Prince William County Budget Committee since 1993, supports many of the donations that the Board of County Supervisors makes with these discretionary funds, but said the use of Discretionary Funds is not transparent to citizens, and that in some cases, due to the lack regulation for these funds.
During the question and answer period, many citizens expressed their concerns with the use of discretionary funds and the potential appearance of impropriety of the county Supervisors, calling for action from Principi and the Supervisors to amend the system for discretionary funds. While no official conclusion was established, citizens in Prince William County had the opportunity to learn more about the discretionary funds and make their feelings known to the Board.
Recent Stories
Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.
Location: 601 Caroline Street, 1st Floor, Fredericksburg
For event inquiries, contact: 540-372-1216 | [email protected]
Do you have an event you’d like to share with the community? Submitting your event to Potomac Local News is FREE and easy! Just fill out our form using this link: Submit Your Event.
Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.
The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.
The Stafford location features state-of-the-art equipment, including strength machines, free weights, a dedicated area for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and a functional training room with turf for agility exercises. Members can also access amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms with showers, a mobility and stretching space, and free WiFi.
A highlight of the facility is the Black Card Spa, available to those who pay for a higher membership tier. The spa includes Hydro Massage Loungers, massage chairs, recovery loungers, and salon-grade tanning beds, offering members an opportunity to relax and recover post-workout.
Called to Jail
A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.
Assault
– Marion Manor Nursing Home: A staff member assaulted another during a disagreement. The suspect was charged with assault and battery and held without bond.
– Shasta Place: A male suspect bit the victim during a verbal altercation. He was charged with assault and battery but released on personal recognizance.
DUI
Deputies discovered a car in a ditch on Courthouse Road. The driver admitted to drinking beer, with three empty cans found in her vehicle. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, and refusal, and held on a $3,000 bond.
Hit and Run
A vehicle struck a VDOT sign and two unoccupied trucks at EZ Auto Sales before the driver fled. Deputies identified the suspect using evidence left in the vehicle, and warrants for hit and run and property destruction were issued.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.
Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
Essential personnel will report at specified times.
All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled.
—
King George County Public Schools
King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
Liberal leave will be in effect.
We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
