A state budget amendment that would cut $2.8 million in state education funding for Charlottesville and send it instead to Albemarle County cleared a major hurdle Sunday.
The measure, sponsored by Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, was included Sunday in the House version of the state’s budget. It now heads to the House floor, where it is likely to win approval.
Bell’s amendment seeks to adjust the state’s school funding formula so it takes into account the long-standing revenue sharing agreement between Albemarle County and Charlottesville.
Under that 1982 agreement, the county pays the city a portion of its tax revenue each year in exchange for the city not having annexed county land. This year, Albemarle paid the city $18 million as part of the deal.
Bell and some Albemarle officials believe the state’s school funding formula should be changed to take into account the county’s annual payments to the city. Doing so, they say, would ensure the state pays Albemarle its fair share of state education dollars.
Bell said he would be willing to withdraw the budget amendment if Charlottesville officials agree to sit down with their Albemarle counterparts and hammer out a compromise.
“To date, the city has said ‘Give us your money and don’t complain about it,’” Bell said Sunday evening. “If I were the city’s lawyer, I would strongly advise them to work out a compromise with the county.”
Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris did not immediately return a call for comment Sunday evening. The City Council passed a resolution in opposition to Bell’s measure last week.
Kristin Szakos, a member of the City Council, said Bell’s amendment would unfairly penalize the city’s school system.
“It’s basically taking money away from Charlottesville school kids and giving it to the county,” she said.
Albemarle officials, she said, are trying to find ways to cope with their revenue challenges without raising taxes.
Szakos added that the revenue sharing agreement was approved by Albemarle County voters and elected officials. It should not be changed, she said, just because Albemarle wants to stop sending the money to the city.
Del. David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville, had introduced two competing budget amendments that sought to increase education funding for Albemarle, but not by taking the funds from Charlottesville. Toscano later withdrew the pair of amendments, however, as he could not justify asking other localities — all of whom are struggling financially — to give money to Albemarle County.
Toscano could not be reached for comment Sunday night. He opposes Bell’s measure, as he considers it unprecedented state interference in a contractual matter between Charlottesville and Albemarle.
Toscano advocated last week for the two localities to smooth over relations and come up with new ways to cooperate once the fight over school funding is resolved one way or another.
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