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Budget crisis means Petersburg government shutdown possible

Posted at 10:56 PM, Aug 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-24 09:15:01-04

PETERSBURG, Va. -- Petersburg's Interim City Manager Dironna Moore Belton stunned a crowd of Petersburg taxpayers at a special council meeting Tuesday, admitting a city shutdown may be necessary this year if short term financing is not received as soon as possible.

Some tax-payers showed up to the meeting wearing blue tape across their mouths Tuesday, because citizens weren't allowed to comment during the meeting on proposed cuts.

Some tax-papers showed up to the meeting wearing blue tape across their mouths Tuesday, because citizens weren't allowed to comment during the meeting on proposed cuts.

Some tax-papers showed up to the meeting wearing blue tape across their mouths Tuesday, because citizens weren't allowed to comment during the meeting on proposed cuts.

The special meeting was to discuss city finances and review a plan by Belton to reduce the city’s $12 million budget deficit.

Belton said if there was a city shut down, only the public safety services would remain.

Petersburg has relied on that short term financing for years and now it's possible they won't qualify for it.

“Without it, we have no chance,” Vice Mayor Samuel Parham said of short-term financing.

For that reason, the council voted 6-1 in favor of cutting $12 million from the budget, but what exactly will be cut remains up in the air.

“We do have leeway on what's going to be cut and what's not going to be cut,” said Parham.

City council meeting

A consulting group hired by the city recommended numerous cuts, including a 10 percent pay cut to all city employees for one year, the closure of one of the city's four fire houses and a reduction in school funding by $4 million, among other suggestions.

Residents say cuts are necessary, but some of them are hard to swallow.

“It is astounding to me that we want to devastate our schools even further than they already are,” said Petersburg resident Bishop Bay.

“A closure of a neighborhood fire station would increase the response times in that neighborhood,” added Scott Spencer of Virginia Professional Firefighters.

Scott Spencer of Virginia Professional Firefighters

Scott Spencer of Virginia Professional Firefighters

One council member also pointed out that cutting employee wages will result in a greater need for costly social services provided by the city.

Other Petersburg residents wondered how the city got in this situation in the first place.

“Where have the checks and balances been in the past?” said Kay Beale.

“Do you feel any sense of responsibility as the vice mayor for getting the city into this terrible situation?” Melissa Hipolit asked Petersburg Vice Mayor Samuel Parham.

“This goes back to 2012, I got here in 2015” Parham replied. “Needless to say it's been dealt to us and we are going to deal with this, we are going to handle it.”

Earlier this month, a Petersburg audit revealed “historic overspending” started in 2012.

Council voted to hold a public meeting on September 6, so citizens could voice their opinions on the cuts and then council will make its decision.

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