Supervisors Consider Retooling County's Vision

Proposal Would Aim to Create Broader 'Transformative' Guidelines for Policy and Budget Decisions

Prince William County considered revamping its strategic plan this week to turn the guidelines that will direct policy and budget decisions through 2013 from "functional to transformative," in the words of the county executive.

Rather than focus on a list of single-issue priorities, such as transportation, education and public safety, the Board of County Supervisors considered adopting the broader goals of creating sustainable neighborhoods, businesses and families. It's a new, if lofty, approach that was discussed at Tuesday's meeting.

Under the guidelines proposed by county staff, the board would fold community development and public safety into the sustainable neighborhoods goal. Human services would fall under sustainable families, and economic development and transportation would be considered part of creating sustainable businesses.

As part of its sustainable neighborhoods goal, the county would potentially emphasize neighborhood services, property code enforcement and exploring new sources of money, such as an ambulance fee. The proposal could result in changes in the county's standards on police staffing -- now one officer per 1,000 residents -- and open space.

The challenge, County Executive Craig S. Gerhart has said time and again, is balancing community expectations and desires with the willingness to pay.

"The condition of the general fund will get worse before it gets better," Gerhart told the board. "I don't want you to be under the illusion that there is [extra] money sitting around. There is less than you want and less than you need."

Gerhart admitted the new concept is "pretty vague" but said he proposed it with the intention of "ratcheting up the conversation." He said he wanted supervisors to adopt a more comprehensive approach.

"This is not a pretty process. But if we are taking it seriously, then we will engage in an important dialogue," he said before the meeting. "If it looks messy, that's good."

Supervisor Frank J. Principi (D-Woodbridge) labeled the proposal "all semantics" last week when county staff presented it. The discussion has stretched out over two board meetings, and the board had not finalized a decision by press time Tuesday evening.

Other supervisors questioned the approach as well. Supervisor W.S. Covington III (R-Brentsville) was opposed. "I couldn't get my hands around it," he said. "I would rather see a direct approach. Our priorities have been well established in transportation, public safety and education. If the rules stay the same, you'll see the community's priorities start to line up."

Supervisor Martin E. Nohe (R-Coles) proposed a framework that would consolidate the strategic plan into four areas: education, public safety, human services and economic development/transportation. He also suggested including an appendix for initiatives the board deems "a priority," such as the community performing arts center.

The board agreed to study 12 issues last year based on a survey by county staff members in which residents ranked the issues most important to them.

The eight priorities supervisors adopted in the last strategic plan remained on the list, including improving county roads and the quality of public education, but in a slightly different order.

As in a similar survey four years ago, crime was the No. 1 issue for residents. Meeting the basic needs of low-income residents and promoting economic development fell out of the top 10, replaced by public transportation and affordable housing.

Tracking last fall's campaign season, immigration debuted on the list. It ranked under transportation, schools and education, environment and parks and recreation.

The new strategic plan will provide guidance for budget and operating decisions from 2009 through 2013. Supervisors are scheduled to adopt a strategic plan this fall.

In other business Tuesday, the county adopted laws that will allow it to more easily remove graffiti and trash from public and private property.