Principi: What the FY 12 Budget Does for Woodbridge

• Editor's Note: the following statement comes from Woodbridge district supervisor Frank J. Principi's office. It is unedited. 

Last week, the Board of County Supervisors approved the budget for Prince William County with overwhelming support.  Many budget items vital to the quality of life for Woodbridge residents were addressed.   Increases in public safety, libraries, and road projects designed to eliminate gridlock were just some of the items included in the budget. 

• 17 additional Police officers added. This is the first increase in four years, allowing for the Department to again provide preventative based services to the residents of Prince William County.

• Widening of Route 1 from Neabsco Mills to Featherstone Drive.  Together with recent State funding of the, traffic congestion on the Route 1 corridor will be alleviated. 

• $300,000 allocated for the renovation of on Opitz Boulevard.  This money will allow the Library to expand and a patio to be built for family activities such as the viewing of movies and outdoor reading.

• A two percent Cost of Living adjustment included, which every employee will receive on July 1.  There was also a change in our employee’s retirement plans.  Due to rising cost of the Virginia Retirement Service, phase 2 employees (those who started after July 1, 2010) will have to begin paying 5% into their retirement account.  To help offset this, we will be discussing how to give these new employees a one time 2.5 percent bonus during carryover in August.

• Money for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail included.  The money will do wonders for the ongoing trail effort and will allow for the completion of the section running through Woodbridge.

“This budget basically gives residents a better quality of life, by giving them the ability to get to and from work quicker through better roads.  Once home from work, they can relax with their family by taking them to the expanded Potomac Library or for a walk on the Potomac National Scenic Heritage trail.  While out, they will have peace of mind knowing their family, home, and neighborhood is safer with the additional 17 police officers on the street.  If they need assistance through social services, they will get their benefits quicker because of actions taken during this budget cycle.  After years of budget cuts, we are once again investing in our future.  The residents of Woodbridge will reap the benefits for years to come,” said Supervisor Principi.