Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget

Section N - Regional Organizations and Metro

REGIONALS/CONTRIBUTIONS

MISSION STATEMENT:  To supplement organizations that provide beneficial services to Arlington residents and visitors.

Arlington County contributes to government, government-related and non-profit organizations, which address issues and problems that have regional impact. In addition, a number of non-profit Arlington-based organizations are funded in this account.  Varied methods are applied in determining the level of funding provided to these agencies and organizations.  They have been grouped into the following four categories according to their funding criteria:

Group I

Group II

Group III

Group IV

The following section describes the purpose of these organizations and their proposed level of funding for FY 2004.

GROUP I:

CONTRIBUTION IS BASED ON A POPULATION DRIVEN FORMULA

METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS: Arlington County's total contribution to the $22.2 million Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) budget is $179,414.  Arlington's share of the operating expenses of MWCOG is based on its percentage of the total population for the entire metropolitan area.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL COMMISSION: Arlington County's contribution to the $9.1 million FY 2004 budget of this agency is $99,689. This includes the general contribution as well as the contribution for Four-Mile Run.  This contribution continues programs such as water quality and control, environmental and fiscal impact assistance, physical planning, human resources and public safety.  The request by the Commission is based on a $.32 per capita contribution.  The Four-Mile Run contribution is based on a population and land use formula.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Arlington County's FY 2004 contribution to the Northern Virginia Community College is $30,226.  This supports maintenance and operational costs not financed by General Assembly appropriations.  The amount of the contribution is based on Arlington's percentage of the area's population.  In addition, funding of $11,025 is included for the Educational Foundation.  In 1994, the Arlington County Board approved the establishment of the Mary Marshall Scholarship Fund at NVCC to honor the memory of Mary Marshall, who served Arlington County in the Virginia General Assembly.  The funds support six scholarships and tuition assistance for part-time students.

HEALTH SYSTEMS AGENCY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA:  Arlington County's contribution of $18,400 supports the agency's general operating costs. Northern Virginia jurisdictions are requested to contribute based on the percentage of the population represented by the jurisdiction.  FY 2002 contribution was paid after the end of the fiscal year.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY: Arlington County's contribution to this agency supports the non-revenue producing programs of the Regional Park Authority.  The population-based contribution for FY 2004 is $338,024.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (NVTC): Arlington County's FY 2004 contribution to NVTC of $75,672 continues regional transportation efforts.  The total proposed budget for NVTC for FY 2004 is $1,104,800.  The Commonwealth of Virginia contribution is $654,800, or 59 percent of the total operating budget.  A total of $310,000 is contributed by six Northern Virginia jurisdictions.  The remainder of NVTC's budget is derived from miscellaneous revenues, interest earnings, and re-appropriation of surplus funds.

GROUP II:

CONTRIBUTION IS BASED ON A USAGE FORMULA

NORTHERN VIRGINIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY: Arlington County's contribution to the $2.2 million Academy budget is $393,920.  The Academy provides law enforcement training to police and sheriff recruits. The allocation of operating costs to participating jurisdictions is determined by a formula based on the number of sworn police officers and sheriff deputies.

PEUMANSEND REGIONAL JAIL: Arlington County is one of six jurisdictions that contribute operating funds based on an allocation of beds in the regional jail facility opened in FY 2000.  Arlington County's FY 2004 contribution to Peumansend is $573,502 and is based on a commitment of 60 beds.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA JUVENILE DETENTION HOME: The contribution by Arlington County is based on the percentage of beds used.  The total budget for this agency is $5,009,313.  This amount includes the Post Detention Program.  The Commonwealth of Virginia contributes 34 percent of this total budget, with local jurisdictions (Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church) contributing 63.3% and the remaining coming from other sources. Arlington's recommended contribution of $1,855,888 for FY 2004 supports approximately 35 percent of operating costs as well as a capital adjustment charge.

GROUP III:

NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

FRIENDS OF GUEST HOUSE:  Arlington County's contribution to this agency is $40,000.  Guest House provides housing, employment, and counseling services to female parolees.

ARLINGTON COMMUNITY ACCESS CORPORATION:  The contribution to this County Board-initiated corporation for FY 2004 is $421,788.  This corporation manages the County's public access cable television station. The contribution represents the amount estimated to be received from the cable television provider pursuant to the existing operating certificate. Payments are based on one percent of the operator's gross revenues.

ARLINGTON COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM (ACAP):  Arlington's contribution to this agency for FY 2004 is $82,626.  The contribution supports community development and community service programs.

CRISISLINK (formerly NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOTLINE):  Arlington County's FY 2004 contribution of $98,207 support a 24-hour, 365 days per year, confidential listening and referral hotline.  CrisisLink is designed to provide immediate and no cost services to persons in crisis.  In addition, the American Association of Suicidology certifies CrisisLink as a suicide prevention program.  The additional funding recommended for FY 2004 supports a 2% increase in personnel costs ($1,920) and increased telephone expenses ($305)

HISPANIC COMMITTEE OF VIRGINIA: Arlington County's contribution to this Agency is $129,144.  The Agency provides referral and information services for Spanish-speaking residents of Arlington County.  Additionally, the agency provides social services to enable clients to access a range of needed services such as school, immigration and employment issues. The increased funding recommended for FY 2004 supports a 2% increase in personnel costs.

ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE: Arlington County's FY 2004 contribution for this agency is $741,929.  The League provides animal control and animal sheltering services to Arlington County.  The increased funding recommended for FY 2004 supports increased costs for liability insurance.

LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA: The FY 2004 contribution to this agency of $369,261 includes $22,000 in federal Older Americans Act funds.  This agency provides legal services to low-income and elderly residents of Arlington.  The increased funding recommended for FY 2004 supports a 2% increase in personnel costs.

VIRGINIA ADULT PROBATION AND PAROLE:  Arlington County's contribution of $60,229 supplements the state-set salaries of 27 Commonwealth of Virginia Adult Parole employees.  The supplement attempts to keep these employees' salaries at parity with staff in the County-operated Court Services Unit of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. 

OFFENDER AID AND RESTORATION:  The recommended County contribution to this Agency for FY 2004 is $336,273.  This agency provides community-based correction and rehabilitation services to adult offenders and ex-offenders, as well as community service placement and supervision for juveniles and adults.  The increased funding recommended for FY 2004 maintains the County's contributions as a percent of the total Agency budget at the FY 2003 level.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA:  For FY 2004, the County's funding for this agency is $17,500.  The Agency provides one-on-one tutoring in reading and writing for functionally illiterate adults.

HOSPICE OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA:  Founded in 1977, this agency provides care for terminally ill patients and their families with a comprehensive program of medical and psychosocial care.  Programs include home care, inpatient care and bereavement counseling.  In addition to the $11,092 in General Fund support, the County provides in excess of $25,000 in annual financial support through the exemption of its Arlington property from real and personal property taxes.

ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL: The Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) provides information and referral, employment, housing, translation/interpretation, social and support services to the African refugee and immigrant community.  The increased funding recommended for FY 2004 supports a 2% increase in personnel costs.

ENDEPENDENCE CENTER: The Endependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) is a community-based, resource and advocacy center promoting independent living and equal access for all persons with disabilities in Northern Virginia. The increased funding recommended for FY 2004 supports a 2% increase in personnel costs.

GROUP IV:

CONTRIBUTION IS DETERMINED AFTER A COMPETITIVE REVIEW OF ALL REGIONAL DISABILITY ORGANIZATIONS.

REGIONAL DISABILITY ORGANIZATIONS:  Funding proposals from regional disability organizations are reviewed annually through a competitive process in coordination with the Disability Advisory Commission. 

SERVICES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED (formerly VOLUNTEERS FOR THE VISUALLY HANDICAPPED): This agency provides information, orientation and mobility training, referral, peer counseling and education services for visually impaired persons in the metropolitan area.  Braille and job readiness classes are offered, as well as an aids and devices center. 

NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESOURCE CENTER FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PERSONS: This agency provides information and referral, advocacy and education services to individuals in the Northern Virginia metropolitan area who are deaf and hard of hearing to enhance their quality of life and to remove barriers to services in the community.  The increased funding recommended for FY 2004 supports a rent increase.

BRAIN INJURY SERVICES:  This agency provides assistance to survivors of traumatic brain injury throughout Northern Virginia.  Services include long-term case management, employment assistance, independent living skills training, transportation, respite care, and recreational/socialization programs.  The funding from Arlington specifically supports the cost of a part-time case manager for Arlington residents with brain injuries. The funding recommended for FY 2004 includes $506 to support a 2% increase in personnel cost.

REHABILITATIVE SERVICES INCENTIVE FUND: This state fund was established in FY 1996 and provides a state match for local projects that assist persons with disabilities.  In FY 2004, this funding was eliminated by the State.

 PROJECT WORD: Funding from Arlington helps support Project WORD which offers support and a volunteer network for those with disabilities, their families, friends, and community. 

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