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County sets game plan:Supervisors say economy could limit four-year agenda
After a daylong round-table discussion of Loudoun County's hot topics, the nine supervisors walked away with a game plan and an agenda for the remainder of their four-year term, which began in January.Their plans would address residents' concerns about transportation, public safety, quality of life/neighborhood revitalization, environment and energy, schools and county spending.
The supervisors' transportation goal was to create a safe, reliable, high-performing network, using multiple transportation methods. They also plan to promote alternative fuel-saving practices like ride-sharing and staggered workday hours.
Road projects supervisors plan to focus on include Route 7, Route 606, and the Waxpool and Church roads corridor.
The board said it would partner with other agencies to continuing lobbying for road funding as well as to improve auto-accident management, expand walk-to-school zones and change the toll structure on the Greenway.
Despite a healthy list of goals and initiatives, however, supervisors said they worried how much they would be able to implement in this ailing economy.
“We're going a long way today,” said Chairman Scott York (I-at large), of what he called a successful planning session, led by a friendly board. He added, however, “Eight years ago, we had a board that got along well together and we got a lot done, but we were in a better economic situation.”
The planning session, which is held every four years, was hosted by the Algonkian Conference Center in Cascades on July 23. Supervisors who have served a previous term said this year's session was more successful than the 2004 meeting, which was marked by in-house fighting.
Teamwork will help, but the economy might overshadow the county's ability to problem solve, especially on issues like transportation, board members said.
“The problem is we're financially restrained,” said Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) of some of the proposed transportation projects. “The question is going to be funding.”
Fellow Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) agreed, saying, “We're totally at the mercy of state funding.”
On each of the topics discussed, board members set a goal and series of initiatives to fulfill the goal. These plans were handed off to staff members.
Staff are scheduled to come back in September with recommendations on the feasibility of the goals and initiatives.
Contact the reporter at hhobbs@timespapers.com
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