So at the August 3rd Town Council meeting, members were looking at how a $2.2 million dollar deficit had been reduced by maybe $700,000.
After unanimously granting a future year's salary to a town manager Council said they no longer had confidence in, staff was able to "find" some cuts from what was said to be a bare bones budget?
Now residents are learning this severance package could amount to more than $290,000.
Looking at that deal, citizens may surmise there are still more details needed in order to determine whether taxpayers are getting a bang for their buck anywhere in the Christiansburg budget.
There's been that much spare change around to afford banking for these types of employment perks? If there are other long time employees "leaving" or retiring, will they be eligible for the same deals? When will taxpayers get a clear picture of other obligations Council may have agreed to?
Kudos to the Roanoke Times for not looking away from this indelicate story. Donna Alvis-Banks began the process when reporting on Christiansburg finances for non-compliant FOIA meetings during the 2008 budget process.
Maybe in another three budget cycles citizens will understand their elected representative's rationale and staff processes, even if they don't agree with how public funds are spent.