'Humane1 Cuts for Prince William: County Executive Seeks to Dip Into Funds for Jail Expansion
Prince William County Executive James H. Mullen recommended cuts yesterday in a wide range of county programs but no layoffs in what he called a humane approach to wiping out the countyÛªs projected $35 million budget deficit for this year and next.</br></br>Mullen recommended eliminating 114 vacant jobs and most building projects, spending the county's jail construction fund and trimming a variety of services from libraries to police and fire and rescue.</br></br>The no-layoff plan ÛÏis the least businesslike decision to make. ItÛªs the most hopeful recommendation," Mullen said, because the cuts use the $5.9 million in funds set aside for a jail that eventually must be built and do not solve Prince WilliamÛªs long-term budget problems.</br></br>The budget-cutting proposal comes as Northern Virginia's second-largest jurisdiction faces a $14.2 million deficit this year and a more than $21 million shortfall next year because of a decline in tax revenue.</br></br>million from their budget before this year is out, and they are projecting a $152 million shortfall in fiscal 1993.