Thursday, May 03, 2007

Post tightens belt to deal with budget cut

Fort Belvoir will continue to be affected by the lack of funding Army-wide, according to post officials.

“For now, we have to tighten our belts a little more,” said JoAnn Blanks, deputy to the commander at Fort Belvoir. “The positive aspect is that we have an opportunity to look at what we’re buying and focus on the requirements for the mission. The challenge will be to ensure we maintain our life, health, safety and family readiness programs. These programs are essential to our installation to maintain the quality of life for Soldiers, families and civilian employees living and working on Belvoir.”

The Army recently announced spending restrictions due to budget shortfalls. The Army is now waiting for Congress to pass an emergency supplemental for funding requirements associated with the Global War On Terror.

Until such a measure is passed, Fort Belvoir will continue to be affected in several ways. Government credit card purchases will be restricted to $500 per month, unless prior approval is given. No office supplies can be purchased and only mission essential travel will be approved.

“That makes it tough,” said Kathy McNulty, director of resource management. “For three years [employees have had no] training to improve skills [because of the restriction on travel] Ö that’s a big impact.”

No equipment will be approved for purchase and no telephone upgrades will be approved, McNulty said. Also, since there is a cost associated with moving telephone numbers from one desk to another, such moves will not be possible as long as spending restrictions are in effect, she added.

“You could be working with a phone without any features,” she said.

Hiring restrictions will also remain in place, which means that workers can only be hired from within the military system, said McNulty.

The Army-wide funding shortfall could have implications throughout the remainder of the fiscal year, as Fort Belvoir officials review and restructure spending priorities for the installation, Blanks said.

This is the second year in a row that the Army has had to restrict spending while waiting for additional money from Congress, according to officials.