Budget Error Leaves Prince William County Scrambling to Find $5M

A typo is costing Prince William County, Va., $5 million.

County spokesman Jason Grant said the county realized June 24 that it didn't have enough money to pay for this year's expected expenses.

He explained a budget official used the wrong numbers when determining the projected revenues for the 2013-2014 spending year, which resulted in the county settling on a $961.5 million budget back in April. That number should have been $966.5 million

"We're looking into how to make sure this type of thing won't occur in the future," Grant told News4. "Once we found out about it, we immediately notified the Board of Supervisors."

Now, the county has to figure out how to make up the cash.

Some of their options include cutting the budget, using money carried over from last year or refinancing long term debt.

County Supervisor Pete Candland told News4 he is very concerned about how the county will come up with the money.

"I think everything has to be on the table," Candland said. "As of right now, I think it's too early to come up with a concrete plan until we, as a board, have a chance to meet together."

Internal auditors will examine the error to ensure it doesn't happen again.

The issue will be discussed July 16 at a meeting between county supervisors, budget officials and internal auditors.

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