The Daily Press recently reviewed Hampton's budget cuts and federal stimulus funds.

Although the city received funds to help with construction, the city is struggling to fund operations.

"The city's bottom line took a hit from state budget cuts this year while getting a boost from federal stimulus funds.

So was the result a net gain, a loss or did Hampton break even?

The math isn't that simple, city and school officials say. State cuts affected the city's regular operating budget while the gains from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act were primarily for one-time building projects.

On the plus side, the city of Hampton has received, or will receive, $9.73 million so far in federal stimulus funds for a summer youth employment program, road projects, green initiatives and public safety. On the down side, the city had to deal with $1.15 million in state budget cuts for this fiscal year.

That doesn't really mean Hampton has a net gain of more than $8 million this year.

'Any stimulus money we get, we would use for construction, and most of it is because the mindset behind that is that you're building something that creates jobs,' said Hampton Budget Director Chris Snead. 'Stimulus money, we aren't getting any for operating expenses.'

It's not just that the city is choosing to spend stimulus money on construction. The money has been earmarked for certain purposes.

For example, Hampton is getting $3.6 million to grind down and resurface Mercury Boulevard from the Hampton- Newport News line to Big Bethel Road and from Coliseum Drive to North King Street. Another $3.58 million will pay to buy land and acquire easements and rights of way to extend Commander Shepard Boulevard from North Campus Parkway to Big Bethel Road. Hampton also received $1.38 million specifically to 'reduce the city's total energy use and support ... energy efficiency and conservation components of the city's 'Go Green' objectives,' according to city documents."

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