Minutes 06/10/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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214 June 10,2003 Sanders, Community Development; Mike Thornton, Electric; Larry Williams, Water Resources; and James Witcher, Public Works. Earl B. Reynolds, Jr., City Manager, announced Ms. Sanders as the quarterly winner. Council considered conducting a public hearing and approving, on first reading, Ordinance 2003-5 establishing the City's Budget and Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2004. Mayor Teague declared the Public Hearing open. Rob Tolbut, of 910 Clarke Road, President of the Martinsville Education Association, requested that cuts to the School System be lessened. Gina Martin Manley, of 1515 East Church Street Extension, stated that too much is being cut from the Schools and Leisure Services and that the children cannot afford the cuts. She encouraged Council to consider using any returns from Hooker Field to offset the cuts to Leisure Services. Melvin Adkins, of 729 Prospect Hill Drive, requested that a local tax on alcohol be considered; Eric Monday, City Attorney, replied that any tax on alcohol is reserved for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Willis Via, of 1660 Roundabout Road, said that too much is being cut from the School Board and that the biggest mistake is to close the year-round school. Bob Carrington, of 1352 Root Trail, Chairman of the Henry-Martinsville Social Services Board, requested that the proposed 2 1,~ percent raise for the Social Services employees be implemented July 1, 2003, instead of December 1, 2003. Shirley Fulcher and Mary Ann Waters, Social Services employees, supported the request to implement their raises earlier and questioned the fairness and equity of not doing such. Carolyn Brown, of 131 Greyson Street, voiced her opposition to any cuts to the School System. Sheri Gower, 490 Daniel Road, Axton, stated that her child is enrolled in the City School System and that she would purchase a City vehicle decal if it would help to restore funding. Ira