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<br />May 23, 2005 <br /> <br />After the presentation, Communications Manager Matt Hankins, who is <br />overseeing the Martinsville Mustangs baseball team, made an appeal to the Council <br />and television audience for additional host families to keep players for the 2005 season. <br />Council member Roop asked City Manager Dan Collins to clarify the source of <br />funds for school employee pay increases for Fiscal 2006. Mr. Collins indicated the <br />raises would be funded with a combination of school board and city year-end fund <br />balances. The City Manager presented information to Council showing that the city <br />could drop its real estate tax to 22 cents per $100 assessed value if the state would fully <br />fund its educational standards of quality. <br />Mr. Collins presented information from the City of Danville showing its rate <br />increases in water and sewer, gas and electric, and solid waste. Council member Ron <br />Ferrill asked whether Mr. Collins had found a method to assist electric customers who <br />struggle with Martinsville's 30 percent increase in electric rates. Council member Roop <br />and Ferrill both expressed their interest in helping citizens internally and looking at a <br />transition period starting at the time of the increase. <br />Council suggested a $35,000 line item in the electric fund as an appropriation to <br />assist needy citizens with electric bill payment. Mr. Collins indicated he would like to <br />begin a citizens group to oversee and assist with the program. <br />Mr. Collins asked Council if it had more questions about the budget. <br />Council member Roop expressed several concerns, including efforts to clean up <br />the city on major arteries, in its industrial and business parks and at the former YMCA <br />building on Cleveland Avenue. Mr. Collins indicated that if the city was to demolish the <br />building, it should do so before the landfill permanently closes in January 2006. <br />