Laserfiche WebLink
<br />3: <br /> <br />TUESDAY <br /> <br />MAY 8, 1984 <br /> <br />,- <br /> <br />concerns she has with regard to certain aspects of the proposed budget as it may affect <br /> <br />future financing decisions and policy, generally as follows: <br /> <br />A. The fact that revenue from property taxes (even with regular <br />general reassessments) has remained fairly level for some <br />years and the need to expand the City's tax base through <br />growth, with Mrs. Severt asking the City Administration to <br />study this matter and report back thereon to Council; <br /> <br />B. If the proposed 1984-85 budget is adopted, as now revised, <br />the City will be contributing for the first time (in the <br />amount of $18,000.00) toward the operating expenses of the <br />Blue Ridge Airport, the wisdom of which she questioned in <br />light of the absence of factual data portraying the airport's <br />contribution to and enhancement of local business and <br />commerce (i.e., economic development); and <br /> <br />C. While pleased with the increase in the State's support of the <br />City School System and with the proposed increase (of an <br />average of 10%) in salaries in 1984-85 for teachers, she "has <br />a problem" with the 10%-to-14~/o increases proposed for local <br />school administrators, for which latter group she hopes a <br />"differentiated-pay" plan will be adopted by the School Board. <br /> <br />After some discussion of the proposed 1984-85 operating contribution to the Blue Ridge <br /> <br />Airport, with it being suggested that Patrick County be asked to participate (along <br /> <br />with the City of Martinsville and the County of Henry), the consensus among members of <br /> <br />Council appeared to suggest that the City's 1984-85 contribution be considered as a <br /> <br />-, <br /> <br />"one-time" support unless more information (such as already requested by Councilman <br /> <br />Reed) and justification are forthcoming. <br /> <br />Vice-Mayor Oakes, while noting the good financial condition of the Electric Fund, <br /> <br />pointed out that built into the Electric Fund's recommended 1984-85 operating budget <br /> <br />is a 5% increase in the cost of purchased energy in anticipation of a wholesale rate <br /> <br />increase (by Appalachian Power Company), which will have an adverse effect upon this <br /> <br />fund, indicated that he could not support Councilman West's suggested reduction (by <br /> <br />$500,000.00) in the recommended contribution from the Electric Fund to the General Fund <br /> <br />although he might consider a reduction of something like $200,000.00. <br />