Minutes 04/10/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1997 A special and duly-called meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia with Mayor George B. Adams, Jr. presiding, was held Thursday, April 10, 1997 in the Council Chamber, City Hall, beginning at 10:00 A.M. for the purpose of conducting a work session on the City Manager's Proposed FY 97-98 Budget. All members of Council were present: George B. Adams, Jr., Mayor; Mark A. Crabtree, Vice- Mayor; Bruce H. T. Dallas; Elizabeth H. Haskell; and M. Gene Teague. 1.17' The work session began with some general comments from Council Members. Vice Mayor Crabtree stated the following: (1) he did not support the proposed consumer utility tax on natural gas; (2) he did not support the proposed increase in the Meals Tax (from 4% to 5%); (3) he believed water and sewer rates may need to be adjusted to fund capital needs and that the transfer from the Water Fund to the General Fund needed to be restored; (4) any increase in real estate taxes should only occur after a thorough review of expenditures; and (5) the proposed increase in the E911 tax is appropriate to fund the expenses of operating the Communications Center. Council Member Haskell stated she had formed several principles through which she would be reviewing the budget: (1) what are the essential services and capital projects that are needed for health, education and economic growth? (2) it appears that the City's needs haven't been tended to in the past, but it may not be possible for Council to do everything that has been proposed in one year; (3) she appreciates the City Manager's approach in putting all of the pending projects in the budget; (4) there is a need to examine the expenditure side of the budget to determine if things can be done differently in order to make expenditure reductions; (5) no net growth in personnel for the City or