Minutes 01/05/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THURSDAY. JANUARY 5. 1995 highlighted by Mr. Lamm were support for equalized sales tax distributed by average daily membership, support for the State's continued funding of its share of the free textbook program, State participation in capital projects, discontinuing the use of the triennial school census, revising the Standards of Quality, opposition to "Charter Schools", opposition to binding arbitration in school grievance procedures, support for a study of term contracts and procedures for dismissal of teachers and non-renewal of contracts, continuation of the "opt-out" policy for students whose parents choose for them to not participate in certain programs, support for continuation and expansion of alternative education programs, and support for notification of schools of student arrests. 21 Delegate Armstrong began the discussion with the sub3ect of the Governor's proposed elimination of the Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) Tax, which is imposed by many Virginia localities and which provides over $970,000 in General Fund revenues for the City of Martinsville. The Governor's proposal is to replace the lost local revenues, on a declining basis, for a period of five years. After five years, no State revenue would be provided for the lost BPOL revenues. Mayor Adams expressed skepticism over whether State revenues would actually be provided to replace lost BPOL monies, citing the history of declining State "599" funds, which were promised to cities with police departments as part of legislation which prohibited annexations by certain cities. Vice-Mayor Oakes stated that his preference would be for the State to take no action regarding the BPOL tax. Councilman Crabtree expressed support for the Governor's proposal. Delegate Reynolds stated that the legislation is likely to pass, as the BPOL tax is an unpopular tax.