Minutes 05/18/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THURSDAY, MAY 18, 198~ By Mrs. Henderson Concerned with students who.have less-than-normal advantages, with drug problem, with pregnancy problem, withdrop-out problem; more money to support good school system will be investment in City's future. By Mr. Bushnell Perceptions reportedly held by 'number of citizens indicate that, compared with other Virginia school systems, Martinsville's educational system is inferior (Martinsville School System students score less than State average on standardized tests); that City Council is not willing to fund adequately the City School System; and that additional funds which should be derived from a renewal in near future of a franchise to Southwestern Virginia Gas Company have not beenincluded in the Manager's recommended 1989-90 City Budget, as revised and as tentatively adopted, giving rise to a perception that" .... something is being done behind closed doors" with regard to expiration and/or renewal of the gas franchise, from which Mr. Bushnell reported the City is now receiving (but) $4,000.00 per year in'franchise fees. Subsequently, Mr. Ralph J. Pruitt, Vice-President of Southwestern Virginia Gas Company, present at this meeting, informed the public that Southwestern Virginia Gas Company is paying the City one-half of one percent of revenue derived from the sale of gas within the City's corporate limits. (NOTE: Each statement was correct, in that the franchise fee paid by Southwestern Virginia Gas Company is now $4,000.00 per year, and the one-half of one percent also paid is required under the City's Business/Occupational License Tax Ordinance.) Ways and means of deriving additional revenue for the Cityincluded increasing the City's property tax rates (and/or the assessment percentage on personal property) to parallel the average of such rates in Virginia, which would yield an additional $2,500,000 per year, increasing the fee for automobile decals, and imposing a utility tax on telephone service. Mr. Bushnell urged that Council come to a decision with regard to the School budget for 1989-90before its forthcoming May 23rd meeting and that Council impose additional local taxes for'support of the School system. By The Reverend Adkins (Pastor, Starling Avenue Baptist Church) Emphasis should be on ways and means to ensure and maintain a better public school system; concern was expressed over the School Board's proposal to replace a computer-training teacher with an aide. By Miss Doss Without Council's financial support and without qualified teachers, local public school system children can not be educated to the extent of their potential abilities.