Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 13, 1990                   TAG: 9003133006
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM ZEOLI SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD                                 LENGTH: Medium

RADFORD COUNCIL HEARS MONEY REQUESTS AT WORK SESSIONS

Sheriff Bobby Farmer presented Council with a $477,036 budget, plus a supplemental request of $49,845 to buy a new car and air conditioners and to replace a boiler. He also sought $20,500 for jail operation.

Farmer asked for a vehicle to help transport inmates because the two vehicles now used for this are not in good shape.

He also asked for money to replace old air conditioners with five new units for office areas and for the jail. Another $25,000 is needed to replace the old boiler in the sheriff's department, he said.

Other constitutional officers were able to keep requests within the 2.5 percent increase. The treasurer seeks $173,560; the clerk of court, $25,225; the commissioner of revenue, $101,143; and the commonwealth's attorney, $60,516.

The state will pay part of these budgets, but the state funding amont is not yet known because the city budget deadline is before the state's.

The Radford Health Department asked for $62,410, plus a supplemental request of $19,698. The additional funds are needed to expand such popular programs such as parent and infant care and family planning programs. These funds would allow for a 3.25 percent salary increase across the board and a 4.5 percent performance increase.

The parks commission requested $77,241 plus additional money to repair the jogging trail and tennis courts in Bisset Park. The cost of widening the jogging trail is estimated at $25,000, but the cost for resurfacing the courts is not known. The commission also wants to buy a car to replace the 1978 station wagon that it uses.

Councilman Robert Nicholson presented a $10,000 request for the Centennial Commission to start paying for projects for Radford's centennial, such as a pictorial history of the city and commemorative coins.

Carol Johnson of New River Community Action asked for money to help pay costs for transporting children to Head Start and day camps. Johnson said a 3 percent cost of living increase is being considered for some of the agency's 70 employees, but hasn't been approved.

The New River Valley Detention Home requested $28,260 as its basic request within the 2.5 percent guidelines, plus an additional request for $6,016. This money would be needed to pay for a 4.5 percent cost of living salary increase and a 4.5 percent increase based on merit. Money would also be used to replace old furniture and to furnish a classroom in the detention home.

The New River Valley Agency on Aging asked for money to pay for meals for the elderly. Debbie Palmer, agency representative, said there are at least 29 people on a waiting list for these meals. Palmer said the added money would pay for a cost-of-living salary increase.

In other budget requests:

New River Community College asked for $16,431, part of which would pay Radford's share of building another college access road.

The library board asked for $163,100 to install a security system, to pay for more positions, and to give some employees a raise.