Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 9, 1993 TAG: 9302090278
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
SCHOOL BOARD SALARY BILL PROTESTED
A Virginia Senate bill that would triple the salary limit for Radford School Board members has City Council members up in arms, not just because of the magnitude of the increase but because they didn't know about it beforehand.At issue was a bill that Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, submitted at the request of School Board Chairman John McPhail to raise the salary ceiling for board members from $1,200 to $3,600 annually.
"I think it's ridiculous that they have that authority to come into a locality [and set salary limits]," Councilman Bobby Nicholson said at Monday's council session. He also noted that Trumbo had requested an increase in maximum salary from $3,000 to $3,600 for Bath County School Board members.
Councilwoman Polly Corn questioned the Senate's right to deal with the issue in the first place. "Why is the state setting this level when it's up to us?" she asked. "I think he [Trumbo] needs to understand that we have some thoughts, too."
But McPhail said after the meeting that the School Board, not City Council, sets its own members' salaries. He said the state sets the salary limits. And Mayor Tom Starns said after the meeting that he agreed with McPhail on the state's power to set limits.
"What we're asking for is the authority. We're not saying we're going to raise it," he said. He said the board's last salary increase, to $1,200, was "a fairly long time ago." He pointed out that board members have not always been paid the maximum allowed by state law.
McPhail said he thinks the board's compensation needs to be brought in line with that of other localities in the area. He said demands on School Board members have increased over the past several years, and Radford's board now holds two meetings per month. "There's a lot involved," he said.
McPhail said the letter was "my idea," but was sent on behalf of the entire School Board. The board did not vote on the matter.
Last month, City Council unanimously agreed to take no action on McPhail's request, which followed School Board action, to approve granting up to an additional $1,000 a year in compensation for the chairman.
Without taking a formal vote, council asked Assistant City Manager Roy Lloyd to prepare a letter opposing the proposed bill. Nicholson said the letter should diplomatically suggest that, in the future, Trumbo contact City Council "on local matters."
In other action, council voted 3-1 to donate a surplus 1978 model pickup truck to the Chamber of Commerce for its annual auction this coming weekend.
Councilman David Worrell voted against it because he didn't want to set a precedent for other charitable groups. "It scares me that we're going to end up with a line of people wanting surplus materials to be donated," he said.
Council also approved $1,500 to hire part-time help at the city's animal shelter. Radford Humane Society member Edward Jervey said the shelter is overburdened and understaffed. "It's a very serious situation down there," he told council.
Council placed the animal shelter issue on its agenda for later budget discussions. Jervey said the shelter also needs physical improvements, including completion of several dog runs.
Animal control officer Frank Havens said the shelter took in 530 animals last year. He said 340 were returned to their owners, and 81 were adopted. "Putting 'em to sleep is a very last resort," he said.
Council also voted unanimously to approve seeking bids to replace police service weapons with 9mm semiautomatic handguns.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1993