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

DATE: TUESDAY, May 15, 1990                   TAG: 9005150460
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                 LENGTH: Medium

MEALS TAX INCREASE PASSES FIRST HURDLE

Wytheville Town Council voted on first reading Monday night to increase its meals tax and raise water and sewer rates as part of its proposed 1990-91 budget of $15,086,380.

Nobody showed up to speak against the increases, which must still go through two more readings. But Councilman Hayden Austin, who retires from the governing body at the end of this month, lodged his protest against them.

Austin abstained from voting on the meals tax and voted against the water and sewer rate increases, each of which council voted on separately. He abstained from voting on the budget as a whole.

The other four members of council voted for all three items.

The meals tax would amount to 10 cents on a $10 meal and would raise about $156,000.

Minimum water and sewer rates would increase by $3.66 per month for people using up to 2,000 gallons of water per month, with rates further increasing as use increases on a scale.

Council voted to start billing users monthly instead of quarterly, as they are billed now, but council members want to hear more from the public on whether monthly billings are more convenient. The monthly billings would cost about $40,000 more per year because the town would have to add two employees and increase its postage costs.

J. William Crowe and Bill Harvey of Acme Market approached council about the need for traffic control at the Wythe Shopping Plaza on East Main Street. The market had made a study that showed more control was needed, but felt council should fund all or part of the cost. Council referred the matter to its street committee.

by CNB