Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 16, 1990 TAG: 9005160320
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: MIKE WOLFE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: COVINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The board did not take action, but is expected soon to increase the tax rate from 70 cents per $100 of assessed value to 75 cents, retroactive to Jan. 1.
The rate was increased by 2 cents last year. It was 68 cents in 1987 and 1988, and 74 cents per hundred from 1981 to 1986.
County Administrator Macon Sammons said each penny in the tax rate generates about $30,000 in revenue.
The supervisors also unveiled a $13,703,905 budget for fiscal year 1991 that also drew no response.
Approval of the budget and the tax rate may come at a special meeting tentatively set for May 29.
In other action, the board granted a request by Jack Walrond Jr. and Fast Break Food Marts Inc. to vacate platted but never-built roads near Exit 8 of Interstate 64.
Bobbie Slusher, a property owner and businesswoman who had opposed the action at a previous public hearing, did so again Tuesday. She said the county had no authority to act on the matter. Slusher said she owned "at least one-third" of the property in question.
County Attorney Wayne Heslep told the board it had the authority to act on Walrond's request.
Heslep said Slusher would benefit from the vacation if conflicting claims of ownership are settled in her favor, because Walrond's proposal has the effect of taking away the public's right to enter the property without permission of the owners.
Board Chairman Clarence Farmer noted the request had been made a year ago and had been the subject of two public hearings. He said the board had waited to see if Slusher and Walrond could reach an agreement.
The board voted 5-0 to grant Walrond's request.
The board also heard more discussion regarding its proposed rezoning of about 30 lots near the Mallow Mall to business use. The land now is classified for residential use or is unzoned to business.
Action was delayed at the request of Vice Chairman Janet Nelson, who had been unable to attend a public hearing on the proposal last week.
Nelson said she wanted to see the lots in person before voting.
Farmer told the audience that the board would consider the request May 29.
by CNB