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

DATE: THURSDAY, May 24, 1990                   TAG: 9005250100
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FEES RAISED DESPITE OPPOSITION

Hearings were held on water and garbage rates, bonds for the sewage-treatment plant and the 1990-91 fiscal budget.

Seven residents showed up to protest increasing the water and garbage rates by $1.

Council, however, voted to increase the $13.50 charge for a minimum 4,000 gallons of water a month to $14.50.

Garbage rates will go up July 1 from $7 to $8 for residents and from $9 to $10 for businesses.

There was no opposition during the other hearings.

Council also passed an ordinance that authorizes the Virginia Resource Authority's Water Facilities Revolving Fund to issue and sell up to $1,280,000 in revenue bonds for the upgrading of Buchanan's sewage-treatment plant.

Council didn't have any objections to its proposed 1990-91 budget.

"This was a hearing to let the public know what we're proposing for the coming year. It was for informational purposes, not something we are going to act upon," Carson said.

In other business:

Council decided to hire Meeks, Benson & Associates of Blacksburg and Rocky Mount to audit the town's books.

Raetz & Hawkins of Lexington, which currently audits the town's books, charged approximately $6,300 a year. The switch, which is effective July 1, should save the town approximately $3,000 a year.

Council agreed to purchase a computer the town has used on a trial basis for the town's utility billing.

Council sold the bleachers from the town's ball field to the James River Booster Club for $500.

Council agreed to purchase a new lawn mower for the town.