Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 5, 1990 TAG: 9006050569
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Council has scheduled a July 9 public hearing on the proposed changes after the legal requirements for advertising them have been met.
Council is expected to approve the changes, but it can't act until the requirements have been met.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors has informally approved the revisions in the merger plan, but it must also hold a public hearing.
One change would increase the size of the school board for the consolidated government from 9 to 11. The General Assembly has approved a revision in the proposed charter for larger board, but the consolidation agreement must be changed to coincide with the charter.
A second revision would expand the area that would be given a vote on joining Salem to include most of the Catawba Magisterial District. The original plan called for only the Glenvar area to be given a second vote on becoming part of Salem.
Consolidation negotiators agreed last week to reduce the price that Salem would have to pay for the Catawba district from $32 million to $16 million, but Salem officials have hinted they may reject it.
Without a financial settlement, a second vote that would allow Catawba district residents to vote on joining Salem would be meaningless.
A third change in the merger plan would make it clear that the police, fire and emergency rescue services would be the same in the urban and suburban service districts in the consolidated government.
Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. said city and county officials are also trying to draft a statement of intent that teachers would remain at the same schools where they are now teaching, but such a statement would not be binding on the school board for the consolidated government.
by CNB