Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 23, 1991 TAG: 9102230090
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Following recommendations of Town Manager Gary Elander, Town Council approved several midcourse budget corrections this week, voting unanimously Thursday to realign figures on both sides of the ledger to balance it.
"We had been underpaid for a period of time, and we received a [sales tax revenue] payment to make up for this underpayment," Elander told council.
The payment was for about $13,000. He also said the town could expect more state money monthly because its school-age population "justifies a larger payment to us than we were getting previously."
Elander said the new revenue would make up for the projected net shortfall of $8,500. His figures suggest the town plans to write off $10,000 in delinquent taxes previously listed as collectible.
The town borrowed $25,000 last winter in anticipation of revenues, which Elander then said he hoped to raise by collecting back taxes.
Also marring this year's revenue picture were increased landfill fees and loss of $6,500 in rent for trash containers the town had maintained in nearby Pulaski County neighborhoods. In a disputed action several months ago, the county took over trash service in those areas.
The situation was even bleaker in the town water and sewer budget, where Elander cut estimated spending by $24,106 to match a projected revenue reduction. Those cuts included a $5,000 reserve fund.
Councilman David Stanley also questioned jumps in health and dental insurance expenses totaling $20,100 that appeared in Elander's projections. Elander said the town made double payments last July to make up for payments apparently missed during last fiscal year. The payments were "at the higher, old rates," he said.
"It sounds to me like you overpaid," Stanley said.
"We didn't overpay," Elander replied. "We kind of borrowed against the current fiscal year, so to speak. It should have been paid in June, but wasn't."
Mayor Benny Keister was optimistic about the town's fiscal situation. `We're not really changing our budget at all," he said. "We're within our budget, and by doing this it keeps us within our budget."
"We would have been coming up short if it hadn't been for this whatever you want to call . . . windfall, or what have you," Councilman Colbern Linkous responded.
"We just would have had to tighten our belts a little more," Keister said.
"Twenty-five thousand dollars worth?" Linkous quipped.
Linkous claimed later in the meeting that the $176,650 police budget already was $4,400 overspent seven months into the fiscal year. He said this year's police budget was $61,000 higher than 1987-88 when the town still had local dispatchers.
Town Council voted in 1988 to save money by eliminating local dispatchers and letting the county sheriff's department do the job.
Police Chief James McKenny was at the meeting but did not comment.
by CNB