Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 23, 1991 TAG: 9102230206
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
He proposed no tax increases or new taxes, but recommended a 10 percent increase in sewer service rates that would add about $2.40 to the average household's bimonthly bill.
The $8.7 million proposed budget reflects a 4 percent drop in overall revenues from last year, due to state cutbacks and cautious consumer spending.
Secrist said he and Assistant Town Manager Bonnie Svrcek struggled to maintain the town's level of services with ever-shrinking resources.
"We clearly recognize that the economy has impacted all citizens," Secrist said, and it was "important not to add to their burden."
Reducing the trash collection from twice a week to once a week will absorb the proposed increase in the Montgomery County landfill user fee. Otherwise, the increase would have meant an additional $4 on town customers' bimonthly bills, Secrist said.
Two things make decreased trash pickup feasible, he said.
The town's six-month-old curbside recycling program has reduced the amount of household waste by 15 percent. Also, a recent survey showed that 57 percent residents favored less frequent pickups rather than higher collection fees.
"Fifty-seven percent is a landslide in an election," Secrist said.
Blacksburg's largest source of income - taxes on meals, tobacco, overnight lodging and other local taxes - grew less than 1 percent since last year. This was largely because of cutbacks at Virginia Tech and industry layoffs around the New River Valley.
The average growth rate has been between 5 percent and 7 percent, he said.
State funding also decreased to $1.6 million, which is 4.3 percent less than last year. Most of that is in highway maintenance funds and police reimbursement.
Despite the drop in state money, Secrist recommends that budgets for the town's public works and police departments be increased. Street repairs and police protection are visible and necessary services residents want, he said.
To compensate for that, Secrist said he shifted money from the town's administration to maintain those and other services.
Other highlights of the recommended budget include:
> A 10-percent increase in real estate tax revenue, to $1.6 million, based on the county's reassessment.
A $5,000 decrease in utility tax revenue, to $980,000, largely due to vacancies in rental housing, including apartments.
Elimination of four town positions, now vacant, including an economic development coordinator, public information officer, assistant building inspector and a part-time recycling coordinator. Total savings: $96,974. Secrist said the duties of these positions would be delegated to other employees, mostly himself and Svrcek.
> A 2-percent raise for all town employees (195 full-time and 121 part-time), effective Jan. 1, 1992. This means a pay freeze for the last six months of this year.
Secrist stressed the dedication and quality of town employees in his budget letter to council.
Council has scheduled five work sessions on the budget, all open to the public. A public hearing has been scheduled for April 9, 7:30 p.m. in town hall.
by CNB