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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 22, 1991                   TAG: 9103220573
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

BUDGET HEARING DRAWS 200

The tax-cutters appeared to have turned out in slightly larger numbers than the school supporters, although some expressed sentiments both ways. About 40 citizens actually stepped up to the microphones.

Supervisors Chairman Henry Jablonksi said he thought the hearing provided a good cross-section of opinion. Jablonski, who was one of two supervisors who didn't support the budget, said he will again make proposals for budget cuts next week.

The supervisors will hold a special meeting on the budget and tax rates at the courthouse in Christiansburg next Thursday night and decide if any adjustments are needed before they take their final vote on the spending plan for 1991-92.

Supervisor Ann Hess said the Montgomery County Taxpayers' Association had raised some good points at the hearing, particularly the idea that the burden ought to be taken off the property tax and shifted perhaps onto a county income tax. Hess said, too, that the museum in Christiansburg and the Christiansburg Rescue Squad had made good cases for extra funding.

Those speaking on behalf of the schools - whose funding takes up roughly three-quarters of the county budget - asked that student-teacher ratios be kept low; that teachers be given at least a "step" wage increase next year, recognizing their additional year's experience; that no further cuts be made in the school budget; and that any extra money that comes from the state for schools be turned over to the schools.

Those speaking against proposed increases in the real-estate, personal-property and other taxes reminded the board of the current recession and the county's high unemployment rate. They suggested that the supervisors and county administration had not done all they could to trim fat from the budget.

David Tuggle, controller of Snyder-Hunt Corp. of Blacksburg, read a letter from Snyder-Hunt management that said the supervisors ought to be getting more production for lower costs the way responsible private companies are. Tuggle, whose company is a big real-estate owner, said it is irresponsible to be raising taxes during a recession.

Barry Worth, vice president of the taxpayers' association, suggested areas where the county could cut $2.6 million from the budget, including $1.1 million from schools and $1.5 million from other county departments. "Let's show children we can take a dollar and squeeze it for all it's worth," he said.

Victor Hamm of Elliston drew applause when he suggested that it was possible supervisors were tired of their jobs and "looking for an easy way out" when they proposed raising taxes. Citing the tough times, Hamm said, "I don't use credit cards and I don't write checks; why can't the county do the same?"

But Monte Boisen, co-president of the Margaret Beeks Elementary School PTA in Blacksburg, said the county was "cutting into the meat and bones" of its educational system and warned new industry would avoid a county with inadequate schools.

Nancy Trivette, who has worked as a parent volunteer at Riner Elementary School, was one of several speakers who urged supervisors to keep student-teacher ratios low and to use their influence on the School Board to stop a proposed change in the school bus schedule for next year. Larry Snyder, president of the county council of 16 PTAs and a minister, said the PTAs don't want to see any teaching jobs cut.

Some criticized the recent real-estate reassessment. E.F. Brusseau said his assessment went up 27.5 percent but the assessor never went inside his house and only measured the outside. Larry Linkous said the new assessment on his house and business was an increase of $203,000 - $67,000 for the house alone. "Small businesses are having a hard time making it now in Montgomery County," he said.

Almost three-quarters, or $42.36 million, of the proposed budget goes for education. The local share of the proposed budget would be $25.92 million, or about 45 percent of the total.

In order to bring in part of the money they need to balance the budget, the supervisors propose boosting the real estate rate from 68.5 cents to 73 cents.

The personal property tax would increase from $2.15 to $2.30 on each $100. The tax on a $10,000 automobile would increase from $215 to $230.