Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 26, 1991 TAG: 9103260461
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
County Administrator Joseph Morgan projected budget revenue totaling $11,554,647 for 1991-92, just short of the current $11,564,547. It appears that the county may generate a little more revenue than projected in the current fiscal year, he said, but doubted that would happen next year.
The budget is essentially flat in comparison with the current one, with plant closings dropping revenue from the machinery-and-tools tax from $720,000 to $500,000. On the other hand, the county's meals tax is projected to go beyond the expectations of county officials, rising from $250,000 to $350,000 next year.
The amounts collected from personal property taxes, sales taxes and motor-vehicle taxes are projected to be unchanged. State revenue not tied to specific categories is projected to drop from $203,000 to $174,000.
A budget document should be ready for the board to review by April 8, Morgan said. The county School Board will be invited to submit its budget proposal at that time.
Other county agencies will make their proposals April 15, and perhaps some at the board's regular meeting April 22. This would allow the budget to be advertised by May 13 for a public hearing May 27 and approval by June 3.
The supervisors will hold a budget hearing on secondary-road construction at their April 22 meeting but, as Supervisor Jerry White observed, "There's not going to be much to hear, is there?"
"It doesn't look good at all," Resident Transportation Engineer Dan Brugh told the board. Brugh said the county's highway-construction budget for the next fiscal year probably will be 32 to 34 percent less than the current one, dropping from about $1.3 million to $900,000 due to state cutbacks.
By the time projects now under way are completed, he said, much of that $900,000 will be used up. He said some road projects in the county's six-year plan will have to be taken out.
The board made plans to hold a public hearing on county redistricting plan April 15. The plan is to be reviewed by the county electoral board, registrar and attorney.
The board passed a resolution commending Registrar Kathleen P. Hull for her service since being named to the post in 1979. The electoral board did not appoint her to a new term.
by CNB