Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 27, 1993 TAG: 9302270181
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
BUDGET PROPOSAL HAS MORE SPENDING WITHOUT NEW TAXES
Town Manager Ron Secrist didn't take after President Bill Clinton in preparing his recommended Blacksburg budget for next year.Unlike Clinton's federal plan, Secrist's town budget contains no new taxes.
And unlike Clinton, he also suggests an increase in spending; but it would be paid for by a modest expected increase in town revenues.
Despite continued layoffs at major industries, Secrist said, he is cautiously optimistic that town revenues will continue to increase and fund his recommended $9.6 million budget, a 6.5 percent increase over this year's $9.1 million budget.
While the latest plan doesn't include any new taxes, it does include rate increases for some town services.
An increase in garbage collection fees from $20.82 every other month to $23.84 is recommended. The increase is needed because Montgomery County is expected to increase its landfill tipping fee from $39.50 to $53.00 per ton, Secrist said.
Also in the budget proposal is a restructuring of the water and sewage billing system that would mean an average annual rate increase of 6.2 percent. But even with the increase, Secrist said, Blacksburg's water rates still would compare favorably with those of other localities.
Secrist also recommended an increase in golf course fees. The plan calls for green fees to rise from $6 to $7 on weekdays and $8 to $9 on weekends. The price of renting a cart would go from $6 to $7.
Improvements to the golf course will include an additional 1,000 feet of golf cart path, improvements to some fairways and new carpet in the pro shop.
The budget includes $2.91 million in capital improvements, 2.1 percent more than this year.
Highlights of the capital improvement recommendations include:
$486,500 for street repaving and improvements.
$1 million for replacing Blacksburg Transit buses.
$255,541 for sewer extensions.
$40,000 for park development.
$4,500 to build a shelter over the farmers' market on Roanoke Street.
$30,000 for bike trails.
Secrist is recommending an across-the-board pay increase for employees of 2 percent, as well as performance bonuses.
He will present the budget to Town Council on March 9. A public hearing will be scheduled for April 13.