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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 29, 1993                   TAG: 9304290189
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

NO NEW TAXES BUT SOME FEES INCREASED IN NEXT TOWN BUDGET

The budget is a 6.1 percent increase in spending over this year's $9.1 million budget.

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, Town Manager Ron 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.

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.

The budget also includes an across-the-board pay increase for employees of 2 percent, as well as performance bonuses.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, council passed a resolution declaring the existence of a public nuisance on the lot where Gables Shopping Center is located on South Main Street.

Behind the shopping center is a broken storm drainage facility that is surrounded by a pit 10 feet deep and about 13 feet wide.

Gables Associates, which owns the shopping center, has been notified of the problem. The town will abate the property surrounding the drainage system if it isn't fixed in 14 days.

Town officials already have placed a temporary fence around the hole.

Council also referred an ordinance establishing an office and institutional zoning district to the Planning Commission.

According to the ordinance, the following uses would be permitted if the new zoning district is created: offices, fine art galleries, outpatient clinic and accessory pharmacies; convalescent and nursing; funeral homes; computer centers; public offices and churches.