Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993 TAG: 9305110422
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
No sooner than the rate was reduced Monday night, Harvey put City Manager Bob Herbert on notice that he wants an additional penny cut next year.
"So you won't be surprised, I want you to know now that I will be looking for another cut next year," said Harvey, who pushed for the two-cent reduction this year.
On a 4-3 vote Monday night, council ratified its decision last week to trim the rate from $1.25 to $1.23 per $100 assessed valuation of property effective Jan. 1.
Harvey wants council to gradually reduce the rate to $1.20, a goal proposed by former Mayor Noel Taylor several years ago.
The vote came as council approved a $129.6 millionbudget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The budget was approved with changes that were made last week.
Council provided schools with an additional $148,000 that will be used to hire more elementary guidance counselors and teachers so class sizes can be reduced.
Herbert did not recommend a tax reduction, but a majority of council asked for budget cuts and increases in revenue estimates to permit a cut.
The vote on the tax rate split the same way it did last week. Harvey had the backing of Mayor David Bowers, Howard Musser and William White, all Democrats.
Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., a Democrat, joined with Republicans Elizabeth Bowles and Delvis "Mac" McCadden to oppose the tax cut.
Bowles said she did not believe this was the year to cut taxes, noting the uncertain economy and slow growth in local taxes.
The rate reduction will help elderly homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes who are hard-pressed to pay higher tax bills because of rising assessments. The city has one of the highest elderly populations in the state.
Homeowners who are 65 and over already are eligible for a freeze on their real estate taxes if they meet income and net-worth guidelines. They can have their taxes frozen at the level they were when they reached 65 if their income is less than $22,000 and their net is less than $75,000.
by CNB