Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 30, 1993 TAG: 9312300147
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
There has been informal talk for several years about the idea, but state law says only cities with populations of less than 50,000 can become towns.
Roanoke wants the population ceiling increased to 125,000.
That size was recommended several years ago by the Grayson Commission, which studied city and county relations. The General Assembly rejected the proposal.
Roanoke's population is 96,509. If it became a town, it would be the largest in Virginia by a huge margin.
Roanoke's request for a higher ceiling for town status is included in the city's "wish list" for the upcoming legislative session.
Among other ways to cope with the financial stress on cities, council said, are special funding for cities, re-evaluation of the state's independent city system and financial incentives for regional cooperation.
Mayor David Bowers raised the town issue this past summer, but this is the first time council has taken action on it.
Although council appears to have no immediate intention of seeking town status, Councilman James Harvey said it is not an idle threat.
"One of these days, Roanoke and other core cities, which are barred from growth, are going to be up against a wall - and have to either raise taxes or cut services," Harvey said.
"The General Assembly created the situation by prohibiting annexation [by large cities], and it's going to have to solve the problem," Harvey said. "Cities can't keep on with the current situation."
One of the state's most influential legislators on city and county issues, Del. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, has hinted, however, that he will oppose any increase in the 50,000-population limit.
Cranwell could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but he said earlier he would be reluctant to support any move that could change the status of the city and Roanoke County.
County voters made it clear three years ago in the consolidation referendum that they want the county to remain as it is, Cranwell said. Roanoke County officials are wary of the city's latest move, saying they fear it might be part of a strategy to annex county land.
If the city becomes a town, it could annex part of the county and then become a city again, said Fuzzy Minnix, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
"I would oppose any move that might cause the county to lose any part of its territory," Minnix said. "I sense this might be what they have in mind."
In the past, county officials have not taken seriously the threats by the city to give up its charter.
But Minnix said the city's move indicates that the threat might be more than just speculation. If the reversion ceiling is raised to 125,000, it would strengthen the city's hand.
Faced with the prospect of Roanoke's becoming a town, county officials might want to cooperate more with the city.
"We can't afford to lose any more of our tax base," Minnix said.
If Roanoke became a town, it would give responsibility to the county for its schools, courts, welfare, social services and constitutional offices such as commonwealth's attorney, circuit court clerk and commissioner of revenue.
Like Vinton, Roanoke could retain its name and have the power of annexation.
As a town, Roanoke would be governed by a town council. Roanoke residents also would participate in Board of Supervisors elections.
Roanoke probably would choose to retain many of its employees and continue to provide such services as police, fire, trash collection, public works and recreation.
Roanoke would retain the right to impose real estate and personal property taxes, but the rates would be lower because the county would take over the school system, the most expensive service.
Like Vinton residents, Roanoke residents also would be taxed by the county, thereby possibly making their total tax higher.
If Roanoke became a town, the size of its tax bill would depend on the services provided.
Only one city, South Boston, has tried to revert to town status. A three-judge panel has approved the transition, but the case still is tied up in court. Clifton Forge also has considered reversion.
In Charlottesville, city officials are discussing reverting to a town in an attempt to put more pressure on Albemarle County to consolidate some services, such as schools and courts.
In Charlottesville, some of the city-county debates sound similar to those in the Roanoke Valley. Charlottesville officials say they provide public housing, a bus system, shelters for the homeless and other services that attract low-income people. They say Albemarle County is not paying its fair share for services for the poor.
CITY AND TOWN TAXES
Real Estate Taxes on a house assesed at $70,000:
Roanoke County: $791
Vinton: $35
Total for Vinton homeowner (both localities): $826.
Roanoke homeowner: $861
Personal Property Taxes on a car valued at $10,000:
Roanoke County: $350.
Vinton: $100.
Total for Vinton car owner: $450.
Roanoke car owner: $345.
Combined Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes:
Vinton, $1,276.
Roanoke, $1,206.
by CNB