Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 16, 1994 TAG: 9402160340
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The vote came after 1 a.m., after two and a half hours in closed session.
The board didn't commit to selling the general obligation bonds, but did authorize the use of tax money to launch the projects by a 4-2 vote. The county would later reimburse itself with the borrowed money from the bond sale.
While the supervisors approved by a 5-1 vote a $140,300 architectural contract for the design of the new, $2.9 million health and human services building in Christiansburg, they balked at moving ahead with the Blacksburg library branch expansion.
Several members said the $191,500 architect's fee for the $1.9 million library project is too high. While the architect's fee represents 5 percent of the cost of the health building project, it amounts to 10 percent of the library cost. The projects involve different architects.
"As long as the price tag is here I won't support it," Chairman Larry Linkous said. "I would rather go with a local [architect] and start all over."
Such a change could delay the project by six months or more.
Supervisor Henry Jablonski has criticized the architect's fee in the past; this week marked the first time Linkous and Joe Gorman - an ardent library supporter - echoed some of his comments.
The supervisors want the Virginia Beach-based architect, Richard J. Fitts, to come to a meeting and explain why his cost estimate has risen to $191,500 since last summer.
The supervisors discussed two other issues affecting the library project: a possible land swap with Blacksburg that would give the county title to the small section of land needed for the expansion; and the tax impact of the project.
The land swap - what land the county would trade wasn't publicly discussed - is now under negotiation with Blacksburg. Jablonski in particular has said he wants to resolve that issue before moving forward with the project.
The tax impact of financing both projects would amount to $480,000 a year, or the equivalent of an increase of 2.5 cents to the county's real estate tax rate.
Supervisor Ira Long said he probably won't vote for any tax increase this year.
The board got its first look at a 1994-95 budget proposal that envisions a 14-cent tax rate increase to pay for the bond projects, an increase in school funding and other county spending.
The board hasn't approved a tax increase in three years.
by CNB