Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 19, 1994 TAG: 9405190131
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The budget totals $9.6 million, up from $8.9 million, and the projected revenues match the expected expenses.
The town's tax rates, which have not changed since the Bronze Age (actually 1971) remain the same. The real estate rate will stay at 14.4 cents per $100 valuation and the personal property rate will hold steady at 45 cents per $100.
Water rates will go up by 5 percent, but the Blacksburg-Christiansburg & VPI Water Authority is the instigator of that.
When asked why the town didn't raise taxes, Town Manager John Lemley, loquacious as always, said, "We don't need it."
The budget, which begins July 1 and is scheduled for public hearing June 7, calls for an added police officer, two more public works employees and one more administrative employee. All town employees will get a 4 percent cost-of-living raise.
Lemley said the budget includes "seed money" for several different projects. The Recreation Department, which is scheduled for expansion, will get an extra $100,000 for facilities.
The town has earmarked $100,000 for improvements at its newly acquired industrial park, hoping to attract more companies.
The visual enhancement committee - the group charged with making the town prettier to look at - will get the $25,000 it asked for, and money is set aside to raze three derelict buildings on East Main Street and begin construction on a parking lot and gazebo.
The Police Department will get $30,000 from forfeited drug assets to replace its .38 caliber revolvers with 9 millimeter semiautomatic pistols.
Unfunded mandates also have raised their ugly heads in the 58-page report. The $167,500 earmarked for improvements to the water treatment plant is in response to Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
The biggest costs in the budget are $1.7 million for the street department, $1.5 million for the Police Department, $600,000 for solid waste service and $500,000 for parks and recreation.
The mayor and Town Council members will share $6,000.
Looking into their crystal ball, town leaders have set snow removal expenses, perhaps somewhat optimistically, at $92,000, down from the actual $96,500 spent during 1993-1994.
Sales tax revenue is projected to be $800,000.
The federal government seems to have turned cheap. Its "anti-recession funds" contribution is a goose egg.
The town owes $4.5 million for bonds it has issued, and the budget calls for paying off $445,000 of that debt.
by CNB