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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 23, 1994                   TAG: 9407070091
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Short

RAISES BUT NO TAX INCREASES IN CHRISTIANSBURG'S BUDGET

The town's budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, which Town Council passed Tuesday, calls for a 4 percent cost-of-living increase for town employees, but no tax increases.

The real estate tax rate will remain at 14.4 cents for every $100, and the personal property rate will stay at 45 cents.

The town will pass on to customers a 5 percent increase in water rates set by the Blacksburg-Christiansburg & VPI Water Authority.

Christiansburg will hire another police officer, two more public works workers and an added administrative employee.

Along with the pay increase for town workers, Town Council members will receive more money, putting them more in line with colleagues on other area councils.

Council members will receive $3,600 a year for their service. Previously, they were paid $25 for each meeting they attended.

That figure was "ridiculously low," Town Manager John Lemley said Wednesday. A survey he conducted of area towns showed the lowest pay for council members is $2,700.

"Something had to be done," he said. "These people have been serving all these years you might as well say for nothing."

The budget includes $1.7 million for streets, $1.5 million for police, $600,000 for solid waste disposal and $500,000 for parks and recreation.

by CNB