Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 29, 1994 TAG: 9406290110
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By LEIGH ANNE LARANCE CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The new $3.27 per 1,000 gallon fee, which takes effect Friday, fell 23 cents short of the rate Water and Wastewater Utilities Director Jettie Montgomery requested. Montgomery hoped the extra money from the higher rate - an estimated $50,000 per year - could be set aside to replace aging machinery and buy new monitoring equipment.
"I don't disagree that we need to take a look at equipment," Councilman Gary Weddle said before the vote. "I think what needs to be done is a work session. That can easily be done in the next year."
The rate was approved by a 4-0 vote. Mayor Tom Starnes was out of town and did not attend Monday's meeting.
In other action, council voted to raise the ceiling on income limits for elderly and disabled residents who qualify for tax exemptions. Residents can have incomes of $13,500 and remain eligible for tax relief, an increase of $500.
At the same time, council approved a change that would make only $60,000 in property eligible for exemption, meaning qualified elderly and disabled residents with property assessed at more than that amount will have to pay taxes on the difference. Vice Mayor Polly Corn said following the meeting that the $60,000 limit will affect only a handful of residents.
The New River Valley's disabled residents came up in another context during Monday's meeting when council discussed the Community Services Board's decision to terminate the jobs of 10 disabled workers employed at the New River Valley Workshop - a decision that has drawn criticism from some workers' parents and others in the community. The Radford-based workshop is a private, nonprofit organization with about 100 employees, the majority of whom are mentally disabled.
The board made its decision because of budget cuts and a belief that the disabled residents might be better served by private sector employment. The council asked that City Manager Robert Asbury invite Community Services Board Executive Director Lynn Chenault to the July 11 meeting to discuss the board's plan and address council members' questions.
There will be a new face on the council then as Monday marked Weddle's last meeting. The local businessman is moving to Pulaski County. "I guess I would leave with some encouragement to council to keep up the good work ... because we do have quite a city," Weddle said.
He received a standing ovation from his fellow council members and Corn presented him with a plaque thanking him for his service. Councilman-elect Bill Yerrick will take office at the council's reorganizational meeting Friday.
In other business, council members:
Approved $2,910 to match the Virginia Commission for the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts local government challenge grant to support the Discovery Works museum.
OK'd a resolution to apply for a Community Development Planning Grant. The state-funded $25,000 grant would be used to study the feasibility of a microenterprise loan program to promote businesses expansion, new businesses and home occupations.
Appropriated $9,400 for Main Street Radford following a request by Project Manager Bud Jeffries, who said the money was needed to secure big-name entertainment for the city's September Fest 1994.
Heard an update on the city's work to collect delinquent personal property taxes. The update comes as part of the city's effort to get tough on taxpayers with unpaid bills.
by CNB