Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 14, 1995 TAG: 9506140082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A few minutes later, there was one.
The county's spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year nearly went down to defeat Tuesday afternoon as the Board of Supervisors sent a message about its dissatisfaction with the budget process.
Supervisors Lee Eddy, Bob Johnson and Harry Nickens voted against the proposed $93.2 million county budget, an increase of 8.7 percent from last year's $85.7 million.
Three votes constitute a majority on the five-member board.
Reading from a prepared statement before casting his vote, Eddy said he has been frustrated for years with the lack of communication between staff and board members about the budget. Efforts to facilitate the exchange of more complete information have been made, he said, but are still not sufficient.
"Even though this year's process included evaluation by teams of staff members and citizens, the final recommendations were made by the county administrator," Eddy said. "In a democratic system, elected officials should be the ones to determine priorities and directions, and I do not see that happening effectively in Roanoke County."
The county administrator is appointed by the board.
Johnson reiterated his complaints about the lack of accurate revenue projections and consistency in applying sound fiscal policies.
"I'm going to vote against the budget," he said, "not out of disrespect for the staff, but for the process."
Johnson also objected to what he called a "reactionary" method of putting the budget together, pointing to the last-minute inclusion of $18,000 to beautify the entrances into Roanoke County and efforts to fix pay inequities within the Police Department.
"I would hope, in the future years, that we could take a look at what it truly takes to fund the services," he said. "We are working backwards now" by seeing how much money is left over and plugging the holes.
Nickens joined the opponents to the budget after determining that the county would have 17 days to revise the proposal to meet the July 1 deadline - the beginning of the new fiscal year.
A heartbeat later, however, Johnson reassured County Administrator Elmer Hodge and made a motion to reconsider the vote.
"Don't panic, Mr. Hodge. We're going to appropriate the money, and we are going to pass a county budget before the end of today," Johnson said before making his motion. "Until then, I'm sending as strong a message to the staff as I can. ... This is my feeble attempt, if you will, of voicing dissatisfaction, but I have no thought in my mind or no desire to hamstring this county with regards to moving forward."
When the supervisors voted again, only Eddy held out. The other four supervisors voted for the spending plan, which emphasizes education, public safety and county employees. The budget includes an average 4.8 percent pay increase for county and school employees.
The $76.1 million School Board budget - with funding from county, state and federal governments - passed unanimously without incident. The county raised its contribution to $41.5 million, a 10.5 percent increase from last year.
Despite the close call, Hodge said he was pleased with the budget and the staff's performance.
``We have built this county to be one of the strongest financially operated counties in the state of Virginia,'' Hodge said.
He did add, however, that he would make a few changes to next year's budget process, including beginning the capital improvement program discussions earlier in the year and updating supervisors quarterly with revenue reports.
In other action Tuesday, the supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of a proposal to boost their own salaries 5 percent.
The elected officials currently earn $10,181 a year, with an additional $1,800 for the chairman and $1,200 for the vice chairman.
A 5 percent increase, the maximum allowed by state law, would cost the county $2,500.
Chairman Fuzzy Minnix and Nickens voted against the raise.
Minnix said he was casting a "no" vote to honor a pledge he made when running for office 31/2 years ago to oppose any proposal to increase supervisors' salaries. He added, however, that he would not make that promise again.
"These guys on my right and left here earn every single cent you pay them," he said. "They give you your money's worth, every one of them. If you don't think so, run for the job. Try it. ... If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected for another term, I will support a raise, so long as it is a fair one."
An amendment by Eddy to limit the raise to 4.8 percent, which would be consistent with the raises coming to other county employees in the upcoming fiscal year, failed.
The increase will not be made final until the supervisors take a second vote. A public hearing on the matter has been set for 7 p.m. June 27.
by CNB