ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110024
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
How much economic development can the town of Pulaski afford?
The question surfaced as Pulaski Town Council began a series of workshops Tuesday night on a budget for the coming year.
The town's 2-year-old economic development arm has a long list of accomplishments, including a section of Pulaski being approved last year as a state enterprise zone, which brings both state and local perks for new or expanding businesses locating there.
The economic development board is renewing a request it made last year to upgrade its office's intern position to that of a full-time employee, to assist Economic Development Director Barry Matherly.
Mayor Andy Graham raised the same objection that he had last year, questioning whether more than one full-time employee is needed for economic development. "How much is enough?" he asked.
Matherly pointed out that the economic development department had cut its budget 11 percent over last year. Even with a second full-time position, he said, "we're asking for less total this year than last year."
Councilwoman Alma Holston indicated her support. Councilman Roy D'Ardenne listed some of its accomplishments including promotion of new Main Street business and expanding annual festivals which draw visitors to the town.
"You've got to be willing to put out a little bit of money ... invest in people and businesses that are coming into this area," said Sybil Atkinson, economic development board chairwoman.
The board also is pushing for early completion of the extension of the New River Trail State Park from the edge of Pulaski into town to link up with its historic Train Station building. The town will then be in a position to extend it up Draper Mountain to a wayside and overlook.
"We have really underestimated the drawing power of that trail, the lake, things like that," said Atkinson. Claytor Lake State Park in eastern Pulaski County also draws many visitors to the area.
The council is considering a total budget of $5.7 million, an increase over this year of $127,000, but with no tax increases.
There would be water rate increases because of rising operating costs. A bond issue for new water facilities is also proposed.
Town Manager Tom Combiths said employee wages, operating costs and capital improvements account for more than 90 percent of the budget expenses. Employees have gotten no cost-of-living increase since 1991, he said, and none is proposed next year. "We scratched and we squeezed, and the money just wasn't there," he said.
Employees have been getting merit increases, however.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 linesby CNB