ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 1996 TAG: 9604290034
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
Salem's proposed budget for 1996-97 includes funds for two additional firefighters to help volunteer rescue members on daytime calls and 11/2 positions to help Salem Civic Center employees with an increased number of events.
The $50.5 million general fund budget for fiscal 1997 was presented to City Council on Friday by City Manager Randy Smith. It includes a 2.5 percent cost of living raise for city employees.
Because of the large number of daytime calls, Salem has used firefighters for about 10 years to respond to life-threatening situations. Salem Rescue Squad members - who are all volunteers - are on call during the day and staff the squad house at night.
This is the first time Salem has proposed hiring additional firefighters to help with rescue calls, Smith said. The two extra positions will cost the city $45,000.
Other localities such as Roanoke and Roanoke County have hired career rescue workers to handle daytime calls. Smith said this is Salem's way of helping the volunteers during the day.
"It's not my intention to replace them," he said. "This is an effort to help them."
Smith said additional events being held at the civic center, football field and baseball stadium also have prompted a need for more help. He added $22,500 for 1 1/2 maintenance positions.
The proposed budget reflects an increase of about $151,000 in real estate tax revenues because of new construction. Business and personal property tax revenues increased by more than $600,000, partly because of new car purchases and business investments.
Proposed general fund expenditures will be about $400,000 less than 1995-96.
One of the largest expense increases is a $1 million debt service increase. That is a result of $19.8 million in bonds issued last year - $9.9 million in public improvement bonds, most of which was for education; and $9.9 million for Salem's share of funding the regional sewage treatment plant expansion and the replacement of the Roanoke River sewer interceptor line.
City Council has scheduled work sessions for the proposed budget May 13, 14 and 15.
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