ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 18, 1996 TAG: 9605200021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
Dublin officials are considering a budget of some $4 million for the coming year, with no tax- or service-rate increase at this time.
A water-rate increase could be considered in early 1997, but town officials are hoping to avoid that, too.
The town had a large water leak that caused bulk-water expenses to exceed the budget for a time. The leak has been found and fixed, but it forced the town to use more money than it would have to buy water.
"We are hopeful that, by cutting out new equipment expenditures and being as frugal as possible, we can make up the extra costs over time," Town Manager Gary Elander said in his report to Dublin Town Council Thursday night. "However, we should review cash flow by the end of 1996. Should conditions necessitate a recommendation for a rate change, this could be considered after the first of the year only if necessary."
New River Community College, the town's largest water customer, is making improvements to its water distribution system that will require a larger pipe and maybe some road boring on the town side of its meter. The town has budgeted $30,000 for this work.
Council approved a pay plan earlier this year that gives a 2 percent merit increase for eligible employees on Feb. 1 of each year. Council also could grant a cost-of-living increase in July, from money left over at the June 30 end of the current fiscal year.
Budget approval is recommended for $500 to the Free Clinic of Pulaski, $100 to Literacy Volunteers and $200 to New River Community Action, all of which serve Dublin residents.
The budget includes proposals for a full-time town office secretary instead of a customer service clerk/secretary position, and a full-time secretary instead of a part-time one for the Police Department.
"We are proposing minimum expenditures this year," Elander said. "Attention needs to be focused on getting the Town Center completed and running."
The Town Center will be the future site of a new town hall, on property formerly occupied by Burlington Industries and acquired by the town as an industrial park. A new post office and other facilities are also planned for the Town Center property, which was added to the town in a boundary agreement with Pulaski County after the town acquired ownership of it from Burlington.
Council reviewed architectural plans Thursday for its new town hall.
LENGTH: Short : 49 linesby CNB