ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 21, 1997 TAG: 9704210028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS THE ROANOKE TIMES
The public can speak on the budget proposed for the year that starts July 1. The plan includes an $8.4 million increase without changing tax rates or fees.
Roanoke County residents have a chance to comment on how their tax dollars will be spent when the Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing Tuesday on the 1997-98 budget.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the County Administration Building on Bernard Drive.
The purpose of the hearing is to take comments on proposed expenditures for the coming year. Supervisors have already held a separate hearing on the county's tax rates, which will remain unchanged from the current year. All utility and other fees will remain at existing levels as well.
The budget being considered for the year starting July 1 totals $99.3 million, up $8.4 million from the current year. Here are highlights from the proposal:
Schools - Money designated for operating the county school system comes to $45.2 million, an increase of $3.2 million from this year. Supervisors also have agreed to designate $1.8 million for new school construction and improvements.
Employee pay and benefits - County employees will receive a 2 percent across-the-board raise and are eligible for merit increases averaging 1.2 percent. The payroll increase will cost the county $832,000. Health insurance costs are expected to increase, and employees will be required to pay a portion of the new cost. Specific figures have not been released.
New personnel - Seven positions will be added to the county's existing staff of 738. The police department will get two new road officers, and the fire and rescue department will get three additional paramedic firefighters. The final two positions are social workers whose salaries will be paid by the state.
Garbage and recycling - The county expects to pay $185,000 in additional tipping fees as part of a plan to offer discounts for commercial haulers. The curbside recycling program, which serves 15 percent of the county's garbage customers, is scheduled to be replaced with a countywide drop-off site system. Funding will remain unchanged at $85,000.
Economic development - The budget proposal includes $1 million as the first of three payments for the Glenn-Mary farm in West County, which is being studied for use as a business park.
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