THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504220106
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB
STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
People who want more city money and those who want to pay less presented their concerns to the City Council last week.
Nearly 300 residents attended two public hearings on next year's proposed budget, most to voice their opposition to a suggested reduction in funding for school additions, or their support for the dredging of the western branch of the Lynnhaven River, which may be cut from the spending plan.
Thalia residents presented a petition with 628 signatures opposing increased tax rates and assessments, and representatives of the police, firefighters and teachers' unions argued for higher wages.
The city manager's proposed $838 million budget for next year calls for a tax increase of 4.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation; and his $102 million construction budget suggests a number of cuts. City Council plans to vote on the budgets May 9.
A number of parents and teachers complained to the council at both hearings about a change City Manager James K. Spore made to the School Board's requested construction budget. Half of the money raised from local property taxes goes to the school district.
Several speakers complained that their school additions were being cut from the budget. However, many of the schools mentioned would not be affected.
Two years ago, the council gave the district money to add classrooms to 16 schools, but because of increasing construction costs and changes in scope, that money will run out before work is completed.
School officials told the council Tuesday that the only needy schools that will not get additions under the proposed spending are: Kingston Elementary, Plaza and Kempsville middle schools, and Kellam and First Colonial high schools.
Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf said the council was searching for a way to fund improvements to First Colonial. School Superintendent Sidney L. Faucette told the council Tuesday that the nearly $5 million already spent to renovate First Colonial had not done the job.
Most of the speakers at Thursday night's public hearing asked the council to restore $2 million that had been earmarked for the dredging of the Lynnhaven River.
Speakers complained that silt and mud flats have made the river unsightly and dangerous.
Union officials representing teachers and city employees said the proposed salary increases are insufficient. Payroll for both the city and school district would increase by 3 percent next year, if Spore's budget is approved.
Thalia homeowners, many of whom are on fixed incomes, cannot afford to keep paying higher taxes, about 30 residents told the council.
``I feel that I can speak for most of the Thalia citizens and say that we have been treated unfairly,'' Reginald S. Early said Tuesday.
Assessments in Thalia increased 6.8 percent on average, city Real Estate Assessor Jerald D. Banagan said Thursday, compared with a nearly 2 percent increase citywide.
Banagan said Thalia was assessed the same way as every other neighborhood, by examining recent sales of surrounding property.
``We certainly have not singled out Thalia,'' he said.
The next and final public hearing on the budget will be held at 2 p.m. May 2 in council chambers.
KEYWORDS: BUDGET VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD
by CNB