THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230209
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Portsmouth is sending a clear message to the state this year. When it comes to money, the city needs more - not less.
In its top priorities for the legislature, the City Council put together a package that opposes a proposed tax repeal, requests that funding for police remain stable, requests more money for the city's museums and opposes any future unfunded state mandates.
Council members told Delegate Kenneth Melvin that they oppose any suggested repeal of the Business, Professional and Occupational License Tax, unless the state replaces that money with some other source of cash.
The BPOL tax brings Portsmouth about $4.3 million annually. To replace that money on its own, the city would have to raise real estate taxes by 16 cents per $100 value on each piece of property.
Melvin assured the council that ``BPOL is safe for now.''
The city also asked that the state continue funding local law enforcement at current levels. Last year state officials had suggested reducing that money to fund the parole and sentencing reform plan.
``We're at the point where we don't think this additional money needs to go to build more prisons,'' Melvin said.
Instead he said the money will be used to fund the police, as well as to repay federal retirees and to go toward funding raises for teachers.
The council requested $2.8 million for the second phase of construction for the Children's Museum of Virginia and another $250,000 for the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Melvin said it doesn't hurt to ask, but that the city should realize that it's won't get even one-tenth of what it is requesting.
The council asked that the state fund any future mandates it passes down to the city. Melvin said he and his fellow legislators had gotten the message that localities can't afford any new expenses.
Other requests include:
An amendment to the state building code to include regulations for historic homes and other existing structures.
An amendment to the state code that would allow the city to enter into local design/build contracts. That measure would allow the city to bid on projects one time, rather than to bid separately for designs and then again for construction. Apparently, allowing one company to bid on both design and construction can save cities money. However, architects and engineers have opposed the amendment.
The Chief of Police requested that the police training manuals, tactical or emergency plans and internal security manuals be exempt from the public information laws. In addition police offices across the state have asked that engineering and architectural drawings of local government buildings be exempt from the Freedom of Information act. That request was the result of the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma.
Melvin was the only one of four members of the state legislature to meet with council members in a Monday work session.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL by CNB