THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020430
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Suffolk School Board officials were pleased Wednesday afternoon when the City Council voted 5-2 to approve their request for full funding during the Council work session.
But by nightfall, during the regular City Council meeting, about 120 residents made pleas to fund streets, sewers and a downtown association.
Citizens came out to discuss concerns during a nearly two-hour public hearing about the proposed $130 million operating budget for fiscal year 1996-97 and Community Development Block Grant funds. The City Council has until June 30 to approve the operating budget.
For the past month, City Council members have been poring over the budget, considering items to trim or fund. Council members agreed in the work session to fully fund the School Board proposal for an additional $300,000. For weeks, the schools had requested the additional money to pay for computer equipment and additional staffing.
Councilwoman Marian B. Rogers and Councilman Charles F. Brown dissented, arguing that although they favored education, the city hadn't identified a funding source.
Nevertheless, school officials were pleased.
``I'm just delighted. It sends a strong message for education,'' said School Board Superintendent Joyce H. Trump.
But not everyone was pleased at the evening's crowded hearing.
One by one, a large cross-section of Suffolk came to the podium, from well-heeled businessmen from the Downtown Suffolk Association to a group of comfortably dressed residents from Huntersville. Yet they all had a common theme: money.
Leroy Edwards, president and chairman of the DSA, said he was upset the council was considering dropping the downtown special taxing district. Edwards said the independent association has helped attract 50 additional businesses. Edwards said a great bulk of DSA's money comes from the tax.
However, city officials argued that the only way to attract business was to remove the district - which charges $1.41 per $100 valuation - and begin relying on enterprise zones instead.
``We need to give them (businesses) a break and give them an incentive,'' Mayor S. Chris Jones said. ``We need to remove that extra layer.''
Meanwhile, some residents complained that City Council has proposed giving themselves a $10,000 raise and city employees a 3.3 percent increase while communities have been begging for water and sewer service. City council members currently make $8,000; the mayor makes $10,000.
T.C. Williams - who is running for council - compared the raises to the Boston Tea Party.
``I don't think the city is aware that you're going to vote yourself a one-shot raise. If you feel you need a salary increase, you need to leave,'' said Williams. ``As you've heard, areas need sewage.''
Other citizens argued that the council hasn't identified how it will pay for schools. School construction funding could deplete water and sewer funds, they said.
Meanwhile, residents in Huntersville and Saratoga requested more block grant funds. City Manager Myles E. Standish said the city is expected to receive $800,000 this year. However, due to the federal budget impasse earlier this year, Standish said that amount could be smaller. by CNB