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Home My WebLink About04-15-531 Council Minutes rI ~ ~~~ April 15, 153 SPECIAL A special meeting of the Town Council of the Town off' MEETING Pulaski, Virginia was held in th® Municipal Building at 4 p.my April 15, 1953. "' PRESENT There were present; Vice-Mayor W. F. White, presiding Councilmen; I. R. Carper, 0. 0. Crowell, J.C.Crumb~ey,Jr., C. V. Jackson, J. L. Kesling, F. W. Ma~tshall, J. R. Martin. Absent: None. Also present: Town Manager: Julian F. Hirst Clerk Pro-Tempe: Mar~orieMC°~osier Town Treasurer; Lottie R. Bunion Town Attorney: Garnett S. Moore Visitors: Approximately 45 citizens. 1 ~~ PURPOSE STATED Proposed tax levy PERSONS HEARD The Vice-Mayor opened the meeting, and advised the citizens present that this special meeting had been called by4the Council for the purpose of studying the finances of the town find ,. possible sources of additional revenue for operation. He staled that there had been considerable discussion about the town ina;regard to g suggestion made by the Finance Cormnittee at the last reg~la~*. meeting of the Council relative to the possibility of increas~;hg the Town tax rate from 1.60 to 2.10. This increase, the ViceMayor further advised, had been presented to the Council only as a ~~ _ suggestion, and was not a definite proposal, nor was it the intention of the Council at this special meeting to take posi#ive action on the suggestion. He further stated that there had b~len considerable interest in this proposal as evidenced by the la~,ge number of citizens present at this meeting, and that in view ~If their presence, the Council would be glad to hear any who dosed to present their views to the Council. It was requested by the Vice-Mayor that any remarks~e limited if possible to five minutes, in order that all presen would have ample opportunity to present their views. The following persons presented themselves to the C~ancil, and in brief, made remarks as indicated: Harman Mr. Alex Harman, representing Jefferson Mills, Mayb~¢rry Buick and other Mayberry interests, Electro-Plastics, and oth~l~ individuals not named; He stated that this was not an opport~he time for an increase in taxes and that any increase by the Tovv~i should be withheld until the present burden upon the people fm ',~ Federal taxes was reduced. It was suggested by Mr. Harman th~~ ti 1..~f1^ Council Minutes Conttd. Pulaski, Va., April 15,1953 the Town should study decreasing operating costs, and t~.at a budget should be het up before establishing the tax levy. J.E.Bunts Mr. J. E. Bunts, representing the Allied Chemical & Dye Corporation, General Chemical -Division. .He stated the tax rate of the Town, and the County was already un- usually highs and suggested that consideration be given to annexation to increase revenue and that the Council search for other sources of revenue other. than taxes. J.B.Shumate Mr. Joe B. Shumate, representing Coleman Furniture Corporation. Mr. Shumate stated that new businesses and industries were being discouraged because of present high taxes, and that he Pelt the budget could be reduced and that the Town was paying for too many "frills'"' . Charles Dyer Mr. Charles Dyer, representing the interests of his family. He requested that non-essential items in all departments be eliminated, and questioned the Council as to the necessity of expenditures for the Recreation Department, and membership in the Virginia League of Municipalities. A.A.McNew Mr. A. A. McNew, appearing as a property owner, stated that any increase in taxes would discourage new industries, and that, should the Council make any increase, that the people would remember their .action in the next town election. Aulden Lemons Mr. Aulden Lemons appeared as a property owner and suggested the curtailment of services to citizens in order to decrease expenditures, and suggested that the Council consider other sources of revenue, including a sales tax. J.E.Sadler Mr. J. E. Sadler, representing Dobson Hosiery Mills. Mr. Sadler urged Council to examine all expenditures for duplication and possible elimination. He advised that an increase in taxes would do more harm than good, and reminded tie Council that the forthcoming seepage disposal matter would bring additional costs pressure upon the citizens. G.S.Bunn,Jr. Mr. George S. Bunn, Jr., representing his interests, I 1 1 ,~ ~.~ Council Minutes Contd. Pulaski, Va., April 15, 1.53 stated that this was not the opportune time for increases, as.!the trend at this time was to decrease prices and taxes. James Calfee 1VIr. James Calfee on behalf of the Pulaski Citizens pf the ;: Virginia Voters League. He stated that it was his opinion that industry was being kept from Pulaski by the tax rate, which e#tused unemployment among his people, many of whom were on relief, band that they would not be able to meet any increase. T.J.MeCarthy .Mr. Thomas J. McCarthy representing Maple S had® Intl Roy Garret and Hotel Pulaski, advised that this was now the time to curt~Iil and not expand, and it would be necessary for the Council to ~ operate the Town more economically than ever. He suggested a~;sal®s tax as an additional source of revenue, and reminded the Coun~lil of the reassessment schedule in 1954. t Mr. Roy Garrett, representing American Pigment Corporation, stated he favored a reduction of expenditures, and advised th~it the people had faith in `the Town Council, and there rested with tl~le Council the decision as to what the needs of the people were.; °i Mrs.D.M.Painter Mrs. D. M. Painter appearing as a property owner, f~ .V~'. Nuf P reported that she personally was unable to afford any increasd' in taxes due to existing living costs. Mr. H.W. Huff appearing on behalf of the Huff inter~Ists, in an exchange of discussion with the Council, questioned the° position of the Pulaski rate in comparison with tax levy rate9lin other communities. Councilman Jackson Councilman Jackson spoke briefly and reaffirmed the; 1 Adjourn statement as made by the Vice-Mayor at the opening of the meet~ting regarding the fact that the suggestion of an increase had bee~i made by the Finance Committee as a whole, and emphasized that it w not a positive proposal. There being no other persons indicating their desird" to present their views, the majority of the citizens retired, and in brief discussion which followed amongst the Council, the Town aManager was requested to present , if at all possible, as early as pra~lticable a proposed budget, in order that the Council might study the financial status of the coming year. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. ': Approved: _-----~ l~.ttest : Vice-