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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-82~~`3J Minutes of the Public Hearing of the Pulaski Town Council, held June 3, 1982, at 7:00 P. M, in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Raymond F.Ratcliffe, presiding. Councilmembers: Andrew L. Graham, Jr. John A. Johnston, C. E. Boyd, Jr.,,Alma H. Holston, James M. Neblett, Jr. Pauline G. Mitchell Absent: Councilmen Robert M. Wallace and Glen K. Aust Also present: H. R. Coake, Town Manager Gladys R. Daiton,,Clerk Roger A. Williams, Treasurer/Director of Finance Visitors: Dee Lindsey, Southwest .Times George Shadroui, Roanoke Times Bill Norris Janet Johnson, Community Action Program, and Dorothy Johnson Obel Ratcliff Nick Saunders The invocation was given by Councilman Graham. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that as had been advertised in the S outh- west Times, this is a public hearing on the proposed budget for the Town of Pulaski for the fiscal year 1982=83, and we will not go into the merits of the different operations, but will open the meeting and ask Town Manager Coake to give a brief synapsis of the proposed budget. Town Manager Coake advisad that the budget document is balanced within the revenues as have been estimated for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1982, and .no rate or tax increases are proposed in this budget. The General Fund is in balance by $6,090.00; Water Fund is in balance by $323.00; the Sewer Fund is in balance by $395,764.00; the Refuse Disposal Fund is in balance by $568.00; Equipment and Stores Fund is in balance by $332.00, and Revenue Sharing is in balance by $3,025.00. Mr. Coake advised the budget document has been prepared in accordance with the Unif orm Financial Reporting Manual prepared by the Auditor of Public Accounts pursuant to Section 15.1-167 Code of Virginia, as amended. This legislation required Towns having a population of 3,500 or more, or having a separate school division to adopt a uniform system of financial reporting by July 1, 1982, and as a result of this require- '~ j ment, our budget document has changed significantly from our previous budgets, with the following Accounts: General Fund; Water Fund; Sewer Fund; Equipment & Supplies; Refuse Disposal, and Revenue Sharing Fund. ~~~ June 3, 1982 He further stated that included in the budget document is a 5% increase for all employees and a salary adjustment for some eimployees whose salary is less than that being paid for similar work. The total increase in wages for all funds amounts to a 7.,57% increase. Mr. Coake.advised the.General Fund revenue projections are as anticipated .with the exception of Item 101-220.101 - A.B.C. Profits Tax, and we .have been advised by the Virginia Department of Taxation that the estimated revenue for the Town.of Pulaski for fiscal year 1982 was $33,000.00, which is $14,000.00 Less than the projected revenue for fiscal year 1981. This reduction was due to the increased level of appropriation from A.B.C. Profits to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for alcohol abuse programs. As a result of the change in the format, a new account for the Clerk of Council has been added. The items shown in this account have been included part in the Council budget and part in the Town Manager's budget. The Fire Department budget includes a contribution to the New River Valley Rescue A-quad in .the amount of $6,000. The request was for $7700.:00, and the amount of the contribution and request for the 1981-82 budget was for $5,000.00. This item was placed in the Fire Department budget as part of the fire and rescue cost in conf ormith with Unif orm Financial Reporting requirements. The same is true for the Police Department, $1,104.00 for the New River Regional Criminal Justice Training Center is included in the police budget, and last year it was included in Contributions and Support. The street paving program is included in Repair and Maintenance, Highways, Streets, Bridges and Sidewalks, in the amount of $45,000.00. This item 'has previously been shown as Street Blacktop in a Capital Out- - lay or Revenue Sharing account. Town Manager Coake said the Recreation budget has also been revised to include supervision of parks; maintenance of all parks and playgrounds; recreation centers and playgrounds, as well as marinas and boatlandings, with major capital outlay items in the General Fund. June 3, 1982 The only thing that increased the General Fund signitifantly was the increase in the electrical rates which were the result of _J negotiations during the 1981 and 1982 between the VML/VACO Steering Committee for rate negotiations and Appalachian Power Company. As a result, the electric rates for General Fund activities will in- crease approximately 35% and this is included in the budget. Town Manager Coake advised that in order to balance the Water Fund a transfer in the amount of $72,900.00 was necessary. This revenue comes from surplus in the Water Fund, and this indicates that the present rates are not sufficient to cover the operating cost for the water system. Theref ore, it may be necessary to consider a rate increase in the water rates next year. '7151 In the Source of Supply Capital Outlay account there is included 1 an item of $7,000.00 for machinery and equipment which is for repairs to one of the pumps at the Peak Creek Pump Station; Filtration and Purification Capital Outlay is $3500.00 for laboratory equipment; and $3,000.00 to replace a telemetering system from the Ridge Avenue water tank; and the new electric rate which will become effective September 1982, plus fuel adjustment clause is included in the budget and increases the electric rate significantly. In conformity with the Unif orm Financial reporting requirements, the Dublin Water System, which includes expenses for Warden Springs Station and the Pulaski to Dublin Water Line, has been placed in the Transmission and Distribution account. Fixed Charges in previous budgets are now distributed to the various departments, and should be taken into consideration when comparing the 1981-82 budget to the 1982-83 budget, The Peppers Ferry Regional Treatment Plant Facilities is a major item in the Sewer Fund, and as stated, the Sewer Fund is in balance by $385,764,00 as a result of accumulation of funds for the project. Addi- tional funds for the Pepper Ferry project are included in Revenue Sharing in the amount of $130,000. It is anticipated that construction on a portion of this project, particularly the Force Main from Pulaski to Dublin, will begin in the fall of 1982. ' Mr. Coake advised that the increase in the Equipment User Fees adopted in the 1981-82 budget has helped the Equipment and Supplies fund / ~,.~~ June 3, 1982 provide a balanced budget. However, in order to balance this budget it was necessary to transfer all Capital Outlay items in the amount of $60,000.00 to the Revenue Sharing Account. In order to balance the Refuse Disposal Account it was necessary to transf er $17,000.00 from General Funds. Capital Outlay items amounting to $69,000.00, include one garbage packer and chassis $45,000.00; Ten rear-load dumpsters for $12,000.00, and tires for the landfill amounted to $1.2,000.00. Town Manager Coake advised that the Revenue Sharing Fund includes $70,000.00 for renovation of the Downtown area; with $85,000.00 having previously been budgeted, making a total for this project $155,000.00. These funds will be used to complete the work on the street right-of-way on Main Street between Washington and Jefferson Avenues. There is included in the Revenue Sharing Fund account a $5,000.00 to paint and remodel one of the fire trucks; the purchase of two Police Cars in the amount of $16,000.00; $130,000.00 for Regional Sewer plant; $8,000.00 for a Salt Spreader for Public Works use; $52,000.00 for purchase of two dump trucks in Public Works Department; $57,000.00 for purchase of one garbage packer and ten dumpsters for Refuse Disposal Account. .lanet Johnson of the Community Action program again asked Council to consider their request for $7,000.00 needed to maintain a level of service in Pulaski County. She stated $3,000.00 would be used for Head Start; $3,000.00 for Community Development, and $1,000.00 for Crises Intervention. She stated that by September 1982 they .would be losing part of their grant funds, and it was hoped the Town could grant their request to make up this slack in funds. Dorothy Johnson gave a support report of the Head Start Program activities, for which a portion of the Community Action funds would be used. Bill Norris complimented the Town on its budget in that no increases were made in taxes for services to the town citizens. However, Mr. Norris suggested that Council look with less optomism toward the revenue side because of the economic situation now existing in Pulaski. June 3, 1982 I ~~~ Mr. Norris stated in reviewing the budget he saw that the town employees would receive a 5% increase in wages, and asked if the Town had considered the Management Study's recommendations, if so, he felt the wage rates should be based on that rather than on "across the board" increases; that he felt merit increases should be considered rather than across the board raises. Obel Ratcliff complained of lack of services, personally, and stated he found it hard to understand the budget as printed in the Southwest Times. Mayor Ratcliffe stated it was felt the Council had made progress ib its budget for the fiscal year 1982-83. Nick Saunders suggested that Council look closely at its budget, that public awareness would be in the area of 5% cost-of-living increase to employees. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that "we have made every effort to hold the budget down and not have increases, but it was felt the wage increase was necessary; he stated all capital expenditures have been madd with Revenue Sharing Funds, and if this source is cut off, we can still operate. Revenue Sharing is a separate account and we budget certain items in the Revenue Sharing funds for capital improvements. All items in Revenue Sharing must come bef ore Council before it is spent. The account is under very strick scrutiny. Councilman Boyd advised that he was sure Mr. Williams would be glad to explain to anyone who did not understand. the summary which was published in the Southwest Times. Councilwoman Mitchell stated she felt the Library Fund should be reduced since we are contributing to other activities sponsored by the C ounc y . Mayor Ratcliffe said "we appreciate your comment and it can be discussed between now and when the budget is approved". Councilwoman Holston said she approved of what Mrs.. Mitchell had suggested regarding the Library Fund. Councilman Graham commended Town Manager Coake and his staff in the preparation of this year's budget, "since it was the first time for the change in our format to comply with State regulations". He said many hours had been spent in this. work; however, it should be easire next year. ~~~ j June 3, 1982 Mayor Ratcliffe stated the cost-of-living is at 7.57%, and he felt since the surrounding counties are giving more than 5%, the Town must try to keep its employees, and are conscious of reducing expenses wherever possible. Councilwoman Mitchell stated the Town could give the across the board increase, or go by the Management Study. Councilman Johnston stated the Management Study covered a survey of industries in the area and the Town is short in some areas. We have looked at this and some increased are needed, some of our people are quite faithful considering the amount they receive. We were told to get some of these department in line with what other people are getting. We did reflect on the Management Study in our increase of wages ., At 7:55 P. M. Councilman Neblett moved that the Public Hearing be adjourned. Motion was seconded by Councilman Boyd, and carried. APflt OVED c~ ATTEST: C Clerk of he Council