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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-786230 Minutes oi' a public hearing by the Pulaski Town Council held June G2, 1978 at 7:U0 P. M. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, on~a proposed ordinance to amend the present real estate PUBLIC HEARING and personal tax mate of $1.80/$100. or fraction thereof, of assessed ON PROPOSED TAX INCREASE & value of taxable property to X2.50/$100. assessed value. Also, on GARBAGE COLL, FEE a proposal to amend the garbage collection fee schedule by increasing residential charge's from $2.00 per month to X3.00 per month; the business and mechanical containerized collection fee schedules are proposed to be amended by the same percentage as residential increases. There were; present: Mayor Raymond F. Ratcliffe, presiding. Councilmen: John A.,Johnston, James M. Neblett, Jr., Blair B. Brockmeyer, William A. House, Andrew L. Graham, Jr., C. William Hickam, Jr., erthur L. Meadows Absent: Councilman Bob J. Clark Councilmen-elect: Bob Wallace and C. E. Boyd, Jr. Also present: Town Manager: J. E. Marshall Clerk: Gladys R. lialton Town Treasurer: Roger A. Williams Visitors: Jane Graham, Radio Station WPUV Charles Hite, Roanoke Times Steve Austin, Southwest Times Approximately 15 citizens Mayor Ratc:liff welcomed the visitors, and stated the purpose of the meeting, a:s advertised, was to consider the fiscal year 1978-79 Town Budget. Mayor Ratcliffe stated all those present would be given an opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions as to how the proposed budgEat might be improved upon. Mayor Ratcliffe stated it certainly was r-ot the desire of the Council to raise the taxes, PUBLIC but with mandatory programs by the federal and state governments and HEARD ON inflation, there appears to be no alternative and the real estate tax PROPOSED is the main sourcca of revenue for small towns. Mayor Ratcliffe TAX & GARBAGE stated the Town has not increased taxes since 1966, and, because of COLL. INCREASE inflation, cited :several operations of the Town on which costs have increased considerably. He also stated that as of July 1st, theTown would lose approximately $80,Ouu from the sale of water to the Town of Dublin, as Dublin will then be furnished water by the rulaski -County Service [gut:hority. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that the tax increase on a modE~rately priced house would not be excessive. June 22, 1978 ~2,~1 Mrs. Christine McPeak stated she was concerned about how the tax increase would affect elderly people as they are on fixed incomes. She also questioned the appropriation for the Recreation Department and said these people derived no benefit from that Department. Many of the citizens present were from Windsor Circle area and disapproved of the proposed 38% increase in taxes. Ralph Grubb, of that area, stated that he realized inflation was a problem, but felt the tax increase was premature in view of the reassessment which will take place in 1979. He stated he felt an 18% or 19% tax increase would suffice: until the reassessment. Mayor Ratcliffe stated that if the re- assessment brought in sufficient revenue, he saw no reason why taxes PUBLIC couldn't be reduced. Ann Koch asked what was the procedure for rejecting or approving DISCUSSION the budget, and Mayor Ratcliffe advised that all comments and suggestions would be evaluated by the Council between now and June 30th at which RE: TAX time the budget will be approved. There was also a suggestion that Town owned vehicles should not be used for personal use in the County. Mayor Ratcliffe advised that INCREASE these persons were on twenty-f our hour call and it was necessary they have the use of these vehicles in an emergency. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councilman House said there was a time some three years ago when there was a surplus in the Town's finances, but inflation had eaten up that surplus and it had been necessary during the past eight months for the Council to borrow $235,000. in short term loans for current payroll and operating funds, but all had been repaid with the exception of $60,000. Mr. House also stated the proposed salary increase of 5% across the board and 3% merit increase was not excessive, and that it was necessary to give raises each year in order to keep good employees. Town Manager Marshall stated that the proposed budget carried the figure of $88,000 for these salary increases. There was some opposi- tion to merit raises by some members of the public. One citizen asked it all employees were considered alike in granting merit raises, as she hoped the garbage collector would receive the same considera- tion as some high salary employee. The method of evaluating employees "~~~ June 22, 1978 Polly Mitchell stated she was opposed to the plan or idea PUBLIC as presented by Councilman Hickam at Council's meeting on Tuesday, HEARD ON PROPOSED than on the employees. Councilman Johnston stated he understood the feelings of TAX INCREASE those concerned because he had similar feelings, more or less, the Town's f inarices and budgets . for merit raises; was explained by Town Manager Marshall, stating that the Department heads evaluate the employees under him and this is then approved by the Town Manager, a procedure which has been in effect for the pas t two years . and felt the 5% and 3% salary increases should be given, but cut down some other places or departments that are wasteful rather before he came on the Council and did not realize how involved were As Councilman-elect Bob Wallace and C. E. Boyd, Jr, made ADJOURNMENT statements relative to their ideas regarding the operations of the Town and how im~olved its budget was. There bE:ing no further comments from those present, at 8:50 P. M. Mayor Ratcliffe declared the meeting adjourned. ~I APPRaVED: ~ ~~ May Ratclif e ATTEST: ~~, y ~~ J Clerk o 'Council. i~