2003-04-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Mr. Stan Tatum, 540 Park Street, opposed the increase in fees and charges. He said the number of City employees have expanded without growth in the population. He said Council needs to prioritize their needs and distinguish them from wants. Mr. Bob Hodous, 1309 Lester Drive, expressed concern about increases in personnel in Social Services, Planning, and Public Works. He said he thinks the City could be more efficient. He said the City's budget should be kept to cost of living increases and fees should not be increased in order to lessen the burden on citizens. Mr. Catherine Hoffman, 112 Middlesex Drive, Vice President of the Charlottesville National Organization of Women, expressed dismay that services may be cut for SHE. She said this will cut services to those who are in critical need. Ms. Hoffman said SHE depends on volunteers and training for them. Mr. Will Kerner, E. Market Street, supported the proposed funding for property relief for the Charlottesville Contemporary Arts Association which will be home to three non - profit arts gro ups and is being built with $4 million in private dollars. Once built, Mr. Kerner said the building will contribute over $700,000 to the City annually. Several members of the audience stood in support of Mr. Kerner's request. As there were no further s peakers, the public hearing was closed. ORDINANCE : ANNUAL TAX LEVY Mr. O'Connell said that the real estate tax rate is proposed to be reduce to $1.09 and other taxes are proposed to remain the same. Mr. Cox underscored the fact that Council has alre ady taken action to double the amount of funding for tax and rent relief. Mr. Cox said that if this new tax rate is adopted, Charlottesville will be at the bottom five of representative cities in Virginia. Mr. Schilling said he did see the comparative d ata Mr. Cox referred to, but does not feel all facts, such as cost of living, were included. Mr. Schilling said that based on the increased assessments, State law requires that the tax rate be lowered to 99.5 cents. Ms. Richards asked Mr. Brown to comme nt on Mr. Schilling's assertion, and Mr. Brown said that the State has notice requirements when assessments increase, and a tax rate that would bring in the same amount of revenue as the previous year must be listed in the notice. Mr. Brown said that it i s the City's decision, not the State's about what the tax rate should be. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Caravati, the ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY ON VARIOUS CLASES OF PROPERTY FOR THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST AN D RETIREMENT OF THE CITY DEBT, FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND CITY SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PUBLIC PURPOSES" was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. Mr. Caravati said he is pleased with the tax rate reduction, and no ted that Charlottesville is recognized in the State and country as an efficient government. APPROPRIATION : ANNUAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION Mr. Cox clarified that SHE is proposed to receive $79,910, and only the community education program was not fully fun ded. Ms. Richards said she understands that the General Assembly did not approve the Governor's amendment to provide funding for PAPIS. Mr. O'Connell said he understands that the Jefferson Area Community Criminal Justice Board has $15,000 in surplus fu nds that may be available for PAPIS. Mr.