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6 <br /> Mr. Charles Weber, 601 Locust Avenue, said he is mindful that the state has not <br />passed a budget. He opposed Council's proposed budget and urged them to return the <br />budget to the City Manager with a request to increase the budget no more than 2.3%. He <br />said no change would be required to existing services. He said there has been a 20% <br />increase in staff and Council is capitalizing on the increase in real estate taxes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Alex Davis, 1010 St. Clair Avenue, a VOP intern, supported a living wage for <br />all City workers. He said this will increase the general wealth of the c ommunity as a <br />whole and may inspire other employers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Stu Armstrong, Executive Director of Piedmont Housing Alliance, presented <br />information to Council on the average days housing is on the market, on median sales <br />price growth between 1997 and 2003, an d the number of clients PHA who are ready to <br />purchase a home. Mr. Armstrong asked Council to support the housing trust fund <br />proposal. <br /> <br /> Ms. Jill Payne, an employee at JABA, asked for extra funding for adult day care. <br />She said many clients cannot afford t o pay for the day care and scholarships are <br />important. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Moore, 1213 Hazel Street, noted that all of Council's suggestions for <br />reducing the budget relate to the capital improvement budget. He presented charts <br />showing how City spending compares wit h other cities, noting that Charlottesville spends <br />more in four areas and is among the highest in other areas, though he said this is an <br />admittedly superficial look. He said if Council is sincere in trying to slow down <br />increases the matter should be studi ed further. <br /> <br />st <br /> Ms. Kathy Icenhour, South 1 Street, asked Council to support funding for QCC, <br />Social Services, JABA, Police and a living wage. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE <br />: ANNUAL REAL ESTATE TAX LEVY <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said the real estate tax rate is proposed to remain at $1.09 and the <br />personal property tax to remain at $4.20. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he is concerned about the fact that the state is passing on costs <br />and asked staff to prepare a contingency plan in case there is no state budget. In order to <br />be prepared, he made a motion to increase the real estate tax rate to $1.19 to give a <br />cushion if the state does not pass a budget. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked when we should see the impact of that increase. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati s aid he would only intend to use it if the state budget is not <br />approved. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati's motion died for lack of a second. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch made a motion to approve the Annual Real Estate Tax Levy and Ms. <br />Richards seconded the motion and the ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO <br />ESTABLISH THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY ON VARIOUS CLASSES OF PROPERTY <br />FOR THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST AND RETIREMENT OF THE CITY DEBT, <br />FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND CITY SCHOOLS, AND <br />th <br />FOR OTHER PUBLIC PURPOSES" was offered and carried over to the April 13 <br />meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />APPROPRIATION <br />: ANNUAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION <br /> <br />Referring to comments made by the public, Mr. Lynch said he had asked for a list <br />of City departmental increases. He said he thinks it is instructive to see where w e are <br />spending. He said the greatest increase is for the jail because the state has passed on the <br />cost. Additional increases include cemetery maintenance; tax relief; recreation, E - 911 <br />