2007-03-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 recreation centers; strategic investment; neighborhood improvements; transportation and access; and stormwater initiatives. Mr. O’Connell reviewed the budget calendar. Mr. Lynch said he agrees this is an unprecedented budget and he thinks it is unjustifiable at an over 12% increase of which the homeowners are paying the vast amount. He said it is becoming increasingly untenable for people to stay in Charlottesville. He said he thinks there is a lot of room to cut the budget. He said he thinks an increase of 6%, maybe 8% can be justified. He said we should look at a 4 to 8 cent cut in the tax rate. He said Council does not need a $200,000 reserve. He said funding for the Visitors Center should be limited. He said there are double digit increases proposed in very department. Mr. Lynch took exception with the cost of the computers and video cameras proposed for the Police Department. Dr. Brown said he looks forward to hearing from the Police Chief about the computers and video cameras. Mr. Norris said he supports expanding the tax rebate program which will return $800,000 to citizens through that program. He said this will really help those most at risk of being taxed out of the City. Mr. Taliaferro said he supports Mr. Norris regarding the tax rebate. He said he hopes we can reduce the tax rate a little bit, but he is not sure it helps those who need it the most. He said he would like to do more for those people who are really struggling. Regarding the cameras and video cameras, he said the police and fire fighters need good equipment, and he wants to make sure that the people on the front lines have good tools. Dr. Brown said he does not disagree with the idea of finding some way to globally lower the tax rate, but he said many costs are hard to avoid, including retirement, health insurance, and landfill remediation. He said there are also things we are choosing to do, such as the “Green City” initiatives, and we should discuss those. He said Council can choose as a policy matter not to do some things. Mr. Lynch said there are a number of things in the budget that we have to have such as retirement and health insurance. He said his concern is how much do we spend on, and referenced the $2 million proposed for strategic initiatives. He agreed that simply dropping the tax rate helps large property owners. He agreed with changing the tax rebate program. He said we need to think about small property owners when we talk about the tax rate. Mr. Norris encouraged citizens to contact Councilors via e-mail if they are not able to attend meetings to express their thoughts. REPORT : PIEDMONT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT Dr. Frank Friedman, President of Piedmont Virginia Community College, noted that PVCC has not requested a budget increase this year. He said the current enrollment is 4,450 and students are taking more courses. He said there are currently 637 City residents enrolled, which is a decline. He said duel enrollment has been expanded at Charlottesville High School. He said PVCC continues to use the Connected Community Center for classes. He said renovation of the main building has been completed, and construction of the new science building will begin in September. He said PVCC has partnered with the YMCA which will build a facility on the PVCC campus. He said PVCC is interested in reclaiming the Visitors Center for a workforce development site. He said he looks forward to involvement with Jefferson School. Mr. Taliaferro said he received his degree from PVCC and appreciates what Dr. Friedman and PVCC have done for the community. Mr. Norris thanked Dr. Friedman for his excellent leadership. He said he is concerned that more Charlottesville residents are not enrolled, and asked what is being done to address that.