2007-04-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 PUBLIC HEARING : CITY COUNCIL’S PROPOSED BUDGET Mr. O’Connell reviewed City Council’s amendments to the budget. Increased revenues: State aid for police protection - $18,506; increase cigarette tax to 35-cents per pack - $150,000. Decreased revenues: 2 cent reduction in real estate tax rate - $1 million; McGuffey Art Center rent - $37,283. Increased expenditures: Free Clinic - $631; 30 minutes headway on Rt. 7 for Sunday service - $28,225; Tax Grant Program - $168,767; CIP (sidewalks/bike and pedestrian lanes/trail) - $650,000; outside agencies/festivals - $15,000; TJ Youth Football League - $7,500; CYFS Fatherhood Initiatives - $20,000; reserve for City share of possible County transit service expansion - $100,000. Decreased expenditures: McGuffey Art Center Utilities - $37,283; Charlottesville Contemporary Center for the Arts - $1,301; Hybrid vehicle maintenance and fuel savings - $4,350; CIP (municipal building improvements/space efficiencies) - $250,000; wayfinding initiatives - $300,000; street reconstruction/paving - $650,000; Council reserve - $195,225; employer share of health care benefit - $250,275. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Diane Taylor, 1932 Arlington Blvd., representing Zona Latina, encouraged Council to fund the bilingual television program. She said that federal law requires that residents be provided meaningful access to services. She said they really need the support of the City. Ms. Bonnie Carr, 2338 Peyton Drive, representing IMPACT’s housing research committee, said that low income residents spend 50 – 60% of their incomes on housing and utilities. She thanked Council for allocating funds for the affordable housing proposals. She said IMPACT understands that Albemarle County and the University of Virginia need to step up, and she hopes a task force is the way to bring them in. She thanked Council for adding Sunday buses with 30 minute headways. Several people in the audience stood in support of Ms. Carr’s comments. Mr. Zane Hill, 825 Blenheim Avenue, outreach coordinator for SOCA, thanked Council for funding for SOCA. He said the program serves many refugee children. Renta Germino, 1695 Polo Grounds Road, a teacher at Walker School, said she teachers many ESL students and soccer is important to them. She asked that funds be added for outreach. Mr. Dan Rosensweig, 740 Lexington Avenue, Director of Coaching at SOCA, said that private funds have been raised for the program. He said soccer is the great equalizer for kids. He said he takes issue with the recommendation to decrease funding by 3%, and requested level funding. Mr. Paul Reynolds, 857 Locust Avenue, referred to an “out of control” Council and budget. He said his taxes have increase 60% in the last five years. He expressed concern with the EMS proposal, and concern with the Fire Chief’s comment that the proposal was to have been done “under the radar.” He said the increase is really a tax increase. He recommended that Council return to last year’s base budget and justify why they are increasing taxes. He said Council should exercise judgment when spending money. nd Mr. Richard Berman, 205-A 2 Street, N.W., said he cannot understand why there are different percentage increases in assessments throughout the City. He said his taxes have increased $2000 in the last five years. He said more than a 2 cent reduction in the tax rate is needed. Mr. Mark Kavit, 400 Altamont Street, asked that in future years the personal property taxes be increased rather than the real estate taxes as people can control that. Ms. Carrie Taylor, 1212 Meriwether Street, supported funding for First Night Virginia. She said it is a tradition worthy of our support.