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6
<br />NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR DISTRICT” was carried over to the
<br />next meeting for consideration.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Norris arrived at the meeting.
<br />
<br />RESOLUTION
<br />: OPPOSING REDUCTION IN STATE FUNDING FOR
<br />CHARLOTTESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
<br />
<br /> Mr. Norris said the proposed resolution puts Council on record as opposing the
<br />bill summated by Delegate Bell. He said he understands the stress in Albemarle County,
<br />but does not believe the City Schools should be penalized because of it. He said his
<br />strong preference is to sit down in a collaborative fashion with Albemarle County.
<br />
<br /> On motion by Mr. Norris, seconded by Mr. Huja, the Resolution Opposing the
<br />Reduction in State Funding for Charlottesville Public Schools was approved by the
<br />following vote. Aye: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Ms. Szakos.
<br />Noes: None.
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS
<br />, in 1982 the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle,
<br />following approval by County voters in a referendum, entered into an Annexation and
<br />Revenue Sharing Agreement; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS
<br /> , a stated purpose of the Agreement was to avoid a City-initiated
<br />annexation of property in Albemarle County that would “threaten the spirit of
<br />cooperation now existing between the City and County governments, . . . would involve
<br />great expenditures of time and money, and . . . would introduce an element of uncertainty
<br />into the political and governmental processes of both jurisdictions”; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS
<br /> , had an Agreement not been executed the City would have annexed
<br />a substantial amount of property within Albemarle County, which would have been a
<br />continuing source of revenue for the City of Charlottesville in the form of real property,
<br />personal property and sales taxes, as well as other fees and licenses; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> since 1982 the City and the County have worked collaboratively
<br />and in good faith on numerous joint endeavors and services which have benefited the
<br />residents of both jurisdictions, including improvements in the areas of parks and
<br />recreation, transportation, public transit, fire services, public safety, public education and
<br />environmental protection; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS
<br /> , the City has continued, at great expense and while under increasing
<br />fiscal stress, to be the primary provider of important core urban services which have
<br />benefited not only the residents of the City and County but also citizens of the entire
<br />region; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS
<br /> , due to inadequate local funding the Albemarle County School
<br />Board has requested the County’s Delegate to the General Assembly to introduce
<br />legislation that would reduce state funding to the City of Charlottesville Public School
<br />system in the amount of $2,600,000.00; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS
<br />, as requested a budget amendment has been introduced at the
<br />General Assembly which would eliminate $2,600,000 of funding to City Schools, with no
<br />apparent regard for the educational needs of the children of Charlottesville; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS
<br /> , while localities across the Commonwealth, as well as individuals
<br />and organizations interested in ensuring a quality public education for all Virginia
<br />children, have joined forces to strongly oppose proposed cuts in state funding for
<br />education, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has recently expressed its support
<br />and endorsement of the proposed reduction in such funding to the City of Charlottesville
<br />Public Schools; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS
<br /> , the loss of funding from the proposed budget amendment, if passed,
<br />is equivalent to approximately $0.05 on the City’s real property tax rate, and would either
<br />
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