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18 <br /> <br /> Mr. Don Belcher, owner Of Food Master Store on 308 Ridge <br />St., stated that cigarettes account for 25% of sales in his <br />store and he felt the cigarette tax will cause him to lose <br />sales and will be a tax on the poor. <br /> <br /> Mr. Herb Stewart' Briarcliff Avenue, urged Council to <br />pass the cigarette tax as he felt it would be a fair thing to <br />do. Mr. Stewart stated that the Tobacco Industry has a <br />stronghold on the General Assembly so a State cigarette tax <br />is doubtful in the foreseeable future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Farris, 905 Altavista Avenue, stated that he <br />is on disability and is concerned about assessments and felt <br />the City should sell the trees on Monticello Avenue. <br /> <br /> Ms. Margaret Segal, a member of Smoke Free <br />Charlottesville, speaking for herself, supported the proposed <br />cigarette tax. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Siedler, 2010 Hessian Road, stated that he <br />feels the City does a good job on its property assessments <br />and has a tax relief program for elderly and disabled persons <br />and those who qualify should take advantage of this program. <br />Mr. Siedler recommended that the City look at its policies <br />and procedures and focus on how to cut expenses. Mr. Siedler <br />questioned using the reserve funds to make up the $1 million <br />projected shortfall. Mr. Siedler made the following <br />comments: all existing fund balances should be disclosed in <br />the budget; Council should require other joint agencies to <br />pass their budgets before the City budget is done (those <br />which impact the City budget such as tip fees); the City <br />should stop moving money between various funds; there should <br />be a more detailed report of the "Green Fund;" the City <br />should enforce existing ordinances to keep the City <br />beautiful; yardwaste should be chipped and given away rather <br />than taken to.the landfill; leaf collection goes on too long; <br />the large item pickup should be rethought; Public Works <br />employees should not be allowed to leave work early when <br />trash collection is completed; questioned why the City is <br />installing new gas lines when other things such as automatic <br />meter reading are not being done; tax exempt properties <br />should be listed in the budget; and a citizen volunteer group <br />should be used to advise the City on ways to save money. <br /> <br /> Ms. Bonnie Johnson, health educator for the 7th Day <br />Adventist Church, supported the cigarette tax since smoking <br />is a major health problem. <br /> <br /> Dr. Richard Crampton, Rugby Road, supported the proposed <br />cigarette tax. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the City has eliminated 67 jobs <br />in the last two years and is working to try to "reinvent <br />government" and perform more efficiently. Mr. Toscano <br />stressed that the Council must balance needs in the community <br />with available revenues and pointed out that $109,000 is <br />included in the budget for the tax relief program to help <br />people who qualify to reduce their tax burden. Mr. Toscano <br />stated that he feels funding for other agencies such as the <br />Charlottesville Housing Improvement Program are valuable to <br />the community. Mr. Toscano stated that one option the <br />Council would have for ireducing the budget would be to <br />eliminate such services as the large item pickup or dumpster <br />service. Mr. Toscano stated that he felt citizen input was <br />valuable in helping Council make these decisions. In <br />response to comments from citizens, Mr. Toscano noted that <br />twigs are chipped now by the City and are available for mulch <br />and the Green Fund is being held in reserve. <br /> <br />Ms. Slaughter stated that Council is working to bring <br /> <br /> <br />