Laserfiche WebLink
49 <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that local elected officials are <br />becoming disenchanted with the State's ability to provide <br />funding, especially in the area of education, social <br />services, and solid waste. Mr. Toscano stressed that the <br />situation is becoming untenable for localities and encouraged <br />the legislators to come up with creative ideas for ways to <br />provide funding. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robb stated that he agreed that the State should not <br />mandate without providing methods of providing funding. Mr. <br />Robb stated that he felt constructing new prisons was a poor <br />investment and he would favor diverting these funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Van Yahres stated that diverting prison construction <br />fund would be difficult because of existing overcrowding. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that Charlottesville is moving into <br />the second year of real cutbacks which is severely impacting <br />social service benefits, school programs and the landfill and <br />she felt there is an urgent need to continue a dialogue with <br />and have a partnership with State legislators since the same <br />people are served by the State and local officials. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that she felt it was important for <br />localities to have a broader taxing power since the major tax <br />is now on property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the Council on Community Services <br />for Youth has issued a report which contains a radical <br />proposal on consolidating services for social services, the <br />impact of which is unknown and which would reduce the funding <br />for localities. Mr. Toscano urged the legislators not to act <br />on the recommendation without adequately studying the <br />proposal. Mr. Toscano also noted that the State had failed <br />to provide promised funding for the City Hall Annex space <br />occupied by the Department of Social Services. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robb stated that he felt consolidation of some <br />administrative services and programs could be good but <br />assured Council that he would carefully study the matter. <br />Mr. Robb recommended that the Council and legislators have <br />another meeting during the General Assembly session. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robb stated that he currently does not have a <br />position on the Route 29 North bypass issue, but has <br />questioned the amount of money spent on the study and the <br />results and favored providing relief now to those property <br />owners in the area designated for the future bypass. <br /> <br /> Mr. Van Yahres stated that he has asked the Legislative <br />Counsel to draft a bill which would require that land <br />designated for future roadways be purchased within three <br />years. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt the legislators could be <br />helpful in encouraging regional cooperation, perhaps using <br />such cooperation as a leverage for funds. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that she felt it may be good to <br />have an incentive grant for regional efforts, especially in <br />such areas as solid waste and education. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters raised the issue of a local cigarette tax and <br />noted that if the State adopts such a tax the City will have <br />lost the opportunity to keep the revenues generated. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robb stated that he would not support a tax increase <br />until the State has been squeezed for efficiencies. Mr. Robb <br />stated that he felt a cigarette tax would hurt the small <br />business owner, would increase the sale of untaxed and stolen <br />cigarettes and would increase the cost for judicial and law <br />enforcement. <br /> <br /> <br />