1997-03-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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264 Mr. Cox said more data are needed to make a decision. Mr. Cox noted that the Council has the advantage of having the final say in the decision. Ms. Slaughter said Council is still in the process of gathering data on reversion. A caller asked if the County would agree to significantly increasing the revenue sharing funding, would Council agree. Ms. Daugherty said there are alternatives other than reversion, such as removing the cap in the revenue sharing agreement, but while the financial considerations are important, school cooperation is also an important consideration. Mr. Toscano reviewed the history of the revenue sharing agreement. Mr. Cox said that the revenue sharing agreement was never intended to be a permanent solution alone, and proposed consolidation was never reached. A caller asked why the Council doesn't say no to reversion at this time. Mr. Cox said all City residents have a stake in what goes on outside the City, and in the long term, he feels the City and County will be better off to have the votes of the City. lVlr. Davenport, a Charlottesville High School student, asked what would happen to students now in school under reversion. Mr. Gouldman said that due to the length of time for the reversion process and transition should reversion be approved, it is unlikely that high school students who are currently juniors or seniors would be affected. Mr. Kenneth Jackson, 208 5th Street, S.W., said that he is against reversion, and supported restructuring government to see what can be done without reversion. Ms. Slaughter said that Council is currently looking at three options: restructuring of City services, expanding revenues through increased economic development, and restructuring cooperative arrangements with the County. Mr. Cox said that if reversion is not pursued, some City services may have to change radically, such as the schools. Mr. Jackson recommended that steps be taken to bring people back to the City, such as increasing residential development. PUBLIC Mr. Waldo Jaquith criticized the City's curfew ordinance for depriving youth of their constitutional rights. Mr. Kevin Lynch invited Council and the public to attend a forum on City traffic and neighborhoods on March 13th. PRESENTATION: CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED FY 97-98 BUDGET Mr. O'Connell reviewed the proposed FY 97-98 budget, with the General Fund totaling $62.3 million, Capital Improvements budget totaling $5.7 million, an increase of $632,598 for the Schools, and a Council reserve of $411,890. No tax rate or fee increases are proposed. Also proposed are: a training position and increased funding for a formal employee education and training program; a community relations/public information position; two police officers; two firefighters; a housing inspector; and increased personnel to implement the City as a Park program.