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49 <br /> <br />economic development on a case ~by case basis. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that he felt it was important to <br />recapture City resources in housing subsidies. <br /> <br />Schools <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that schools will remain a high <br />priority for her. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter recommended that the Council and School <br />Board address whether the schools are meeting the needs of <br />the community. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he was comfortable with the <br />current trend of thought of the school administration and <br />felt the Superintendent was working to involve more parents. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that he felt it was appropriate for <br />the Council to ask how good the schools are and how that can <br />be judged. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt the schools should be <br />evaluated on their breadth of offering and on the progress of <br />individual children. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that the teacher salary issue <br />remained an important consideration. <br /> <br />Solid Waste/User Fees <br /> <br /> It was agreed that increased efforts needed to be made <br />to educate the public on the various issues of solid waste, <br />especially recycling and the associated costs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that he did not think solid <br />waste costs could be based totally on user fees, but felt the <br />fees. should be large enough to encourage people to recycle. <br /> <br /> The issue of charging extra for commercial trash pickup <br />at the same time that the City is encouraging economic <br />development was discussed. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell stated that some decisions will be driven <br />by budget issues since landfill costs for the next two years <br />will amount to $500,000 to $750,000, not including recycling. <br /> <br /> Bringing in other localities to participate in the <br />recycling effort was discussed as economically advantageous. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter indicated interest in doing regional solid <br />waste planning. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix pointed out that outlying counties will face <br />economic difficulties and will be unable to.meet the State <br />mandates regarding recycling alone. <br /> <br />Taxes <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that despite the bUdget picture he <br />would like to cut back the real estate tax rate by one or two <br />cents. _ <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter favored'revisiting the issue of a <br />cigarette tax and added that in the long run the City may <br />need to look at the issue of a local income tax which would <br />require changes in the State law. <br /> <br /> ..Mr. Hendrix stated that staff are preparing a report on <br />recreation user fees. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that she felt the swim team and <br />softball tournament fees should be raised to more closely <br /> <br /> <br />