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10 NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of CharlottesvilIe, Virginia would like to take this opportunity to thank Frank Ix & Sons for their many years of business and service in Charlottesville. For over 70 years their presence in our community has significantly contributed to our economic vitality and quality of life. PUBLIC Ms. Kay Slaughter, 1501 Short 18t~ St., asked Council to look at the long-range affects of the budget on the City, and urged them to keep up and improve the infrastructure of the City, including schools, sidewalks, and undergrounding utilities. Ms. Elizabeth Fortune, 1315 Kenwood Lane, referred to the recent increase in real estate assessments, and, on behalf of her fellow Republican candidates for Council, Mr. Jon Bright and Mr. John'Pfaltz, urged Council to reduce the real estate tax rate. PRESENTATION: CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED FY 2000-2001 BUDGET Mr. Gary O'Connell reviewed the proposed FY 2000-200I budget, totaling over $80 million, with a $13.2 million capital budget. Mr. O'Connell recommended that the tax rates remain unchanged, noting that while he feels the ecOnomy will remain strong, there are growing signs that could change. Mr. O'Connell reviewed basic city services funded in the budget and highlighted changes including: an additional $1.34 million for the Schools; a major increase of $1.3 million for jail expansion and renovation; the addition of $1 million in the capital budget for neighborhood improvements; permanent addition of five police offers; improvements to public transit routes; additional funding of $1.6 ~rdllion for economic development projects; a new Technology zone; 4% average pay for performance for City employees; reduction of employees in the general fimd by 4 1/2 positions; increasing debt service by $162,000; increase of $340,000 in the state mandated Social Services Comprehensive Services Act; a $13.24 million capital budget; $250,000 for a college scholarship/workforce development program; and funds agencies at a 3% average increase. Mr. O'Cormell said that one of the City's largest needs in the future will be upwards of $50 million in capital needs, over $20 million for the schools alone. PRESENTATION: SCHOOL BOARD'S PROPOSED FY 2000-2001 BUDGET Ms. Mary-Susan Pa)me, Chair of the School Board, presented the School Board's proposed budget, totaling $39,926,996, with $25,125,000 being requested from the City. Ms. Payne said that the budget includes an average pay increase of 6%, with all custodians' salaries increased to $8 per hour. Dr. William Symons, Superintendent of Schools, explained that staff are being reduced in order to help support the increased salary scale, noting that increasing the beginning teacher salary scale is of the utmost importance as 25% to 40% of teachers in the system are expected to retire in the next five years, and schools anticipate heavily competitive recruitment throughout the state. Mr. Ed Gillespie, Finance Director for the Schools, said the budget reflects a 5% reduction in site programs. It was agreed that Councilors would provide any questions they have about the school budget to the Clerk by Wednesday at noon. ]?Or. Toscano said he would like to look at the fund balances and what is projected to be spent out of them, and would like firmer numbers related to the preschool initiative, including capital and operating costs. Mr, Caravati said he would like details about the timeline of expenditures for the preschool program and the justification of that. Mr. Cox said he would like to see the School Board's priority list and where preschool falls within that.