ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 21, 1990                   TAG: 9004230185
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TAX-RATE REDUCTION WON'T HURT SCHOOLS

YOUR EDITORIAL April 14 regarding a 2-cent reduction in the Roanoke County real-estate tax rate missed the point completely. There was and is no intent to cut back on funding for the county schools. I am certain the Board of Supervisors will continue to support an excellent school system.

Over the past several years, county real-estate assessments have risen annually at a rate of 8 to 10 percent. With a constant tax rate of $1.15, the associated revenues have increased at twice the rate of inflation and population growth. The county administrator voluntarily agreed this was an appropriate time for a 1-cent reduction, and the supervisors merely enhanced that cut to 2 cents.

Human nature tends to expand programs and expenditures to match available funds. I view the tax-rate reduction as a means to guide the board and staff toward economies in non-school operations, without sacrificing essential services for the citizens. In Roanoke County the school portion of the budget is less than 50 percent, as compared to 70 or 80 percent in most other counties. Therefore, a drop in projected revenues does not have the same percentage on schools as it does in other jurisdictions.

The pending consolidation referendum had nothing to do with the tax-rate decision. The same action would have been taken whether or not a merger vote was scheduled this fall. It merely showed a desire on the part of the board to keep taxes and expenditures in line with what the residents want from their government.

I consider your editorial conclusion that the tax-rate reduction takes Roanoke County on a path toward a school system of lesser quality to be absolutely incorrect, and a gross disservice to your readers.

\ LEE B. EDDY\ Windsor Hills Representative Roanoke County Board of Supervisors\ ROANOKE 


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