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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 25, 1990                   TAG: 9004250363
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: DWIGHT MASON ROHR SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: COVINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

NO TAX RAISE EXPECTED IN COVINGTON BUDGET

Interim City Manager David Dew, presented a spending plan that contains just under $5.3 million for the general fund, while the city school system is scheduled to receive over $5.5 million.

Dew recommended that just under $1 million be allotted the sewer fund and $1.3 million for the water fund.

The current tax rate of 86 cents per $100 assessed value on real estate and $5.60 per $100 assessed value on personal property is expected to stay intact for the upcoming fiscal year.

Dew's recommendation to council is that the tax year and the fiscal year for the budget be the same. To accomplish this proposal, Dew says that the city could establish a short tax year. This would begin Jan. 1, with both being merged on July l.

In another recommendation, Dew suggested that a real estate assessment be conducted every two years instead of the current four years. According to Dew, this would have less of an impact on taxpayers.

Dew also said that council should establish a mission and goals.

Council received the budget on a motion by Councilman Ron Arritt and it passed unanimously.