Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 19, 1994 TAG: 9404190161
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"In general, I'm very proud of this budget," Herbert said. "We're positioning ourselves pretty well for the next three or four years."
The $136.8 million budget for the fiscal year that begin July 1 is up $7 million, or 5.4 percent, from the current year.
The budget includes $101.4 million for the general city budget and $35.4 million for the local share of the school budget. The total school budget is $74.1 million and includes state, federal and local funds.
Although tax rates will remain the same if Herbert's budget is approved, the city anticipates normal economic growth and additional state and federal funds to provide the $7 million spending increase.
Finance Director James Grisso said he expects state and federal funding to increase by $3 million, mainly in social service aid from the state. Local tax revenues are expected to increase $3.38 million, or 3.5 percent.
Much of the budget increase is earmarked for schools, a 3.8 percent pay raise for city employees and a $3.2 million increase in social service expenditures.
Council members, who will spend the next three weeks studying the budget, praised Herbert's efforts.
"The single most important thing is that there is no reduction of services to the citizens of Roanoke," Mayor David Bowers said.
Council member John Edwards said he was pleased that the $74.1 million allocated for schools exceeds by $160,000 the amount requested by the School Board. The total school budget represents a 6 percent increase from this year.
The school budget provides average pay raises of 4.6 percent for teachers and 3.4 percent for administrators.
A public hearing on the proposed city budget will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at William Fleming High School. Council must adopt a budget by May 15.
Herbert said he was happy to maintain the status quo because many surrounding localities are having to raise taxes and cut services to maintain a balanced budget.
"We're doing just fine, in terms of our regional economy," he said.
Herbert said one of Roanoke's advantages is that the city's real estate values have held steady, while some other areas haven't been as fortunate.
After all the current services were maintained, Herbert was left with just $327,000 for new programs.
Among the limited number of additions to the budget were an alley maintenance program, an additional clerk under the Commissioner of the Revenue and initiation of a diversified housing program.
Herbert estimates that it will cost the city about $250,000 to develop a housing program requested by City Council that will encourage more new homes in the city. Right now, many families who want to build a house in the city can't find a suitable lot, he said.
The new $21,447 position in the Commissioner of Revenue's office will allow a clerk to be stationed at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office, making it easier for new car owners to register with the city.
"If we're serious about customer service, then it will certainly help that," Herbert said.
Programs that requested but did not receive funding in the proposed budget include: the Science Museum of Virginia, Center in the Square, Convention Bureau, Explore Park, Roanoke Regional Housing Network and Mill Mountain Zoo.
"It's impossible to do everything that everybody wants," Council Member Delvis "Mac" MacCadden said.
"Education is the single most important investment we have in the future of this valley," Edwards said.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***