THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505190226
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
City Manager Myles E. Standish had done what the City Council wanted with the proposed 1995-96 budget: Put more money into public safety, economic development and debt service for capital improvements.
``Everything we have asked, they have done without a raise in the tax rate,'' Councilman Charles F. Brown said at Wednesday's meeting.
The city manager should be commended for having such a competent staff, Brown said.
Still, the council could not reach concensus on the $118.2 million fiscal package.
Mayor S. Chris Jones said he was prepared to adopt the plan.
``I don't mind waiting until the next meeting,'' he said.
He added that should give ample time to resolve any problems other council members have.
``We've had three public comment sessions and one or two work sessions and meetings with individual members of council and staff,'' Jones said.
The budget must be adopted by June 30. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Standish and his staff had cut about $1 million from the original proposal by trimming various categories. Then they increased revenue projections, using updated figures. They reallocated those funds to areas council wanted to stress.
The original spending proposal funded three new police officers and nine firefighters. The revised plan calls for 12 of each.
``That ensures that we have a very safe city,'' Brown said.
The new proposal also upgrades the position of financial analyst to budget director, at an additional salary of $18,730, increases debt service by $300,000 and adds $150,000 to economic development.
``There are still too many positions added,'' said Councilman Richard R. Harris.
The council should go over the budget with a ``fine-toothed comb,'' Vice Mayor Curtis R. Milteer said. ``If there is any hair in that comb that needs to be unbraided, this is the time for it.''
Milteer asked the council to make all the TRT bus drivers full-time. Now, two are full-time and four are part-time. The change would cost about $25,000.
``It is only fair to treat them all the same,'' Milteer said.
Councilman Thomas G. Underwood also was unprepared to vote.
``I'm not going to be rushed into passing the budget,'' he said.
Sheriff Raleigh Isaacs asked the council Wednesday for $50,000 for part-time deputies to serve as bailiffs. The state had mandated and funded an additional judge but did not provide funds for courtroom security.
The city should not have to pay for an unfunded state mandate, Harris said.
The council will have a budget work session, open to the public, June 7 at 3 p.m. in council chambers.
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL by CNB