THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 TAG: 9603200543
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Smoking may cost a little bit more this year in Portsmouth, but so might flushing your toilet and taking out the trash.
City officials presented their $258 million proposed operating budget Tuesday, and it called for tax and fee increases that should average about $2.80 per month for citizens who smoke and $1.80 a month for nonsmokers.
Fees for garbage collection would go up $1 a month, and water and sewer service costs would rise about 80 cents a month for the average household, according to city figures. Taxes on cigarettes would go up 25 cents a pack, while the city's machinery and tools tax would go up from $2.50 to $2.75 for every $100 in value.
The budget would pay for raises and provide computers throughout the city as well as telecommunications equipment for the police department. City employees would get an average 3 percent pay increase beginning in July.
Out of the $258 million budget, nearly $92 million would go to the schools for operating expenses - a 7.6 percent increase over last year, largely due to a $6.5 million increase in state funding to the schools.
``Cities can no longer afford to function as vending machines in which citizens put their money, pull a lever and eventually receive a service,'' said City Manager Ronald W. Massie. ``The changes occurring in public safety clearly demonstrate a trend toward the barn-raising model. . . Officers are working with citizens in their neighborhoods to yield solutions to public safety problems.''
Massie said he wants to take the mystery out of city hall and build a coalition between citizens and city workers to improve Portsmouth.
The budget includes $10,000 for an incentive program that would be used to reward employees who come up with money-saving ideas for city government. The city has also set aside $30,000 for employee tuition and training.
The city would buy five fire trucks through a lease-purchase agreement in the coming year.
The budget also includes money for a ``consolidated marketing initiative'' designed to keep citizens better informed about what's going on in Portsmouth and getting them involved in improving the city.
The marketing plan also would be designed to call attention to the city's historical and cultural attractions. It would be developed jointly by the city's economic development, tourism, museums, parks and recreation and marketing departments. The public hearing on the operating budget will be at 7 p.m. April 9 in the council chambers.
On April 23, the city will hold a public hearing on its tax rates and fees. The two budgets are scheduled to be adopted that night. MEMO: The city will hold a public hearing on its capital improvement plan,
which is long-term borrowing and investment programs, at 7 p.m. Tuesday
in the council chambers.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CITY BUDGET by CNB