THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605210149
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Public Life
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: 57 lines
Members of the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department were outspoken about some recommended budget cuts at the Board of Supervisors' public hearing held last week to discuss a $43.4 million operating budget.
The supervisors aren't recommending a tax increase, but all county-supported organizations aren't happy with some of the recommendations.
Both the Carrollton chief and assistant chief addressed the board to say that the northern Isle of Wight County area is growing. They said that calls answered by the volunteer organization have increased by nearly 40 percent over the past five years and that more equipment is needed to continue to do the job.
The firemen in Carrollton also would like their own radio frequency. ``Right now, we share an emergency frequency with the building inspectors and the garbage trucks,'' Chief Joel Acree said.
This year, the Carrollton volunteers asked for $44,000. In the proposed budget, the supervisors are recommending that the organization get $4,000 less than requested.
But the firemen aren't the only ones affected by budget cuts.
The Public Recreation Facilities Authority also needs more money to operate than the supervisors are proposing they get, director Alan Nogiec said.
``We've growing, and we're growing at a pace drawn by the number of people moving into the county,'' he said as he pleaded with the supervisors to reinstate $21,800 into the parks and recreation budget so that the agency can continue to support the summer youth program.
Of the county departments, only tourism seemed pleased with its piece of the pie. The Tourism Bureau would get a hefty increase as would the department of economic development.
The recommended budget, which will not be approved by the supervisors until the June board meeting, represents a 10 percent increase over last year's budget. The majority of the budget - $30.9 million - is targeted for the schools.
If the budget is approved as presented, county employees will get a 5 percent pay increase, and the salary of supervisors will increase from $4,200 a year to $7,000 a year, with the chairman getting an additional $1,000 a year.
Real estate taxes are expected to remain at 72 cents per $100 of assessed value, and personal property taxes will remain at $4.40 per $100 of assessed value. Taxes on machinery and tools, farm machinery, boats and aircraft also will remain the same.
In other business last week, the supervisors:
Heard endorsements from two citizens to retain Richard L. Peerey's School Board position, representing the Carrsville District. Peerey, currently board chairman, is minister at Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Carrsville. He has served on the board since July 1988.
Unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the city of Virginia Beach to dump up to 60 million gallons of Lake Gaston water into Ennis Pond. In exchange, the county will get $3 million to be used for the protection or enhancement of water quality in the county. by CNB