THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 1997             TAG: 9701140197
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   48 lines

TAXPAYERS LIKELY TO FEEL GROWING PAINS IN SUFFOLK MANAGER SAYS THE CITY FACES THE NEED TO BUILD SCHOOLS AND ROADS.

If Suffolk is going to build new schools and roads, a tax increase will probably be necessary, City Manager Myles E. Standish said Monday.

Standish, in a meeting with reporters, said the need for a tax increase and its size will be influenced by a report from the tax assessor's office at the end of January.

The report will estimate how much money the city can expect in 1997 and 1998 from new growth.

If there is not enough new money to cover the cost of new schools and roads and other needs, the City Council will have to decide to raise taxes or postpone some projects, Standish said.

Suffolk last raised taxes in 1989, when two schools were built.

The City Council began work on its building plans a few months ago. Consultants told the council last month that the city is in good shape financially, but it probably doesn't have enough money from existing tax sources to meet additional building needs.

Suffolk's list of needs totals $59 million for next year and close to $270 million for the next five years. The bulk of that money - close to $128 million - would be for new schools and school reconstruction.

``My assumption is that any new capital improvement efforts next year will necessitate a real estate tax rate adjustment,'' Standish said.

The City Council and School Board will meet in a joint work session Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Municipal Center, 441 Market St.

The boards will hear a presentation by the city's financial adviser. They will also have the opportunity to discuss alternatives for funding the growth needs in education.

The school system, which has close to 11,000 students, has added 1,100 students in the past two years.

The city's other needs include $4 million for road and utility development for Suffolk Industrial Park, $3.7 million for a juvenile detention facility, $8.3 million for a new elementary school, $3.7 million for the parks and recreation department, and $14 million for a water source and transmission project. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

City Manager Myles E. Standish said the need for a tax increase and

its size will be influenced by a report from the tax assessor's

office at the end of January.

KEYWORDS: TAX INCREASE SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL