THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997 TAG: 9702050544
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 52 lines
The Rev. James W. McNeil has been ``telling the same old story'' to the City Council for two decades, asking for curbs and gutters in his Southside neighborhood.
Most of the streets projects, though, remain unfunded in the city's proposed five-year capital budget. But McNeil again implored members of council and city staff for help Tuesday.
``I'm going to be hollering until I'm dead or until you fix this,'' he said.
McNeil may not get the projects into the tight budget, but his message was heard by the council.
In closing the meeting, Councilman John M. de Triquet and other council members said communities that had been ``long-suffering and long-patient'' deserved the city's support.
The council is mulling over its budget priorities as it prepares to make some tough decisions in the coming weeks.
About 30 people turned out for a public hearing on the budget Tuesday in South Norfolk. They asked for everything from a small, upscale shopping center in South Norfolk to more financial foresight from the council.
City Manager John L. Pazour is expected to complete a review of city revenues, spending and reserves by next week and present the findings to the Council next Tuesday.
That presentation will come two weeks before the council is scheduled to adopt the proposed $564 million capital budget, which already is predicted to fall $14 million short over the next couple of years.
The city's former finance director, who retired in the middle of the budget process, had suggested an array of various fee and tax increases, including raising the local cigarette tax, creating a cable television fee and increasing fees for emergency medical service.
The City Council has yet to discuss the shortfall or the suggested taxes and fees.
Over the next several years, there will be a burst of new building for schools and city government, which will put a strain on city finances, officials said. And the slowdown in growth in Chesapeake will mean lower tax revenues to meet the demands of old and new homeowners.
During the last two public meetings on the budget, citizens asked for more services and for city officials to better manage taxpayers' money.
Most speakers said they wanted the city to create or improve recreation, including new lights for athletic fields, new recreation centers and golf courses.
Proposals in the capital budget include more than doubling funds for developing new industrial parks; funding a new Master Road Plan for the city and increasing funds for road and related projects by 56 percent.
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE BUDGET