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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/3/1977 - Special I I I 5- 3- 77 27 Northside High School Auditorium Roanoke County, Virginia May 3, 1977 7:30 P.M. A public hearing of the Board of County Supervisors of Roanoke Count was held this date at the Northside High School Auditorium located off Virgini Route 117 (Peters Creek Road), Roanoke County, Virginia, for the following pur poses: 1. Consider setting the tax levy on all classes of real estate situate in Roanoke County for the calendar year 1977. 2. Consider setting the tax levy on all classes of personal propert situate in Roanoke County for the calendar year 1977. Members Present: Chairman Robert E. Myers, Vice-Chairman R. Wayne Comtpon, Supervisors C. Lawrence Dodson, May W. Johnson, and E. Deal Tompkins. Chairman Myers called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m. and recogniz Reverend C. Lawrence Dodson who offered the invocation. Board Chairman Myers stated the purpose of the public hearing. He further advised that the County Executive has recommended a 30~ tax increase. At this point, Chairmay Myers opened the floor for public comments, with the provision that all comments relate to the question of a tax levy on real estate and personal property. Following is a list of citizens who spoke at the public hearing~ Mr. Barry Lichtenstein, local attorney, raised the question on how high taxes will be raisedin order to provide the services that arenow threatened to be cut from the budget. Chairman Myers responded that the County Executive had recommended a tax increase of 30~, but to provide all services a tax increase of 65~ to 70~ is needed. Mr. James H. Daughtridge, resident of 1591 South Pacific Drive in Vinton, and Principal of Cave Spring High School, appeared in favor of a tax increase and stated that the economy in the area was affluent and able to afford an increase. Mrs. Athena Burton, a Roanoke County resident and member of the County School Board, supported full funding of the School budget. Mrs. Burton stated that since 1973, cuts in the School budget had bee gradually increased. She further stated that on cannot put a "dollar value" 0 the educational needs of each individual student. She stated that "a communit is as good as the education it provides for its young people." Dr. Bill Keagy parent of a student enrolled at Cave Spring Elementary School and resident of 4932 Boston Drive, urged continual improvement of the County School system. Mr. John Hart, resident of Route 221 and a local attorney, opposed any tax increase and further commended any efforts of the Supervisors to balance the budget without any tax increase. l1r. Bob Johnson, resident of the Town of Vinton and a Director of UNISERV, stated that since 1972 the County Administra tive section of the budget increased 565% in five years; whereas, the School 5-3-77 2.8- I Administration increased only 21%. Mr. Johnson further supported full funding of the School budget. Mr. Lawrence AIls, resident of Route 1, Box 118, Catawba, opposed any tax increase. Mrs. Gerald Bijwaard, President of the County Council of P.T.A. 's and resident of 4802 Northwood Drive, SW, supported full funding of the School budget in order to insure quality education. Mike Powell, student at Northside High School, urged the Supervisors to vote a tax increase so that im- portant School programs will not be cut from the budget. Mr. Tom Biship, resi- dent of Route 2, Boones Mill, opposed a tax increase. Mr. Leslie Broadwater, Route 7, Box 970, spoke against any tax increase and stated that the County had had its share of increased taxes over the last three years. Mrs. Lela Spitz, Route 4, Salem, opposed any tax increase and stated the need for a citizens budget advisory council and elected School Board members. Mr. Sidney Johnson, 529 Augusta Avenue, Vinton, supported a tax increase. Mr. Bob Scotland, Cave Spring District and former teacher and principal, stated that there is a limit on what taxpayers can afford. If there is a need for an increase, it should be a limited increase and the budget should be carefully scrutinized before a tax increase is levied upon the citizens, he stated. Mr. Russell C. Amrhein, resi- dent of Route 3 in the Big Hill area, stated that "the question is not whether or not to raise taxes, but in solving the system." Mr. Ray E. Phelps, 922 Skycoe Drive, Salem, opposed a tax increase and stated that "education should bE reviewed in reality" with a realistic approach; thereby, taxing only what is necessary. Mr. Garland J. Kidd, resident of 3409 South Park Circle, SWand President of the Mount Vernon Elementary School P.T.A., supported full funding of the School budget. Mrs. Connie Walsh, Falcon Ridge Road, stated that the taxes in this area are very low compared to the northeastern area of the United States and further stated that the future is with the education of the children Mr. Paul C. Jones, 5106 Stoneybrook Drive, opposed any tax increase and stated "it's not how much you spend, but what you put into it." Mr. George M. Thomas opposed any tax increase and stated that there is a need for a leveling off per Jd. Mrs. Joan Cooley, 5415 Grandin Road Extension, supported full funding of the County School budget, and stated that children need a well-rounded education. Mr. Tom Edwards, resident of the Hollins District, stated that there is a need for closer scrutiny of budgets. Chairman Myers responded that the Board has beE ~ holding a series of budget study sessions, and the Supervisors go over line item by line item during these sessions. Mr. Rich Calhoun, 1047 Almond Drive, Vinton, supported a tax increase and stated the need for progressive school programs. Ms. Martha Brooks, resident of Route 7, Box 115 and a teacher, invitE i I I those opposed to a tax increase to visit the schools and see the need for one. I Hr. J. Crawford Calhoun, resident of Hindsor Hills District and a senior citizer on a fixed income, opposed any tax increase. Ms. Melva Powell, resident of the Glenvar Heights area, stated that the School system needed to "tighten their belts" and urged the Board to vote as conservative as possible. Ms. Robin Dumbar, resident of Cove Road, opposed any tax increase. Mrs. Juanita H. Kesle , 2912 Tully Drive, Catawba District, urged the Supervisors to fund only what is needed and to trim the fat in the School budget. Mr. Jim Cross, resident of North Spring Drive in the North Lakes Subdivision, opposed any tax increase and stated that "we are not getting the education for the dollar we're spending." I I I I 5-3-77 2:9, ',~..' "~t .. ;;~ Mr. Arthur Caldwell opposed any tax increase and stated that there is considera e waste in the School budget. ~1r. Ron Gibbs, 1259 Chestnut Mountain Drive, Vinto stated that the County needed to look for other tax sources other than personal property and that parents need to work with teachers. Mrs. Jean Glantz, 5212 Hawkbill Circle in Hunting Hills, supported full funding of the School budget i order to maintain the present quality of education. Mr. Stanley Reece, residen of Route 2, Box 270, Salem, noted that there is fat in the School budget, but further stated that there is fat in the whole County budget. Mrs. Karen Mayber non-County resident and President of the Roanoke County Education Association (RCEA), supported full funding of the School budget. Mr. Gerald Bijwaard state that teachers cannot live on a 4% increase when the cost of living has gone up 6,7, or 8%. This concluded the public hearing, and Chairman Myers thanked those present for attending. CHAIRMAN