1972-06-19179
June 19, 1972
An adjourned meeting was held at 7:30 P.M. on this date in the Albemarle
County Court House, Charlottesville, Virginia, said meeting being adjourned from
June 15, 1972.- Notice of such date and place of meeting was':published in the
Daily Progress on June 3, 1972.
Present: Messrs. Stuart F. Carwile, Gerald E. Fisher, J. T. Henley, Jr.,
William C~ Thacker, Jr., Gordon L. Wheeler and Lloyd F. Wood, Jr.
Absent: None.
Officers 'present: County Executive.
The Chairmanexplained that the purpose of this meeting was to hold a-public
hearing on the proposed 1972-73 County budget. He then introduced Mr. Batchelor
to make the presentation forthe County.
Mr. Batchetor explained that since the advertisement of this hearing, sald
advertisement shoving a proposed tax rate of $6.~0 per.hundred, that certain changes
had been proposed to this budget. Said changes being: the addition-of an
occupational license tax , $120,000; the addition of zoning permit fees, $10,000;
the deletion of Institutional Care, $10,000; the deletion of the Community'College.,
$127,53~; (this amount to be carried forward from other budget years); ~he deletion
of Airport Improvements, $25,000; (this amount to be carried forward from other
budget years); the deletion of a new fire station, $~0,000; the deletion of
$~,155 from the Library budget; the deletion of $600 from the Y.E.S. program;
and a proposed savings of $80,000 in School g~a,3~ The total of these cha~ges
amounts to $~17,279, thereby alleviating the necessity of an increase in the
tax rate.
The pUblic was then invited to speak. A brief summary of general comments
follows:
Mr. Allen-Jackson stated that he was glad to hear that funds to support'the
budget could be found elsewhere and that he supports the education budget and
asked that it not be cut.
Mr. Roy Patterson felt that the citiZens had been informed of the need for an
increase in the tax rate at the time they voted for the School bond issue last
year.
Mr. Lewis Vest spoke in opposition to an increase in the tax rate. He stated
that he does not believe that he receives any services from the County.
Mr. Bob Vandevere felt that County services are not commersuate with the tax
increase. He is in favor of limited and organized growth but feels that the main
contributing factor to the increase in the tax rate is county administration,
However,-he was not in favor of a cut in the school budget.
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Mr. Walter Young spoke in opposition to an increase in the tax rate.
He spoke in favor of good education but felt that there could b~-~major cuts
in the proposed budget.
Mrs. Natalie Jahrsdoerfer spoke in favor of the school budget] Sh~ felt
that the tax rate is reasonable at the present time and that the citizens
should be willing to pay for a good educational system.
Mrs. Karen Lilleleht stated that since it seemed the County had found other
ways to cover expenses for this year~ other thanby raising~the tax levy~ she
felt that the County should promote a change in legislation regarding a local
income tax and a land use tax.
Mr. John Smith from Berkeley commended the Board on the budget. He felt
that the vocational school is an asset to the county and to local business.
However~ he felt there should be a way to make the Planning. office self
supporthg.
Mr. Holly Miles, President of the Albemarle Education Association commended
the Board for their work on the budget and urged passage of the budget as
presented.
Mr. Marzano spoke in favor of the changes stated by Mr. Batchelor earlier
in the meeting. He felt this was the proper way to handle the budget in order
not to have an increase in the tax levy.
A lady from Citizens for Superior Albemarle Schools spoke in f~vor of the
budget as presented.
Mr. David Morris made a plea for better schools. He felt that if the attempt
to upgrade the schools is not made in 1972-73~ it will have to be made in the
next school year.
Mrs. Rosenblum, Citizens for Albemarle, supports other methods ef revenue
raising.
Mrs. Alexis Echols asked what pfority was given to athletic equipment for
elementary Schools.
Mr. Sam Page from North Garden stated that he was not willing to pay an
increased tax. He felt that there was a more equitable tax system.
Mr. Charles Echols felt that there were too~many frills in education, such
as~ music, ~.art and athletics.
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Mr. cy~ril Brown from Crozet spoke in favor/the school system.
Mrs. Joan Graves asked that the Supervisors charge each agency with
recovering all possible monies.
At the conclusion of the public hearing~ the Chairman thanked all the
people present for their comments. He added that with the alternatives offered
by Mr. Batchelor he felt the Board could hold the property tax for this year
and still offer the best education possible for Albemmle County. He stated that
i~ wa's the desire of this Board to try to protect people on fixed incomes~ to give
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some relief to people in rural or farm areas through the land use taXand to
proSect people over 65. He also stated that .... in the months to comer this
Board would study ways to insure that the people who get services pay for these
services.
The Chairman then-entertaineda motion to go into executive session to
discuss negotiations concerning water and Sewer. 'Motion was offered by Mr~ Wood~
seconded by Mr. Henley and passed by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Carwile~ Fisher~ Henley-~ Thacker, Wheeler and Wood.
NAYS: None.
The Board reconvened.
Mr. Carwile then offered motion to adjourn this meeting until June 21~ 1972
at ~:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the County Office Building. Motion was seconded
by Mr. Wood and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Carwile, Ffsher~ Henley~ Thacker~ Wheeler and Wood.
NAYS: None.
Chairman