Minutes 05/10/1977 - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 10, 1977 It is simply not within the capability of this City to accept any greater share of the cost of education--either in terms of the proportion of the total funding which is provided by the City, or in terms of the percentage Of local revenues which is allocated to educational purposes. Accordingly, it is the recommendation of the Municipal Finance Commission that the following limits of local funding be firmly established: 1~ A maximum proportion of 36 percent of the total School Board Budget is to be funded by the City (excluding sales tax returned--see Appendix A), and; 2) A maximum of 39 percent of the City's total local revenues (including sales tax refu~ned--see Appendix B) is to be allocated to the School~Boa~d. These above limitations represent the level of funding reflected in the City Manager's 1977-78 Recommended Budget and are considered to be the absolute maximum share of the educa- tional financial burden that the City can afford to bear. These maximum limitations severely strain the City's financial capacity, and should be adjusted downward if school membership continues to decline or if new legislation provides increased State or Federal funding. If either of these conditions occur, it is recommended that the percentage of local revenues allocated to the School Board be reduced to a maximum level of 35 percent, which was the levei recommended several years ago by this Commission. It is recognized that there are many costs which cannot be controlled by the gchool officials. The funding limits recommended herein may necessitate the curtailment of some school activities and operations, and the implementation of these actions may take an extende~ period of time. Therefore, it is further recommended that, if the City C~uncil is receptive of the foregoing recommended maximum limitations, those limits be communicated to the School Board at this time in order that such actions as necessary can be implemented early, so as to permit the deYelopment of a 1978-79 school budget which remains within the maximum funding limitations." 77-155 - "Consideration of an ordinance to a~end Se~tions.3tS~224(e) andi35~z2,26 of th~ C~%y~G~d~ub~:~re~i~g.!~;~a~imum income limit from $6,000 to $7,500. This amendment to the City Code will increase the maximum income limit used to determine e~igibility for Tax Relief for the Elderly from the current $6,000 income level to $7,500. I have enclosed for your information a letter outlining the details and the justification for this recommendation. The City Manager recommends adoption on first reading." On motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Elliott, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous vote: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, 1973, AMENDING SECTION 35-224(e) AND SECTION 35-226, PERTAINING TO THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPTION OF REAL ESTATE TAXES FOR CERTAIN ELDERLY PEOPLE; WAIVING CERTAIN QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE UNTIL JUNE 15, t977." BY 77-156 the Federal (WlC). "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading to appropriate $214,350 from Grants Fund for the establishment of the WomenT, Infants, and Children Program This appropriation will provide the funds necessary to establish the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC). of the United States Department of Agriculture. WIC makes avail- able supplemental foods and nutrition education in order to improve the nutrition of infants, children and expectant mothers who are determined to be at nutritional risk. The program will be administered by the Department of Health and will i~clude as staff a WIC Agent/Book- keeper and a Nutritionist. The entire appropriation represents Federal funding. The City Manager recommends adoption on first reading." On motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Elliott, the following ordinance was approved on first reading and was requested that the City Manager furnish back-up material at the time of second reading, and was adopted by unanimous vote: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $214,350 FROM THE FEDERAL GRANTS FUND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN PROGRAM (WIC)." 77-157 "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading to appropriate $46,828 from the Federal Grants Fund for the establishment of a Status Offender Alternative Program. This appropriation will provide the necessary funds to establish a Status Offender Alternative Program to be administered by the Portsmouth School System. The purpose of this program is to provide an alternative to full adjudication for status offenders. The program offered to juvenile offenders will include such approaches as behavior contracting, reward/ reinforcement, intensive counseling, need identification and follow~up. The program will provide job and recreational activities as an incentive for voluntary participation. Of the total appropriation, $44,486 represents Federal funding received by the Division of Justice & Crime Prevention; and, $2,342 represents the required local match. The City Manager recom- ments adoption of this ordinance on first reading." On motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Early, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous ~ote: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $46,828 FROM THE FEDERAL GRANTS FUND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATUS OFFENDER ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM."