Minutes 05/13/1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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112 May ]5. 1,975 The recommended budget includes a 5% salary increase for C~ty employees personnel. Although this Commission rexognizes that inflation has resulted the Consumer Price Index of 11% for the calendar year 1974, funds are simply this time for any greater rate of salary increase. and School Board in an increase in not available at This Commission recegBizes that the recommended 1975-76 operating budget includes $890,000 of General Revenue Sharing funds in the General Fund and 275,000 in the City Garage Fund, which are the same amounts respectively as were appropriated in the 1974-75 operating budget. Whereas it continues to disturb this Commission to utilize Revenue Sharing funds for general operating purposes, we see no other acceptable alternative at this time, and thereforel concur in these proposed Revenue Sharing levels. The budget as proposed does not provide for the expansion of public services, but general! ly does achieve the continuation of existing levels of services without increased cost to the City's citizens. One area wherein the level of service is reduced is in the category of General Relief, in the Virginia Public Assistance Fund. It is proposed that this category of relief be funded at the level of 60% of need rather tham the 1974-75 level of 75% of need. Even with this service level contraction, the City's share of assistance is increased 37% above the 1974-75 budget. We concur in the 60% level of need recommendation. The City Manager's recommended 1975-76 operating budget appears to this Commission to represent the best allocation of the financial resources available to the City without in- creasing the~cost of public services to our citizens. On motion of Mr.. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Wentz, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous vote: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR OPERATION OF THE CITY GSVERNMBNT FOR AND DURING THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1975 AND ENDING JUNE 50, 1976." 75-186 "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading establishing the tax rate for real estate, personal property, machinery and tools for fiscal year 1975-76. This establishes the ad personal property, and $1.50 rently in effect for 1974-75. valorum tax rate of $2.60 for real estate, $4.00 for tangible for machinery and tools. The rates are the same that are cur- 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 IMPOSING AND LEVYING TAXES FOR THE FISSAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1975, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 1976, AND AlSO FOR EACH AND EVERY FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER BEGINNING JULY 1 AND ENDING JUNE 30 OF EACH SUCH YEAR, UNLESS OTHERWISE CHANGED BY COUNCIL, ON REAL ESTATE, TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND MACHINERY AND TOOLS WITHIN THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING REVENUE FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS AND TO PAY INTEREST AND SINKING FUND ON THE PUBLIC DEBT." 75-187 "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading amending the pay plan for all City employees for the fiscal year 1975-76, to be effective July 1, 1975. This pay plan, which is recommended for adoption on first reading, provides for a 5% salary increase for all classified City employees with 6 months or more of service. Those employees who have less than 6 months creditable service will receive a 2½% increase since the entire pay s~ale is being increased by 2½%. All employees with 6 months or more of servic will move one step within their respective grades which will afford them an additional 2~% for a total of 5% increase. The City Manager reccomends adoption on first reading." On motion of Mr. Barnes an~ seconded by Mr. Elliott, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous vote: "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT; TO PROVIDE A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES; AND TO REGULATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE 1975-76 CLASSIFICATION AND PAY PLA-N OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA." 75-188 "The Public Utility Fund is supported entirely from Water and Wastewater Utility revenues. The City Council has previously endorsed the earning of a 7% rate of return on the investment in the Public Utility system. The 1975F~proposed budget anticipates an in- crease of approximately $207,000 in electrical energy and $155,000 in chemical costs. This must be funded by increased revenue or decreased return on investment. A review of the project- ed revenues indicates that the Water Utility revenue~is sufficient, but the Wastewater Utility revenue is not sufficient to provide for operating expenses and a 7% return on investment. The proposed changes in rates and fees will provide funds to offset the increased costs of electricity and chemicals. These proposed revisions, described briefly, are: Increase sewage treatment rate from 303 per 100 cubic feet to 38¢ per 100 cubic feet. This increase will affect only those customers served by the Portsmouth Sewage Treatment Plant. Residents served by the H.R.S.D. Western Branch Plant are billed by H.R.S.D. for se~af~e_t~eatment se.rvice. The H.R.S.D. rate for residential service has been 58~ per 100 cubic feet since May, 1974. All areas of Portsmouth except the area annexed in January,.'1968, are served by the Portsmouth Sewage Treatment Plant. This proposed increase will result in estimated new revenue of $538,772.00 per year and will increase the median bill by $1.28 per month.