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,]hme 9. 1970
<br />
<br />Increase.the cigarette tax from the present 7~ per pack to 10~, Neighboring cities
<br />are in the process of adopting the increased rate I am recommending.
<br />
<br />At the present time, the fine for parking meter violations is $1.00. If the ticket
<br />is paid within one hour after issuance, the fe~ is only 25~. Since there are now a
<br />substantial number of off-street parking places in metered areas, it is felt that
<br />rates should be increased in an attempt to eliminate overtime parking abuses. It is~
<br />recommended that the fine be changed to $2.00~mi~t, £f paid within one hour after is-
<br />suance, $1.00. This is estimated to produce $20,000.
<br />
<br />To make trash and garbage collections from commercial establishments more equitable,
<br />it is necessary to revise our rates and also place a fee on businesses hauling re-
<br />fuse to the incinerator in their own equipment. Proposed is an adjustment based on
<br />the amount of trash removed, not a general rate increase. The increase in these
<br />funds is estimated at $55,000.
<br />
<br />In the Capital Improvement Fund, it is recommended that ceilings on the utility tax
<br />for residents be adjusted as follows: Change the limit on gas service from $6.00
<br />to $9.00, or an increase of 60~ per monlhh; On electricity, change the limit from
<br />$12.00 to $17.00, an increase of $I.00; change the $200 limit on commercial use to
<br />$1,000.
<br />
<br />In the Utility Fund, $560,000 is needed to maintain sewer operations on a sound
<br />financial basis, and .keep revenue bonds from being charged against our debt limit,
<br />
<br /> It is proposed that a "ready-to-se~"¢e" sewer charge be established, at the rate of 13~ ~per 100 cubic
<br />feet. The charge per 100 dubic feet is recommended so the effect on the small user will be the least possible.
<br />
<br /> If a flat charge were used, as in the water rate, it would require a rate of SI.S0 per month on the
<br />minimum rate user. On the per-cubic-foot basis it will cost the minimum user $1.56 per quarter rather than
<br />$4.50.
<br />
<br /> This method of raising sufficient revenue to operate the sewer system will enable the City to receive
<br />revenue from City Sewer system customers as well as those served by Hampton Roads Sanitation District Co~mlissi~
<br />The proposed "ready-to-so,ce" charge will produce approximately $560,000, covering debt so,cite and cost of
<br />sewer system maintenance.
<br />
<br /> %fnile th~se revenue measures may appear to be drastic, I see no alternative if the City is to maintain at
<br />least our present level of services and edmcational program. The only other recourse would be a substantial
<br />reduction in personnel, which would require severe curtailment of services, reduce protection of properties,
<br />and downgrade our educational programs. In the public interest, I cannot recommend such alternative actions.
<br />
<br />I recommend that the attached ordinance be placed on first reading."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Turner, the following ordinance ~as approved on first reading, and by the following
<br />vote:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR OPERATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT FOR
<br />AND DURING THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1970, AND ENDING JUNE 50, 1971."
<br />
<br />Ayes: Barnes, Bastes, Nolley, Johnson, King, Turner
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br />The following reports from the City Manager were read:
<br />
<br /> 70-251 - "I submit the attached ordinance and recommend it be placed on first reading. This establishes
<br />the tax on real estate, personal property and machinery and tools for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1970. The
<br />rate on re~l estate is recommended at $2.2S; on personal property -- $4.00; and machinery and tools -- $5.00.
<br />These are the same rates that are currently in effect."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Johnson, the following ordinance was approved on first reading and by the following'
<br />vote:
<br />
<br /> "AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING AND COLLECTING TAXES ON REAL EsTATe, TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND
<br /> MACHINERY AND TOOLS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF~ORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, FORTHB PURPOSE
<br /> OF RAISING REVB[fOB FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT kND THE PUBLIC FREE S(~OOLS AND TO PAY
<br /> INTEREST AND SINKING FUND ON THE PUBLIC DEBT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY I, 1970,
<br /> AND ENDING JUNE 50, 1971."
<br />
<br />Ayes: Barnes, Bastes, Holley, Johnson, King, Turner
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 70-232 -~"'I submit the attached ordinance, and recommend it be placed on first reading. This amends the
<br />present ordinance pertaining to the limits on the tax charged for gas and electricity. For the tax on gas
<br />for residential users, itincreases the limit from $6.00 to $9.00 per month. This means a consumer using $9.00
<br />worth of. gas a month would pay an additioBal 60~ in utility tax. A consumer using $6.00 of gas would not pay
<br />an additional tax.
<br />
<br /> The limit on electricity for residential use is raised from $12.00 to $17.00. This would increase the
<br />tax by $1.00 per month on the user of the maximum limit, :
<br />
<br />On the commercial rate, the present limit is $200.00 and the proposed ordinance amends this to $t,000.00.
<br />
<br />These new limits are to be .effective July 1, 1970."
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