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056 <br /> <br />March 28~ 1995 <br /> <br />CHANGES TO FEES AND TAXES <br /> <br />Permit Fees <br /> <br /> For the first time in several years, increases in building <br />permit fees are recommended. These changes are modest and <br />clearly do not exceed the scale for the region. I am also <br />recommending that the 1% surcharge ~mposed by the Commonwealth <br />to support the Building Code Academy be added to the <br />contractors' fees. These surcharges are ~ncorporated in the <br />proposed fees and are already paid by contractors in every <br />other Hampton Roads city. <br /> <br />Other Fees and Taxes <br /> <br /> In addition to the fees mentioned above, the following <br />increases are proposed: <br /> <br />Effective July 1, 1995: <br /> <br />o <br />o <br /> <br />Cigarette tax to increase by $.05 <br />Certain golf and recreation fees to increase, and <br /> <br />Effective January 1, 1996: <br /> <br />Childrens' Museum of Virginia admission fee to <br />increase by $1.00, from $3.00 to $4.00. <br /> <br />PERSONNEL <br /> <br /> The comprehensive Classification and Pay Plan study has <br />been an ongoing process throughout this fiscal year. Employees <br />have had an opportunity to participate in the development of <br />their job descriptions with the firm conducting the job <br />analysis and evaluation. Portsmouth will no longer have a <br />longevity-based pay system. The proposed pay plan will include <br />a three-level range consisting of a minimum, mid-point, and <br />maximum. The mid-point is the competitive or average rate <br />being paid for the position in the regional labor market. <br /> <br /> Upon implementation of this new system during FY 96, <br />employees covered under the Portsmouth Classification and Pay <br />Plan who earn less than the minimum of their new range, will <br />have their compensation adjusted to the minimum level. <br />Included in this budget is an appropriation of $300,000 for <br />this purpose. <br /> <br /> Plans for the future include moving pay towards the <br />mid-point and development of a new pay for performance system. <br />Implementation of pay for performance will include a revised <br />appraisal system which will allow outstanding performers to <br />receive additional compensation. <br /> <br />Police and Fire Retirement <br /> <br /> Over the last two years, you have improved the retirement <br />benefit packages of our police officers and firefighters. <br />Recognizing that our salaries were not competitive, the <br />retirement benefits package was enhanced to assist in <br />recruiting and retaining competent public safety personnel. <br />With implementation of the new Classification and Pay Plan, <br />police officers' and firefighters' salaries will now be more <br />regionally competitive as we continue our movement toward <br />market mid-point. <br /> <br /> <br />