|
April 30, 1988
<br />
<br />To stimulate new development in Portsmouth and
<br />all areas, residential, commercial, and industrial.
<br />
<br />To improve the quality and variety of housing through
<br />code enforcement rehabilitation, and conservation.
<br />
<br />To enhance, maintain, and promote Portsmouth's
<br />appearance and image.
<br />
<br />To improve road and drainage conditions within the City.
<br />
<br />To strive for efficiency and effectiveness in City
<br />operations.
<br />
<br />To enhance public safety for the citizens of
<br />Portsmouth.
<br />
<br />To encourage the availability and use of cultural,
<br />educational, and recreational opportunities.
<br />
<br />To work closely with Federal and State legislators
<br />to obtain the f][¢xJb_~nty r.~,eded to raise adequate
<br />local revenues.
<br />
<br />To enhance the well being of citizens through a
<br />coordinated system of health, mental health, and
<br />income maintenance service.
<br />
<br />To increase and improve communications with citizens,
<br />Boards and Commissions, and employees.
<br />
<br /> As your City Manager, I am committed to work toward the accomplishments of these goals
<br />in the most cost effective manner.
<br />
<br /> No budget is ever proposed in concrete. The Public Hearing authorized by Council on
<br />April 30, 1985, solicits and encourages questions and proposals for change. All budget
<br />estimates are at best an educated guess based on past experience, present conditions and fore-
<br />casting. I do feel, however, that the City can continue its momentum of progress and still
<br />maintain fiscal integrity with this budgetary package.
<br />
<br /> In 1982, I stated, "We are at a threshold of an exciting economic resurgence; however,
<br />it will take the full understanding and support of the public, as well as recognition by
<br />officials in Washington and Richmond, that needs of cities, such as Portsmouth, must be shared
<br />by them and not by local leadership alone." I believe that citizens of Portsmouth and repre-
<br />sentatives of Richmond have indeed recogn~ie~<7 and accepted these responsibilities, and I
<br />
<br />feel that now is the time to return to the stockholdc
<br />a tax rate reduction and an increase in services. I
<br />for adoption."
<br />
<br /> The following citizens spoke:
<br />
<br /> Helen Hampton Jones, 1006 Robinson Road, Chairm n of
<br />the School Board, Administration and Staff, and students,
<br />to the Council for the high degree of
<br />full funding of the School budget, as
<br />
<br />rs of our City a dividend in the form of
<br />therefore, recommend this budget to you
<br />
<br />the School Board,, on behalf of
<br />expressed appreciation and thanks
<br />confidence placed in the School Board; and approval of
<br />recommended by the City Manager.
<br />
<br /> Richard Early, 214 Washington Street, Chairman of the Municipal Finance Commission,
<br />stated that the Municipal Finance Commission unanimously voted to recommend to the Council
<br />the adoption of the City Manager's proposed budget; supported the reduction of the real
<br />tax, but additional reduction beyond the $1.30 tax rate would not be physically responsible.
<br />
<br /> Virginia Becket, 2115 High Street, respresenting RSVP, expressed appreciation to the
<br />Council for their support of RSVP in the past, and t~anked Council for continued support in
<br />the current budget.
<br />
<br /> Daniel Lindstrom, -00 London Boulevard, Executive Director of Red Crosg, and representin
<br />RSVP, expressed appreciation for Council's support of RSVP.
<br />
<br /> Jane L. Majer, 339 Park Manor Road, President of the Board
<br />Center, Inc., asked that their request for additional resources
<br />of the Center, and hopefully to establish a full-time satellite
<br />
<br />of Directors of Endependence
<br />be granted, due to the growth
<br />center accessible to Portsmout
<br />
<br /> R. L. Morgan, 3604 Margaret Avenue, representing Retired Policemen/Firefighters Associa-
<br />tion, spoke concerning the 3.6% increase in the budget for retirees and asked that more con-
<br />sideration be given to the cost of living; also asked that the o~rdinance adopted in 1970
<br />pertaining to retirement be re&nacted.
<br />
<br /> Eunice ~. McMillan, S513 New Colony Drive, Virginia Beach, representing Portsmouth
<br /> Education Association, spoke in support of the City Manager's recommendation for the School
<br />Board's Budget.
<br />
<br />No action was taken. The public hearing came to a close at 8:25 p.m.
<br />
<br />
<br />
|