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333
<br />
<br />June 28, 1983
<br />
<br />~-85~5t- Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of an ordinance co amend Section
<br />8-3 of the City Code pertainmng to fees and compensation for the High Constable.
<br />
<br /> "For 60 years the services of the High Constable have been provided to the citizens of this
<br />City. The present High Constable, Mr. Morton R.. Williford, has established a reputation of
<br />outstanding service and efficient operation. Mr. WiIliford presently employs three deputies
<br />and two clerks. At the present ime, fees collected by the High Constable for services to the
<br />General District Court offset e×penses incurred.
<br />
<br /> As Council is aware, there have been efforts recently to eliminate the position:of High
<br />Constable and that the services be performed through the Sheriff's Office. In my opinion, as
<br />long as the fees collected offset all expenses and the services continue to be of the level
<br />that Mr. Williford has established, I would like to see the function of the High Constable
<br />remain the responsibility of a Council appointee.
<br />
<br /> Recently Judge S. Lee Morris requested an opinion form the Attorney General concerning this
<br />subject. The Attorney General basically has responded by saying that the recent acc of the
<br />General Assembly has no affect on the continuation of the High Constable's Office and that the
<br />function is governed by the Eity Charter. Therefore, in order to have the Code of the City of
<br />Portsmouth conform with the Charter, it is recommended that Section 8-3 of the City Code be amen~-
<br />ed to allow the High Constable to charge the same fees for service in relation to the General
<br />District Court that the Sheriff has been given the authority to charge for services in relation
<br />to th~ Circuit Court."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Whitlow, the following ordinance was adopted and
<br />by the following vote:
<br />
<br />"AK ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 8-3 OF THE COD£ OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA
<br />1973, PERTAINING TO FEES AND COMPENSATION FOR THE HIGH CONSTABLE."
<br />
<br />Ayes: Barnes, Beamer, Gray, Holley, Whitlow, Johansen
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 83-252 - Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of an ordinance to amend Section
<br />35-31 of the City Code pertaining co the appointment of thc Delinquent Tax Collector.
<br />
<br /> "In 1977 the General Assembly amended the Portsmouth City Charter to provide for the appoint-
<br />ment of the Delinquent Tax Collector by the City Manager instead of the City Council.
<br />
<br /> Unfortunately,
<br />was not cha~ged.
<br />conformance with
<br />
<br />e~en though the Charter was changed, a similar reference in the City Code
<br />Therefore, the attached ordinance which will bring the City Code into
<br />the City Charter is recommended for Counci~ adoption."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Beamer, the following ordinance was adopted and
<br />by the following vote:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 35-31 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA,
<br />1973, PERTAINING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR."
<br />
<br />Ayes: Barnes, Beamer, Gray, Holley, Whitlow, Johansen
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 83-288 - Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of an ordinance to amem& the City
<br />Code by adding to Article XI, Chapter 23, Section 23-479.1 pertaining to refunds of annual
<br />license tax.
<br />
<br /> "At the request of the Eity Council, the attached ordinance authorizes the Commissioner of
<br />Revenue, upon his satisfactmon, to refund automobile license taxes paid erroneously to the
<br />City. This request is precipitated by the inordinate number of small refunds that have
<br />previously been presented for Cou~cii approval.
<br />
<br /> It should be noted that adoption of this ordinance is solely for automobile license taxes
<br />and will not eliminate the need for Council approval on any other refunds. The General Assembly
<br />granted enabling legislation to localities for the Commissioner of Revenue to be authorized to
<br />make such refunds. Therefore, I recommend adoption of the attached ordinance."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Beamer and seconded by Mr. Whitlow, the following ordinance was adopted and
<br />by the following vote:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH,
<br />TO ARTICLE XI, CHAPTER 23, SECTION 23-479.1 PERTAINING TO
<br />TAX."
<br />
<br />VIRGINIA,1973, BY ADDING
<br />REFUNDS OF ANNUAL LISENSE
<br />
<br />Ayes: Barnes, Beamer, Gray, Holley, Whitlow, Johansen
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 83-254 - Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of an ordinance to amend Chapter
<br />2 of the City Code by adding Article XX establishing the Department of General Services and by
<br />amending Section 2-210 pertaining to powers and duties of the Department of Public Works.
<br />
<br /> "As Council is aware, included in my budget ~essag? of April 20, 1983, was the recommendation
<br />to create a Department of General Services. It ms antmcipated that the consolidation of building
<br />maintenance ~n Parks and Recreation and Public Works with Vehicle Maintenance will not only
<br />improve operations, but, considerable savings in funds should be realized through computerization
<br />of inventory and centralization of parts.
<br /> I therefore recommend adoption of the attached ordinance.
<br />
<br />
<br />
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