| Virginia Beach council rejects no-tax-hike resolution |
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| Written by HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com |
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Authors: HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
By Mike Hixenbaugh
The Virginian-Pilot © February 15, 2012 VIRGINIA BEACH A divided City Council struck down a resolution Tuesday that would have required the city manager to craft a budget with no increases in taxes or fees. Councilmen John Moss and Bill DeSteph had advanced the resolution to prevent City Manager Jim Spore from proposing new sources of revenue when he presents his annual budget recommendation next month. The council rejected the resolution by a vote of 6-5. Opponents, including Mayor Will Sessoms, said they wanted to preserve Spore's freedom to make budget recommendations without restraint. "I strongly believe we should let the city manager do his job," Sessoms said. Spore typically presents the council with a budget based on economic projections for the coming fiscal year and current spending levels. In each of the past three years, that resulted in plans that called for property tax increases. The council ultimately rejected the tax increases and tapped savings accounts or raised service fees to cover the difference. Moss said he hoped the resolution would provide the city manager with advanced direction and save him time. Teachers, parents and students packed the council chambers to oppose the resolution. Dominic Melito, president of the Virginia Beach Education Association, said a tax increase might be needed to avoid sweeping cuts to public education. "Tying the hands of the city manager is like asking him to lie about the needs of the city," Melito said. "Why wouldn't you want to hear his advice?" The city and schools are facing a combined shortfall of about $80 million, according to projections, and the figure could grow if the state requires localities to contribute more toward the Virginia Retirement System. Council members Harry Diezel, Barbara Henley, John Uhrin and Jim Wood joined Sessoms and Vice Mayor Louis Jones in opposing the resolution. Glenn Davis, Bob Dyer and Rosemary Wilson voted with Moss and DeSteph on the measure. Henley said she feared her vote would be used to paint her as an advocate of higher taxes and fees. "I don't think that's the case at all," she said. Moss, who was elected last fall on promises to limit government spending, said he reached out to several council members and revised the resolution numerous times to broker broader support. "I'm happy," Moss said after the meeting. "Council is having conversations they weren't having at this time last year." Read more http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/virginia-beach-council-rejects-notaxhike-resolution |
