Even though we weren’t able to cover it LIVE! due to no Internet connection, we’ve still got a recap for you.
First things, no bottles of water for the media. That just added to my bad mood (just playing, of course).
First real item of business was the tax increases and the new taxes.
Tommie Voaklander of Suzie’s Deli (Watson St.) was the only restaurant operator to show up (again) for this issue. I remember Danville used to have a very active restaurant association… not anymore, it seems. Voaklander stood up during the public comment section and read a prepared speech that was terrific. Voaklander was against the meals tax increase and his remarks were concise and forceful. (Tommie, if you’re reading this, I’d like to publish your speech here) Councilman Adam Tomer responded first and was very professional in saying that the City had very limited means to raise funds and there was just no way around bumping the meals tax up to 6%. David Luther & Fred Shanks echoed Tomer’s comments, with Buddy Rawley pointing out that Voaklander’s speech was probably one of the best he’d heard since being on Council.
With only one person speaking out against the tax and with no other available revenue stream, the meals tax was raised to 6%. After that, the other five revenue issues passed quickly. Hotel/Motel tax went from 3% to 6%, court fees went up $1.00, a probate fee was established (1/3 of the state fee), and various permit fees increased.
It’s not all fee increases however, as Danville Utilities customers will be getting $1 or $2 shaved off of their bills every six months through July 2010. This reduction comes from cost-saving measures.
Eugene F. Jackson, Jr. , John C. Lippert and Hampton Wilkins were reappointed to the Airport Commission. Audrey P. Jackson was reappointed to the Dan River Alcohol Safety Action Program Board. Carrie Ashe was appointed to the DCC Board of Trustees. Milo B. Abercrombie was appointed as the Chamber of Commerce Representative and Richard Barkhouser as a Private Sector Representative of the Danville Development Council. Daniel L. Angell and Mary Lee White were appointed as members of the Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services Board. Jeffrey Haley was appointed as a member of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Board.
T. Wayne Oakes, Dale B. Castiglione, David Cross, Edward White, Kathryn Davis were all reappointed to the Danville Tourism Board. Adam Tomer was reappointed as the Council Member Representative of the Danville Utility Commission. James K. Turpin was appointed as the Customer Member-At-Large of the Danville Utility Commission.
Larry Campbell, Shirley W. Crosby, Judy Keesee and Wade Key were appointed to the Transportation Advisory Board.
After that, they had lots of first readings regarding the new city budget. The council meeting wrapped up with the around-the-horn staff and councilmember comments section.
Next time, we hope to do more with a LIVE! coverage session here on the SCBlog!
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