As the city prepares to pass a budget for next fiscal year, the public voiced their concerns at a meeting Tuesday night, January 18.
Jim Moore of Charlottesville said, “Most tax payers aren't getting a 10 percent raise. I know I'm not. What's missing is what is it that we're getting for the extra $7 million that you are asking for this year?”
The city says they have to make up for double digit increases in heath care costs, a loss in revenue from car taxes, and less state funding.
“The state decided it would shift its reimbursements from fiscal year ‘06 into fiscal year ‘07 and by doing that they ended up shorting us $2 million," said Democratic City Councilor Kevin Lynch.
The budget is still in the discussion stages. The city manager, Gary O'Connell, will submit a proposed budget to the council for review in March. The council will then adopt the budget in mid–April.
