Two of the three people who spoke at tonight’s public hearing on the proposed budget for Roanoke Rapids spoke against a proposed fitness center and the cemetery selling monuments.
“This community, state and country was built on the premise that there should be a free enterprise system,” Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President Alan Purser said, “business governed by the laws of supply and demand and not restrained by government interference, regulation or subsidy.”
Purser said the chamber is a champion of protecting the free enterprise system. “While we admire progressive thinking, the city entering into competition with existing business no matter how minute or unobtrusive is a misstep. Any government department that is being subsidized by tax dollars and is not subject to the laws of supply and demand does not lend to fair competition. The playing field is simply not level.”
Speaking after Bill Mueller, the president of Friends of the Library, Kenny Deloatch, whose wife owns Crawley’s Lifestyle and Fitness, said, “The city has enough debt and debt service.”
He also asked whether the city had thought about liability issues. “I’ve got a problem with the city taking tax dollars and using it for competition.”
Mueller asked council to keep in a proposal for part time help so the library can restore Saturday hours. He also asked council to fund roof replacement at the library, saying it would cost the city more the longer it waits. “I appreciate your support. The library is an important cultural resource in the community.”
Council will wait nine days before adopting its upcoming fiscal year budget.
A special meeting to adopt the budget, which calls for no tax increase, will be held June 17 at 5:15 p.m. in the first floor conference room of city hall.
The proposed $15,348,333 budget includes a full time city receptionist, an administrative assistant for the planning department, a part time supervisor for the inmate program, a full time equipment mechanic, a full time street maintenance worker, full time sanitation worker, part time library assistant and part time employees for the recreation department.
Other budget highlights include:
• A 3 percent salary increase for all employees except sworn police officers.
• 15 patrol vehicles, one animal control vehicle, five in car cameras and 12 mobile radios proposed to be funded with USDA grants and installment financing.
• Swivel replacement for the ladder truck.
• Address Rosemary Street flooding and paving, improving maintenance and repair of streets, sidewalk maintenance and resurfacing.
