Municipal services and programs would remain at current levels with no increases in real estate, meals and lodging taxes as calculated in a proposed budget officially introduced Tuesday night by Danville City Council and City Manager Joe King.
The proposed budget includes a utility rate study recommendation for an average 3.5 percent increase in wastewater rates. The bill for the typical residential customer would increase by $1.85 a month.
No increases for electricity, gas and water in the next fiscal year are in the proposed budget.
City Council must adopt a budget no later than June 30. The final budget will serve as a blueprint for city operations from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016.
Before adoption can take place, City Council must hold a series of public hearings. The series of hearings will begin on April 21 and continue into May.
The proposed budget will be available for review online at www.danvilleva.gov. Printed copies will be available later this week at the Danville Public Library and the city manager’s office.
To maintain municipal services and programs at current levels, the city would spend $262 million, with another $19 million for capital improvement and special one-time projects.
The city would employ 1,143 workers. That number includes one less solid waste collector, one more fire code inspector, and two more deputy court clerks. Employees would be eligible for performance pay increases of 0 percent to 7 percent.
The proposed budget includes $18.6 million for Danville Public Schools operations and debt retirement. The city supports public schools at nearly twice the state-required level.