On the heels of Council’s July decision to move city elections to November comes the newly-released results (PDF) of the citizen-based Charlottesville Elections Study Task Force’s review of the electoral process. Over the past few months, the bi-partisan group reviewed perceived problems with city government, looking at different proposed electoral solutions. The group made no recommendations, as per their mandate, only a review of the options, weighing the merits of each. Scenarios described include direct election of the mayor, increasing the number of councilors, non-partisan elections, moving to a ward system, and switching to instant runoff voting. Now the debate can begin as to whether or not any of these changes would be helpful. John Yellig has the story in today’s Progress.
Archive for January, 2005
The good news is that Media General saw “a sharply higher profit” and beat analysts’ expectations for earnings in 4Q 2004, with their stock rising 6.6% on the news. The bad news is that they apparently hate their employees. At least, that’s the message that they seem to be sending with their round of Daily Progress Christmas bonuses, which consisted of a gift card. To Kroger. For $8. As one staffer pointed it out, “They could have made it an even $10.” As gone-on-to-better-things ex-Progress reporter Jake Mooney said, “You get the feeling they’re trying to be insulting– but you’re not sure. Maybe they’re just inconsiderate.” Lisa Provence has the story in this week’s Hook.
A study of per capital spending in localities’ annual operating budgets has shown that, since 1988, Charlottesville’s budget has increased by 3.23% while the population has decreased by 1.74%. While some will interpret this as an indicator that the city is overspending, the city points out several factors that are not considered in the study, such as the skyrocketing cost of natural gas (since the city provides that utility), the failure of the state to cover their share of the cost of the jail and schools, the high rate of poverty among Charlottesville citizens, and the city/county separation that has Charlottesville bear the fiscal burden of providing many services to county residents. Still, the report could launch a discussion well worth having, regarding the size of city government. Julie Stavitski and John Yellig have the story in today’s Progress.
The Charlottesville Downtown Foundation has called it quits, WINA reports. A few months ago, it became unclear what the future of the group’s flagship event, Fridays After 5, would be, after the amphitheater was turned over to developer Coran Capshaw. With the amphitheater likely to be under construction throughout this year, Fridays After 5 can’t happen, and so CDF can’t be funded, hence the demise of the group. Capshaw’s agreement with the city stipulates that some kind of cheap or free family music event take place each Friday in the amphitheater, but it’s less than clear that such events will actually take place. 01/12 Update: John Yellig has the story in today’s Progress.
dsewell writes: According to mayor David Brown, lower Blue Book values for used cars translates into lower tax revenues for the city. I don’t get it. “Brown says used cars are flooding the market because people are buying a lot of new cars with all the incentives out there.” So if people are buying new cars, shouldn’t the higher assessments on them offset the lower values on used cars? Or are people buying new cars everywhere but in C’ville?
Perhaps that commercial about cars being cheaper in the country is having its impact? ;)
As forecast, assessments are rising sharply in Albemarle County, but not by the expected 18.7%, which was the 2003 increase, but instead a whopping 27.2%. A good chunk of that increase is coming from the rising value of raw land, though house values have climbed quite a bit, too. The biannual assessments are based on the actual value of homes, and do not reflect any action or decision on the part of the county; they are a product of the free market. Putting a positive spin on things, Lee Catlin says that the increase is a sign of “a very healthy and vibrant economic situation,” but they may just price people right out of their homes. Julie Stavitski has the story in today’s Progress.
At the first of a series of four forums being held about the school budget, Superintendent Scottie Griffin’s budget proposal resulted in hisses of derision last night. She proposes cutting five positions and adding four new administrators, using the bit left over to raise teacher salaries somewhat. The five positions cut would be three P.E. teachers and two guidance councilors, all at the elementary school level. Critics, including City Councilor Kevin Lynch, object to swapping out student-contact staff with a “top heavy” administration. Some proposals were met well, though, including a 5% increase in the starting salary, a new ESL teacher, and making some coordinator positions full-time, including fine arts, P.E., and health & family life. James Fernald has the story in today’s Progress.
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