Danville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt a budget that maintains municipal services and programs at current levels, with no increases in real estate, meals and lodging taxes.
Wastewater rates will increase by 3.5 percent, with the typical residential customer bill increasing by $1.85 a month.
The budget serves as a blueprint for city operations from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. Council had until the end of this month to adopt a budget, as well as a plan for capital improvements and special projects.
To maintain municipal services and programs at current levels, the city will spend nearly $287.5 million, with another $19 million for capital improvement and special one-time projects.
The budget provides funds for employee pay increases of 0 percent to 7 percent. The city uses a pay for performance system. As part of the system, each employee undergoes a performance evaluation. Salary and wage increases are based on the evaluation. A higher pay range is being used for one year only to help address pay compression issues. The budget also includes supplemental pay compression adjustments for ranking public safety officers and other supervisory employees.
Danville Public Schools will receive $17.4 million for operations, $1.3 million for debt service and $2.6 million for capital projects. The school system’s capital improvement list includes roof replacements at two schools and roof repairs and other work at four additional schools.
The city supports public school operations at nearly twice the state-required level.
The budget also includes $150,000 to study the feasibility of renovating the George Washington High stadium and fields or build a new complex.