A public hearing was held during Tuesday’s City Council meeting concerning the recommended 2000-01 city budget.

Salisbury resident Ed Haden shared his concerns with Council about the tax increase. He asked questions concerning grants, water and sewer service and some parks and recreation programs.

“I’m here today as a senior citizen,” Haden said. He said that the rise in taxes is driving senior citizens out of the area. Placing two prescription bottles on the table in front of him, he said, “My wife and I paid $2,900 in medical expenses last year.

“We are getting squeezed tighter and tighter,” with taxes and gas prices on the rise, and no additional income,” Haden said. “And I wish you would take that into consideration.”

Following the public hearing, council members discussed the public’s concern and their own.

One of the biggest concerns is area competition for talented Fire Department personnel. In past budget meetings, City Manager David Treme said the department was losing valuable employees to surrounding departments due to the rise in competition.

“I don’t want to be training ground,” Council member Scott Maddox said.

Three of the 15 new positions in the budget proposal will be fire personnel.

“I still can’t support it (the tax increase),” Council member Paul Woodson said. He supported a 1-cent increase for neighborhood improvement.

“I don’t know how you can’t vote yes if you want to do those things we talked about,” Maddox said. “By voting yes it allows you to take partial credit and full criticism.”

In the end, Council voted 4-1 in favor of a 3-cent increase, putting the tax rate at 60 cents per $100,000 valuation. City taxes on a $100,000 home would go up from $570 to $600.

In other business:

• Dorothy Dalton, 2910 S. Main Street, pleaded her case in front of Council after the Planning Board voted unanimously to deny the request to allow her to operate a fortune-telling business in her home.

Her attorney Todd Paris addressed Council asking that her business be allowed to operate in the highway business district (B-4) and that the restriction that she not be allowed to reside in the same building as the business be dropped.

Paris pointed out that Dalton, known as Mrs. Dora, believes fully in her ability to tell fortunes and that she and her clients take the business very seriously.

Dalton told council that she would like to remain in Salisbury to raise her three children. She added that she has taken all the proper steps thus far and would like to continue doing business in the area.

Council had a variety of concerns with the case, not with the nature of the business, but with changing the requirements. “Sometimes a closer scrutiny can give us better results,” Council member Bill Burgin said.

He and the mayor will review the case in committee.

• Council approved the recommendation Planning Board made concerning Boyd. M. Hough’s request for a group development at 1505 Old Concord Road last week. The Planning Board recommended the plan with two stipulations, all setbacks and measurements must be taken from the future 100-foot right-of-way per the City’s Thoroughfare Plan and that no more than four parking spaces be located in front of the property. Hough plans to move his insurance office to the building.
• Council voted to authorize the Rowan County Tax Collector to collect taxes for the city for the upcoming year.
• Council approved an ordinance to levy a 1.5 percent gross receipt tax on companies that lease trucks, cars and trailers on a short-term basis. Such companies include U-haul or car rental companies.

This tax replaces the property tax that was repealed by the General Assembly on these vehicles. The tax will go into effect July 1.

• Council passed City Engineer Dan Mikkelson’s recommendation to grant relief and certificates of occupancy for 301 and 305 Cross Drive, two houses built by L.G. Beaver Construction that are being incorporated into Gray Oak subdivision. Approval came with three conditions: The developer must submit a guarantee of improvements for Cross Drive and subdivision exception plat for both properties as well as inform the residents of the street construction schedule and coordinate with them to reduce inconvenience.
• Traffic Engineer Wendy Brindle proposed that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a Municipal Agreement with N.C. Department of Transportation for the construction of a roundabout at Henderson Street and Confederate Avenue. Brindle explained to council the benefits of roundabouts including safety, increased capacity and enhanced appearance. Council voted to approve it.
• Council approved a water extension agreement for two proposed residences on Hayden Street and one sewer extension agreement for two proposed residences on North Green Street, both with A.H., Inc.

Council also approved a water extension agreement with Lewis & Lewis Builders Inc., for water extension to serve two proposed residences on Second Street.