The $1.8 million shortfall that Charlottesville officials projected in August for this year’s budget could be tame compared with what could be in store down the road.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the best we can say is “One out of five ain’t bad”!

Charlottesville’s 2008 Housing Affordability Program is giving $428,475 in grants to city homeowners for real estate tax relief, a slight increase from last year.

In discussing options for funding a regional transit authority, several Charlottesville and Albemarle officials have indicated that raising the sales tax by 1 cent may be the best way to go.

Details for a city-staffed ambulance service are still being worked through, with officials saying everything from billing methods to staffing numbers are completely up in the air.

The Charlottesville City Council has made several appointments to city boards and commissions.

They might have done nothing in May, but in a complete turnaround on Monday city councilors unanimously approved a large house and accessory apartment in the city’s North Downtown neighborhood.

Charlottesville’s City Council was nearly split down the middle Monday when considering approval for a temporary construction easement to build the Meadowcreek Parkway, the controversial 2-mile thoroughfare that has stagnated for nearly four decades.

By the end of this budget cycle, Charlottesville may have to dig a little deeper to cover a projected $1.78 million deficit.

Plans for the Downtown Mall restoration, a $7.5 million overhaul slated to start in less than six months, could be set in stone tonight.

Charlottesville might be jumping on the study bandwagon to take a closer look at its efficiency and quality of service for residents.

A divided City Council voted 3-2 to increase speeding fines by $200 on three city streets this September.
In other business Monday night, councilors unanimously approved erecting a historical marker honoring Sacajawea in front of the Lewis and Clark statue on West Main Street.
Plans for the marker followed recent criticism by those who say Sacajawea’s crouching posture in the 1919 statue is demeaning because she is portrayed in a subordinate position

By a 3-2 vote, councilors decided to enact the new speeding fines starting in September on Elliott Avenue, Brandywine Drive and Franklin Street. That fine will be on top of the $61 court fee and a $7 charge for every mile per hour over the speed limit.

The swirling puff of smoke lingered briefly in the air before escaping outside through cracks in the base of the window.

Charlottesville’s City Council is expected Monday to expand its $200 speeding fine to three additional city streets and to raise utility rates.