NORFOLK

The City Council agreed Tuesday to increase the pay of public safety employees and city retirees and to expand its tax relief program for senior citizens. But relief from rising real estate taxes for homeowners was deemed too expensive.

"I know everyone here would like to cut the tax rate, including me," said Mayor Paul Fraim. During the current tight economic times, he said, there wasn't enough money to do it.

The $1.2 billion budget, informally approved during three hours of debate, will receive formal approval on May 22.

In all, the council added $975,000 to City Manager Regina V.K. Williams' proposed budget by increasing:

- Pay for sheriff's deputies by $1,000, in addition to the 3.5 percent general wage increase most employees will receive.

- Pay for city retirees, who will receive a 2 percent increase, double what Williams had recommended.

- Funding for the convention and visitors bureau by $150,000.

- Funding for a program to help lower-income city employees find housing by $100,000.

- Funding for an indigent care program at Eastern Virginia Medical School by $100,000.

- The income limit for senior citizens and disabled homeowners to qualify for tax relief from $62,000 to $67,000.

Smaller increases were also approved for salaries of school crossing guards and election officials and more funding for the Azalea Festival, the arts and the St. Mary's Infant home.

The starting pay for police, who are already receiving pay increases, was boosted $500 to match the starting salary in Virginia Beach. The starting pay for firefighters was increased by $695.

Norfolk sheriff's deputies, who start at $29,497, lag far behind the starting salaries in other cities. Virginia Beach pays nearly $5,400 more. Sheriff Robert McCabe has said he is losing deputies at an alarming rate.

"This won't catch him up, but will make him more competitive," Councilman W. Randy Wright said.

Councilman Paul R. Riddick argued for more pay for lower-income city workers. "I'm talking about the people who go out in the freezing rain and collect your garbage," he said.

Fraim asked Williams if a pay raise could be tailored for lower-income employees, and she advised against it. The council then decided, with Riddick dissenting, not to further increase pay beyond the 3.5 percent most employees will receive.

"I think 3-1/2 percent looks better than what the private sector is getting," Fraim said.

Councilman Barclay C. Winn pushed for tax relief, but drew little support.

Williams said the tax would need to be cut 3-1/2 cents, from the current rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value, to keep the average homeowner's taxes at the same rate as this year. Doing so would have cost the city $5.7 million in revenue.

"There's no way we can find that kind of money," Fraim said.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com