Bedford city, county unite in reversion effort

BEDFORD — City of Bedford and Bedford County officials spoke publicly Tuesday about considerations to change the city’s status to a town.

Bedford Mayor Skip Tharp said Tuesday during a town hall meeting at Liberty Lake Park that both sides are regularly meeting and trying to figure out pros and cons of reverting to a town. Bedford was a town until local officials voted in 1968 to change it “to a city of the second class.”

Though town and county residents would continue paying separate taxes, Tharp said the switch could lower taxes and boost revenue by streamlining services.

There are many parts to the process, he said, but the two sides are united.

“We live together, work together, play together,” Tharp said. “We’re just trying to figure out a way to govern better.”

Supervisor Dale Wheeler said the city should be applauded for approaching the county in its plans, which he said it didn’t have to do.

“The city could have moved in this direction without county input,” said Wheeler. “The city is looking for a win-win on both sides.”

Tharp said the process could take a while, maybe even as long as a few years, but the city is talking with a consultant.

“It’s a complex process,” said Tharp. “We don’t have all the answers yet. This just isn’t an automatic blending of our two governments.”

Tharp also said the city does not plan to change its borders.

Aside from the transition talks, Wheeler gave the public an overview of what the county has accomplished in renovations to schools, road improvements and implementing paid emergency services staff.

A variety of issues outside the town talks were discussed.

When questioned about the high turnover rate of teachers due to less competitive salaries than other localities, Wheeler said the issue simply comes down to money.

“I do realize we do not have the highest (teacher) salaries — we do not have a higher tax rate either,” he said. “It’s a constant balancing act that I feel will be with us for years to come.”

Supervisor Chuck Neudorfer, one of Tuesday’s panel speakers, said escalating fuel costs is a challenge the county faces. The county’s recently approved budget, which takes effect in July, could feel the impact.

“We’ve hit $4 in gas,” said Neudorfer. “It if doesn’t stop, we’re going to have problems in maintaining the budget.”

In response Tuesday to a question raised by a citizen, Neudorfer said he opposes the way the state handles land reassessment in generating local taxes. The county is not far from facing an upcoming 2010 reassessment and he has already written state Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, about the matter.

“I don’t like the procedure we’re following,” said Neudorfer, adding he doesn’t think it’s the best way to generate funds.

Tharp also expressed frustration Tuesday with a sign system Bedford City Council recently approved that he said is “held up” in the state department of transportation.

The “way finder” system would place signs in Centertown Bedford directing travelers to sites like the Farmer’s Market and National D-Day Memorial.

“We’ve been waiting on them,” Tharp said. “We would have loved to have them up for this tourist season.”

The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce organized Tuesday’s event.