Blacksburg Briefs

BLACKSBURG

Proposal leaves tax rate unchanged

Blacksburg officials are proposing to increase property taxlevies next year by maintaining current tax rates.

Since reassessments increased the town's total assessed value by4 percent, keeping the effective tax rate of 22 cents per $100 inassessed value means increased revenues, according to a town newsrelease. Individual property taxes may, however, increase at apercentage greater than or less than the above percentage.

Based on the proposed tax rate and changes in other revenues, thetotal budget of the Town of Blacksburg will exceed last year's by14.2 percent.

A public hearing on the increase will be held at 7:30 p.m. April12 in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers, second floor of theBlacksburg Municipal Building, 300 S. Main St.

For more information, contact town clerk Donna Boone-Caldwell at(540) 961-1147.

-- The Roanoke Times

North Main Street traffic will shift

Lanes on North Main Street will shift during daytime hoursThursday.

The shifts will occur between Turner Street and Giles Road from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 9. These shifts are happening to allowconcrete to be poured for sidewalks.

No significant traffic delays are expected.

For more information, call 961-1172.

Forum to discuss internet goals

A community forum sponsored by the town and Blacksburg ElectronicVillage Inc. will be held later this month to discuss high-speedinternet needs and interests. The forum is scheduled for March 19from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Kent Square Atrium.

Attendees can listen to and participate in presentations on thefuture of high speed internet in town, and its goals to be reachedby 2015.

Those interested are encouraged to pre-register. To do so or for information, visit broadband2015.bev.net.

-- Lerone Graham