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Two hours into a public hearing on Spotsylvania County's proposed budget, speakers supporting the advertised real-estate tax rate of 96 cents and those wanting an equalized rate were evenly split.
Those seeking the rate of 96 cents per $100 of assessed value spoke repeatedly of the desire to increase teacher salaries and to make them more competitive with surrounding jurisdictions including all of Northern Virginia.
They also told the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors of their support for the sheriff's request for 20 deputies and funding for the fire and rescue services.
A contingent of more than a dozen teachers arrived at last night's meeting at Courtland High School wearing red and each one spoke in support of full funding for the school's budget.
Among them was Dana Houck, president of the Spotsylvania Education Association and wife of state Sen. Edd Houck.
Dana Houck, a Courtland Elementary teacher, brought a prepared statement with color graphics that showed Spotsylvania teacher salaries lagging behind every jurisdiction to the north including Stafford.
"In order to attract and retain the best teachers for our children, we must work to keep teacher salaries competitive," Houck told the supervisors. She also shared that Spotsylvania teachers and the School Board have lobbied legislators for financial support from the state.
Sen. Houck was in town Tuesday working to get increased funding in the state's budget that is still at an impasse. Spotsylvania residents currently pay a real-estate tax rate of $1.01 per $100 of assessed value. The county sent homeowners reassessments last month that increased values an average of 36 percent.
To keep taxes steady, the new tax rate would have to be set at 85 cents.
Earlier this month, the board of supervisors advertised a rate of 96 cents but several supervisors have said they want the rate set at some point lower than that.
Funding the entire school budget would require the 96-cent rate.
The board plans to finalize the fiscal 2005 budget and the new tax rate on April 13.
Last night, green "no tax hike" stickers and pink buttons in support of the public library were being handed out prior to the public hearing.
Eight of the first 50 speakers spoke in support of library funding. Several people who support the 85-cent rate said they lived in areas that received few services from the county and would pay more in taxes even at that equalized rate.
Ann Heidig, who lives in Lake Anna, reminded board members that three of them had run on no-tax pledges and she implored them to hold true to their word. Those members were Gary Jackson, Chris Yakabouski and Robert Hagan.
Shaun Kenney of the Battlefield District was among those calling for an 85-cent rate. He told the board that the answer to the budget question is not dipping into taxpayers' wallets. His next comment drew both laughter and applause.
"If you feel you're undertaxed," he told the other people in the high school auditorium, "there's nothing to prevent you from donating to your government."
Dana Marshall, a Lee Hill District resident, said she accepts a 96-cent tax rate only because she sees no other way to fund things such as public safety, mental health and social services that she supports.
"I do not believe this tax increase would be necessary if the General Assembly passed a reasonable budget and tax reform."
To reach PAMELA GOULD: 540/657-9101 pgould@freelancestar.com