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Proposed Stafford budget shows real estate tax rate increase of almost 20 cents Date published: 3/19/2008
In an effort to offset a potential budget shortfall of about $30 million, Stafford County Administrator Anthony Romanello is proposing a real estate tax rate increase of almost 20 cents.
So even with declining real estate values, Stafford homeowners could see higher tax bills this June. Romanello presented the 2009 proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors yesterday. He suggested raising the real estate tax rate from 70 cents per $100 of assessed value to 89.8 cents, an increase of about 28 percent. With that increase, the average homeowner would pay an extra $206 on his tax bill each year. A penny on the tax rate in Stafford generates about $1.5 million. The county is already facing about a $6.4 million shortfall this year, largely due to declining sales taxes, recordation, development and the housing-market slump. The most recent budget projections put the deficit at about $13.5 million. However, county departments slashed their spending by 7 percent, helping save about $6 million. The School Board also is cutting expenditures by about $1.5 million. The tax-rate increase is necessary to meet the proposed 2009 budget, according to county officials. If the rate remains unchanged, Stafford officials are projecting a $15 million drop in revenue and about a $9 million increase in expenses. Couple this with the current $6.4 million shortfall and Stafford would begin the next fiscal year about $31 million in the hole. "That's the gap we have to close to balance this budget," Romanello said in an interview before the proposal presentation. The only projected revenue increase next year is the personal property tax, if the sale of new cars (which bring in higher tax revenue) are not deterred by the sluggish economy and soaring gas prices. "It's probably been the largest revenue that's been insulated so far from the economic environment," Romanello said. The county will still receive some funding to get its projects going next year. Stafford is getting about $2.8 million, mostly state grants, which will help fund various agencies such as social services and law enforcement.
Date published: 3/19/2008
well, if that's the case, come on and quit delaying the wal-mart on rt 17....why should we keep spending our money in surrounding counties because the southern end of stafford doesn't have the businesses? Of course, I am sorry, it's still wrong to blame it on the lack of sales tax....Stafford needs to learn to live within it's means, just like we have to do personally....look around and all the huge new wonderful facilities built recently...look at what they have purchased...it's right there!!!
Look again...our property has been reassessed EVERY year, not every 2 years, like the fine print says....it's like they dare you to call them. A bunch of damn losers eeking every damn bit of blood out of their residents. You already have homes foreclosing, so, what help is the county? raise the taxes which in turn will raise mortages (thru escrow)....
However, they are required to be equalized when the assessments go up. Call the Commissioner of Revenue.
This reporter doesn't seem to get the fact that there is first a revenue neutral or equalized rate that generates the same taxes as last year accounting for the decreased property value. Its probably around 83-84 cents Then the county adds the "tax increase".
How come Stafford County Government employees pay 60% less in health insurance benefits than teachers? There is a staggering diffence between county employees paying 212.00$ per month (per the county website) and teachers in the county paying almost 600$ per month in family insurance?
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