Spotsylvania County residents are likely to see some increase in their property tax bills, but how much still is not clear.
Two days after a budget public hearing, where a majority of the speakers supported a tax increase, a majority of supervisors last night backed away from an effort to keep homeowners' property tax bills flat.
County Administrator Randy Wheeler's proposed $444.4 million budget recommends a 62-cent tax rate, which is a 6-cent hike, because property assessments increased again. The proposed budget keeps school funding at the same level as this fiscal year, $118 million, and does not include county employee raises.
Supervisors for the past three weeks have reviewed scenarios for a 56-cent tax rate, which is the equalized rate that would not increase tax bills.
During the work session last night, supervisors said some of the items on the chopping block, chiefly a new circuit court building and a public safety center, are untouchable.
Supervisors Benjamin Pitts and Emmitt Marshall said they would not support a 56-cent tax rate, joining board members Hap Connors and Gary Skinner.
A majority of supervisors also supported trying to find cuts that could save enough money to provide county employees a cost of living raise.
Supervisor Gary Jackson said the funding cuts should come from the School Board, which is proposing 4.5 percent average raises for school employees.
"I am not going to vote for a budget that doesn't provide some increase for our employees, but that increase has to be nearly identical to what the school system does," Jackson said.
A 2 percent raise for county government employees will cost between $1.2 million and $1.4 million. The proposed 4.5 percent school employee raises costs about $7.1 million.
"If the school division is going to make an adjustment downward, then that provides some relief," Jackson said.
School Board members informed supervisors earlier in the evening that the funding gap between what they are requesting and what the county budget recommends is now at $8.2 million because state revenue has dropped more.
Supervisors agreed to add a 6 p.m. work session for April 8, where they will likely hammer out most of the funding details in the fiscal year 2009 budget. On April 10, supervisors are expected to approve the budget and a tax rate. That meeting begins at 3 p.m.
a new public safety center is needed(posted by
My2CentsWorth
, Apr. 4, 2008 11:35 pm)
the Sheriffs office is in a 44 year old building - termites have been swatted away during meetings, and mold can be visibly seen growing out of vents. Some admin, the warrants division, and the 911 center share a dingy, cramped room with faulty heating & air. Sometimes the bathrooms flood, leaving a very nasty mess in the halls. Whenever we get a heavy rain, the entire basement (where the 911 center is) floods. Come by anytime there's a big rain forecast - you'll see sandbags in front of the doors.
YOU VOTED FOR IT(posted by
southwest
, Apr. 4, 2008 6:54 pm)
Well guess what, The voters voted to build those "new judicial/public safety centers, oversized and elaborate firehouses" and to buy those new firetrucks. Now is the time to pay for what you the voter, voted for. Delaying those items will only cost you the voter additional money in the future. That is the problem with this county, we always want to "put off" and by doing that very little gets done. Mr. Jackson's doesn't want to support a tax increase to support the debt. Not very smart.
just look around(posted by
riley6
, Apr. 4, 2008 2:45 pm)
All you have to do is look around and see that they're trying to turn this into Fairfax County. We need to put more pressure on the BOS or things will only get worse!
Assessment(posted by
Fredtastic
, Apr. 4, 2008 1:30 pm)
I agree with the last post - my assessment went up 21% and I was denied my appeal. I'm trying to sell my house and will be happy to sell it at 50K less than what my "Fair Market Value" is. I don't have a problem with a modest tax increase if its FAIR.
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