|
|
||
Spotsy supervisors pass budget Date published: 4/22/2009
BY DAN TELVOCK
Although the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors last night chipped away 7 cents from the proposed increase in the personal property tax rate, a majority of residents will see an increase of at least $10 in their bills this year. The Spotsylvania County Supervisors increased the tax rate from $5 to $6.26 per $100 of assessed value. That is 7 cents less than what Interim County Administrator Doug Barnes proposed in his budget that called for an equalized tax rate. Car values dropped by 21 percent, and Barnes said he needed to equalize the personal property tax rate for the first time since 1993 to keep revenues the same. The debate before the tax rate passed showed just how divided supervisors are when it comes to raising taxes. Supervisors Jerry Logan and Gary Jackson fought the tax increase proposal. Jackson criticized the school system's early-retirement program that will cost almost $1 million this year, although school administrators said it will save millions more in the next four years. Jackson said the program benefits only school employees and not all government employees. "I find it unprecedented, and I find it not fair," Jackson said. Logan said the property tax increase could slow car sales even more. "It is just another obstacle we are putting in the way of the economy coming back, and we desperately need the economy to come back," Logan said. Jackson and Logan also voted against the fiscal year 2010 budget. Logan also said that Spotsylvania ranks at the top in per capita education spending compared with 10 similar counties, and almost last in per capita spending on other government services, something he said is shown in a recent study that was included in the board's informational packet. He said the study is proof that county supervisors fund the school system well. "But, unfortunately I believe we have done that at a price and I think the price we have paid is in general government," Logan said. "I think general government has really taken a hit over the years by holding back on funds and throwing them over the fence to the school board and let problems in general government go."
Date published: 4/22/2009
Another one of your names but still a Cyberbullie
The answer to your question 1958 is YES. You have to pay taxes on your formaldehyde infested trailer. Posting outdated links in protest will not get you out of it.
If however the school system is just being used as a scapegoat for the county's gross mismanagement of funds, then an investigation and audit are forthcoming. If it is found that property taxes need to be increased to pay for the services enjoyed by the residents, then that too is a logical solution. Perhaps the BOS could demonstrate solidarity with the residents by taking a cut in pay or even make the positions voluntary. They would more likely vote for their own raise, in similar fashion to Congress.
Unlike the federal government, Spotyslvania cannot simply throw more money at this local economic crisis. If in fact the school system is the source of the greatest waste, then the obvious, logical solution is to eliminate all non-essential programs, such as sports and after school art and music programs. Should there be a large demand for these activities, the participants and their parents could pay for them directly, including any salaries for coaches. Spotsylvania would not be the first without sports.
Some of these posts make it very clear that we need to invest MORE, not less, in education in Spotsylvania County.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
