It’s unconscionable that governments would seek to raise taxes in the midst of a recession. Currently the tax rate in Albemarle County is 71 cents – meaning that a homeowner living in a house assessed for $100k would pay $710 per year. Assessments have dropped this year, so the County has to raise the tax rate to compensate … if we could all set our budgets this way …
From the Daily Progress:
However, Tucker will base his budget recommendation on a 76.7-cent rate, with 2.5 cents set aside for the rainy day fund, because home assessment values in Albemarle didn’t decline as much as officials had projected in December. At a 76.7-cent rate, the average homeowner in Albemarle would pay more taxes this year than last.
Get educated on Albemarle County’s Five Year plan here.
Is a fractional tax rate even feasible? Maybe not, based on last year’s budget process (thanks to Cville Tomorrow – bolding mine):
By a split decision, the board asked that the budget process begin with a 77-cent real estate tax rate, with 2.5 cents of it set aside for a rainy day fund.
Supervisors Ken Boyd (Rivanna) and Lindsay Dorrier (Scottsville) voted against the tax rate increase, though both were willing at one point in the meeting to consider an effective rate of 70.5 cents as a compromise. That compromise was initially ruled out when County staff told the Board that their computer system could not handle a fractional tax rate without significant modifications. The tax rate had to be a round number.
So … why bother starting the discussion based on a budget based on 76.7 cents?
Maybe I’m missing something.
jim,
your blog is breaking google’s reader again. i’ve never seen another blogger do that.
David –
I have no idea what’s going on, but I’ll see what I can do. What’s it doing?
Jim, I’m hoping that in the last year the county has made “significant modifications” to its computer system to handle fractional tax rates. Did they think this issue wouldn’t ever come up again and that they got lucky dodging the bullet last year? If they can’t plan for something this simple, why should I be expected to trust them to plan for something that’s actually complicated?
stormy,
from what i read the fractional rate change is in place so no issue there. the real question is, what will the rate be?
Calm –
I’ve been told that they have addressed the fractional issue. But — what is the rate going to be is the question of the day/month/year.
Will they really raise taxes and give out raises while the rest of the world is cutting costs – no matter how uncomfortable – wherever they can/must.
Jim,
Unless Mr.Tucker is getting his double digit raise again i’ve read there will be no cost of living increase for employees…hopefully the BOS won’t take it upon themselves to single out tucker and reward him while others are asked to sacrifice…we shall see or maybe never be told. :/
Feudalism never died. It just got more sophisticated.