property tax

More than 400 residents attended an open hearing to protest tax hikes included in the Southampton County budget. A petition to cut spending rather than raise taxes, signed by 1,200 residents, was presented to officials.

The County Board of Supervisors plans increase the real estate tax rate by five cents, to 77 cents, and the personal property tax rate for vehicles by one dollar, to $5.50. The tax increases would generate more than $1.37 million of the county’s $53 million budget.

Read more in the Tidewater News....

In Staunton, residents will pay higher personal property taxes, more fees for water and sewer services, and see the Montgomery Hall Park swimming pool closed for the season. In Spotsylvania County, business owners may pay 42% more in property taxes next year. Henry County officials scrambled to find money to pay a deputy. In Charlottesville and Albermarle County, bad weather cost money by leading to reduced sales tax revenues.

Everywhere in Virginia, discussions are underway -- how will we balance our budgets?

Read more in the local news....

• Increased taxes, fees in Staunton proposal (The Waynesboro News Virginian)
• Tax draws flak in Spotsylvania (The Free Lance-Star)
• Deputy position funds OK'd (Martinsville Bulletin)
• Snowstorms lead to February drop in area sales tax revenue (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

A majority of Virginia Beach council members oppose a real-estate tax increase, effectively scuttling City Manager Jim Spore's proposal to increase the rate by three cents. Council members suggested cutting services, and possibly jobs, instead.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot....

Counties across the state are finalizing decisions about their school budgets. Read about local outcomes below:

• Proposed Richmond budget has no service cuts (The Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Hampton identifies more revenues than originally thought, could reduce budget shortfall (The Daily Press)
• Roanoke County school system avoids layoffs (The Roanoke Times)
• Franklin County schools budget OK'd (The Roanoke Times)
• Increased enrollment could lessen budget blows for Appomattox schools (The Lynchburg News & Advance)
• City school board set to vote on budget Tuesday (The Lynchburg News & Advance)
• School budget approved (The Free-Lance Star)
• Spotsy schools to gain $1 mil (The Free-Lance Star)
• Will lower taxes create school crisis? (The Charlottesville Daily Progress)
• Wise school board considers five options for consolidation (The Kingsport Times-News)
• Hatrick hopes for funding reconsideration (Leesburg Today)

Orange County supervisors have decided to advertise a 6-cent increase, although they may ultimately pass a lower rate. Supervisors don't yet know how much funding the county will get from the state, and they can pass a rate less than advertised, but not higher without running a new advertisement.

County Administrator Julie Jordan's proposed budget gives the school system the same local contribution as last year, but state funding cuts have led the schools to eliminate 81.5 jobs. The county may need to provide more money for the schools.