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YOUR VIRGINIA: Second edition of the Virginia Homeowners Alliance newsletter covers the budget mess

YOUR VIRGINIA

The second edition of YOUR VIRGINIA, the Virginia Homeowners Alliance's e-mail newsletter is on the street. In this edition, we analyze what the Commonwealth's budget mess will mean for homeowners and bring you up to speed on the five bills affecting your home's value and property owner rights that we've been tracking during the General Assembly session.

Didn't get a copy? Check out the second edition now, and register at VAHomeownersAlliance.com to make sure you get the next one.

Posted on Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 1:32pm

Richmond tax amnesty sailing through General Assembly

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, a "Senate committee yesterday approved the City of Richmond's bid to implement a tax-amnesty program that could allow it to collect millions from delinquent taxpayers.

The Committee on Local Government unanimously approved House Bill 796, sponsored by Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond. The legislation needs only to pass the full Senate before heading to Gov. Bob McDonnell. The Virginia Constitution does not give local governments the power to offer tax-amnesty programs, so they must seek approval from lawmakers. Because it is considered emergency legislation, it could take effect immediately upon being signed.

Officials said the city could offer amnesty -- no penalties or interest on back taxes paid off -- to taxpayers currently delinquent in real estate, personal property, and machine and tool taxes, which account for more than 60 percent of the city's general-fund revenues."

 

Read the full story...

Posted on Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 11:44am

Montgomery County May Increase Car Tax Bills

By changing the method by which they value vehicles, Montgomery County could bring in an estimated $700,000 against the back drop of a $4.2 million budget shortfall.  The Board of Supervisors was supportive of the idea at their recent meeting, and liked the concept of expanding the tax burden.  Homeowners and vehicle owners could take effect for the December 5th billing. The change would mean moving from the "loan value" to "trade value" for assessment purposes.


Read the full Roanoke Times story...

Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 2:39pm

James City Considering Tax, Fee Increases to Fill $4.6 million Budget Gap

James City County, like many other localities in Virginia, is trying to find solutions to the hefty shortfall they face in the upcoming budget.  The County estimates a $4.6 million budget gap, but the Board is divided on possible solutions. Several members advocate cuts and re-allocating current resources, while others are supportive of possible increases in both the real estate and personal property tax rates, a motor vehicle registration fee and a utility tax on water and electricity use.  Any or all of these taxes would adversely affect homeowners in the County.

 

Real the full Daily Press story...

Posted on Sunday, January 24, 2010 - 11:36am

Augusta Residents Fret About State Cuts to Come

Some Augusta County residents recently attended a town hall meeting and asked legislators to protect the area from budget cuts, according to The News Leaders.

The residents were concerned about budget cuts affecting transportation, education, public health and Gov. Tim Kaine's recommendation to shut down the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.

Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, will host two other town hall meetings for the 25th District: Saturday 9-10:30 a.m. at the Elkton Area Community Center, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Crozet Public Library.

Landes also encouraged residents to attend one of the public hearing the state is hosting to get input on the budget. The closest meeting to the area will be conducted at noon Thursday at Grafton-Stovall Theatre at James Madison University.

"Local residents questioned state spending priorities during a town hall meeting Tuesday and asked legislators to shelter this area as much as possible from budget cuts.

More than 65 people attended the session hosted by Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, at Augusta County's Government Center to discuss proposed state cuts and the upcoming General Assembly session, which convenes next week. Residents voiced opinions supporting a range of budget priorities, including mental health, public education and transportation projects."

Read the full story.

Posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - 11:38pm

Lynchburg City Council Budget Talks Starting Early This Year

Lynchburg City Council will do something new this year. They will start budget talks much earlier than normal and before the city manager makes his recommendations, according to the Lynchburg News & Advance.

The Council members will give input to the city manager on which various topics that will help him make informed decisions about the city's tight budget.

Hopefully this new approach will benefit Lynchburg homeowners.

"In a highly unusual move, Lynchburg City Council will engage in preliminary budget talks next month before any recommendations are made by the city manager.

Traditionally, such deliberations are held in the spring and start only after City Manager Kimball Payne unveils his budget proposal in early March. Council then responds to and revises that plan over the course of several weeks.

This year’s accelerated deliberation schedule was adopted after Payne approached officials in December seeking early guidance on topics ranging from spending cuts to tax hikes.

Council doesn’t typically play such a direct role in shaping the city manager’s budget recommendations. In explaining his request, Payne referenced the austere revenue climate, which he has described as the most challenging of his career.

'We’ve never faced anything like this before,' he said in an interview. 'We thought last year was different, but it’s only getting tougher.

'This is going to be a unique and different year. I think doing things in a unique and different way will inform the process and give me a little better sense of Council’s interests as I put the proposal together.'

Council has scheduled a special all-day budget retreat for Feb. 6.

Payne has asked members at that time to consider six specific questions:
• What are your priorities regarding services provided to citizens?
• As cuts are considered, is there anything that is untouchable?
• Which services, programs or activities could be stopped?
• Are there any new initiatives you would like to consider?
• What are your thoughts on actions to increase revenues (via taxes, fees or policy changes)?
• What are your capital improvement priorities?

This is the latest in a series of unprecedented steps taken by the city manager to gather advice as he ponders a slew of unappetizing budget choices."

Read the full story.

Posted on Monday, January 4, 2010 - 1:18pm

Teleworkers Would Get Tax Break Under Bill

Some state leaders are working for a bill that would allow telecommuters to get an annual tax credit of up to $1,000 for teleworking, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.

This tax credit could benefit many homeowners while also alleviating some stress on congested highways.

"Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st, wants telecommuters to get an extra benefit from keeping their cars off the highway.

Local residents who work remotely already get a boost from staying out of the gridlock on such roads as Interstates 95 and 66.

And Wittman, who represents part of southern Prince William County, introduced a bill Wednesday that would provide an annual tax credit of up to $1,000 for teleworking.

Under the bill, an employee who works at least 75 days a year away from his or her office would be eligible for the full credit.

It would be given for qualifying expenses such as furniture or computer equipment the worker needs to facilitate telecommuting.

If an employee telecommuted less than 75 days, he or she would be eligible for a pro-rated credit, Wittman said in a telephone town-hall meeting with constituents Wednesday night.

'So we're trying to provide some tax incentives for folks to work out of their home,' the Republican said.

Wittman's bill says congestion in America's urban areas costs $87 million in 2007 in extra time and fuel used, and that the average commuter spends 8½ days a year in the car.

In addition to the tax credit, Wittman said he wants to make sure that telework centers provide secure facilities for workers dealing with sensitive information.
His bill comes at the same time that lawmakers are looking at 'comprehensive transportation solutions' that deal with roads, transit and even slugging, he said."

Read the full story.

Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 12:36am

Sewer Systems Raising Westmoreland Property Values

Great news for homeowners in Westmoreland County, many have seen property values increase by an average of 21 percent, according to The Free-Lance Star.

This is in thanks to a new sewer system.

"Real-estate prices may be falling, but new sewer systems have helped increase Westmoreland County property values by an average of 21 percent since 2006.

More than half of the increase comes from higher appraisals of land and lots made buildable by sewer systems in the Cople and Washington districts, the manager of a reassessment team told county supervisors last night.

'Without the sewer projects, the increase in land values would be less than 10 percent,' said Sonny Fultz, manager of the county reassessment for Pearson Appraisal Services Inc.

Fultz said many low-lying lots near the water were valued between $2,500 and $5,000 in the previous assessment because they could not support septic systems. With the availability of sewer systems, those lots are now worth between $20,000 to $25,000, Fultz said.

'This is the first general reassessment to reflect the impact of sewer projects on land values,' said Fultz, whose team in winding up its reassessment work. The new property values will become the basis for taxes next year."

Read the full story.

Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 10:21pm

Water Line to Replace Wells for Some in Appomattox County

Some residents and businesses in Appomattox along US 460 will soon be able to draw water from a water line instead of relying on problematic wells, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

This has been a hotly debated topic in the county because some feel that it is a step towards progress and growth, while others are concerned about an increase in taxes to support the extended water line.

Hopefully if there are any tax increases, that will be balanced out with the opportunities for residential and commercial growth in the area.

"Ann and Tom Nolen are on well No. 3 at their Appomattox County business.

And the water still comes out red.

'It runs like red dirt all the time,' Ann Nolen said.

And, she added, all the digging and re-digging for new wells has left them with little space on their property, on U.S. 460 west of the town of Appomattox.

So, when the Nolens received word last summer of the county's plans to build its first water line along the highway, they jumped at the chance to have their real estate business hooked into the service. Now they are among more than 50 Appomattox County property owners who have signed contracts with the county to hook up to the water line once it's built.

Drawing water from a source other than wells in Appomattox has long been long debated by officials in the county and the town. The 7.5-mile water line the Nolens await will extend from Concord east along U.S. 460 and hook Appomattox County users to Campbell County Utility and Service Authority's water supply.

Although the county has not yet set a date to begin construction, Appomattox County planner Johnnie Roark said recently that he expects to bid out the $5.2 million project by early spring. The county already has purchased parcels for a water tower and pump station.

For many in the county, the installation of a water line represents progress, a welcomed departure from an age-old reliance on private wells.

But others see the county's project as a step in the wrong direction, possibly toward higher taxes, more outside control and the beginning of the end of life in a small community.

Governing officials of the town of Appomattox are still debating whether the town should trade in their public well system and connect to the line."

Read the full story.

Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 11:19pm

Falls Church Voters May Move to a Fall Election

Falls Church City Council is debating on whether to have municipal elections in Novemeber, instead of May, according to the Washington Post.

The change is could save the city money by hosting local, state and national elections at the same time, but many worry that state and national concerns will drown out information needed to make wise local decisions. This is very important for homeowners to be aware of because the city is facing a $4 million budget gap that could result in increased taxes.

"The Falls Church City Council on Monday will take up the issue of whether to hold municipal elections in November rather than May, a change embraced by a growing number of Virginia municipalities that has ignited sharp debate in the tiny Northern Virginia city.

The council gave preliminary approval to the measure Nov. 23 by a 4 to 3 vote. To change the 2010 election scheduled for May to November, the council would have to adopt the measure by majority vote at the Monday session to meet a deadline imposed by law. The council is also considering a proposal to further study the measure and schedule a referendum.

The proposal to hold autumn elections has sparked a controversy in the city of 11,000 people. Backers say the change would save money and boost voter participation. Opponents say moving the election date could shield the city's political leadership from voters' wrath as officials struggle with a nasty hole in the budget.

City Attorney John Foster estimated that the switch could save $18,000 every two years. Backers also say past election data offer proof that more people go to the polls during state and national elections.

But opponents fear that voters who cast ballots in national or state elections in November will be less familiar with close-to-home matters that could affect them. They also worry that fall elections will inevitably take on a partisan cast.

Sam Mabry, a former council member and vice mayor, said he thinks the interest in moving the elections to November coincides with the recent discovery of an unexpected $4 million gap in the city budget, which could force tax increases and service cuts."

Read the full story.

Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 6:58pm