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City holds public hearing after state code requires notice of higher real-estate revenue; residents urge rate cut
Summary
A public hearing required by state code drew residents who said reassessments, not a rate change, have driven sharply higher tax bills and asked the council to reduce the tax rate to offset rising assessments.
Roanoke Mayor Cobb opened a public hearing on a required notice that the city’s real estate tax revenue has increased, and a city staff member explained why the matter must be advertised despite no proposed change to the tax rate.
City Attorney/Staff member Spencer told the council and audience that under Virginia Code “58.1 dash 33 21,” anytime the locality’s revenues rise by 1% or more the locality must advertise the change as a tax increase and hold a hearing even if the tax rate itself remains the same.
At the hearing, longtime Roanoke resident and retired Roanoke City Schools administrator Steven Mabry said reassessments have produced far larger increases in homeowners’ bills than his pension adjustments. “Over the last 5 years, that VRS pension has increased 12.6%. By stark contrast, Roanoke City's real estate tax on my home has increased 40.8%,” Mabry said, and he urged the council to use the reassessment as an opportunity to lower the rate.
Another resident who signed up online, identified in the meeting as Mr. Garland, echoed Mabry’s concern and called the reassessments “a windfall” that should prompt a rate reduction so homeowners do not absorb disproportionate increases.
Speakers who addressed the hearing framed the issue as one of fairness and budget priorities. Mabry said prior councils “have instead chosen to see this as a windfall and to look for opportunities to spend more money,” adding that seniors on fixed incomes have limited options when taxes rise.
Mayor Cobb closed the hearing after the scheduled speakers had spoken. No vote or formal council direction on a tax-rate change was recorded during the hearing itself.
