Residents urge tax equalization and enforcement of land‑use tax rules; local educator thanks board for school investment

An unnamed resident told the Savannah Ford Board of Supervisors during the first public‑comment period that board members had previously agreed to lower the real‑estate tax rate to account for a newly adopted meals tax and urged the board to keep that commitment.

"When you set the tax rate at 75, 3 of you said you were in agreement with that with the idea it was gonna go down with with the passing of the meals tax," the resident said, urging supervisors to honor that understanding. The resident also raised concerns about land‑use taxation, saying the county is not in compliance with land‑use laws and that, as a result, "about 30% of the people in this county are being taxed at a much higher rate," while others with land‑use classifications pay lower rates without reevaluation.

The resident asked the board to hold elected officials accountable to follow the law and to ensure fair taxation across all property owners.

During the second public‑comment period, James Kelly of 363 Manor Boulevard in Palmyra spoke to the board to thank supervisors for the budget outcomes affecting schools. "Our students are far better off for your investment," Kelly said, adding that school staff and administrators will continue working through the process to allocate funds and determine which positions and programs move forward.

Ending: Both public‑comment items were closed after the speakers’ five‑minute remarks; the board recorded the comments and proceeded to vote on agenda items later in the meeting.