Waynesboro holds public hearing on reassessment; residents urge lower tax rate

Waynesboro City Council held a public hearing on the lower tax rate required by the 2025 general reassessment, during which residents urged the council to set the city’s real estate tax at the equalization rate rather than the proposed rate.

City staff said the assessor’s office completed the 2025 reassessment and that the total assessed value of real property (excluding new construction) rose 13.5% over 2024. Under Section 58.1‑3321 of the Code of Virginia, a locality must hold a public hearing when a reassessment would increase the total real property tax levy by 1% or more. Staff said the “lowered tax rate” that would levy the same total tax as last year is 69¢ per $100 of assessed value; the proposed property tax rate is 89¢ per $100. No action was required or taken at the hearing; council will adopt a rate later in the budget process following additional public hearings on the proposed budget and tax rate.

The public comment period included multiple residents who said the reassessment and proposed rate increase would cause financial hardship. Archie Bryant (263 Elizabeth Ave., Ward C) said, “our tax rate has gone up substantially” and described paying roughly $150 a month more in property taxes on a paid‑off house. Sheila Lilly (649 Walnut Ave.) said landlords pass assessment-driven increases to tenants and urged council to adopt the equalization rate of 69¢ because she said the city is already receiving increased revenue from new development. Ashley Burnett (Ward A), a first‑time speaker, said her household budget would be strained by higher taxes.

Other speakers echoed those concerns. Jacob Lipscomb (1628 Monroe St., Ward D) said the increase risks displacing long‑time and minority homeowners who he said might not be able to keep up with payments. William A. Kelly III (209 Oak Ridge Dr.) and Danny Ledford (545 South Duane Ave.) also urged the council to keep the rate lower; Ledford called a 20¢ difference between equalization and the proposal “a money grab.” Several speakers warned higher taxes could force longtime residents from their homes. One speaker, Andrea Jackson (Ward A), urged audience members to attend council meetings regularly and said the city previously underinvested and now must catch up, a point she used to explain why some increases are necessary.

City staff noted the published notice required by state law ran in the News Virginian on April 25 and reiterated that the reassessment does not affect all property owners equally; they advised property owners to inspect reassessment notices to determine specific impacts. Council did not vote on the tax rate at the meeting; staff said council will finalize the rate later in the process after the budget public hearing.

Why it matters: The reassessment and council’s upcoming decision will determine whether average property tax bills rise in Waynesboro this year and how much the city will collect from longer‑term residents versus new development revenue.

What’s next: Council will take formal action on tax rates after additional public hearings and when it considers the city budget in the coming months.