Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Roundup Procedural topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board schedules public hearing on elderly/disabled tax relief tables; consent agenda approved; resident urges caution on property‑tax increases
Summary
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, directed staff to schedule a public hearing on proposed income adjustments for elderly/disabled tax relief, and heard one public comment urging the supervisors to limit property‑tax burdens as appraisal values rise.
Washington County’s Board of Supervisors approved routine business items and set a public hearing date for an ordinance update on tax relief for elderly and disabled property owners during the Jan. 28 meeting.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda (7–0). County staff presented draft ordinance tables that update income thresholds used to determine tax relief for qualifying elderly and disabled homeowners. Staff said the draft tables reflect an annual cost‑of‑living adjustment supplied by the Commissioner of the Revenue. Supervisor McCall moved to direct the county attorney to schedule and advertise a public hearing on the proposed ordinance; the motion passed 7–0.
Public comment: One resident, Alan Newman of Blue Springs Road, addressed the board during public comment about property taxes. Newman provided a handout with sample parcel calculations he said he obtained from the county GIS and asked supervisors to be cautious about raising the tax rate in light of recent appraisal increases. Newman told the board he calculated an average increase of about 23% for property owners at a 45‑cent tax rate and about 28% at a 47‑cent rate (his handout and figures were presented to the board member representing his district).
The board also convened a closed meeting under Virginia Code section 2.2‑371(A)(5) to discuss prospective business at Highlands Business Park. No public actions were taken during the closed session portion recorded in the transcript.
Votes at a glance (procedural): - Consent agenda — approved 7–0. - Motion to schedule public hearing on tax relief ordinance (first reading) — directed staff to advertise; approved 7–0.
