Prince George supervisors raise elderly-and-disabled tax thresholds, approve wastewater feasibility study and several contracts

Prince George County’s Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 approved several measures with potential near-term impacts on taxpayers, infrastructure planning and stormwater projects.

The board voted unanimously to adopt amendments to the county’s elderly-and-disabled tax-relief ordinance and to move forward with a wastewater feasibility study and a stream-restoration repair contract, among other routine approvals. The board also completed a closed session certification and made one appointment to the Planning Commission.

The ordinance change presented at the public hearing would raise income and asset thresholds used to determine eligibility for real-estate tax relief for residents 65 and older or residents under 65 who are permanently and totally disabled. County legal staff told the board that, under the proposal, the total combined annual income cap would increase by $10,000 to $55,000 from the current $45,000. Staff also said the income threshold that qualifies for a full (100%) exemption would rise from $28,000 to $40,000; income between the higher threshold and the $55,000 cap would qualify for a reduced (50%) exemption. The proposal would raise the net combined financial-worth limit at the end of the year to $130,000, $10,000 above the current limit. The board approved the ordinance after a public hearing with no speakers registered.

Why it matters: County staff said the exemptions are governed by state law (Virginia Code §58.1‑3210) and that the county’s current local code sections governing the exemption had not been updated since 2009. The changes affect eligibility for…