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Virginia resident warns rising property taxes could push families away
Summary
At the Nov. 25 Virginia City Council meeting, resident and business owner Jerry Petrini said rising property taxes are making him consider moving and discouraging family from building in the city; the council said it will set the final levy on Dec. 9 after efforts to lower the general fund portion.
Jerry Petrini, a fourth-generation Virginia resident and owner of Champion Auto, told the council on Nov. 25 that rising property taxes have altered his investment decisions and family plans. He compared his parents’ lake-home taxes of $2,966 to his own $6,714 and said, "Property tax have gotten too high and they just seem to keep going up."
Mayor Cuffey acknowledged the burden and explained that the council is finalizing the levy process. He said staff has worked to reduce the preliminary general fund levy "down to 1%" while noting the debt service levy, driven by bonds and leases, remains essentially fixed and adds about 9 percent to the overall rate. The mayor reminded the public that the council will set the final levy on Dec. 9.
Councilor Motley thanked Petrini for speaking and noted she voted "no" on the preliminary levy; Councilor Buck Schneider clarified that the general fund and debt service levies are separate and that the combined effect can approach a 10% overall levy. The mayor and several councilors urged residents to attend the Dec. 9 hearing.
The council did not take a final vote on the levy at the Nov. 25 meeting; the final levy-setting and any formal changes are scheduled for the Dec. 9 meeting.
