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Residents press board over property tax concerns as EDA sets $10,000 small-business loan cap
Summary
Public commenters urged supervisors to lower property taxes and pursue a state sales-tax option for schools; the county’s EDA reported it set a $10,000 per-loan cap to stretch local small-business lending and the county renewed a Constitutional Oaks contract through 12/31/2026.
Public comment at the May 20 Lee County supervisors meeting focused on property-tax anxiety and school funding. Debbie Orchard of Keoki, Virginia, told the board she and others want the county to lower the tax rate and expressed frustration that school funding requests keep increasing "but we don't see more and more results out of giving them the money." She asked board members how residents should press state officials for a local-option sales tax and was told the matter must go through the General Assembly and that petitions must be certified to be considered by the state.
A resident who identified himself during public comment described steep increases in assessed property values and urged consideration of a small sales tax ("a penny" or 3¢) to offset property-tax burdens. Board members and staff explained the county lacks authority to enact such a tax unilaterally and advised how petition signatures must be certified for state review.
Separately, the county’s economic development authority (EDA) reported a new lending strategy: a cap of $10,000 per small-business loan to allow the limited fund to assist more businesses. The EDA said it provides letters of support for applicants seeking CETA/capital grants and is partnering with the historical society on a tourism capital grant to install a Battle of Jonesville trail marker.
The board also renewed a contract with Lee McPherson for services at Constitutional Oaks through Dec. 31, 2026, covering property access, fertilizer application and hay production/storage.
What happens next: staff will provide guidance to petition organizers about certification requirements for state petitions; the EDA will continue outreach on loan applications and grant support.
