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Public commenters urge lower tax rate and evening meetings at Bland County tax-levy hearing
Summary
At a June 15 continued meeting, Bland County residents urged supervisors to lower the proposed 2026 property tax rate (now $0.40) and to hold future meetings at 7 p.m. so working residents can attend; callers also asked for greater budget transparency and clarification of an $85,000 asset limit tied to senior assistance.
The Bland County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on the proposed 2026 tax levy on June 15, and several residents urged the board to reduce the proposed property tax rate and to schedule future meetings later in the day so working people can participate.
At the hearing, public commenter Crockett Sarver said he could not attend the first meeting and criticized the 4 p.m. start time as a barrier for working residents, adding that he appreciated the recent cut from $0.42 to $0.40 but urged further reductions. "I hate that you scheduled it at four o'clock. It's hard for public that's working to be here," Sarver said.
Why it matters: The levy sets the county's property tax rate and funds local services. Several speakers said the board should show detailed budget figures so residents can judge whether the higher rate is justified and whether line-item cuts are possible.
Arleene Bridges, speaking during public comment, asked the board to hold future meetings at 7 p.m. and proposed a lower rate of $0.35 rather than $0.40. "I propose that the rest of the meetings that you all have and conduct, that you have them at least at seven o'clock at night so people can actually get off from work and come and have a say," Bridges said, noting elderly residents' difficulty attending daytime meetings.
Resident Debbie Looney called for greater transparency in the county budget and for public access to the figures that underlie the rate decision, including how much revenue different rates would generate. Looney also questioned eligibility limits tied to a program for older citizens, noting the transcript reference to an $85,000 asset threshold and asking whether that amount counts a home or other assets. "Before you raise rates, we should know why we're really having them," Looney said.
Board actions recorded in the transcript were limited to procedural motions: the board approved the meeting agenda, moved to open and later close the public hearing, and then adjourned. No vote on the tax rate was recorded in the provided transcript of the continued meeting; the board scheduled its next regular meeting for June 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
What was not decided: The transcript does not record a final action on the 2026 levy, specific revenue numbers tied to different rates, or staff responses clarifying the $85,000 asset threshold. Those details were requested by commenters but not provided in the meeting excerpts.
The hearing record shows community interest in both the substance of the levy and the county's meeting schedule; residents asked for more opportunities to review the budget and to attend meetings outside standard work hours. The board adjourned the continued meeting after closing the hearing.
