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Surry County adopts ordinance authorizing future rebates of surplus tax revenue
Summary
The Surry County Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 6 to adopt an ordinance authorizing the county to return surplus real and personal property tax revenues to taxpayers if the board later chooses to do so by resolution; staff said specifics would be worked out in a future resolution and that the ordinance simply enables the option under state law.
The Surry County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance authorizing the board to return surplus real and personal property tax revenues to taxpayers in a fiscal year when the county reports a surplus.
County attorney Lola Perkins told the board the change is a permissive authorization under state law: “Pursuant to 15.22511 0.1 of the Code of Virginia, the General Assembly has granted localities the authority to return local surplus funds that have been collected.” Perkins emphasized the ordinance does not set distribution rules, saying the board would adopt any specific refund method later by resolution and vote.
Charlene Pierce, a resident from the Bakersfield District, urged an equitable approach during public comment and stressed timeliness: “I am in favor of this ordinance… when you start writing the resolutions, consider the citizens who are not as fortunate… and get some money out to our people because these are hard times.” The board voted to adopt the ordinance on a motion by Supervisor Walter Hardy; the motion carried by voice vote.
What happens next: staff said the county will work with Treasurer Malik Ruffin and Supervisor Jenkins to draft one or more resolutions that would specify who receives refunds and how they are calculated. The ordinance provides the county the legal authority to take that step in the future.
