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Residents urge review of reassessment and tax equalization at Surry County hearing
Summary
Multiple residents urged the board to equalize last year's reassessment, to refund affected property owners and to reconsider how rebates were distributed; commenters cited state code and specific dollar and ratio estimates.
At the April 2 meeting several residents used the public-comment period and the tax-rate public hearing to press the board on last year's reassessment and the county's handling of excess revenues.
Roberta Hammel (Claremont District) told the board, "Per Virginia state code 58.13321, there's a requirement to equalize real estate taxes by reducing the rate charged," and urged the board to reduce the 71¢ real estate rate to about 65¢ per $100 and to review assessment errors and refunds. A second commenter (recorded as Miss Hammond) said the reassessment produced a 12.15% overall tax increase in some areas and argued the approach was "inaccurate, ununiform, and inconsistent," citing an estimated countywide windfall and proposing a 65¢ equalized rate to reduce burdens. Both asked the board to consider more equitable remedies and transparency.
County Administrator Miss Rollins and other staff responded during the public hearing with technical context about advertised rates and revenue drivers; Rollins emphasized that staff had advertised rates based on the current 71¢ rate and explained the revenue implications of changes in public-service corporation collections. The board acknowledged the concerns and said they would consider comments during the budget process and public hearing on April 29.
Provenance: topicintro: SEG 336; topfinish: SEG 628
