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Board approves tax-exemption ordinance for volunteer fire and EMS for 2027
Summary
On July 9 the Smyth County Board approved an ordinance providing personal-property tax relief for volunteer firefighters and EMS members, to take effect in the 2027 tax year. Commissioner of Revenue said state code restricts exemptions to those two groups and the ordinance includes additional eligibility requirements.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance July 9 that provides personal-property tax relief for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services members beginning in the 2027 tax year. Royal Oak Supervisor Courtney Widener moved to waive hearing rules and proceed to a vote; the ordinance was approved by the vote recorded in the minutes.
Commissioner of Revenue Bradley Powers told the Board that "state code only permits these exemptions be applied to fire & EMS volunteers" and the draft ordinance includes additional requirements intended to limit eligibility to those volunteers. Several written public comments read into the record urged the Board not to single out one volunteer group for a significant tax benefit; one commenter wrote, "You SHOULD NOT give a huge benefit to any one group if you can't give it to everyone!" The Board approved the ordinance after those comments were entered into the record.
