Your Taxes were raised Wednesday, the new budget was passed and Eleanor Park was designated as open space. Please see my blog for meeting details. Please don’t miss the end where I indicate some breaking news.
Since the BIG news is the TAX increase, I will start there first.
PUBLIC HEARING on Ordinance No. 725 AMENDS THE COLONIAL BEACH TOWN CODE, SEC. 20-2, “REAL ESTATE TAX,” TO SET THE REAL ESTATE TAX RATE AT .78 PER $100 OF ASSESSED VALUE.
During this hearing one person spoke and he was in favor of the tax increase and perhaps even more if needed. During council discussion I made it clear that I was not in favor of a tax increase and pointed out that we need to do better with our budgeting. I stated that CB families are struggling too and many cannot afford this increase. I also asked that we clarify the financial impact on taxpayers since many homes had increases in assessed value between $50k-$100k and that is where the extra tax is calculated. If your house value for example went up $100k your tax increase would be $780 for the year. My point was that the $.09 example was misleading. The final vote was 5-2 with Allison, Self Sullivan, Clement, Roberson, and Schick all voting YES and Moncure and myself voting NO.
Res #19-22, Adoption and Appropriation of Fiscal Year 2023 Town and School Budgets - Tom Moncure made a compelling speech about how we need to really get serious about determining whether we want to seek city status or not. He stated that there are only two towns in the entire state that have their own school system and West Point has a big paper plant in the middle of town to supplement the cost. I believe that we need to have a serious conversation about seeking city status. I did not mention this at the meeting but I clarified with Dr. Mitchell that additional funds required for the school are not a mandate as has been stated several times. The town has had a school portion they pay every year and this year‘s cost was up some but not dramatically over some previous years. The reason I mention this is because I don’t want people to blame the school for our budget woes. The budget passed 6–1 with me as the only NO vote. I asked Tom after the meeting why he voted yes and he said the vote didn’t really matter because he voted no for the tax increase to fund the budget.
Consent Agenda - This is where we vote on more routine business items all at the same time. I was not necessarily opposed to any of these items but I did have a few questions (see below)
1. Minutes - September 8, 2021 (I abstained since I was not on council for the September meeting)
2. Special Event, Potomac River Festival
3. Linear Park Grant Res #21-22 - Authorizes Town to Apply for a grant to improve the golf cart path and possibly turn it into a park. (I voted yes along with the rest of council on this but raised concerns that we still need to do a public survey to see residents are in favor of the park if the grant is awarded. I also have concerns over turning what could be needed as a road one day into a so-called park and potential safety issues especially since golf carts and side by sides will be using the same area. Finally, what is the impact if the town decides to develop that area into residential housing one day?)
4. CB Housing Redevelopment Authority, Res #22-22 - Authorizes Town to Apply for Virginia Housing Capacity Building Grant on behalf the Housing Authority (I asked if there were any financial or future commitments to the town and was told no. This $25k Grant is strictly for training).
5. Res # 23-22 Authorizes North Beach Shoreline Letter of Intent to be sent by our town Manager to seek Federal funding for the project. (As many of you know that area has been a problem for years).
Congrats to Jose Gonzalez for
15 Years of Service Award with Public Works.
CB Public Schools, Dr. Mitchell - gave some updates about graduation and the budget.
Res #20-22, Approves FY 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan - Tom Moncure made a motion to remove Monroe’s bike path and Eleanor Park improvements from the CIP. I seconded his motion and it failed 2-5 with only him and I voting to remove. The final vote for the CIP was 5-2 with Tom and I voting NO and all other members voting YES.
Res #24-22, Eleanor Park Declaration of Open Space Land - this is basically the designation used by special interest in town to avoid a super majority vote for putting an easement on Eleanor Park. The town has declared that the park will remain open space with limited development. I asked if there was an expiration on this open space declaration and was told no. But the town can actually back out of this at any time so basically what this means is if you are not satisfied with this decision, future councils can reverse it. Allison, Self Sullivan, Clement, Roberson and Schick voted YES, Moncure and myself voted NO.
BREAKING NEWS
Westmoreland County votes to equalize tax rate (not raise taxes) During Mr. Trivett’s presentation he mentioned that the county voted on a new tax rate and that it went down from $.76 to $.62. Also CB county rate went from $.47-$.40. I asked what the equalization rate was and Mr. Trivett was unsure. After the meeting Mr. Trivett got back to me and let me know that the equalization rate was $.62 so essentially the county voted not raise our real estate taxes. Disclaimer: people could still see some county increases due to significant property value changes but essentially they voted for equalization. My question is how could the county not significantly raise taxes when we were told there was no option but to raise taxes in CB?
Please email or call with questions or comments:
dwilliams@colonialbeachva.net
540-604-4335
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