Let’s face it. None of us like to pay taxes. It’s against our grain to turn over our money to anyone else without seeing something visible and tangible in return. Local taxes are often invisible–Public money goes to schools, roads, community services like fire and rescue other people’s welfare, and to fix broken pipes and water mains. If you don’t commute, have kids in school or if your house doesn’t catch fire, then you might not have much of a notion as to where your ‘hard earned’ cash goes.
[Does anyone have money that isn’t “hard earned?” Are there any of us who aren’t tax payers?]
This Tuesday, the PWC Board of County Supervisors will set the proposed tax rate for FY 15 which begins July 1, 2014. To read local blogs, one would think that Tuesday is Doomsday. Prognosticators wearing long robes and carrying signs have been predicting the end of the world for months now with the evil chairman being the chief instigator to take that hard earned cash. One would think the evil chairman was a one horse show, rather than simply one of 8 elected officials. Enough about Wizard Stewart, the money grabber. Let’s examine a few things about the tax rate and what it represents.
The rates for proposed real estate and personal property are set generally higher to allow for wiggle room as various state moneys are decided. The state budget hasn’t been finalized and there is much wheeling and dealing going on with those guys down in Richmond. The neat thing is, regardless of what tax rate is set locally, the BOCS can always lower that advertised rate before it is etched in stone and adopted by that governing body. Tuesday’s rate setting is simply the advertised rate, not the final product which will be decided as more money facts come in.
The local blogs however, have sounded the clarion call for armed revolt against the king. One would think the good people of PWC were starving to death and being forced out of their homes and into the streets. The fact is, PWC has fairly low taxes for Northern Virginia. The tax RATE is pretty meaningless and should not be the beginning and end of revenue discussion.
What those throwing rotten tomatoes at the BOCS, especially Stewart and Nohe, apparently refuse to acknowledge is that there are two components to their tax bills. The tax rate is one such component and the real estate assessment is the other component. (we can discuss personal property at another time since that doesn’t seem to be an item of mass hysteria.) Real estate assessment has gone up about 7%. From a housing market point of view, this is a good thing. Our houses are worth more. From a tax point of view, however, things suck. We want lower taxes but we want our home to increase in value. These conflicting wants and needs are kept in line by the tax rate.
Both aspects of taxation are viewed. Since most of us don’t know what our county assessment even is, at this point, we do need to be mindful of the advertised tax rate. Mindful–not hysterical. Heretofore, I have been pretty damn mad at those supervisors, especially the chairman, for setting the tax rate too low. Naturally, I know that one person doesn’t control it all and that it takes the power of five to make it happen. However, each and every year I decry the cheapness of Prince William County when programs get cancelled and the schools aren’t funded enough to increase pay for teachers and cut class size. I am more than willing to pay my fair share, even though I no longer have children in the school system and I am on a semi fixed income (whatever that means).
I want to encourage the BOCS to set that tax rate high enough to take care of the business of Prince William County. I am exhausted from hearing all the whining about the Great Recession and people being taxed to death. Let’s get real here. That simply isn’t going to happen. I don’t feel like I am being taxed to death nor do I feel like I have been taxed to death in the past.
I have also grown weary of various supervisors being singled out (translate: bullied) as the big bad tax wolf. This tempest in a teapot is political theater at best. Let’s take a look at what is really needed to run the county. Cheap isn’t a good thing, as I have often written. Modest tax increases will be necessary to make up for that very tight belt that was leashed around our very fiscal being for the past few years. Let’s just get it done, set a proposed rate that is realistic and cut out all the bitching and belly-aching.
PS–wish list here…let’s fund the matching 401k plan for the county employees again! It’s high time to value our public employees and compensate them for all that they do.
PSS– I hope everyone is dressed on Tuesday for the big turnout for the taxman. It’s going to be a little too cold for blogging in one’s underwear.
George’s Chart:
Folks also have to consider there are rising costs all around – i.e. if you want Police patrols, well, that gas is not getting any cheaper. Simplistic, but true. Andy Harrover over on his latest blog posting points out that the City’s Budget is going up by $500K for costs related to the Regional Jail – and that is before factoring in any other increases. And with regards to the Jail, that is another presentation come Tuesday with the report on “Community-Based Corrections Plan”.
The consultant will present on issues at the Jail, and also the next expansion of 204 beds. That expansion will be where the white cinder-block building is, and tie into the Main Jail Building. Interesting part is the recommendation to add a Parking Deck. Even if the Governor and the General Assembly come through with funding for construction in 2015 Session, there will still be local expenses.
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Take a look at this tax comparison chart. Six of the 10 jurisdictions on this chart have a lower real estate tax rate than PWC but our is not the highest. As to real estate tax as a percentage of household income only 2 of the jurisdictions tax burden is less than PWC. Of the remaining 8, PWC real estate taxes are the least. And Moon’s point about schools, well except for Manassas Park, PWC spends the least $$ per student of any of the other jurisdictions and that certainly isn’t anything to be proud of. And should major catastrophe happen in PWC or the crime rate go up exponentially or their kids or grandkids can’t pass the SOLs or (God forbid) the home or establishment of burn down, those saying we are taxed to heavily will be the very first one to scream we don’t have enough of everything. Who will be to blame–let them look in the magic mirror and ask, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who should take a hit, who should take the fall?” I’ll let you figure out the answer.
I going to try to get the chart to show up once George emails it to me. give us a few.
Without seeing the chart, I am guessing it shows that PWC really doesn’t have the highest tax base. I am also betting their rate isn’t the highest.
There is just lots of hype and intentional misinformation out there. I would like to have services, I don’t know about the rest of you. I also want our social agencies to have enough people to cover important issues like child safety. No more Lexie Glover cases in this county! I want our citizens to have adequate medical care and enough to eat. I want parkland and open spaces.
For those who don’t, perhaps they should move closer to the Shenandoah Valley. Taxes are less over there and there are fewer municipal services.
I know these things don’t grow on trees and will cost me some bucks. That’s life.
There is no free lunch.
See George’s chart in the main text of the post.
Hmmm–doesn’t seem to be much interest in this but as you have suggested, others believe the world is going to end today 2/25/14. Be sure to put it on your calendar. Will there be a rapture?
Maybe more comments after the circus tonight?
I have heard several excellent speakers. Donna Widawski addressed the local problem in the Nottingham District.
Betty Deane spoke about our Prince William County. She did a fabulous job of capturing the concept of community.
There were other good speakers but those two made me sit up and take notice.
So far I haven’t heard any whining about anyone’s precious tax dollars. They are there to set a tax rate so the discussion can begin about what is needed to service the community.
NO circus yet. Just responsible citizens voicing their opinions.
Ms. Deane reminded us that our county had been under a severe austerity program and its time now to start refunding vital services.
Well it doesn’t look like the Nottingham group is going to speak publicly – maybe they’re in line?Or maybe there really are only six of them. Or is it five?
Still no circus. Citizens overwhelmingly in favor of advertising at the current rate to improve education and public safety.
Great speakers.
I guess the minions couldn’t find anything but underwear and just stayed home.
The only person who seems to have a bad feeling about the schools here is the Democratic chairman, Harry Wiggins. That’s too bad.
Sheriff couldn’t blog….he was at the podium just recently…lol. (ie Haddow)
I guess its official….I live in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the county. Westgate, Sudley and Dale City. Thanks Wally.
Geez. I guess I have been slumming it all these years and didn’t know it.
Kudos to Stewart, Nohe, Principi and Jenkins for wanting to set the tax rate high enough to take surprises into account.
I am particularly disappointed in Mrs. Caddigan, Covington and Mike May. Nice job of cutting off our wiggle room for unforeseen events coming from the states and the school. Candland, I wasn’t surprised. I have given up having high expectations for him.
I guess I will just sit over here in Slumsville with Lafayette and a few others since our communities were called out for being the poorest in the county.
So what happened?
Well, if Wally was rattling off a list of poor neighborhoods. He sure forgot a couple in his district. Funny he says it’s the poorest I have truly lived next to two houses where they were “the millionaires next door”. Wally, tisk, tisk, tisk.
I said this from the inception of that blog and boy did Haddow come along here and deny, deny, deny. Glad someone else is willing to say/write it out loud.
I found it interesting to watch, and disappointed that even with the comments about the Regional Jail impact and not knowing what the General Assembly will do, there was still the “lower lower lower”. That is not smart budgeting – you have warning signs all over the place, and instead of operating in a safer spot, you shift to where you are going to have to react in a less positive way.
Did find it interesting also Corey mentioned how local nonprofits do it “cheaper” than government. And yet, especially within CSB and DSS, there is a resistance to transfer more of those services. He provided a way to reduce government cost, and was the only voice there. Commendable.
Pu-Leeze! Wally and other conservatives bemoaning the tax bills for the lo the poor people will suffer.
Yet, they are the first ones to support cuts to food stamps and their fellow state republicans denying the expansion of Medicaid. What programs will get cut when we don’t have enough money in the budget? Those silly old social programs that support those most in need. Bluebird Bus ring a bell? Adult day care facility ring any bells?
Oh, and FYI Wally, I imagine many people in those communities you called out don’t remotely see themselves as woefully disadvantaged.
I feel certain that Greg, Lafayette, her mom and I don’t feel Wally’s pronounced pain of poverty.
I always fancied myself as rather middle class.
Funny, I am the poor and I wanted to advertise the tax rate at $1.181 at a minimum. Advertise high just in case the state cuts back ed money or cop money in particular. You never know. How odd, since I am willing to pay higher taxes, that Wally declares my neighborhood poor. I wonder if I would qualify for the tax relief for old folks?
@Elena
Ssshhhh, Elena, Lafayette wants her free Obamaphone.
It will only have a direct line to Mom. Part of the terms and conditions.
🙄
I wanted one of the Bushphones. I hear those have better reception. If I get one, will Mom always be on the other end?
I believe Connie would agree with us too. In fact she said she was middle class yesterday at Citizens’ Time. I believe most in those neighborhoods would call themselves middle class. Perhaps, therein is where the problem lies. Those of living in those neighborhoods see it one and the BoS see it another way. Remember, perception is REALITY. 😉
@Moon-howler
I kept my Reaganphone, those Bushphones were pretty on the outside but crap on the inside and they allowed Cheney to listen in.
I still have my Clintonphone. You ought to hear the conversations I have recorded. Bill ruled!
@Moon-howler
I’ll bet those calls to the various escort services are a hoot.
Oh I erased those. I just kept the ones to me.