Saying Prince William County residents are more concerned about overcrowded classrooms than their annual real-estate taxes, Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart proposed a change in local tax policy Tuesday that would focus more on raising needed revenue for schools and county services and less on capping tax hikes.
Stewart, R-At Large, floated the idea during a joint meeting of the county Board of Supervisors and School Board held at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center.
Pointing to the recent two-year county survey, as well as a separate survey his office conducted for political purposes, Stewart said increasing traffic congestion and school overcrowding are more immediate concerns for many residents than taxes.
“Regardless of your political stripes, people are more concerned about their quality of life at home than they are about keeping tax bills so low, I mean 30 percent lower than in Fairfax and Loudoun counties,” Stewart said. “There’s a price we are paying for that.”
Thanks goodness Corey Stewart sees that going on the cheap just isn’t a winning ticket for Prince William County. He is correct. Quality of life issues and education are important to the people of Prince William County. People want more parks and open space, smaller classrooms, better roads, and responsive public safety.
This blog has long been critical of PWC for always trying to go on the cheap. It’s time to usher out the tea party mentality and recognize that the county is a progressive municipality in Northern Virginia. We already have lower tax bills that many of our surrounding neighbors. Perhaps Stewart is really saying that its time for Prince William County to stop being the red headed step child of Northern Virginia and take its seat at the grown ups table.
I found it interesting that school board members couldn’t commit to Stewart’s quest for excellence without a lot of ho- humming around. Were they waiting to see which way the wind was blowing or just afraid of some of the tea party bloggers who have a lot to say about going on the cheap. Hopefully, Chairman Stewart will continue to prioritize quality of life issues and education as he leads the county through the budget process.
Whoa Moon, back the truck up. That we have the oft ballyhooed “lowest tax bills” in the region is a canard, particularly when applied as a comparison to Fairfax. Consider first that on average Fairfax has a 14% higher per capita personal income than its bumpkin cousin Prince Willy. Also consider that in 2014 a $500,000 home in PWC would have a $5,790 tax bill compared to a $5,525 tax bill in Fairfax. In short the same property value garners you $265 more in taxes in PWC. Now before anybody starts screaming about different tax models, 65% of PWC revenues come from real property tax revenues, the next closest jurisdiction is, wait for it, Fairfax at 64%. Its not like I’m making a comparison to urbanized Arlington which only derives 57% of its revenues from those taxes or rural Fauquier at 54%. Corey gets no credit for anything, nada, bupkus. BTW, he is one of ours and our Frankenstein, thus we are entitled to flog him at will.
It it beginning to look like crap around here. Schools, roadways and even cheap housing. PWC is absolutely heading toward making PG County look desirable. For one of the wealthiest counties in the US we also have the most negative news stories. From charges of bigotry to claims that the CXO cut Cops because she was mad about the arrest of a county employee. Jaysus – we look like idiots in the news – it’s either crime or idiocy that make up our news stories. And RTJ isn’t attracting anyone.
Final comment – too much local taxes are going toward roads that the state should fund. Cut PWC Transportation and stick to the mission of local government.
Whew! TGIF.
I am just glad that Chairman Stewart now sees that there is a problem going on the cheap and sees the necessity of investing in public safety and education.
I don’t think the state is going to be funding much of anything for a while. Guess that leaves us holding the bag.
What we don’t need is the Gray Eminence controlling things. That tea party mentality will have us way below PG County.
So is this the same Corey Stewart who has been supporting every developer proposal to come down the pike for the last five or six years? Doesn’t he understand that every new home construction he votes for jams schools, roads, and increases the overall tax burden? Guess some people never learn.
Perhaps he has seen the light. who knows. Moving forward, I want him to do the right thing and will point it out when I feel he is doing the right thing. I will also let him know when I disagree. There is a litany of disagreement on this blog.
For about the past year, I have agreed with a lot that Corey has proposed. I don’t mind saying I agree when I do.
Having a tea party candidate lusting for the chair certainly isn’t what this county needs, with the Grey Eminence being the brains behind the lusting. If that seems like code….think about it.
From what I’ve witnessed over the years, any locality that develops primarily with residential and retail developments will always be behind the curve on services (roads, schools, parks, etc.) since new residential and retail doesn’t pay for itself. Prince William continues to allow developers to over build with too much density and convert from employment uses to retail and residential. Until that changes, property taxes will continue to rise as taxpayers subsidize the new development.
If the BOCS would respect the Comprehensive Plan, we could begin to bend this curve and get taxes under control.
Standing ovation, Middleman.