Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Surry County’s tax rate debate has taken another unexpected turn. Initially, a public hearing was scheduled for April 3, with an announcement stating that recent assessments had increased the effective tax rate 5%. However, the meeting was canceled and rescheduled for April 10 — and now, the effective tax rate increase has jumped 9.2%.

What changed in just one week to nearly double the increase?

According to Virginia state law, a county may raise the tax rate above the minimum level after holding a public hearing — but only if the increase is deemed necessary by the governing body. Yet, no explanation has been provided for the proposal to use the current 71-cent tax rate instead of the 65-cent equalized tax rate that levies the same amount of real estate tax as last year.

Are Surry citizens simply expected to blindly accept these excessive tax hikes without question? What is the point of a public hearing on tax increases if no justification is given?

As required by state law, why has the county deemed a 71-cent tax rate necessary, knowing it results in a 9.2% increase over last year? Without access to the proposed budget — or even a clear accounting of last year’s spending — residents are left in the dark.

With so many unanswered questions, the only reasonable response is NO. Taxation without justification is unacceptable.

 

Dianne Cheek

Surry