Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Regarding the departing county administrator’s tax increase proposal of 6.8% as reported in the April 9 edition of The Smithfield Times, and other facts in past articles in this paper, my opinions are:

• The Isle of Wight school system’s struggles have become almost weekly routine articles in the pages of this newspaper, and more money will not solve the obvious problem. The tax hike proposed includes a reward of a 9.3% funding increase to the Isle of Wight County School Board for its lack of financial discipline. The article mentions that the school superintendent is requesting more funds because the COVID-19 money expired; is this a serious request when the pandemic event no longer exists?
• The “Water Deal” preceded this administrator’s tenure, but during his tenure water rates have risen 61.5% since January 2015, according to my calculations (I used the cost of a gallon of water in 2015 compared to the current price as charged on my home water bills; in January 2015 the cost was $0.013 per gallon and in 2025 the cost is $0.021), yet he wants another 5% increase in 2024. The real estate boom in the county is adding hundreds of new homes and businesses consuming more water and bringing more revenue, yet the water and real estate rates keep increasing. Instead, the cost of paying for such services should decrease as they are spread over a larger tax base.
• The county stormwater ordinance was repealed, but the administrator supported keeping the ninth chapter authorizing continued collection of the stormwater fees. What are the ethics of a county government collecting a fee for a locally terminated regulation? 
• The administrator’s past association and current Board of Supervisors’ representation in the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization has not brought significant funds/traffic improvements to the county. I do not recall prior to this relationship the county contributing funds to the Virginia Department of Transportation to get projects approved, as was the case with the Bartlett intersection and the Nike Park Road extension. Yet future specific transportation costs in the proposed budget were not found. 

Have the Board of Supervisors members reviewed the 106-page budget proposal or are they just relying on the staff? Who runs the county?

 

Jose Hernandez

Carrollton