Letters to the Editor

The News Virginian / News Virginian
Published: April 26, 2007

In need of a better tax rate
It was heartening to read that several City Council members had tempered their feelings with regard to taking advantage of the inordinate increase in the assessments of real estate in the city. It was difficult to understand how property values could jump so much in two years. This kind of tax increase would be intolerable for many people on fixed incomes. Among the proposals listed in the paper were to retain the 78-cents-per-$100 assessment and to increase the budget by 13.3 percent. Neither one should be accepted. Accepting both would not only raise taxes, but would set the baseline for subsequent year.

The city manager wants to add some 13 additional employees. Why- We've managed fairly well with the number. Raise salaries- Why more than the rate of inflation.
WTA- Forget it! If the citizens are for it, they can make personal contributions.

Adopt a rate near $0.60 per $100 that would produce a 3.5 percent increase. Enough to stay near the inflation rate.

Ray Depa
Waynesboro