Taxes - let's keep them low (Dave has been endorsed by U.S. CongressmEn Dave Brat and Rob Wittman, Former virginia attorney general ken cuccinelli and state senator Bryce Reeves)

Keeping taxes low

When I ran to be your representative in 2011 - the elected leaders in Spotsylvania County had not set the residential property tax rate below the equalized rate since 1975!

Promise delivered - in 2012, Spotsylvania County's residential tax rate was set 2 cents below the equalized rate - a first since 1975  (37 years)

Subsequently, I have fought for further tax reductions each year I have served on the board in relation to the equalized rate.  Our current residential rate is another 2 cents less than it was in 2012, being set slightly lower than the equalized rate again in 2014.  

I believe budget efficiencies have been gained by advertising a lower tax rate up front.  Once a rate is advertised, it cannot be raised unless re-advertised.  What advertising a lower rate up front does is makes everyone on local government payroll adjust / trim / reduce unnecessary things to make the budget work.   

Indeed, during the time I have served as your representative we have reduced taxes while giving raises to teachers (see education tab), hiring more teachers and fire fighters, paying for a new and much needed emergency radio system, and having 24/7 coverage at each of our fire stations.  Doing more with less - a pledge that I will continue to strive for as your representative on the Board of Supervisors.

---

Residential Property Tax rate

Spotsylvania County has a residential tax rate at .86 per $100 of assessed value.  The board, while I have sat on it and supported the reductions - been the first board since 1975 to set a rate below the equalized rate. 

Stafford County's rate is almost 1.02 per $100.  I believe one of the best things we can do not only for our Citizens but also to attract businesses and jobs to our area is to keep our tax rate low. 

Every penny reduction counts

In setting the 2015 budget - there was a lot of discussion about cutting the personal property tax rate a few cents.  I argued for and got a 2 cent reduction when we advertised the rate - which means it had to be reduced by 2 cents.

During our budget meeting - I supported Dr. Trampe's budget which would have given a bonus to teachers in the same amount as the proposed raise which would have closed the gap between what the schools requested and what the County could provide while reducing the personal property tax another 3 cents. 

Here is the motion:  click here

And here is the vote count: click here
If you have time to watch the entire discussion - click here

Not to boast - but I feel the additional 3 cent personal property tax reduction this year would not have happened if I had not interjected a substitute motion on to reduce the additional 3 cents. 

Click here for the conversation.  I promise to continue to fight to reduce your taxes while providing the services you need from the County. 

Personal property tax rate

Our personal property tax rate needs to be reduced.  Although I have only supported rates that are below the equalized rate in personal property - I do believe our "rate" is too high and will do everything I can to reduce our personal property tax rate over the next four years if elected to be your representative. 

If you have the time to view some of the hyperlinks on the left column under "EVERY PENNY REDUCTION COUNTS", you will see how I fought this year (2015 budget) to reduce our personal property tax rate a total of a nickel. . .  one penny at a time. 

No tax raise pledge

I pledge that I will not vote to increase your Personal or Residential Property tax rate above the equalized rate if re-elected.

what is the equalized rate?

Every two years in Spotsylvania County - the Commissionaire of Revenue's office does a reassessment of property values to include both commercial and residential properties.  The tax rate must set the same for both - the County cannot set a higher tax rate for commercial than residential and vice versa.  Additionally - a reassement of the valuation of cars is taken.

This is not the best method but it is the only method the Board of Supervisors has to set the tax rate for the County.  It's not the best because if the reassessment has Commercial Values decreasing - say on average of 20,000 per owner and Residential values on average increasing by the same amount - the same tax rate (equalized) will have Commercial property owners paying less than the last year and residential owners paying more due to the assessed value change. 

There are other examples - if you are interested in learning more about this - please give me a call or send me an email - 571.594.0814 or david.ross.7@verizon.net  Thanks. 

If you get the authority to tax - the government will use it

This past November - 2014 - one of our board members wanted to request from the General Assembly in Richmond, the authority to tax admissions to public events.  This started out in our board meeting discussion as any event - (movies, football games, - anything that charges an admission fee).  It then turned into a tax on events of greater than 1,500 in admission. 

I'm not sure if this was an early baseball stadium initiative - but regardless - if taxing authority is given - it will eventually be used and in one case - the Dominion Raceway - I'm sure a tax was not in their business plan and one of the reasons they moved to Spotsylvania County.  This was a 4 / 3 vote - that did not pass - which shows how close our current board membership is the direction our County is to go on taxes. 

This would NOT be an additional source of revenue to the County - but the same source - our Residents - it would have simply been an additional way to tax our Residents.  I am proud of my voting record and this is another example of my record on keeping taxes low.  You can read full story in FLS by clicking here - and I've posted story below. 

paid for and authorized by Ross4Courtland