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Councilwoman Woodbury indicated the Commissioner of the Revenue (COR) should be aware that the
City had not adopted an operating budget to-date, and unsure why it would be too late to recommend
a reduction in the personal property tax rate. City Attorney Owens replied that the Commissioner of
the Revenue’s work on personal property tax rate was assessed on a calendar year basis. The bills for
the first half of the year were set to be mailed out within the next three weeks. He reminded that in
previous years, the request would have been made in March, which afforded the COR the opportunity
to make the appropriate adjustments prior to the deadline for the June mail out. Councilwoman
Woodbury questioned whether the personal property tax rate could be adjusted prior to the
December billing. City Attorney Owen replied yes, for one half year. Moving forward, Councilwoman
Woodbury indicated she wanted to communicate that the City should to do this earlier in the year in
order to give all citizens some relief (both real estate and non-property owners).
Mayor Jones concurred, and suggested that City Council review the personal property tax rate in
October with the COR. He reminded that Newport News had the third highest real estate tax rate,
while other localities were decreasing their rates. Councilwoman Vick indicated, while reviewing the
taxes, the playing field needed to be leveled and questioned what resources other localities were
providing with its tax dollars. She shared that the City of Virginia Beach taxes may be low due to the
tourism base dollars which generated greater revenue. She reminded that York County used some of
the Newport News’ services. Ms. Cipriano replied yes, we support street paving, while the counties
were supported by the State for street paving. Councilwoman Vick reminded that York County and
the City of Williamsburg may have lower tax rates, but their housing prices were much higher than
Newport News. She indicated other localities did not have as much public housing as Newport News.
Newport News offered numerous services and resources. There needed to be a comprehensive review
of not only the tax rate but what needed to be done in the City. She reminded there were a number
of schools that needed to be built, which took money that could not be generated in one year. She
reiterated that the City needed to review not only the tax rate but the burdens of upcoming projects
over the next 10 – 20 years. Councilwoman Vick did not support the tax rate reduction at this time as
there were a number of future projects and she did not wish to see a yoyo tax effect, meaning to lower
the rate now, only to increase it the next year.
Councilwoman Woodbury expressed that she was in favor of a reduction of taxes. She received calls
from citizens that were 90 years old, living in a single family home, on a fixed income. She indicated
the real estate taxes was extremely high and difficult for those individuals to pay. Councilwoman
Woodbury wished there was a program or resource that could be recommended to assist those in
need.
Councilman Harris reminded that years prior there was tax relief, deferral, exemptions, and abatement
programs available for the elderly, handicapped/disabled veteran, and others. The City needed to
revisit those programs to ensure that those who qualified could receive assistance. He agreed with
Councilwoman Vick, with all of the programs and projects that needed to be funded, the potential for
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