Chesapeake School Board told it will need to cut $2 million from budget

Ther's an ole saying "Champange Taste and a Beer Pocketbook", that is exactly what is afflicting our City Council. Of course developers are going to say, if we reduce the property taxes that our city will fall apart. They are saying that, because they want to keep making money. If we focus spending on the core essential needs of our city and limit non essential projects to one every two years, we can relieve the citizens of Chesapeake of heavy taxation. Why do you think the developers give so much in campaign donations to a certain candidate for City Council? Simply to be OWED a favor. If we CLEAN SWEEP CITY HALL in May and vote for people who are not enticed by developer money, we can have a City Council, that actually works for citizens. Let's not fall for the same gloom & doom picture that is painted by developers,business interest groups and everyone else who opposes tax reduction. We all know taxes are needed for our city to thrive, were just asking for a FAIR amount to be levied upon us. One that we can afford to live with.

The city of Chesapeake’s appetite for our money is out of control. They have their hand in one pocket, with the state of VA’s hand in the other. It’s hard to understand why they do not have enough funding for schools or other NECESSARY programs. My property taxes went up again another $400.00 this year like most of my Chesapeake citizens. Since moving from VABEACH in 2001, the taxes have more than doubled. When do they get enough! Why are new subdivisions being approved for construction when they are so many houses currently for sale in Chesapeake? Tax revenue! It’s simple economics of supply and demand. Housing prices will soon be dropping like a rock and the net result will less for the city coffers. CITY OF CHESAPEAKE GET A CLUE!

There are some important facts that are badly needed in reference to misinformation and the way this article is being projected. First of all, the Chesapeake School System is not receiving a CUT. They are being told by the City Manager that the City is budgeting $2 million less than what they requested. Still, a large increase over last year’s budget! Secondly, the Homestead Act legislation does not mandate that localities reduce Property Tax by 20%. It is ONLY a tool. Local governments would need to pass ordinances or policies by majority vote to enable use of the Homestead Act which would require public hearings! Taxpayer organizations throughout Hampton Roads have been fighting for a FAIR real estate tax increase based on Cost of Living. Most citizens can live with 2.3% increase (last year’s COLA), Not 25 to 50% as in the last 4 years! The Homestead Act is in response to thousands of citizens requests to limit property tax to reasonable and FAIR increases and won’t be used to CUT any revenue.

Sounds like money is being mismanaged to me. Especially since property values and taxes have soared in recent years.Where is all that increased city revenue going? Last year Chesapeake City council was willing to build a multi-million dollar bike trail!

Of course, these minor budget adjustments are just a glimpse of what is to come if the Homestead Exemption is passed by the General Assembly, voted on and passed at Referendum, and implemented by city council. If that occurs, these adjustments will be washed away as the School Board deals with the potential of a 10% cut, not less of an increase than last year. If you think a few layoffs are all that will occur in that scenario, you are sadly mistaken. We are talking about school closures, large reductions in force, and cancellation of construction and equipment projects. Now all of that and more on the city side will be necessary to cope with the 20% reduction in the size of the residential tax base. I refer here just to education, but the same will occur in public safety, courts and justice, human services, and transportation. But homeowners will receive a tax break. Isn't that wonderful?

Of course, these minor budget adjustments are just a glimpse of what is to come if the Homestead Exemption is passed by the General Assembly, voted on and passed at Referendum, and implemented by city council. If that occurs, these adjustments will be washed away as the School Board deals with the potential of a 10% cut, not less of an increase than last year. If you think a few layoffs are all that will occur in that scenario, you are sadly mistaken. We are talking about school closures, large reductions in force, and cancellation of construction and equipment projects. Now all of that and more on the city side will be necessary to cope with the 20% reduction in the size of the residential tax base. I refer here just to education, but the same will occur in public safety, courts and justice, human services, and transportation. But homeowners will receive a tax break. Isn't that wonderful.

Of course, these minor budget adjustments are just a glimpse of what is to come if the Homestead Exemption is passed by the General Assembly, voted on and passed at Referendum, and implemented by city council. If that occurs, these adjustments will be washed away as the School Board deals with the potential of a 10% cut, not less of an increase than last year. If you think a few layoffs are all that will occur in that scenario, you are sadly mistaken. We are talking about school closures, large reductions in force, and cancellation of construction and equipment projects. Now all of that and more on the city side will be necessary to cope with the 20% reduction in the size of the residential tax base. I refer here just to education, but the same will occur in public safety, courts and justice, human services, and transportation. But homeowners will receive a tax break. Isn't that wonderful.