By MIKE SAEWITZ
The Virginian-Pilot
CHESAPEAKE - Citizens for Fair Real Estate Tax had a surprising effect last year on city government.
One of its rallies brought nearly 400 people to City Hall in April, and three City Council incumbents lost bids for re-election a week later. The council then agreed to a bigger-than-expected slash to the property tax rate.
Now the grass-roots organization is trying to become a more established force in another push to hold down property taxes.
At a meeting Monday night, the group discussed nominating officers and splitting into committees. As budget season approaches, it plans to flood City Council members with letters and e-mails, raise money and put together an organized media campaign.
The goal is to gather an army of 9,000 supporters, enough to elect a tax-conscious candidate to the City Council, said one of the group's leaders, former City Councilman Gene Waters.
More than 50 people enlisted in the fight against rising property taxes Monday at the Major Hillard Library.
Attendees included Doug Coffield, a retired iron worker. Coffield said he paid $9,500 for his home in 1966, and now a property assessor said it is worth $149,000.
The Chesapeake tax rate is $1.09 per $100 of assessed value.
"I'm in the same boat as a lot of people," Coffield said. "I'm going to have to move."
T he City Council cut the property tax rate to combat growing frustration over residential property values that had climbed an average of 28 percent in 2006.
This year, homeowners saw their assessments rise an average of 10.2 percent. Acting City Manager Anne Odell would not discuss this year's tax rate but a possible rate could be revealed today as the city discusses its proposed budget.
Citizens for Fair Real Estate Tax is trying to gain momentum for an ordinance that would require real estate taxes to be tied to cost-of-living adjustment and not just property assessments.
"If anyone says we can't change the current system, then they're not telling you the truth," Waters said.
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TIF, Spend and Build
TIF: Tax Increment Financing. Plan English, there are 2 TIF districts in Ches. SoNo & Greenbrier. In those districts all of the Property Tax Revenues go to particular projects, in the TIF districts! Now, with that being the case, those Revenues are not going into the General Budget. Therefore, no monies for schools, roads, public services! According to the Economic Development website & Va law, a TIF, Is not to be used to fund private development projects ! Folks, something is wrong with this picture ? We are facing the same in Great Bridge. This GB Village District is going before Planning Commission 4-11-07. If a TIF is passed, all of GB will be paying for Condo`s, shops, more traffic, overcrowded schools & our tax dollars are going to fund private projects. I would like to know, who benefits from this? Is somebody`s pocket book getting fat off this ! Does our City Leaders have special interest in Development? Where is the accountability with City Council ? Shame on you!
Bravo
Join Us! Its your City Its your taxes.
Come on citizens of Hampton Roads…. Get involved in our local government. Only 20% of registered voters go to polls during local elections while 80% participate in Presidential elections. And, you pay more taxes locally than you do to the IRS. Our country was formed on revolt! Its time we fix our broken property tax system. Citizens in California, Florida and other states did!!! Why can't we. Local elected City Council members can lower the property tax rate based primarily on the national Cost of Living Adjustment which was at 3.3 % last year. The current system of using property assessments is grossly unfair and broken. Chesapeake Citizens for Fair Real Estate Tax, Norfolk Tea Party, the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance and others are making a difference!! Join us; it is your family's future we are fighting for!!! Call me; I'm in the phone book!