Taxes remain the same in Fredericksburg, $0.02 hike in Spotsylvania

The City of Fredericksburg seems poised to keep the tax rates the same, barring the change in the property tax value once the reassessments are in. Once the new assessments come in, by law localities cannot use a reassessment as a tax increase, so our current $1.13 per $100 of value will change to something ridiculously low (like $0.40something in Winchester).

Spotsylvania County on the other hand is facing yet another tax hike, this time on the order of two cents, bringing the total tax rate to $1.03 per $100. Supervisors Benny Pitts and Emmit Marshall naturally led the charge for an even higher rate:

Supervisor Benjamin Pitts encouraged his colleagues to advertise the $1.06 rate recommended by County Administrator Anthony Barrett. He said it would be premature to limit the board to a lower rate before hearing public comment and identifying where cuts could be made.

Supervisor Emmitt Marshall partially agreed with Pitts.

“I believe we can meet our obligations here in the county with a rate lower than $1.06,” he said. “But in advertising the tax rate, we should have a little wiggle room.”

Marshall offered the substitute motion to advertise the $1.03 rate. It passed 5-2, with Pitts and Supervisor Gary Jackson voting no.