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SunGazette
VOLUME 36 NO. 29
G R E AT FA L L S • M c L E A N • O A K T O N • T Y S O N S • V I E N N A
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MARCH 12, 2015
Homeowners Will Dig Deeper to Pay the Tax Man Combination of Higher Assessments, Increased Stormwater Rate Will Send Typical Payment Up $200 BRIAN TROMPETER
WINTER’S LAST STAND
Staff Writer
Lara and VIcky Piffaretti of McLean enjoyed last week’s late-in-the-season snowstorm March 6 by sledding on a snow-covered hill near Kirby Road and Great Falls Street. While Old Man Winter hung around longer than many might have wanted, it appears spring is on the horizon across PHOTO BY BRIAN TROMPETER the local area.
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Following pleas for more revenue and one dissenting vote, the Board of Supervisors on March 3 voted to advertise a 2015 real estate tax rate of $1.09 per $100 assessed value – the same as the county charged last year. But because of higher assessments and an increase in the county’s stormwater-management tax rate, homeowners would pay an average of $201.56 more. The Sun Gazette adds the county’s stormwater tax into the equation because it is paid by all property owners and based on their assessments. County officials have proposed increasing that tax by a quarter-penny this year to 2.5 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Doing so would raise the combined real estate and stormwater tax rate to $1.115 per $100 valuation. County officials estimate an average $184.81 boost in residential real estate tax bills is based on average assessment increases from $500,146 in 2014 to $517,101 this year. But including both real estate and stormwater taxes, homeowners on average paid $5,564.12 in 2014 and would pay $5,765.68 this year – an increase of $201.56. Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D) said not advertising a higher real estate tax rate was the responsible choice, given the local economy’s straitened conditions. Supervisor Patrick Herrity (R-Springfield) went further, casting the lone vote against the advertised rate. Even if supervisors held the real estate tax rate steady, homeowners would pay about 16.5 percent more than three years ago, he said. “Going with a higher rate, on top of increased assessments, would be a wallop to our homeowners,” he said. Residential property assessments rose an average of 3.39 percent this year. By contrast, commercial property owners saw average assessment decreases
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