Board

The financial surplus will be applied to taxpayers’ June real estate bills in the form of the 2 cent rebate if approved.

A little over a dozen people spoke April 5 over the course of two public hearings. While there were a few speakers who asked the board to pass its budget as proposed, the majority of the citizens asked the board for relief in the face of high inflation and staggering reassessment figures.

The FY2024 proposed all funds budget total is $679 million, which is up $64.3 million or 10.5% over the prior year, Shelly Wright, director of the budget division, recapped for the board before the public hearings.

Another key figure she outlined was the proposed real estate tax rate of 81 cents. Huge jumps in 2023 real estate assessments (Hanover’s total assessment increase is 11.6%) mean the county’s equalized tax rate – the tax rate Hanover County needs to create the same amount of revenue as the previous year – would be 73 cents per $100 of assessed value for 2023. That means 81 cents, while unchanged from last year, represents an effective tax increase of 8 cents or 9.9%.

However, among the votes the board is expected to take Wednesday is a proposed 2 cent rebate off the 2023 real estate property bills that will only be seen on the June bill. This would make the effective tax rate 79 cents.

Wright highlighted that the tax rate has remained the same since 2007 despite both highs and lows in changes in reassessments.

“The county could have equalized the tax rate every year, up or down, but 1% growth in real property revenue cannot sustain the community’s needs in the areas of education, public safety and infrastructure alone,” she said.

Wright also pointed out that the county is investing those dollars in projects such as new schools, public safety, public works and public utilities.

The board is also expected to pass a five-year CIP worth more than $593 million. The FY2024 portion of the total amount is $150 million, with almost half of that dedicated to the school improvements fund.

Of those who spoke in favor of the board passing the budget and tax rates as proposed one speaker was focused on fulling funding the Community Services Board and a few others on supporting the school division’s budget, particularly the proposed 7% raises.

On the flip side, a recurring theme among speakers in support of lowering the tax rate and budget total was the huge increases they saw in their reassessments, with several of them citing jumps of 20% or more –and one lady saying hers went up 28%. Speakers talked about the incredible strains of facing these increases while living on fixed incomes; seeing their assessments go up without any commensurate increases in services such as good roads in their areas or broadband access; and feeling the county wasn’t being responsible to the taxpayers.

The board thanked the citizens who spoke during the public hearings for their input as well as all who have shared their thoughts at previous meetings, in person and via email.

Upcoming Programs At Mechanicsville Libraries

Atlee Branch Library

Call 804-559-0654 or visit the library at 9212 Rutlandshire Drive for more information.

Mother Goose s tory time at the atlee Branch l ibrary. Tuesdays, a pril 12, 19 and 26, 10:30 — 11 a.m. Mother Goose is a storytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers. Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

Toddler s tory time at the a tlee Branch l ibr ary. Wednesdays, a pril 12, 19 and 26, 11 to 11:30 a.m. e njoy a story time of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers.

atlee Book Group at the atlee Branch library, Wednesday, april 12, 11 a.m. – noon. Join us inperson or on Zoom for a lively book discussion. We will be reading “The d evil in the White City” by e rik l ar son. you can pick up a copy of the book at the atlee Branch l ibrary Circulation d esk while supplies last. registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/9742335.

This program is presented in-person and hosted virtually through Zoom. The meeting link will be sent to the email registered one day before the event occurs. if you don’t receive your reminder email, please contact the library. s upport n esting Birds in your Backyard at the a tlee Branch l ibrary, Wednesday, a pril 12, 7 — 8:30 p.m. learn the dos and don’ts to support nesting birds in your yard, including what native plants to grow to make an oasis for avians.

pJ storytime (virtual program), Thursday, april 13, 7 — 7:30 p.m. ages: 0-7. Get ready for bedtime with pJ storytime. songs, rhymes and bedtime stories. registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/9743459.

This program is hosted virtually through Zoom. The Zoom meeting link will be sent to the email registered before the event occurs. Contact the a tlee Branch if you do not receive this email.

Chickahominy Colored p encil a rtists at the a tlee Branch l ibrary , Friday, a pril 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. a ges 18 and up. Join the Chickahominy Colored p encil a r tists at a monthly meeting to share ideas, techniques and skills in using colored pencils. Bring your own individual supplies and projects and enjoy a time to sketch and make new friends. This is not an instructional class.

p reschool s to rytime at the atlee Branch l ibrary, Mondays, a pril 17 and 24, 10:30 — 11 a.m. e njoy a storytime of books, music, and fun for preschoolers 3-5 years old and their caregivers. atlee Bridge Group at the atlee Branch library. Tuesdays, april 18 and 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ages 18 and up. every Tuesday the atlee Bridge Group meets to play s ocial rubber Bridge. all levels welcome, from beginner to expert.

Fun and Games at the a tlee Branch library, Wednesday, april 19, 1 – 4 p.m. a ges 18 and up. Meet up with friends and have a great time with card and board games.

Hula dancing Class at the atlee Branch library, Wednesday, april 19, 10:30 a.m. – noon. a ges 18 and up. Join us to exercise your brain and body as you learn about hula dancing and culture at the atlee Branch l ibrary.

page Turners Book Club at the atlee Branch l ibrary, Thursday, a pril 20, 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. ages 18 and up. Join us for an in-person, lively book discussion! Contact the library for title and author information. you can place the book on hold and pick it up at the atlee Branch library. new members always welcome! atlee a nime C lub at the atlee Branch l ibrary, Thursday, a pril 20, 7:30 — 8:30 p. m. a ge s 1218. Join the atlee l ibrary a nime Club! Meet teens with similar interests and watch cool shows.

Book Club for Kids at the atlee Branch l ibrary, Friday, a pril 21, 4 — 5 p.m. For ages 8-12. Join the atlee Kids’ Book Club! registration required at https:// pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/9743500. poetry on the patio at the atlee Branch l ibrary, Friday, a pril 28, 4 — 5 p.m. Celebrate n ational p oetry Month with an open mic poetry slam on the atlee library patio. Bring a poem of your own choosing or select one from a group provided by library staff and prepare to captivate the crowd with your prose. n o experience necessary. p oetry lovers and listener s of all ages are welcome. stress Management seminar at the atlee Branch l ibrary, s aturday, april 29, 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. a ges 13 – a dults. e n gage in a workshop to help alleviate stress. Categorize your stressors into groups to understand the “why” behind your anxieties. d iscover different ways to increase your well-being. a nd find meaningful strategies to live your life better! presented by afreen Gootee of Thoughtful Minds Consulting. at the atlee Branch for ages as young as 13 years old up through adults! registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/10500787.

Mechanicsville Branch Library

Call 804-746-9615 or visit the library at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place for more information. p reschool s to rytime at the Mechanicsville Branch l ibrary, Thursday, a pril 13, 20 and 27, 10:30 — 11 a.m. enjoy books, music, fingerplays, and much more at preschool storytime! For ages 3-5 with a caregiver. s cience s aturday at the Mechanicsville Branch library, saturday, a pril 15, 10 a.m. — noon. a ll ages welcome! Calling all future scientists! discover the wonders of science as professors from J. s argeant reynolds Community College lead you through hands-on demos.

Hula d ancing C lass at the Mechanicsville Branch l ibrary, a dult s torytime at the Mechanicsville Branch l ibrary, Friday, april 28, 10:45 — 11:45 a.m., ages 18 and up. you’re never too old to listen to a good story. if you are, or are the caregiver of, an adult who would enjoy the lively reading of picture books and lighthearted stories, please join us for adult story time! introduction to Genealogy databases at the Mechanicsville Branch l ibrary, s aturday, a pril 29, 10:30 a.m. – noon. a ges 18 and up. i nterested in genealogy but don’t know where to start? submitted by Carolyn Garner, adult public services coordinator.

Mondays, a pril 17 and 24, 10:30 a.m. – noon. ages 16 and up. exercise your body and brain as you learn about hula dancing and culture at the library. Wear clothing you can dance in easily!

Mother Goose s tory time at the Mechanicsville Branch l ibrary. Tuesdays, april 18 and 25, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Mother Goose is a storytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers. Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

Toddler story time at the Mechanicsville Branch l ibrary.

Tuesday, a pril 18 and 25, 11 to 11:30 a.m. e njoy a story time of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers. s enior Bingo at the Mechanicsville Branch l ibrary, Wednesday, april 26, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. ages 55 and up. n eed to get out and do something that’s both fun and relaxing? s top by the library for a game of themed Bingo for s eniors! p resented by s hanna Beaumont, Membership Growth Consultant at JenCare senior Medical Center.

Join us for a brief introduction to pamunkey regi onal l ib rary’s genealogy databases: a ncestry l ibrary e dition and HeritageQuest! registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/9726204.