Double digit real estate assessment increases are coming; supervisors will decide how much more you pay
Good morning! Also today, home sales and prices are up again, York County announces a curbside recycling contract, and free bus rides on election day.
Based on this year’s real estate sales -- which we report on further down—James City and York County homeowners are on track to see double digit increases in their real estate assessments next year. How much their payments go up depends on the what the boards of supervisors decide on tax rates.
York County District 5 representative Thomas G. Shepperd Jr. told his constituents in his newsletter that the county’s assessments will likely go up between 10-12%. He told us the county receives regular updates on assessments throughout the year, and homeowners will receive their new assessments by the end of December.
James City County Administrator Scott Stevens said county officials have also received estimates of how assessments are going from their real estate team but did not tell us how much they were. James City County’s assessment will be completed in January.
Williamsburg’s next assessment comes out in March of 2026. City homeowners can get an update on their property at its online assessment website.
Real estate assessment values, multiplied by the applicable tax rate, will determine residents’ tax bills next year.
York lowered its real estate tax rate three times since 2022 to offset the impact of higher home prices. But county supervisors approved a tax rate hike this year, saying the money was needed to give employee raises and fund schools.
York’s current tax rate of 78 cents per $100 in value is the third lowest in Hampton Roads, behind Williamsburg at 62 cents and Isle of Wight County at 73 cents. James City’s rate is 83 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Shepperd noted the board of supervisors conducts several public hearings and public meetings before adopting its annual budget, which will determine what will happen to the tax rate.
Home sales, prices jump in our area
Editor’s Note, We used Chat GPT to analyze the sales data
Home sales, and home prices, soared in the Historic Triangle last month, with James City County leading in both categories, the Virginia Realtors reported. Local officials will have to determine if that means higher tax payments for homeowners next year.
The increase was part of a statewide increase in both home sales and listings, reflecting several months of growing activity in home sales, according to the Realtors’ group.
James City County led the Historic Triangle in median sales price last month, at $535,000, which was up 16.3% from a year ago. Median means half the prices were below that number, and half above.
The county also saw a jump of 25.5% in home sales from last year, also the highest in the region.
York County showed the lowest price increase – 2.3% -- at $435,000. York home sales increased 14.1% in September versus the prior year.
Williamsburg median sales prices were up 5% to $380,000 from September 2024. The city saw a 16.7% jump in sales prices from a year ago.
“Slightly lower mortgage rates have encouraged more rate-sensitive buyers to enter the market, while higher inventory is giving more options for those looking to purchase,” says Virginia REALTORS® 2025 President Lorraine Arora.
The median days on market was 20 days across the state, increasing from 14 days last September, the group added.
Free bus rides on election day
Local bus riders will travel free on Election Day to help voters using public transportation, the Williamsburg Area Transportation Authority announced.
WATA prepared a list of bus stops that are closest to polling locations in its service area.
York County selects curbside recycling firm
York County announced it will sign a contract to re-establish curbside recycling next year with Republic Services but did not say how much it will cost.
Republic has been the county’s curbside trash collector for nearly 30 years.
A county press release said Republic was selected to provide both services following a competitive bid process. Supervisors are expected to formally approve the contract at their Nov. 18 meeting.
York, James City, Williamsburg and Poquoson were all impacted when the Virginia Peninsula’s Public Service Authority abruptly terminated its contract with TFC, claiming various long-standing issues.
York County is paying Republic an extra $5 per month to pick up recycling and dump it as trash until the new contract takes effect. The county did not say how much the new service will cost. Williamsburg turned to Republic to handle recycling, and Poquoson signed an emergency agreement with TFC to provide service.
James City County also signed an emergency agreement with TFC to continue curbside recycling until January. County supervisors are to discuss next steps at their regular meeting next week.
York County will stop picking up curbside recycling containers Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, the county said. The county will provide a new biweekly collection schedule before the service renews Jan. 1.
State headlines
House Speaker calls Virginia lawmakers back to Richmond as possible redistricting fight brews
Youngkin declares state of emergency over shutdown
Passings
Lynn Hook Hayden, 97, Oct. 20.
Suzanne Mayo Burgoon, 86, Oct. 20.
Kathleen Gildea Ayres, 80, Oct. 18.
The current JCC Supervisors have a history of taking the assessment increase as a windfall and finding things to spend it on. 21% tax increase last cycle. 10% the cycle before. They have projected in their latest budget 10% each cycle going forward. JCC needs a cap on property tax increases. Social Security Cost of Living increase for 2026 is 2.8%. That should be the limit for raises and tax increases.