It's budget, taxes week for James City County and Williamsburg
It's May 26. We'll take a look at the taxes and budgets being considered locally. Also, first area Pride festival set for June 27.
James City County and Williamsburg are set to vote on their budgets this week, including new meals and admissions taxes in the county.
In the agenda published for today’s meeting, James City County supervisors will review a budget appropriation that lowers the real estate tax rate from 83 cents to 80 cents per $100 in assessed value, with an additional two-cent tax credit provided on the first year’s tax bills. The changes are designed to offset part of the average 11.3% increase in real estate appraisals this year.
Supervisors will review details of the county’s proposed $413 million budget at their business meeting this afternoon starting at 1 p.m.
They will also look at approving a 50% increase in the county’s meal tax, to 6%, and imposing a 6% admissions tax on movie theaters and Busch Gardens starting July 1, according to the agenda.
Williamsburg and York County have already raised their meals taxes, to 6.25% and 6%, and York County is looking at imposing its own admissions tax. Restaurant owners have protested the tax increases, saying it is cutting local spending at their establishments and leading to smaller tips for their servers.
The supervisors will also vote on a resolution authorizing the Economic Development Authority to issue up to $222.3 million in revenue bonds to pay for the new government center and library annex, as well as a new community park and capital projects for the Williamsburg-James City County schools.
Financing the debt through the EDA allows the county to avoid a public bond referendum. EDA repays the bonds by charging a lease to the county to use the buildings.
Williamsburg City Council has a specially called meeting for Wednesday to approve the city’s $121 million budget, which will keep the real estate tax rate at 62 cents per $100 in assessed value.
Based on public input, the city trimmed new hires in half, but their agenda shows the number of city employees will grow to a full-time equivalent of 248 employees.
The proposed budget also would re-appropriate $361,555 that was provided to buy fixtures and equipment for the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center to fund the city’s share of design work for a live performance venue.
First local Pride festival scheduled June 27
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