The Week in Review
Good morning! Here are the top stories we covered for you this week.
Monday, Jan. 5:
What Will Government Cost You This Year?
Local governments awake from holiday slumber this week to lay plans for their new budgets. We’ll look at how much it may cost you. Meals and admissions taxes are on the calendar this week in Williamsburg… the Williamsburg-James City County school board starts gaming out its new budget… and real estate appraisals are expected to increase by double digits, on average, in James City County and York County.
Besides covering inflation and construction projects, keeping staff compensation competitive remains a constant theme of budgeting exercises for local government. York County says it will cost $8 million this year to make staff pay competitive in the local market.
And as always, uncertainty about federal and state budgeting impacts local planning. Over the next few months local governments will flesh out plans for next year’s fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Tuesday, Jan. 6:
Bus Ridership Growing, but Needs More Frequency, Regional System Head Says
The regional bus authority reached a post-Covid high of 1.5 million riders last year and will increase frequency to be a more convenient option, Williamsburg City Council was told Monday.
“We need to be more convenient” to grow ridership further, Matthew Scalia, executive director of the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, told the council’s work session.
Wednesday, Jan. 7:
Not Making the Grade: Two W-JCC Elementary Schools Rated Off Track by State
Two elementary schools in the Williamsburg-James City County school system — James River and Matthew Whaley — did not meet the state department of education’s new performance standards, school board members learned Tuesday night.
School Superintendent Daniel Keever said the designations last month surprised him, but said remediation plans were already in place to improve student results.
The other 14 schools in the system were designated as being on track, with Jamestown High School earning the “Distinguished” designator.
Thursday, Jan. 8:
Area Legislators Talk Taxes, Healthcare and Education at Chamber Conclave
The area’s state legislators met with local business leaders Wednesday to share their thoughts on topics ranging from minimum wage to education, health care and business regulations.
All five — two incumbent Republican senators and three newly elected Democratic delegates — said they believed in working across party lines to get things done, though they differed on how to get there.
Friday, Jan. 9:
Williamsburg Passes Meals, Lodging and Admissions Tax Increases
Williamsburg City Council voted to raise the meals tax, lodging tax and add an admissions tax, moves expected to increase local revenue but which drew concerns from some community members about impacts on businesses and tourism.
City officials said the tax adjustments are needed to support infrastructure improvements, public services and community programming, while some restaurateurs and hoteliers warned higher taxes could dampen demand.
Council members said revenue from the changes will be directed to targeted projects and that the tax package reflects long-term fiscal planning.
What will government cost me this year? Too much! I have lots of trees on my lot, but none of them are money trees!