What will you pay? First pass at James City County budget and tax rate comes out Friday

It's Monday, March 23. James City County's proposed new budget will be unveiled Friday. Beer fest raising money for nonprofits. County man charged with attempted murder of his wife.

James City County Administrator Scott Stevens will unveil a proposed budget Friday that may determine how much county residents pay in real estate taxes.

Home values have risen in double digits for the past three years, increasing homeowners’ bills correspondingly. Although the tax rate remains unchanged at 83 cents per $100 of assessed value, an increase in assessed value leads to larger tax bills.

County taxpayers saw their average tax bill increase 21% over the last two years. New assessments that went out in February increased assessments another 11.84%, on average. The actual increase varies by home type and local sales history.

Williamsburg Watch has heard from taxpayers whose assessed value increased by more than 30%.

At their Feb. 24 business meeting, the board of supervisors asked Stevens to provide a budget proposal that could accommodate a lower tax rate. Stevens will make that budget public Friday.

Jamestown District representative Jim Icenhour said he’d like to see a revenue n…