Tax-relief Rate Gets Okay: Board Approves New Change for Elderly, Disabled
By: Jennifer Buske
The Stafford County Sun
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to make changes to the county’s current tax relief program for the elderly and disabled.
The board voted 6-1 to raise the maximum amount of relief as resident can receive from $2,000 to $3,000. Supervisor Paul Milde R-Aquia, cast the dissenting vote.
According to Scott Mayausky, Stafford’s commissioner of revenue, in 2006 the board dropped the cap from $3,500 to $2,000. Toward the end of last years, however, supercisors began to debate whether this was an appropriate rate.
“We made a lot of progress to even get it to this point but I will still vote against it,” Milde said Tuesday, adding that if the rate was $3,500 it would only impact county revenue by about $8,000. “I want it to go back to where it used to be.”
Supervisor Joe Brito, I-Hartwood, however, argued that by keeping the rate lower, the county can help more individuals in need.
“The impact this year might be $8,000 but if the estate tax is raised, that number might change,” Brito said. “We need to look at this long term so we can help more people down the road.”
At the new $3,000 rate, Stafford officials estimate the county will lose about $65,000 in revenue annually.
According to Mayausky, tax relief for the elderly and disabled in Virginia is based on residents’ income and net worth, the latter representing a person’s total assets minus the value of their home and up to 20 acres of land. Mayausky said, for example, someone could have a million-dollar home and potentially still qualify for tax relief.
To qualify for 100 percent relief in Stafford, residents must be 65 and older or totally disabled, have a net worth not exceeding $300,000 and have a total household income under $35,000, Mayausky said, adding that the income measure includes stocks, bonds and other investments.
To qualify for 50 percent relief, the age and disability requirements remain. Applicants, however, must have a net worth not exceeding $200,000 and a total household income between $35,001 and $40,000, or have a net worth not exceeding $400,000 and a total household income of $30,000 or less.
During the Feb. 5 meeting, commissioners also discussed reviving the transportation commission, creating an ordinance to address occupancy numbers in houses and building a future recreational center in Stafford.
Although the supervisors dissolved the transportation commission last month and passed the group’s duties to the county’s planning commission. Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer, R-Garrisonville, asked the board to reevaluate the situation.
“I think we left the public out when we made the decision to abolish it and I think we aced in haste,” he said. “I believe we need to reconstitute the commission.”
Dudenhefer, along with Supervisor Cord Sterling, R-Rock Hill, said they have received numerous calls from concerned citizens who want to see the commission put back into place.
“The public feels that transportation is the number one issue in Stafford, so to say it’s related to land use and send it to the planning commission is a huge slap in the face,” Dudenhefer said.
The board voted 4-3 to form a special committee to re-evaluate the need for transportation commission. Supervisors Brito, George Schwartz, D-Falmouth, and Bob Woodson, D-Griffis Widewater, cast the dissenting votes.
The board also discussed drafting an ordinance that would limit the number of people living in a household.
“We have nothing that protects us against abusive neighbors who pack 40 people into one house, “Dudenhefer said. “At some point we need to protext the property values of residents.”
Stafford resident Korry Power said she is already experiencing an issue in her North Hampton neighborhood.
“I have a problem with multiple people living in a house in my neighborhood,” she said. “They either come and go or stay the night, but now I feel unsafe in my own community. This is creating a less desirable community and will make it more difficult to sell my house.”
The board voted to have Stafford officials draft an ordinance regarding number of people allowed per dwelling. Once completed, there will be a public hearing on the issue before anything in finalized.
Also during the meeting, the board discussed the possibility of bring a community center to Stafford.
A representative from Shiloh Community Services Corporation – a non-profit organization – spoke to supervisors stating that if the county donated the land, they would partner with other groups to pay for and build a facility in Stafford.
“We aren’t asking for money, but land usage,” said George Quick, president of the organization. “What we try to do is then build a rec center for the whole community.
According to county documents, the potential facility would include elderly and child care, computer labs, gymnastics and self defense classes, games and more
After discussing the facility however, board members debated as to what organization should take a better look at the proposal. The board ended up voting 5-2 to send it to the parks and recreation department for further evaluation.
Dudenhefer and Milde cast the dissenting votes, claiming this proposal would be better fit for county “staff”.
“Sending this to parks and rec makes no sense,” Milde said. “Staff knows more than anyone where this should go.”