Augusta County against assessment "burden of proof" bill?

Augusta County had a representative in Richmond last week arguing against the "burden of proof" bill that would make assessors prove land's increased value instead of leaving that burden of proof on citizens.

To have an Augusta County public servant testifying in Richmond is interesting considering over 10,000 Augusta County citizens signed petitions against the county to protest the odious 2009 real estate assessments, and 1,000 citizens turned out for a Board of Supervisors meeting.

Augusta citizens feel their elected representatives are not listening to them. Perhaps this type of action has something to do with that.

Del. Sal Iaquinto's "burden of proof" bill, HB 570, was introduced and passed in the House but ran into a brick wall in the Senate. Tertium Quids' Norm Leahy testified on behalf of the bill this past week:

Del. Sal Iaquinto's tax assessment burden of proof bill, HB 570, was on the agenda and I was there to speak on its behalf. Beforehand, I spoke with the Delegate regarding the bill's prospects before the committee. He said it looked like the lobbyists for Virginia's counties and cities has done a thorough job of tilting the Democrats, at least, against it.

And sure enough, when it came time to speak on the bill, VaCo and the VML announced their opposition, as did a handful of tax collectors from Fairfax, Prince William and Augusta counties.

They all believe the current system -- which puts the burden on taxpayers to show that a property assessment is in error -- is working great.

They also seem fine with the idea that, as Iaquinto pointed out, the substantial proof taxpayers must show in a challenge is slightly below the burden of proof required for criminal cases.

So yes, Virginia, the taxman assumes you're guilty, unless you can prove otherwise.

What I found interesting was that Augusta County was even there after the assessment battle of the past year. But here's the kicker from Norm:

And it was amusing to find so many local government employees lobbying on this bill as opposed to doing their jobs back home. But it seems they found their time was better used arguing against taxpayers. [emphasis added]

The bill was defeated 9-5. Thanks, tax collector from Augusta County, whomever you were.

DJ took note that Augusta County was there.

Cross-posted at Virginia Virtucon