tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22304160.post3622290714061166524..comments2023-10-22T03:49:25.379-04:00Comments on SWAC Girl: NV: "Augusta needs lower tax rate"Lynn R. Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16813272456690971177noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22304160.post-77259273793171585752009-01-28T16:13:00.000-05:002009-01-28T16:13:00.000-05:00Many residents of the county will get unrealistic ...Many residents of the county will get unrealistic tax assessment increases. As a Realtor, I have witnessed a downturn in real estate prices in Augusta County & the two cities. Myself and approximately 10 other Realtors met with the Board of Assessors & the owner of Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal in an open meeting a few months ago regarding the downturn in the market and the pending re-assessments. Both the county & Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal were very diligent in appraising within the values of the properties. They even delayed the re-assessments by 3 months to watch the direction of the real estate market. There will be some exceptions and those property owners should hire a professional appraiser and consult with the county to get their assessments adjusted. <BR/><BR/>In regard to lowering the tax rate, I think the Board of Supervisors needs to think long and hard. Personnel at the county and residents of the county, both, fuss about the growth we are experiencing and if the tax rate is lowered it will only encourage more people to settle in this area. Our tax base is extremely lower than the majority of the states and localities to the north of us. As a Realtor, I see the shock on people's faces when I tell them how much their taxes will be on the property they are considering and they are even more pleased to hear there is no school or swimming pool taxes. As a Realtor I welcome the growth, but as a resident I don't want to encourage even more growth by foolishly lowering the tax rate. Lastly, if more businesses, like the Toyota plant at the airport, were approved by the county officials and residents we could make money off the businesses instead of going after homeowners for more money. And the employees at Invista would have another business to seek employment withUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911462156126123256noreply@blogger.com