Augusta: One citizen plans to fight against outrageous reassessment increases

Francis Chester is a straight-talking farmer who just happens to be an attorney ... and he's mincing no words in saying he is livid about his real estate reassessments.

From today's Waynesboro News Virginian:

Reassessment records show that property Chester owns in both Churchville and Swoope increased from 73 percent to 233 percent.

“The assessment is supposed to be done on market values as of Jan. 1. The way the market is today there is no way you could sustain those values,’’ Chester said.

Over the next month, Chester plans to circulate in stores, libraries and other public places petitions for his rollback idea. He is seeking volunteers to help with the effort.

“I want to get as many people as possible,’’ he said. “You’ve got to have a lot of warm bodies, a lot of people to back you up on this.”

Chester plans to ask for a meeting with Augusta County supervisors in early March. If that fails to produce results, Chester said he then will take his case to Augusta County Circuit Court.

People in the community are hurting.

Tonight ... Augusta County Board of Supervisors meeting ... 7:00 pm ... Government Center in Verona.

NV: "Augusta needs lower tax rate"

"Augusta needs lower tax rate" ... the editorial in the Waynesboro News Virginian tells what is on the minds of many Augusta County citizens.

While talking with county resident Sherri McCambridge on the increase of her property:

The land in Crimora serves as a septic drain field, an apropos use for the 62.6 percent increase assessors divined for the property.

That was almost double the average jump of 33.3 percent in the Middle River magisterial district, where McCambridge’s land is located. Other districts fared worse. Values soared by almost 50 percent in North River. In two other districts – Pastures and Middle River, neither of which is considered affluent – values increased by more than a third.

The figures are staggering at a time when governments elsewhere are staring at decreased home values and declining revenues, and the central Shenandoah Valley has been wobbled by the nationwide housing collapse and its ripple effect on the flooring industry. In two weeks, more than 200 Invista company workers will finish their shifts facing layoffs and gnawing uncertainty about their future prospects and the plant’s. Dozens of other workers at area companies tied to flooring are in similar predicaments.

Only one supervisor has said he would push for lowering the tax rate:

Supervisors, if they felt the pain, could ease it by voting to reduce the tax rate to keep revenues level with last year, something Tracy Pyles of the Pastures District has urged but has failed, so far, to gain backing for from the other half-dozen members of the board. That would require Augusta to survive, somehow, on $43.3 million in property tax revenues. Getting by with the same or less is the task of taxpayers. Forgive them for feeling the government they fund ought do likewise.

Read the entire editorial here.

News Virginian: "Mass appeals"

And so it begins ... folks lined up at the Augusta County Government Center to protest real estate reassessments mailed to residents last week. The Waynesboro News Virginian talked with some who waited for their chance to have an adjustment in their assessment (video link).

Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles (D) is open to looking at equalizing the rate with a drop in the real estate tax. Riverheads Supervisor Nancy Sorrells (I) hedged by saying the county still has bills to pay including parks and recreation and libraries.

Now Middle River Supervisor Gerald Garber (R) has spoken in today's News Virginian:

The value on Les Curry’s 2,400-square-foot Weyers Cave home and property shot up by almost 50 percent to $144,500.

“I can see an increase, but not double. It’s outrageous,” said Curry, whose home was built in 1919.

Augusta County Supervisor Gerald Garber said most of the complaints he heard over the weekend and Monday were about the increase in land prices.

“No one has complained to me about houses,” Garber said.

Supervisors need to look at all the reassessment data before making any decisions about tax rates, Garber said.

Chesterfield County assessments actually went down, according to today's Richmond Times-Dispatch:

For the first time since the early 1990s, home values in Chesterfield County are down this year.

Reassessment notices for most of the county went out Saturday and reflect a 1.5 percent decline in the average home's value since last year. The median assessed value of a home in Chesterfield is $216,000.

Values in 2008 went up 10.9 percent from the year before, and in 2007, they were up 16.2 percent from 2006.

Commercial assessments increased by nearly 1 percent, leaving overall assessed property values close to flat.

DJ McGuire at Right-Wing Liberal had comments yesterday, and previous posts on SWAC Girl have addressed this issue:

- Augusta reassessments: a tale of two supervisors
- Augusta reassessments arrive

Augusta reassessments: A tale of two supervisors

As real estate assessments arrive in the mail around Augusta County, home and business owners are receiving a shock. At a time when many jobs are being lost in this central Shenandoah Valley location, the thought to some that their tax rate would rise is not appreciated.

Home real estate values rose an estimated 28%; commercial properties rose an estimated 42%. That is a concern to the companies that are having to let workers go ... and to the workers who are being let go.

At the center of it all is Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles (D) who wants tax relief for citizens of the county ... while Riverheads Supervisor Nancy Sorrell (I) has other thoughts:

Supervisor Tracy Pyles said Friday that the county should make reassessment revenue neutral.

To do that, supervisors would be required to lower the current tax rate of 58 cents per $100 of assessed value to offset a 27.7 percent increase in reassessment values.
Supervisor Nancy Sorrells said it’s too early to determine such a move.
...
Pyles questioned the accuracy of the reassessment and the prudence of increasing the tax burden on property owners at a time when the economy is reeling.

“The federal government is giving a tax cut and the state is cutting their budget. But we’re going to do business as usual and increase taxes. We are not comprehending the pressures people are under,” Pyles said.

While Mr. Pyles is concerned about the effect of local layoffs at a number of companies including Ply Gem of Stuarts Draft (53 workers laid off), Invista of Waynesboro (210 workers so far and possibly more), Mohawk of Waynesboro (73 jobs lost), and the Commonwealth Adolescent Center (slated to close the end of June resulting in the loss of 100 jobs), Ms. Sorrells said the county has to continue with necessary spending.

“It would be fiscally irresponsible” to lock in a lower rate now, she said. “We have to see the projected revenues and needs. Where we can make the cuts and tighten.”

Just because times are tight, Augusta County can’t stop funding schools, emergency services and other essential services for county residents, Sorrells said.
...
Sorrells said that since the last reassessment, Augusta County has added population, adding to the need for services.

“The additional people need parks and recreation, libraries and schools. This is not population neutral,” she said. “We have to think about how we can continue to provide a high quality of service.”

Some may disagree with what "needs" the county should fund during tight times when citizens are having to cinch their belts.

The discussion about raising the rates has just begun as citizens begin to show up at the Government Center to protest their assessments.

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is this Wednesday, January 28, at 7:00 pm.

Augusta reassessments arrive

Augusta County reassessments that were mailed last week have arrived ... and many are not happy. Some taxpayers, hearing about the 28% increase, were shocked to open their bills to find 50% increases.

The Waynesboro News Virginian talked with Pastures District resident Melissa Avey who lives in the rural, mountaineous area west of Staunton.

Melissa Avey, of Deerfield, had followed the reports of a 27.7 percent average increase on residential properties in the county, but got the surprise of her life when she opened her mail.

She and husband Michael’s 100-year-old home on 50 acres went from $177,000 to $280,000, a 58.6 percent increase over the last reassessment four years ago.

That would take the couple’s annual tax bill from $1,026 to $1,624, based on the current rate of 58 cents per $100 of assessed value.

“I was prepared for an increase, but this was a shock,” she said. “We’re not talking about an area where it’s really building up. We’re talking about western Augusta County with no real development and farmland.”

Avey said she might have expected such an increase had her home been in a more developed area such as Stuarts Draft or Fishersville.

Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles, the only BOS member to publicly advocate lowering the tax rate, expects the discussion to continue at this week's Wednesday meeting.

“Instead of putting people through the ringer with reassessment challenges, the board should just adjust the tax rate to make it revenue neutral,” said Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles.

If the tax rate remains the same, the owner of a $150,000 house with an average increase would have a value of $191,000 and tax increase of $240 to $1,108.

Pyles said he also continues to believe that assessment values are a constantly moving target and the values reflected in the assessments “are not accurate to judge for the next four years.”

The appeals process begins today at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona. There were many appeals four years ago. This year is shaping up to see even more.

If you are concerned about your assessment or interested in seeing the tax rate equalized, attend the Board of Supervisors meeting this Wednesday, January 28, at 7:00 pm. Questions may be directed to the Government Center (540 245-5600).

- Augusta County real estate reassessments
- Augusta reassessments on hold until Dec. 31
- Augusta County reassessments to go up 33%?
- Augusta County: Pastures Supervisor Pyles wants to delay home reassessments

Augusta BOS ... will they equalize real estate rate?

Augusta County real estate assessments came in with 28% increases in notices that will be mailed out later this month ... and DJ McGuire at Right-Wing Radical has taken notice. He writes:

Now we have the numbers, but the battle has only begun.

Under state law, Augustans must be made aware of the “equalization rate,” i.e., the tax rate that would be revenue neutral (depending on growth and inflation since 2005, it will likely be somewhere around 46 cents). Even before the number is revealed, Augustans need to make clear they expect the Board of Supervisors to enact the equalization rate: anything above equalization is a tax increase, period.

As I’ve said before, this isn’t just about Augusta. If taxpayers in one of the most Republican counties in the Commonwealth get hit up for a tax increase, the rest of the state is in real trouble.

Look for large crowds at the Government Center and Board of Supervisor meetings to protest the increases real estate assessments.

If anyone on the Augusta Board of Supervisors will lead the fight for equalization of the real estate tax rate, it will probably be Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles (D).

As DJ writes:

So, even as we keep watch upon our own respective local governments, we must all keep a wary eye on Augusta, and make sure that all of the current Supervisors - Republican, Democrat, and Independent - are made aware that a tax increase and any ambitions beyond their home county are mutually exclusive.

Stay tuned....

Augusta home reappraisals up 28% ... commercial property up 42%

The news is in on Augusta County real estate appraisals ... and it's not good. Reassessment increases of 28% on residential properties will be reflected in notices to be mailed to county residents later this month.

Commercial property increases averaged a substantial 42%.

According to the Waynesboro News Viriginian:

The value of Augusta County residential property will reflect a 27.7 percent average increase when reassessment notices are mailed out to county residents Jan. 22.

The Augusta County Board of Assessors learned of the results of the postponed reassessment when the board met Thursday morning with Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal Company, the Staunton company that performed the reassessment.

Commercial property in the county increased by an average of 42.3 percent, said Dave Hickey, owner of Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal.

Of the residential increase, Hickey said it reflects not only county housing sales through December but also a softening of the area market.

DJ McGuire at Right-Wing Liberal pointed out in his recent post about this issue that this issue is not just about Augusta County.

At a time when many are in financial difficulty, state and county budgets are being cut, jobs are being lost, and businesses are closing, there are sure to be protests from residents. Even Augusta County public schools have been notified of a $4.7 million cut from the state budget.

A sample of public reaction may be reflected in a comment already left this morning on the News Virginian's website:

What is the criteria for these ridiculous increases? Wishful thinking? The idea that commercial property values in Augusta County have increased by more than 40% over any short timeframe must be the board of supervisors’ idea of a sick joke. Could any commercial property owner sell it for 20% more than they paid for it two years ago? Doubtful. Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal must earn a large commission for each percentage point they add to the increases. Otherwise, there’s simply no rational explanation for it.

Look for long lines at the Government Center again and overflowing crowds at Board of Supervisor meetings to hear if they will equalize the real estate tax rate which currently sits at 58 cents per $100.

County residents will be able to phone between Jan. 23 and Feb. 6 to schedule an appeal. Appeal hearings will begin Jan. 26 through Feb. 27 at the Government Center.

Augusta Board of Supervisor meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at 7:00 pm at the Government Center located on Rt. 11 in Verona. Concerns and comments can be passed on to individual supervisors:

- Jeremy Shifflett, Beverley Manor
Cell Phone: 540.294.2289

- Gerald Garber, Middle River
Home: (540) 234-8388

- Larry Howdyshell, North River
Home: (540) 350-2591

- Tracy Pyles, Pastures
Home: (540) 337-7010

- Nancy Sorrells, Riverheads
Home: (540) 377-6390

- David Beyeler, South River
Home: (540) 943-3202

- Wendell Coleman, Wayne
Home: (540) 430-1350

Augusta County real estate reassessments - Updated

Updated: See bottom of this post for link to DJ McGuire at Right-Wing Liberal's commentary.

Augusta County's real estate assessments for 2009 were questioned by Democrat Supervisor Tracy Pyles in October 2008 because of a proposed 33% increase at a time when real estate transactions were plummeting, home prices were dropping, and the economy was reeling.

The Board decided to put reassessments on hold until the end of the year to allow an unstable financial landscape the opportunity to revive.

Today's Waynesboro News Virginian reports that the Board of Assessors will meet Thursday to review the situation:

The Augusta County Board of Assessors expect to get an overview of the county’s delayed real property reassessment when the board meets Thursday morning.

The reassessment was delayed 90 days in October after county supervisors heard the concerns of residents who doubted property values could have increased an average of 33 percent in light of the current depressed economy.

The 33-percent number was the average increase reported in October by Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal Co., the Staunton company performing the reassessment.

Supervisors agreed to wait until January for the reassessment to get a more realistic evaluation of the county’s real estate values.

Walter Brown, the co-chairman of the Augusta County Board of Assessors, said he was awaiting the final reassessment average from Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal.

“I don’t know the final average, but I expect some increase,’’ said Brown, who represents the Riverheads District on the board of assessors.
...
Pastures District Supervisor Tracy Pyles said he is convinced the economy and real estate slump will continue.

“This thing is not getting any better,’’ said Pyles. “We were slower to feel it.”

Pyles said one act supervisors need to take during the upcoming budget deliberations is a lowering of the county’s 58 cents per $100 tax rate.

“I hope the board decides to make it neutral,’’ Pyles said of the increase in real estate values being offset by a lowering of the tax rate.

Notices are expected to be mailed the third week in January with the first round of appeals from residents to begin January 26.

The Augusta County Board of Supervisors meets monthly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at the Augusta Government Center on Lee Highway in Verona.

UPDATE: DJ McGuire at Right-Wing Liberal, who has followed this issue because of a similar issue in his part of the state, has a post with blunt commentary. His concluding comments:

The last time assessments were made (2005, and they rose), the Republicans had four of seven seats on the Board - but they didn’t equalize the tax rate. This time, however, the rest of the state is watching.

This isn’t just about Augusta - which was one of the few counties the GOP swept last November (yes, even Jim Gilmore carried it). If what is arguably the most Republican county in the Commonwealth ends up with a tax increase, it will be much easier for other counties in Virginia to hit up their taxpayers for more money. Moreover, the State Senator the represents Augusta (Emmett Hanger) has been using local government “needs” as his excuse to support tax increases in 2004, 2006, and 2007.

The Republican Party began its political recovery in Virginia during last summer’s special session, and it started to bear fruit last night. Will the Augusta Republicans on the Board of Supervisors keep up the momentum? Or will they turn the party back toward the wilderness of higher taxes, angry activists, and libertarians defecting to the Democrats?

Supervisors may be reached for comments about the upcoming assessments:

- Jeremy Shifflett, Beverley Manor
Cell Phone: 540.294.2289
E-mail: Jeremy Shifflett

- Gerald Garber, Middle River
Home: (540) 234-8388

- Larry Howdyshell, North River
Home: (540) 350-2591

- Tracy Pyles, Pastures
Home: (540) 337-7010

- Nancy Sorrells, Riverheads
Home: (540) 377-6390

- David Beyeler, South River
Home: (540) 943-3202

- Wendell Coleman, Wayne
Home: (540) 430-1350

Augusta County real estate assessments to go up 33%?

Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles asked for a two-year delay in mailing new real estate assessments to residents of Augusta County ... but that probably will not happen after the board of assessors suggested the reassessments be mailed in November.

The shocker ... reassessments are up one-third! The real estate market is stagnant ... yet home values are going to be taxed another 33% while all taxable properties will increase 43%.

At a time when the economy is unstable, the stock market is jittery, and hard times have hit America's work force, Supervisor Pyles felt it was best to let economic matters stabilize before burdening Augusta County residents with increased taxes.

In my neighborhood, home turnovers have been quick throughout the years ... it was actually difficult to find something for sale. Over the past twelve months, however, homes have gone on the market and are still sitting. We currently have three houses and one parcel of land for sale, the most I have seen in the twelve years I have lived here.

Taxpayer rage has already been felt in neighboring Bath County when reassessments went out earlier this year with some values up 1,000%. The Roanoke Times reported:

Following a public outcry at the first revaluations since 2005 -- some rising 1,000 percent -- county supervisors voted to terminate the appraiser's contract and stick with the previous assessments. Taxpayer rage took a heavy toll on public officials.

The appraisal company that was terminated was the same one used by Augusta County -- Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal. The Times continued:

When the next assessments do come, they won't be nearly as high as the ones rescinded in March, said Byrd, who asserted that the company responsible for those evaluations, Staunton-based Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal, didn't allow for the real estate market's slump of the past year.

Pat Haynes, a real estate broker in Hot Springs, said high-end houses are now staying on the market a year or more. "The market is soft. A lot of people are sitting on the sidelines, including those from outside."

But David Hickey, the owner of Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal, said his assessors analyzed comparable sales of homes and land across the county from 2004 through the past few months. "There hasn't been a decline in values. People in Bath County might read about the housing market collapsing in California or Las Vegas and they think that's happening to them, but it isn't."

Residents retort that the reassessments must have had their rustic retreat confused with some stylish hot spot.

Bath and Augusta counties have been affected by more affluent residents moving in from outside the area, driving up house prices and property values for others.

The Augusta County Board of Supervisors will vote on Wednesday night whether to mail out reassessments. Bob Stuart has more in the Waynesboro News Virginian.

Let your voice be heard! Pat Coffield, County Administrator, can be reached at (540) 245-5600. Supervisors should be notified if anyone has thoughts on this matter.

- Jeremy Shifflett, Beverley Manor
Cell Phone: 540.294.2289
E-mail: Jeremy Shifflett

- Gerald Garber, Middle River
Home: (540) 234-8388

- Larry Howdyshell, North River
Home: (540) 350-2591

- Tracy Pyles, Pastures
Home: (540) 337-7010

- Nancy Sorrells, Riverheads
Home: (540) 377-6390

- David Beyeler, South River
Home: (540) 943-3202

- Wendell Coleman, Wayne
Home: (540) 430-1350

Augusta County: Pastures Supervisor Pyles wants to delay home reassessments

Last night's Board of Supervisors meeting in Augusta County saw Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles walk out after he was shut down by board chairman David Beyeler and not allowed to further address his recommendation.

Mr. Pyles proposed delaying real estate reassessments for two years due to the unsettled economy and depressed house prices. Augusta County had delayed mailing the reassessments for a month after the federal financial bailout to see if the markets stabilized, with plans for those to go out in November.

I was not at last night's meeting so cannot speak from a personal point of view. However, Mr. Pyles, who happens to be my supervisor and a Democrat, is a stickler for fiscal responsibility, something I have always admired. I call him "Mr. Numbers" because he pours over spread sheets and crunches the bottom line.

One supervisor said he wanted time to read the information Mr. Pyles passed out. That's fair. On the other hand, I am not sure why Mr. Beyeler would shut down discussion. In the words of a lawyer friend in Northern Virginia, "Discussion is always good," and she never wants to cut it off. However, not being at the meeting, I don't know the reasons.

It should be interesting at the next meeting on October 22nd.