March 28, 2024: Albemarle Supervisors set tax rates for FY25 including increases in personal property tax rate, lodging tax rate
Plus: Governor Youngkin vetoes bills to set up retail cannabis sales in Virginia
I apologize for the lack of a Marmaduke, but this is Charlottesville Community Engagement and Garfield is not wishing you a Happy Arbor Day. Instead, it’s March 28, 2024, I’m Sean Tubbs, and this is another set of stories that have been packaged and assembled in this written form for your information and awareness. See the end notes for a reference check.
In today’s installment:
Albemarle County sets tax rates to be advertised for the April 24 public hearing including an increase in the transient lodging tax rate and the personal property tax rate
Albemarle County Police have released an annual report with statistics on crime and the make-up for the force
Michie Tavern will remain independent as the Thomas Jefferson Foundation backs off of its plans to make a purchase
Governor Youngkin takes action on 107 more bills including a veto of two that would have legalized the sale of marijuana
First shout out: Piedmont Master Gardeners seek items for Green Elephant sale
In today’s first subscriber supported public service announcement: If you are cleaning out your garage, basement or garden shed as spring approaches, the Piedmont Master Gardeners will gladly take any yard and garden equipment you no longer need.
PMG is now accepting donations of new and used tools, hoses, decorative items, outdoor furniture—virtually anything used to create, maintain and enjoy a garden. These “Green Elephants” will be offered for sale to the public during PMG’s Spring Plant Sale. Donated items may be dropped off at 402 Albemarle Square between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays through the end of April. PMG is not able to accept plastic pots or opened chemicals. To arrange a pickup or for more information, contact the Piedmont Master Gardeners at greenelephant@piedmontmastergardeners.org.
As for that sale? Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 4, at Albemarle Square Shopping Center.
Albemarle Supervisors agree to advertise increases in personal property tax, lodging tax
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors has settled on tax rates to advertise before a second public hearing on April 24 for the county’s budget for fiscal year 2025.
Supervisors agreed to consider a one percent tax rate increase on the transient lodging tax from eight percent to nine percent. This would match rates proposed in the City of Charlottesville.
For the personal property / machinery and tools tax rate there is a proposed increase of 54 cents per $100 of assessed value to $3.92 per $100. This would be effective January 1, 2024 which will mean additional revenue in the current fiscal year.
The real property tax rate will remain at $0.854 per $100 of assessed value and the public notice will contain the legally-required notice that the “effective” or “lowered” tax rate to bring in the same amount of revenues as FY24 would be $0.821 per $100.
Supervisors are not obligated to actually make the increases this year but cannot increase them any higher following the public hearing.
At the end of their previous budget work session on March 25, Supervisors indicated to staff what additional expenditures they would like to fund and suggested some changes to potential revenue sources.
The above revenue changes would bring in an additional $5,397,488. A funding formula allocates ten percent to debt service, 54 percent to school operations, and $1,937,256 in revenues available to the local government.
Those revenues would go to:
Hire 16 full-time-equivalents to both fully staff the North Garden Fire department 24 hours, seven days a week and to be able to run another ambulance to serve the fire rescue station on Berkmar Drive. Staff will pursue a SAFER grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help cover the cost of launching the North Garden initiative.
Expand the Human Services Alternative Response Team with an additional three full-time equivalents.
Add one full time position in the Sheriff’s office to cover the need to have an officer preside over people under temporary detention orders.
Add one full time police officer.
Supervisor Mike Pruitt supported all but the additional position in the Sheriff’s Office at this time. Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley wanted to consider if the position could be completed mid-year when there is more data.
Supervisor Diantha McKeel noted that Sheriff Chan Bryant had sought four and a half new positions.
“One position is a fair compromise,” McKeel said. “I think that will help her and then we can wait on the other three.”
Supervisor Ann Mallek suggested proceeding now to make sure whoever is hired can be in place.
Another unresolved issue is a funding gap between what Albemarle schools have requested and what the local government is willing to fund. The gap sits at $13.3 million based on County Executive Jeffrey Richardson’s budget.
The additional revenue from the personal property tax and the lodging tax would bring in $2.9 million for schools, but enough to close the gap.
Andy Bowman, the county’s chief of budget, said the amount of revenues from the Commonwealth of Virginia are not yet known without a budget, but he had some additional information yesterday.
“Based on the state revenue update that we have which is not final and subject to change, with an asterisk, lots of caveats here, but based on talking to my counterpart Maya Kumazawa, director of school budget and planning, the latest forecast would be if the Governor were to approve the budget based on the General Assembly, [Albemarle schools] would receive an additional $4.8 million in funding,” Bowman said.
That would leave a $5.6 million gap for the School Board to resolve. That elected body has a meeting today that was happening at publication time.
During their series of work sessions, Supervisors agreed to several changes to the capital improvement program.
They eliminated $165,000 for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank for a project that has since been fully funded through other sources.
An additional $74,178 was allocated for cost increases associated with remediation of the closed Ivy Landfill operated by the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority
There’s $800,000 from the community capital fund to support the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company
There’s $230,000 from the community capital fund to support the Seminole Trail Volunteer Fire Company
Supervisors’ motion to set the tax rates for advertisement was unanimous.
The consent agenda for the April 3 meeting will include a resolution to schedule a public hearing on April 24 and to advertise the above tax rates. Supervisors will adopt the budget on May 1.
Albemarle Police report: Homicides increases in 2023, but property crime slightly down
Earlier this month, the Albemarle County Police Department published its annual report for 2023.
“The year 2023 presented challenges in the areas of gun violence, opioid overdoses, and automobile thefts,” writes Colonel Sean Reeves, the Chief of Police. “Despite the complexities associated with investigating these types of incidents, we remain committed to providing professional, ethical, and impartial law enforcement services to enhance the quality of life for all.”
The report highlights activities from the years and also provides statistics on criminal activity.
Albemarle Police participated in the Community Safety Group formed by UVA in the wake of the murder of three UVA football players in November 2022. Preliminary results were issued in February as I reported at the time.
Officers were equipped with Narcan to help reverse the effects of opioid overdose and saved eleven lives.
The Human Services Alternative Response Team began work.
There were 77,672 total calls for service, down six percent from 2022. Of those, 32,506 came through the Emergency Communication Center and the rest were initiated by officers.
The traffic division conducted 85 speed studies and the entire ACPD conducted 9,406 traffic stops. There were 367 crashes in Albemarle County where speed was a factor.
The total number of fatal crashes was down from 2022 with a total of nine crashes and a total number of ten individuals killed. That compares to a total of 16 crashes in 2022 and 17 fatalities.
The number of homicides doubled from three in 2022 to six in 2023. The total number of crimes against people went up from 98 in 2022 to 117 in 2023.
The number of property crimes dropped slightly from 1,897 in 2022 to 1,857 in 2023.
Review the report for much more information.
Monticello no longer pursuing Michie Tavern
In January, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation announced they would be purchasing the Michie Tavern just down the mountain from Monticello. The deal has fallen through.
“After considerable study, the Foundation determined that this acquisition was not prudent under the current agreement, and we are no longer under contract,” reads a statement sent to me on March 14, 2024.
The website for the Michie Tavern indicates business is open as usual.
Second shout-out: RCA launches Forest Health and Resilience Project
In today’s second Patreon-fueled shout-out: The Rivanna Conservation Alliance and community partners have launched a new collaborative effort called the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project.
Have you ever noticed a tree or an entire forest smothered in vines and wondered what is going on? It’s likely you’re looking at invasive species that have taken over due a lack of natural predators. With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project will manage high-risk invasive plants and plant new native trees in high-priority locations in three riverfront parks. The initiative will also work to motivate and support action on these issues by the wider Rivanna River watershed community
To learn more about the initiative and find out how you can volunteer, visit the RCA’s website.
Governor Youngkin vetoes marijuana legislation, signs 100 into law
Another day, another set of bills have passed through Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office. Today Youngkin signed a hundred bills into law, but vetoed two that would have legalized the sale of cannabis in Virginia.
“The proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth endangers Virginians’ health and safety,” Youngkin wrote in a statement. “States following this path have seen adverse effects on children’s and adolescent’s health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime, significant deterioration in mental health, decreased road safety, and significant costs associated with retail marijuana that far exceed tax revenue.”
Both HB698 and SB448 would have allowed a framework for the legal sale of cannabis-products through the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority which would have issued license for sales that would have provided revenue for the Commonwealth. HB698 passed the House on a 51 to 47 vote.
A total of hundred bills were signed into law. Here is a selection:
HB128 makes clear that localities that regulate door-to-door activities cannot extend prohibitions to political activities.
HB220 would require waterworks and sewage treatment facilities to employ licensed operators.
HB223 would prohibit anyone convicted of a felony related to animal cruelty from ever possessing an animal again. Those convicted of misdemeanors for animal cruelty would be prevented from owning an animal for up to five years.
The City Attorney for Colonial Heights will no longer have any duties related to the School Superintendent now that HB227 has amended the city’s charter.
HB238 requires health insurance providers to cover screening for colorectal cancer.
HB255 provides that adults in Virginia have the right to seek screening tests for sickle cell disease and that counseling about results must be given.
More on what got vetoed and approved bills in the next newsletter. Perhaps Saturday?
Reading material:
Charlottesville City Council gets an update on Decarbonization Study, Maggie Glass, WVIR NBC29, March 26, 2024
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors holds work session to address budget, Garrett Whitton, CBS19, March 27, 2024
How #655 has flown by!
I like the new format. Have any of you noticed? I sometimes wonder if those who have been listening have noticed there are fewer podcasts? I just know I like the new format which allows me to get things out faster. Tomorrow I’ll produce a podcast version as well as the version that will air on WTJU on Saturday morning at 6 p.m.
I also have to explain the first line of today’s edition. A confession is that I often watch television while doing some of the tasks especially if it’s data entry or processing like today’s summary on Albemarle property transactions. The reference is to the second episode of Community when one of the characters brags that coverage of their event was legit because the newspaper had a particular comic strip.
One day, Charlottesville Community Engagement will have the equivalent of a comic strip. Until then, I’m quite happy to just get new subscriptions so I can continue to plan for expansion. Paid subscriptions get access to “first-look” content such as today’s Albemarle property transactions report.
And, Ting will match the initial subscription for each new Substack payment. I’m so grateful for this sponsorship.
Need high speed Internet? If you sign up for service and enter the promo code COMMUNITY you’re going to get:
Free installation
A second month for free
A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
With the doubling of homicides in the county, is Albemarle contributing to the support of the BUCK squad? Charlottesville has the group listed as receiving a half a million dollars, shouldn't the county help with that expense?