The NewsLeader has an interesting story on the efforts of the BOS regarding the possibility of going back and reassessing the reassessments that became such a campaign issue for several of the now Supervisors...
The Augusta County government has sent out a formal request to companies to assess home values in a way that could provide some tax relief fast to citizens and possibly more financial help from the state to pay for public school costs.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles of the Pastures District, along with newcomers David Karaffa of Beverley Manor and North River's Marshall Pattie, made Augusta's much-reviled 2009 assessment a central campaign theme for November elections. That reassessment raised property values and pushed homeowners' taxes higher during the worst of the recession.
However, Karaffa served on a board committee that explored Augusta's options on completing a reassessment soon, and they reported that the county's huge and diverse geography made an assessment study within a year nearly impossible.
With no chance at getting new taxable values within a year, Pyles said Tuesday he'd prefer setting up an in-house assessment department. Augusta could learn how Rockingham County is able to do it at the same price Augusta pays for the Commissioner of the Revenue's office, Pyles said.
If the desired immediate reassessment is so daunting that the county may not get any bids or responses from established professional services, what makes the BOS think they can do the same job "in-house" and better?
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As I said in my comment in the last article about this board and the reassessment Supervisor Pyles likes to play fast and loose with the facts. You can bet that if numbers need to be “created” they will be created, whether they are right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe other issue is that during the campaign Candidate Karaffa stated many times he would do an immediate reassessment of property in 2012. Now as Supervisor Karaffa, he states that an immediate reassessment is impossible because of the size of Augusta County. Gee, he didn’t realize this when he was a candidate. Augusta County didn’t change its size or shape in 3 months.
Another Proof in Point that he willingly and did say what he thought you wanted to hear just to get elected. Typical politician saying one thing while campaigning on an issue and then does a complete 180 once in office on the same issue.
This board cannot be trusted!!!!
Pyles and Michael pull the strings and the puppets dance. Support for the school system suddenly appears from quarters that have hardly shown an interest before. Strange indeed for folks whose claim to fame in the campaign was that they were the ones looking out for the taxpayers. Dance puppets, dance!
ReplyDeleteIronic thing, but not a surprise, KM is a teacher over at the Governors school which may be one of those on the chopping block. Many of those who are now using this issue to keep them in the "Light of the local media" are the ones who demanded no tax hikes \ no new taxes pledges from our local candidates and electeds... You just can't make this stuff up....
ReplyDeleteIt was surreal to sit in that meeting last week and watch the crowd whipped into a frenzy of support when Beyler said he would be willing to increase the rate. Mind you, this crowd is led by many who in previous cycles were willing to say all sorts of nasty things about Beyler and others over the assessment because some folks effective taxes would go up (no proof but that doesn't matter to the Gang). Now that the political winds have shifted, these same "Gang Leaders" are more then happy to excite one class of citizens and pitt them against others. Quite cynical.
ReplyDeleteWatcher,
ReplyDeleteThey remind me much of what I see in President Obama and many in the Democratic party who are playing the "Class warfare Card" with their calls to get the "Rich to pay their fair share". Tactics like these only seperate and divide the people and make it that much harder to get real solutions...
The "Political Winds" have indeed changed and in fact I understand there is News coming out about the Staunton GOP Committee where the "Gang" was involved in the destruction of a long time committee and it's members. It appears sanity has been restored and progress is being made...
Right,
ReplyDeleteInteresting, re: Staunton GOP. I wonder what our mutual friend, Mr Clem, has to say about this, perhaps you could arrange for a guest post? Will young A Davis be called to account for his support of folks actively working against GOP candidates in hard fought campaigns while a GOP chair? Maybe the "SWACster" will find some time to delve into this.... Or perhaps not. It won't be for a lack of available time.