Townhall turnout of three?...

The Staunton NewsLeader followed up with a report of last nights Townhall meeting held in the Beverley Manor district by their Supervisor David Karaffa. Pretty much the same info as provided in the NewsVirginian article written by Bob Stuart but the NewsVirginian article did mention that only three people showed up for the Townhall meeting. In fact it mentioned that the Beverley Manor constituents were outnumbered by the members of the press and "elected officials"...

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VERONA — Having given the nod to consider increasing Augusta County taxes, Beverley Manor Supervisor David Karaffa reserved a space, set up folding chairs and placed a podium in front with a microphone on it to explain his position.

Judging by the turnout, hardly anyone needed convincing — at least not enough to come out to the community meeting Karaffa held inside the Verona Fire Department.

Three people were present for the start of the meeting to talk needs, taxes and budgeting with Karaffa and Lee Godfrey, the Beverley Manor district representative on the School Board. That was fewer people than the combined number of elected officials and media representatives.

Karaffa nevertheless explained why he thinks the Board of Supervisors needs to consider raising Augusta's real estate tax rate from 48 cents per $100 of assessed value to as high as 51 cents per $100. Supervisors are also considering increasing the car tax rate from $2.25 per $100 of assessed value to $2.57.

The board is scheduled to get public input on the proposals at an April 18 hearing. The suggested rates can be adjusted downward.

Karaffa and most others who make up a majority on the Board of Supervisors don't want to dip into the county's reserve accounts to cover county expenses and would prefer brining tax rates up to match the cost of running the local government.

Drawing down the county's capital reserves will force supervisors to take out loans for equipment, maintenance, infrastructure and other items the locality needs, he said during his talk.

Godfrey talked about the $5 million deficit projected for the School Board next year that was closed with $3 million of help from supervisors.