Augusta considers tax relief while Staunton talks utilities, DEI: THE AGENDA

Lyra Bordelon, Staunton News Leader
Updated ·6 min read

Tax relief programs could expand in Augusta County

VERONA – As covered in a previous edition of The Agenda, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors is moving forward with more tax relief for elderly residents of the county.

The new ordinance would raise the qualification limits for a tax relief program to a maximum gross combined income of $55,000 and maximum net financial worth to $125,000.

“The Board of Supervisors requested that I prepare a proposal to increase the maximum gross combined income and the maximum net financial worth qualifications for the county’s tax relief program for the elderly and disabled,” Commissioner of Revenue George Price wrote in a memo included in last month’s agenda packet.

The potential policy change comes on the heels of the proposed budget and its $12 million real estate tax increase, including body cameras for the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. The increase is not due to the 2024 real estate reassessment, which found values went up 54% on average.

The budget, and the 52 cents per $100 of assessed value tax rate, will be addressed in a separate public hearing with the Augusta County Board of Supervisors on April 17, though a there is a public comment period for nearly any topic in every supervisor meeting. An outline of the budget can be found online at https://augustacountyva.civilspace.io/en/projects/fy25-budget.The county provided links for the public to give feedback before the meeting:

Staunton rate increases to get public hearing

STAUNTON – Staunton City Council will hold a public hearing on utility rate increases on Thursday.

Following a presentation on the water and sewer system’s finances and capital projects, city council included the rate increases in the upcoming year's budget presentation. According to the presentation, the average effective rate increase will mean the average total utility bills in Staunton will rise about $90 over the course of a year.

Council will not vote on the ordinances until April 25. If enacted, the rate increase will be effective July 1.

The proposed rates are:

  • The water user fee would increase 20 cents per hundred cubic feet (HCL). The current rate is $3.86/HCL, and the proposed rate is $4.06/HCL.  The estimated impact for an average household is an increase of $2.80 per billing cycle, or $16.80 a year.

  • The sewer user fee would increase 72 cents per HCF. The current rate is $4.88/HCL, and the proposed rate is $5.60/HCL. The estimate impact for a household with average consumption is $10.08 per billing cycle, or $60.48 a year.

  • The stormwater minimum fee would increase from $3.20 to $5.

  • No change is expected for the real estate tax.

Additional information can be found in Staunton City Council’s agenda.

Augusta Fire-Rescue Plan is part of the increased county budget

VERONA – The Augusta County Board of Supervisors will focus on the county’s fire and rescue offices and officers several times this week.

First, the board will hold a working session to discuss the plan at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, before hearing a full presentation during the regularly meeting at 7 p.m.

The plan is the reason for about $1 million of the proposed $12 million budget increase for Augusta County next year. The supervisors included a handful of new positions funded by the increase: three fire fighters for Weyers Cave, eight Emergency Medical Services personnel in Churchville, three Emergency Medical Services personnel in Stuarts Draft, and two training positions.

The News Leader will provide more coverage of the Fire-Rescue System Comprehensive Plan later this week.

Staunton DEI Commission could become permanent board

STAUNTON – The Staunton Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission could be made a permanent board for the local government.

Staunton DEI Commission presented its findings to City Council in December. The commission found:

  • One in three Staunton residents lives in poverty, according to the ALICE guidelines used by the report.

  • Rates of depression and anxiety tripled between 2018 and 2021.

  • The achievement gap between Staunton students of different races is closing, even as city schools struggle to recruit and keep diverse teachers.

One of the report’s recommendations is for the city to keep another version of the volunteer commission working or hiring a DEI officer.

“At their retreat on February 9, City Council discussed the recommendations and agreed that the Commission should be permanent,” reads city council's agenda packet.

The commission is being considered in city council’s working session – a resolution keeping the commission would be considered in a council meeting after Thursday’s.

The DEI Commission's full report is available online.

Tuesday, April 9

  • Augusta County Electoral Board Meeting 10 a.m. Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona.

  • Greater Augusta Regional Tourism 1:30 p.m. Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona.

  • Augusta County Planning Commission Meeting 7 p.m. Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona.

  • Waynesboro School Board, 7 p.m. Central Office, 301 Pine Avenue, Waynesboro. The agenda is online.

Wednesday, April 10

Thursday, April 11

Friday, April 12

Monday, April 15

Tuesday, April 16

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta considers tax relief while Staunton talks utilities, DEI: THE AGENDA