[From the class of 09]

TAX HIKE?

Under the city manager’s budget, the real estate tax rate would rise from $1.05 to $1.15 per every $100 of assessed value.

If approved, it would mark the first time the city raised its tax rate since 1989. For the owner of a $150,000 home, a 10-cent rate jump would mean an extra $150 in taxes.

The proposal would generate another $5 million in city revenue to help pay for a $3.7 million increase in local school funding among other things.

The Lynchburg City School Board requested a $4.7 million increase in city funding. Payne said they couldn’t swallow that number, but tried to cover the school division’s rising Virginia Retirement System costs.

VRS rates for teachers are set by the General Assembly and outside the control of local school administrators, Payne said. Under the rates proposed by Gov. Bob McDonnell, Lynchburg schools would see an extra $3.5 million in retirement costs. Final VRS rates have not been approved yet by the General Assembly.

Payne’s budget coupled the tax increase with relaxed eligibility criteria for the city’s tax relief for the elderly and disabled program. The city couldn’t predict how many people would qualify for relief under the new criteria.

EAT FOR EDUCATION

Following in the footsteps of Roanoke and other communities, Payne recommended raising meals tax from 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent to help fund school projects. The meatier tax rate would generate an estimated $1.7 million a year to be dedicated to Heritage High School.

Combined with the nearly $1 million a year the city already sets aside for Heritage and new savings accrued by a revamped approach to debt capacity suggested by council, Payne said a 1-point bump in the tax rate may ensure Heritage is funded before the city’s self-imposed 2018 deadline.

The timeline would depend on the project’s final cost estimates. The school board is in the process of hiring an architect to help it sift through options.

Under a 7.5 percent meals tax rate, Lynchburg would have the second highest meals tax in the state behind only the Town of Orange, which charges 8 percent, according to Weldon Cooper Center records.

The city would tie with Covington for second place.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/m ... r-1745294/

[From the class of 09]

I wonder why Forest is so popular....

[lynchburgwildcats]

I have an idea, how about cut some spending? Once a month or so (or quarterly, can't remember), my parents always receive a full-color, glossy brochure/newsletter with news pertaining to the Lynchburg City Schools. Why can't they print that junk in black and white on plain paper and save the money? Is anyone going to be negatively effected if they don't get their trash on glossy, full-color paper?

Obviously not a significant expense, I would think, but several small cost cutting measures combined can make up for some big savings.

[jbock13]

I have an idea, how about cut some spending? Once a month or so (or quarterly, can't remember), my parents always receive a full-color, glossy brochure/newsletter with news pertaining to the Lynchburg City Schools. Why can't they print that junk in black and white on plain paper and save the money? Is anyone going to be negatively effected if they don't get their trash on glossy, full-color paper?

Obviously not a significant expense, I would think, but several small cost cutting measures combined can make up for some big savings.

But you just want to kill all the children don't you?

[ATrain]

The Real Estate Tax Rate is 1.18% in Salem, and Lynchburg's meals tax even with the raise won't compare to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, etc (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/virgini ... tax-survey) Stop whining, this won't kill the city.

[From the class of 09]

The Real Estate Tax Rate is 1.18% in Salem, and Lynchburg's meals tax even with the raise won't compare to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, etc (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/virgini ... tax-survey) Stop whining, this won't kill the city.

If you read the article you'd see that VB rate is only 5.5% and 10.5% after you add on the state tax. In Lynchburg we also have to pay the state tax taking our total rate from 11.5% currently to 12.5% so I will complain. For a city the size of Lynchburg that is ridiculous.

[LUconn]

come join us out in the county

[Humble_Opinion]

The Real Estate Tax Rate is 1.18% in Salem, and Lynchburg's meals tax even with the raise won't compare to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, etc (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/virgini ... tax-survey) Stop whining, this won't kill the city.

If you read the article you'd see that VB rate is only 5.5% and 10.5% after you add on the state tax. In Lynchburg we also have to pay the state tax taking our total rate from 11.5% currently to 12.5% so I will complain. For a city the size of Lynchburg that is ridiculous.

I was just about to point that out - glad someone else took the time to do it.

[ALUmnus]

Not to mention Lynchburg has the highest gas prices in the state, from what I hear. I'd love to see what the increase in household income for this area looks like.

[rogers3]

I have an idea, how about cut some spending? Once a month or so (or quarterly, can't remember), my parents always receive a full-color, glossy brochure/newsletter with news pertaining to the Lynchburg City Schools. Why can't they print that junk in black and white on plain paper and save the money? Is anyone going to be negatively effected if they don't get their trash on glossy, full-color paper?

Obviously not a significant expense, I would think, but several small cost cutting measures combined can make up for some big savings.

The schools are the biggest money pit in the budget. What can you expect when you decide to tear down a 35 yr old middle school because the halls are too narrow and the classroom shape isn't just right. Next will be Heritage.

If counties had to carry the burdens that cities do, most would get bankrupted. When was the last time a Bedford County snowplow took care of your roads. Many services that the city provides are provided for in great part by state funding. Spoke with a councilman today- he thought that the increase might be ~ .04 cents.

Lynchburg needs to clean house in the manager's office. If you looked at the budget in depth, you'd be amazed at the lack of oversight in most departments. Sadly, the best performers seem to be the Building Inspections office, the Commissioner of the Revenue office, and the City Assessor's office.

[JDUB]

They definitely need to clean house. My next rental property definitely won't be in the city limits. If I hadn't got a good deal I wouldn't have bought in the city in the first place. I just wonder if this will effect housing prices in the city as demand drops due to raising an already high tax rate.

The ways the city spends money is ridiculous. I don't care what Salem or anyone else's tax rate is, I don't live there. I see where money is wasted in this city and the incompetence of it's leaders and it makes my blood boil as I write my tax checks to them every year.

[jbock13]

Northern Virginia has the highest gas prices in the state due to econuts.

The Roanoke Tax is sort of a farce. First, geography limits most businesses to either the city or the county. People don't want to go over the mountain to get to the mall, so one never gets built. Lynchburg doesn't have this problem. In fact, ever been on Timberlake road and seen all the fast food restaurants that lie just outside the city line? Let's call it what it is. The Lynchburg meals tax in the LU students tax.

Oh, and counties don't plow their own roads. VDOT and it's hired contractors at the state level do.

[jmdickens]

Not to mention Lynchburg has the highest gas prices in the state, from what I hear. I'd love to see what the increase in household income for this area looks like.

serious? wow....I try and stop in Lynchburg for gas on my way to and from Charlottesville. That will have to change

[Purple Haize]

If the City waits much longer they won't have to tear Heritage down. It will crumble and burn on its own!

[prototype]

The Real Estate Tax Rate is 1.18% in Salem, and Lynchburg's meals tax even with the raise won't compare to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, etc (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/virgini ... tax-survey) Stop whining, this won't kill the city.

If you read the article you'd see that VB rate is only 5.5% and 10.5% after you add on the state tax. In Lynchburg we also have to pay the state tax taking our total rate from 11.5% currently to 12.5% so I will complain. For a city the size of Lynchburg that is ridiculous.

This is a big deal. At bloop we pay 11.5% now and no where else is it this high. Our Roanoke store is 6%. Those percent really add up. We need to find other ways then being completely un-business friendly. Add the business license fees and there are some real issues in Lynchburg.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Not to mention Lynchburg has the highest gas prices in the state, from what I hear. I'd love to see what the increase in household income for this area looks like.

Farmville is almost always more expensive, so that's not true. I always hold off getting gas in Farmville if I know I will be going to Lynchburg before I absolutely have to fill up.

[rogers3]

From Roanoke City-

Prepared Food and Beverage (Meals) Tax

Effective July 1, 2010, the City of Roanoke's Prepared Food and Beverage Tax Rate will be seven percent (7%).

This tax rate will be in effect from July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2012.

There is also a State Sales Tax imposed on Prepared Food and Beverages at the rate of five percent (5%). Contact the Virginia Department of Taxation for additional information.

Roanoke City 12% after adding in state tax. Looking at their tax rates, we don't look too bad, but compared to our surrounding counties, our Meals tax is almost double.

Roanoke's lodging tax is also 1.5% more than Lynchburg's, though we tack on 1.00 per night per room on top of our tax just to help sweeten the pot.

One more neat little tax is our "amusement tax" @ 7%. In Roanoke it is called an admissions tax and it only runs 5.5%. So you should save 1.5% of the tix cost seeing a movie in Roanoke versus seeing it in Lynchburg.

All in all, we don't have it too bad; tax burden is greater than the counties, but similar to other cities. The cost differential is in my favor in the '03 versus living somewhere like Ivy Hill when you add your gas/fuel costs for the 20 min commute. I'll take "city" living and the comfort of knowing that if a child is seriously injured, I'll get very fast emergency services- some things are worth paying more for.

[Hold My Own]

The Real Estate Tax Rate is 1.18% in Salem, and Lynchburg's meals tax even with the raise won't compare to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, etc (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/virgini ... tax-survey) Stop whining, this won't kill the city.

If you read the article you'd see that VB rate is only 5.5% and 10.5% after you add on the state tax. In Lynchburg we also have to pay the state tax taking our total rate from 11.5% currently to 12.5% so I will complain. For a city the size of Lynchburg that is ridiculous.

This is a big deal. At bloop we pay 11.5% now and no where else is it this high. Our Roanoke store is 6%. Those percent really add up. We need to find other ways then being completely un-business friendly. Add the business license fees and there are some real issues in Lynchburg.

Completely agree...

[badger74]

Compared to most other cities I have been Lynchburg's property and sales taxes are very reasonable for the level of service which I feel is very good. In Seattle our streets are horrible, not very clean, the schools are bad, and taxes on the average house are over $5000. Sales tax is pushing 10% on all but food in grocery stores. It is time for an increase to maintain services.

[rogers3]

Compared to most other cities I have been Lynchburg's property and sales taxes are very reasonable for the level of service which I feel is very good. In Seattle our streets are horrible, not very clean, the schools are bad, and taxes on the average house are over $5000. Sales tax is pushing 10% on all but food in grocery stores. It is time for an increase to maintain services.

I don't mind an increase when it is needed, but the long and short of it is that the city schools are asking for a 5% budget increase, and it is precisely the amount that Kimball Payne feels that we need to raise in taxes. The school system has shown that they will spend no matter what the current state of the economy is, and we need a manager and council that has the balls to say that the school will trim its budget, just like other departments. Another issue with the management is the lack of oversight within departments. An easy example is that of the airport; the budget is set based on projection that the airport manager has set... so he misses his projections, overestimates revenue, enplanements, etc., and then proceeds to set his next budget based on his previous projections. In business, the manager that fails to meet budget projections over and over again gets fired. Grounds... the department gets a small cut last year- defers all mowing in medians and right of ways for the majority of the spring and summer, yet still manages to replace a chunk of their fleet with new trucks.

It goes on and on. I have no problem with taxes for services- I have lots of problems with additional taxes for services because the manager isn't watching the money that is going out the back door.

[jbock13]

It's funny about cutting money in the schools. My mother is a teacher and I had this conversation with her the other day. I said to her, "You know, when I was in high school, I didn't have a promethean board. And I turned out just fine."

Here in Botetourt, they're threatening to close schools, even though all the schools are overcrowded. So we know that's just the typical bait and switch nonsense to coerce people into paying higher taxes. Reminds me in Bedford co. where they threatened to close down Thaxton Elementary. I drive by there everyday, and it's a measly 5 miles each way to the closest Elementary schools. But no. The county held the process hostage until taxes were raised. Sure, closing schools is not the best option, it just shows how much fat that school systems aren't willing to cut, mainly social justice crap. But our situation is unique... these aren't tax and spend liberals. These are country club cocktail Republicans.

[rogers3]

It's funny about cutting money in the schools. My mother is a teacher and I had this conversation with her the other day. I said to her, "You know, when I was in high school, I didn't have a promethean board. And I turned out just fine."

Here in Botetourt, they're threatening to close schools, even though all the schools are overcrowded. So we know that's just the typical bait and switch nonsense to cocerise people into paying higher taxes. But our situation is unique... these aren't tax and spend liberals. These are country club cocktail Republicans.

Another from last year was closing a fire station and laying off fire and police personnel. Kimball Payne is a master at the fear game.

[jbock13]

It's funny about cutting money in the schools. My mother is a teacher and I had this conversation with her the other day. I said to her, "You know, when I was in high school, I didn't have a promethean board. And I turned out just fine."

Here in Botetourt, they're threatening to close schools, even though all the schools are overcrowded. So we know that's just the typical bait and switch nonsense to cocerise people into paying higher taxes. But our situation is unique... these aren't tax and spend liberals. These are country club cocktail Republicans.

Another from last year was closing a fire station and laying off fire and police personnel. Kimball Payne is a master at the fear game.

Exactly. Payne does the old liberal trick. Meanwhile here in Botetourt, majority Republican, they're threatening to get rid of school sports. Different ideology, same trick.

[Purple Haize]

As someone who sleeps with a teacher, I disagree with several statements.
I will say that the statement I do agree with is that I'm not sure people know where all the money goes. The bean counters major on minor issues. My wife's class is overcrowded, she does not get a prep period or lunch because she has to cover classes because they can't afford subs or she has to work on some government/city/school initiative. Add to that her extra curricular duties, which she receives pay that is less then half of her county counterparts, and increase in health insurance costs, i don't think there is much left to cut for her. In fact, she'd be getting overtime if she worked a 'real'job.

[rogers3]

As someone who sleeps with a teacher, I disagree with several statements.
I will say that the statement I do agree with is that I'm not sure people know where all the money goes. The bean counters major on minor issues. My wife's class is overcrowded, she does not get a prep period or lunch because she has to cover classes because they can't afford subs or she has to work on some government/city/school initiative. Add to that her extra curricular duties, which she receives pay that is less then half of her county counterparts, and increase in health insurance costs, i don't think there is much left to cut for her. In fact, she'd be getting overtime if she worked a 'real'job.

You don't have to look far to see 40M on a new Sandusky Middle in an era of declining enrollment. The talk about Heritage is in full swing- together, close to 100M. If our tax base is expanding and revenue is growing (it doesn't come from population growth, you know) new schools are fine, but you can't sustain that on the homeowners; you've got to have more commercial development (and not apartments).

By the way- I wouldn't be surprised to hear kimball talk about school or school program closings before it is all said and done.