By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved reducing the county’s real estate tax from 79 cents per $100 to 70 cents per $100 with a vote of 4-1 at its much-anticipated meeting last Tuesday in Daleville. Blue Ridge Supervisor Walter Michael was the only board member that voted no.
The county released a statement from the board regarding its decision last week. In the release, the county updated citizens on their recent decisions.
“The past few months have been very challenging for the Board of Supervisors,” Botetourt County Board of Supervisors Chair Steve Clinton said in the release. “We have been trying to make the best decisions for all of the residents, businesses, and employees of Botetourt County. The largest decision was how to develop a budget that would lower the real estate tax rate and still be able to provide the exemplary services that are expected by the citizens. Property values have continued to increase due to housing demands nationwide, and Botetourt County is no different.”
During last Tuesday’s meeting, the Board of Supervisors also voted on the following budget-related issues:
- The Fiscal Year 24-25 Operating Budget totaling $90,422,886 was approved with a vote of 4-1 (Walter Michael voting no). This was an 8% increase from the previous year, mainly due to increased funding for public safety/first responders and Botetourt County Public Schools. More than 64% of the county’s general budget is dedicated to public safety/first responders and education.
- Botetourt County increased aid for elderly and disabled persons relating to exemptions from real estate tax to become one of the most generous communities in our region.
- Vehicle personal property tax remains the same at $2.71 as in the previous year.
- Business property tax will increase from $2.71 per $100 to $2.94 per $100.
- Machine and Tools tax will increase to an effective rate of $1 per $100.
- Meals Tax rate will increase from 4% to 6% (The effective date of the proposed Prepared Food & Beverage tax rate adjustment is October 1, 2024)
The meeting brought a crowd for the citizen comment period, with many hoping for a greater reduction. Several citizens continued to share their opinions regarding the tax cut during the meeting’s citizen comment period.
Board members shared their own thoughts at the meeting’s conclusion. Board Co-Chair and Buchanan Supervisor Amy White felt that “there’s no way we could make that kind of cut (net neutral) without impacting education significantly, without impacting public safety and, really, impacting services to our county. We hear a lot about (keeping the county’s) expenses the same and that would be wonderful if we had firefighters to man all of our volunteer stations. We don’t have that anymore, so we have to be realistic.”
White mentioned that the board members pay their taxes just like the citizens of Botetourt and how much she is impacted as well. She added that these decisions are an ongoing process and looks forward to continued engagements with community members on how to better serve the entirety of the county.
Valley Supervisor Mac Scothorn commended the budget committee and the board members who spent time putting together this year’s budget, as well as his appreciation for the feedback given from citizens about the budget and tax rate decisions.
To find out more information about the county’s budget, please visit www.botetourtva.gov/budget. Citizens may sign up for county news and notifications at www.botetourtva.gov/notifyme.
