Patrick County Residents Protest Tax Assessment-Stuart, VA
December 8, 2008
Dec. 8-2008-Approximately 700 residents packed the Patrick County High School gym on Monday evening to express their dissatisfaction with the recent real estate tax assessment.
The following story is the text of the news report by WSLS Channel 10 TV station in Roanoke, VA
By Lindsey Henley
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: December 9, 2008
A local county is still trying to decide what to do after land assessments in the area went up drastically.
Patrick County hired an outside firm to do the assessments. It had been six years since the previous ones, and many people’s property came back at 500 to 600 percent higher—meaning higher taxes.
Monday night, close to 700 people packed into Patrick County High School to protest, but the board of supervisors still has not agreed on what to do about the increase.
Many people have already appealed the assessments, but there are two other steps you can take if you are unhappy.
According to the Virginia Commissioner of Revenue, you can also go before a board of equalization, which is appointed by the board of supervisors or you can petition the circuit court to go before a judge.
Many of the people we spoke with would like to see the county enact a land-use ordiance, which would help equilize the assessments.
