THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 1997 TAG: 9702200066
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 47 lines
The City Council didn't act Wednesday to establish the city's base tax rate as required by state law, but that didn't keep away several irate residents.
When a locality's real estate assessments have increased by more than 1 percent, a public hearing is required by law. In Suffolk's case, the assessments rose 1.03 percent.
The city's overall growth and assessments have increased by 4.86 percent.
The base citywide tax rate is $1.03 per $100 assessed value - $1,030 a year for a $100,000 house. The state law that triggers the meeting would also change the city's base rate to $1.0297 per $100 of assessed value. Council can vote to change the rate.
Many residents complained that although their real estate and property taxes have risen over the years, they haven't received the level of services comparable to the higher costs.
Carolyn Lawrence, who lives in northern Suffolk along Route 17, said she will have to move with only four years left on her home mortgage because she can no longer afford the real estate taxes.
Higher assessments ``won't be the straw that breaks the camel's back,'' said Lawrence, one of about 10 residents who spoke on the tax issue. ``This camel's back has already been broken.''
Earl Beasley, who lives in Res-pass Beach, a waterfront community in the northern end, said he doesn't think it's fair that he and other neighbors had to shell out their own money for a $10,000 deep well. Beasley said other nearby communities that don't get city water services pay the same tax rate as many neighborhoods that do have water and sewer lines.
``The northern region is a crown for Suffolk,'' said Beasley. ``But the little community of Res-pass Beach still has no water and sewer.''
City Council members said they may consider semi-annual collection of real estate and property taxes to add more interest earnings to city coffers.
IN OTHER CITY BUSINESS, the council unanimously approved a rezoning request by Harbourview developer Robert T. Williams. Williams plans to rezone about 30 acres of land near his Harbourview development for a hotel. Several residents at Wednesday's meeting applauded the move, saying the city needs more commercial efforts.
The city's revised personnel ordinance - which includes a provision requiring top city officials to live in Suffolk - will be considered at the council's next meeting. There were plans to include it on this week's agenda, but the matter was moved.