This story was reported and written by WHRO media partner Williamsburg Watch
James City County Supervisors heard from upset taxpayers Tuesday night who asked for lower taxes and less county spending, saying continuing price hikes hurt seniors on a fixed income and lower-income residents.
More than 60 people turned up for the public hearing on the budget and taxes. Many of them were seniors, and the audience applauded and cheered each of the 17 people who spoke against the $413.1 million budget. No one spoke in favor.
The proposed operating budget shows a 6.8% increase, more than the 6.5% estimated population increase over the past five years or the 2.9% inflation rate.
The capital spending budget increases to $132.4 million in the fiscal year that starts in July, largely to cover the cost of the new county office building and library annex. That budget goes back down in fiscal year 2028 as construction spending decreases.
Besides $11 million more in real estate taxes — the result of double-digit increases in home assessments — the proposed budget also raises the meals tax by 50%.
Retirees and seniors made up the majority of the audience, a reflection of the gradual aging of James City County’s population. Seniors 65 and older now comprise 28% of residents, a larger percentage than the rest of the Historic Triangle or the state, according to USA Facts. Fewer than 18% of Virginia residents are over 65.
County Administrator Scott Stevens is recommending that home property taxes be reduced by 3 cents per $100 in valuation to offset some of the increase in assessments. But the average homeowner will still pay 7.4% more in taxes.
“What we care about is what we’re paying out of our pockets for real estate taxes,” not the tax rate, said Michael Jenks.
Chris Henderson, a conservative businessman who speaks at nearly every public hearing, noted that higher taxes will trickle down to lower-income residents who rent their homes, because landlords will pass on their higher costs.
“We are quickly becoming unaffordable, and that may be fine for some of you, but it’s not for me,” he said, prompting cries of “amen” from the crowd.
Claude Gilmer, who has lived in Grove for 35 years, said his Social Security cost-of-living increase of 2.8% will not cover the 18.3% raise in his home assessment.
Several seniors said they were having trouble keeping up with double-digit tax hikes when they are on a fixed income and they did not want to sell their homes.
Homeowners stressed repeatedly that while their homes might be worth more, they did not want to sell, so the increased value of their homes did not help them.
Rachel Sears, the executive director of the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association, said many of the group’s 100 members will be hurt by the 50% meals tax increase. The proposed budget raises the tax from 4% to 6%. She said many restaurateurs are small businesses that are already struggling with rising costs for rent, labor and food.
Several speakers said the supervisors needed to take control of the budget and find cost savings.
Although it is standard practice at public hearings to ask the audience not to interrupt, the supervisors did not attempt to halt any of the applause in between speakers.
Supervisors are scheduled to vote on the budget on May 12. Residents have another opportunity to speak at the April 28 supervisors’ budget meeting.
