Stafford County homeowners get a break, but you’ll pay more at restaurants

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved their $320 million budget for Fiscal Year 2021. 

With the Real Estate tax rate of  97 cents per $100 of assessed property value — known as the equalized tax rate that was adopted on April 21 — the main focus of Tuesday’s budget meeting was to identify cuts and reductions to the budget. The equalized rate means property owners won’t see a hike in their Real Estate tax bills. 

The Board decreased general government operating costs by 10%, funding to the Rappahannock Regional library was reduced about $400,000, and Parks and Rec won’t open pools or run any summer activities this year.

The debt service savings pool that was supposed to go to find the construction of the county’s sixth high school has been redirected toward current expenditures. However, officials say construction of the new school is still on track for a fall 2025 opening date.

Renovations at Drew Middle School and the construction of a new courthouse next to the existing, iconic courthouse at 2119 Jefferson Davis Highway, are both being pushed back one and five years, respectively. A proposed Early Childhood Special Education expansion will also be on hold until 2030, four years later than expected.

No funds were set aside by the Board to support road bonds, so a project to widen Leeland Road Widening will be pushed to a different, unspecified time. 

The Board decided to start the implementation of the 1% meals tax rate increase in January 2021. It had originally planned on starting it in May, but the earlier rate increase helps create $700,000 more in funding.

Additionally, the first $150,000 of rollback taxes that are normally used for the Purchase Development Rights program will be freed up to the Board for use in other priorities. 

Public safety employees will still get a raise, as they will still be moved to a step-increase plan. 

The budget also funds five new county government positions — an EMS coordinator, a full-time Logistician, a security analyst, a social services position, and a service district manager. 

Thirteen work sessions helped knead and mold the final budget, leaving very little discussion for the actual vote.

Aquia District Supervisor Cindy Shelton said he was unhappy the Board chose not to create the position of a debt collector who would work in the treasurer’s office, who would try to recoup unpaid county taxes. 

“It reminds people to pay their debts,” Shelton said.

Treasurer Laura Rudy is the one who requested that this job not be funded. The Board decided to readdress this issue in October and hire someone if the function is needed at that point. Debt will still be collected by the treasurer regardless of if an additional collector is hired.