Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky delivered a comprehensive presentation to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 20, 2024, regarding increased property assessments.

Mayausky’s presentation, which marked his 12th time addressing the board on reassessments, aimed to shed light on the reasons behind the eye-popping surge in property assessments, which jumped 23% in two years.

The presentation delved into the property assessment process, with County Assessor Bart Stevenson providing detailed insights into the assessment methodology and market trends. Stevenson highlighted significant increases in residential and commercial property values, attributing the surge to factors such as low inventory, steady demand, and the rise of industrial and data center projects.

This low housing inventory has several implications for property assessments:

• Steady Demand: Despite the limited availability of homes for sale, there is still steady demand from buyers. This steady demand has kept property prices elevated over the past few years.
• Increased Property Values: The combination of low inventory and steady demand has led to increased property values. Stevenson highlighted that residential property values in Stafford County saw a significant uptick, rising approximately 13% during the reassessment period.
• Impact on Assessment Methodology: Assessors consider various factors when determining property values, including recent sales data, market trends, and property characteristics. Low housing inventory can create challenges in accurately assessing property values due to limited comparable sales data.
• Affordability Concerns: Rising property values can impact housing affordability for residents, particularly those looking to purchase homes in the area. The increase in property assessments may lead to higher property taxes, affecting homeowners’ overall housing costs.

The median home value in Stafford, as of January 2024, is $487,773.

Mayausky highlighted Virginia’s unique constitutional mandate to assess properties at 100% fair market value in his address. Effective January 1, 2024, reassessments are based on sales data, primarily from 2022 and 2023. The reassessment process, outlined by Virginia’s Code, requires at least 15 days of hearings to ensure transparency and accountability. Mayausky also emphasized Virginia’s status as a “truth in taxation” state, underscoring the importance of the effective tax rate in offsetting increased reassessment values.

As explained by Mayausky, the effective tax rate fluctuates to balance the increased property values. Per the Board of Supervisors request, re-assessments occur on a biennial cycle to accurately reflect market trends and distribute the tax burden equitably among taxpayers.

Mayausky addressed concerns about the confusion surrounding the effective rate, acknowledging the need for clarity and transparency. “I think that effective rate is confusing people,” said Hartwood District Supervisor Darrell English. “I don’t know if you can do one of your little videos, and you can put it out there and explain.”

Mayausky assured the board that efforts are made to educate taxpayers through various channels, including informational videos and online resources.

Residents were encouraged to appeal their assessments if they disagreed with the valuations, with a deadline of March 8 to submit appeals. Stevenson assured residents that the reassessment office is committed to addressing concerns and assisting throughout the appeal process.

Looking ahead, Mayausky outlined projections for future tax revenue based on ongoing development projects, particularly data centers, which are expected to contribute to the county’s tax base significantly.

During the presentation, Scott Mayausky discussed future tax projections from data centers, emphasizing their significant potential to contribute to the county’s tax revenue. Amazon cut a deal with the county to build at least four data centers, with the first to sit next to Stafford Hospital.

Mayausky noted that data centers are a high-profile class of property for the county.”We increased the land value for the identified data center projects by 429%. Fortunately, in the region, there were several sales that happened in December, so we had really good data. So we were able to be very aggressive but also very confident in the values that we put on the data centers,” he said.

Data centers typically house extensive computer equipment and infrastructure and have a high taxable value. Mayausky mentioned that a 250,000-square-foot data center building could potentially have upward of a billion dollars worth of taxable property within it. This substantial value contributes significantly to the county’s tax base.

Mayausky said the county could expect to see the full benefit of the data center reflected in the 2024 reassessment and that the county would likely see the most substantial revenue impact starting from January 1, 2026. Data center projects are expected to be fully operational by this time, with completed buildings and equipment installed, resulting in increased taxable property value.

Neighboring Prince William County, with about three times the population of Stafford County, has seen a proliferation of data centers in the past five years and will soon house the most data centers in the world.

Despite promises from county leaders of tax relief spurred by the data centers, an FY 2025 $1.77 billion proposed budget by its county administrator envisions an average increase of $243 for each homeowner. The median home value in Prince William County, as of December 2023, was $528,000.

Stafford County Administrator Randall Vosburg presented the fiscal year 2025 budget to the Board of Supervisors, highlighting the county’s achievements, population growth, and budget drivers.

The total budget amount for fiscal year 2025 reached a significant milestone, surpassing one billion dollars, marking a substantial investment in the community’s needs and priorities. Vosburg outlined key areas driving the budget, including the county’s robust population growth, which has made Stafford the third fastest-growing jurisdiction in Virginia. With a population exceeding 165,100 and a median household income of approximately $128,000, Stafford County continues to experience economic prosperity and expansion.

“We’re number 19 in the nation on median household income. We are the number three fastest growing county in Virginia,” said Vosburg.

High median incomes, low housing inventory, and increased home prices were identified as significant factors influencing budget decisions. The county anticipates continued growth in property values, with projections reaching $27.4 billion, driven in part by investments in infrastructure and development projects.

County residents received their bi-annual home reassessments in the mail this week and saw an eye-popping increase of as much as 23% compared to two years ago.

Randall Vosburg’s $1 billion budget increased by 6% over last year, and his presentation highlighted several key areas that saw significant increases in the budget for the fiscal year. Education funding received a notable boost with a $19.6 million increase, indicating a commitment to supporting educational initiatives and programs.

Additionally, general government support saw a substantial rise of $9.3 million, reflecting investments in essential services and infrastructure. Public safety also received increased funding, totaling $7.2 million, emphasizing the county’s dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.

Moreover, transportation saw a notable increase of $2.8 million, indicating efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance mobility within the community. These budgetary allocations underscored the county’s priorities and strategic objectives, aiming to address pressing needs while fostering growth and development.

Efforts to maintain fiscal responsibility included identifying areas for cost savings, resulting in approximately $1.7 million in reductions. Strategic investments aligned with the county’s comprehensive plan and strategic initiatives, focusing on core services and essential infrastructure projects.

Vosburg underscored the importance of balance in the budgeting process, emphasizing the need to address community priorities while considering affordability for residents. With a commitment to transparency, the budget information will be made accessible through the OpenGov platform, allowing residents to engage with the budgetary process and provide feedback.

The presentation concluded with acknowledgment and appreciation for the collaborative efforts of county staff, constitutional partners, and the Board of Supervisors in developing the proposed budget. As the budget review process unfolds, opportunities for public input and engagement will be provided to ensure the budget reflects the needs and aspirations of the Stafford County community.

The Board of Supervisors will take Vosburg’s budget and deliberate over it during the rest of February and March. The Board will approve its version of the budget in April.

Rock Hill District Supervisor Crystal Vanuch highlighted the 23% increase in home values. “This is great news for the value of your homes but bad news for your pocketbooks if the board doesn’t lower the current rate,” said Vanuch.

Vanuch emphasized the implications for taxpayers, explaining, “The most recent residential property rate is 94.5 cents, including the fire levy. As we move through the budget process, if the board does not lower the rate to 84 cents, then that means that you will see an increase to your property tax bill (on average) of 13 percent.” Urging community engagement, she emphasized the upcoming vote on March 5 to advertise a property tax rate: “Remember last year when some of my colleagues voted to advertise a 40 percent increase? Please don’t wait until after March 5 to tell us what you think.”

Last year, Republicans Vanuch, Meg Bohmke, and Darrell English thwarted an attempt by Democrats on the Board to increase homeowners’ Real Estate property tax bills by nearly 40%, the most significant proposed increase in Virginia history.

Scott Mayausky, Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue, has released the 2024 bi-annual property reassessment results, revealing significant changes in property values across various sectors. The comprehensive reassessment, aimed at ensuring equitable tax distribution, has led to noticeable increases in property assessments, reflective of the current market values.

Residential properties in the county have seen an average increase of 13% in assessments, indicating a substantial rise in home values. Commercial properties have experienced an even more significant jump, with assessments increasing by 23%, highlighting robust growth in the commercial sector. Agricultural properties are not far behind, with a 14% increase, while multi-family properties have seen a more modest rise of 9%.

Overall, the average assessment increase across all property types is 13%. These changes are part of the county’s efforts to align property assessments with their fair market values, ensuring that tax responsibilities are fairly distributed among property owners. The reassessment process complies with state mandates, with the primary goal being the fair allocation of tax burdens rather than increasing tax revenue.

Property owners in Stafford County are advised to review their new assessments as they will impact the property tax obligations for the coming year. Further information and details on how to appeal assessment decisions are available through the Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue’s office.

The higher assessments will impact the average residential property tax bill Stafford County homeowners pay. The average real estate tax bill paid by Stafford homeowners in 2024 is $3,628.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will set the tax rate in April, with budget deliberations set to begin soon. County Administrator Randall Vosberg will present his annual budget proposal to the Board of Supervisors during its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the county government center, 1300 Courthouse Road, and is open to the public. It’ll be live-streamed here.

Mayausky will also update the Stafford County Board of Supervisors about his latest reassessment at the meeting.

Prince William County has announced its proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025, totaling $1.77 billion.

The average residential property tax bill in Prince William County for FY2025 is projected to be $5,098, a $243 increase, up five percent from the previous year. The budget keeps the real estate tax rate steady at $0.966 per $100 assessed property value.

This figure represents the financial obligation of homeowners within the county, encompassing the costs associated with various county services and infrastructure projects, as outlined in the proposed budget.

It focuses on critical areas, including the implementation of collective bargaining agreements, the progression of capital projects, and enhancing the efficiency of service delivery across the county.

Key highlights include a substantial increase in school funding, with a transfer of $887.2 million, representing a 10.1% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the budget addresses the need for more public safety personnel and infrastructure improvements.

This financial plan seeks to balance responsible fiscal management and the need for ongoing community and economic development, ensuring the provision of essential services without raising the general tax rate.

Prince William County Executive Christopher Shorter is expected to present his proposed budget to the Board of County Supervisors at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, during a public meeting at the McCoart County Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge.

Over the following months, the Board will engage in work sessions and public hearings to gather input on the proposed budget before its adoption on April 23. Noteworthy events in the budget calendar include a virtual community meeting on Feb. 24, where residents can ask questions about the proposed CIP and budget, and a public hearing on the proposed budget on March 19.

Additionally, the Prince William County School Board will present its proposed budget on April 2 through the revenue sharing agreement, where the county provides 57.23 percent of general fund revenue to the schools.

Throughout the process, the public is encouraged to participate by attending meetings, asking questions through the interactive Budget Q&A platform, or contacting their district supervisor.

The budget adoption is slated for April 23, with all meetings held at the Board Chambers in the McCoart Administration Building in Woodbridge, starting at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified.

Prince William County police and fire and rescue employees will see pay increases and new benefits oi the coming year thanks to union lobbyists.

Deputy County Executive Quintin Hayes delivered a comprehensive presentation to the Board of County Supervisors, outlining the critical elements of the proposed collective bargaining ordinance, which supervisors approved during their meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

The presentation covered various components, providing a detailed overview of the background, negotiation process, and fiscal impacts of the tentative agreements with the Prince William County Police Association (PWCPA) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

Hayes began by highlighting the historical context, noting that the Board had adopted the collective bargaining ordinance in November 2022, with subsequent amendments in July 2023. He said he emphasized the significance of avoiding impasse during negotiations, an achievement for the county’s negotiating team.

The negotiating team, composed of representatives from the county attorney’s office, human resources, the fire department, the police department, and external counsel, played a role. Hayes acknowledged the team’s dedication and the input received from various county offices, including the Office of Executive Management and the Office of Management and Budget.

Supervisors voted seven to one to approve the collective bargaining agreements, underscoring the significance of this development in the county’s approach to labor relations with its first responders. Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega cast the lone dissenting vote.

Woodbridge Distirct Supervisor Margaret Franklin called the process a “labor of love” and recognized that while the unions didn’t get everything they wanted, the agreement was a positive step forward.

Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry said that while initially concerned about collective bargaining, he stepped back and trusted the team, recognizing their capability to navigate the process. He noted that the package addressed important aspects such as pay, maternal leave, and other benefits, bringing the county up to speed with contemporary workforce considerations.

Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy also expressed his initial reservations about collective bargaining but acknowledged the importance of addressing retention issues within the county. He thanked the fire union for proactively sharing their perspectives and recognized the need to remain flexible and competitive in wages to retain trained and qualified personnel.

Gordy emphasized the dynamic nature of the region and the potential changes in wage rates among other localities, stressing the importance of flexibility to maintain competitiveness. While not his preference, he acknowledged the competitive reality of the situation and expressed his commitment to supporting the police and fire departments in their efforts to keep the community safe.

Gainesville Supervisor Bob Wier said he is torn over the agreement and will address its costs during the budget process in April. “There are people who are going to be angry with me for voting in favor of it, but the fiscally conservative, responsible side of me sees an upside in this that I rarely find, and that’s that we know what the set cost is going to be,” said Wier.

The tentative collective bargaining agreements were ratified by the PWCPA on October 19, 2023, and the IAFF on October 26, 2023. The unions managed the voting process independently.

According to Hayes, detailed fiscal impact studies examined direct and indirect costs. Direct costs encompassed wages, certification pay, specialty pay, overtime pay, and other compensation.

The agreement with PWCPA included the establishment of a pay scale committee, a $1,000 lump sum payment effective July 1, 2024, a total of $636,000, on-call pay costing an additional $3.6 million, and it entitles officers to receive one hour of overtime for each day assigned to overtime.

The agreement also calls for a 50-cent increase in shift differential pay and introduces six weeks of paid family leave at the cost of about $157,000 family leave. It also increases the comp leave cap from 80 hours to 120. Crime scene technicians will get $1 add-on pay for about $213,000 for about 95 crime scene technicians.

The agreement with firefighters featured a transition from a 56-hour work week to a 50-hour work week, which will require hiring 30 more firefights for $6.5 million. The move comes after county firefighters pleaded with supervisors to change their work schedules from a 48-hour week to a 56-hour week, promising it would improve employee retention and morale.

Supervisors also improved market adjustments for existing staff costing $1.2 million, $650,000 in stipends for certifications, paid family leave totaling $343,000, and increased comp leave cap from 80 to 120 hours.

All employees are already budgeted for a 3% merit performance increase in the upcoming budget.

The total cost for fiscal year 2025, starting July 1, 2024, is $16 million.