PWCS Shares Concern Over County Tax Rate

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Photo by Ashleigh Henegar Photo by Ashleigh Henegar

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors failed to set the advertised tax rate at Tuesday’s meeting, which concerns Prince William County Schools, since their funding is intrinsically tied to the tax rate.

PWCS Director of Communication Services Phil Kavits broke the news to faulty and staff in  a divisionwide message yesterday.

The superintendent reflected BOCS guidance and the county’s approved five-year plan by building the proposed school budget around revenue that would be generated by a 3.88% increase in the average county property tax bill. When they voted to set the Advertised Tax Rate, however, Supervisors deadlocked 4-4 on the 3.88% increase.

Once advertised, the tax rate can always go down, but cannot go up. Last week, Acting County Executive Christopher Martino presented a budget at a 3.88 percent tax rate increase in keeping with the county’s five-year plan. However, half the board would like to see the tax rate set at a lower rate than that before it is advertised.

Republicans Jeanine Lawson (Brentsville), Pete Candland (Gainesville), Ruth Anderson (Occoquan) and Chairman Corey Stewart voted against advertising the 3.88 percent tax increase; Democrats Frank Principi (Woodbridge), John Jenkins (Neabsco) and Republicans Marty Nohe (Coles) and Maureen Caddigan (Potomac) voted for it.

Since a majority vote was unable to be reached, the supervisors scheduled an emergency meeting for March 7, during which they will need decide upon the tax rate. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the McCoart Building.

Read What’s Up Woodbridge’s article “Supervisors Battle Over Tax Rate” for more information.

Kavits wrote that the supervisors deadlocked on a proposal that would leave the schools $13 million short for the coming year.

“A second vote considered a flat tax rate, which would cut school funding by $13 million next year, with the loss of revenue compounding to more than $74 million in the 2020-21 school year. That option also deadlocked the BOCS. A third option for a small tax rate increase also failed,” he said.

However, supervisors have to balance the needs of the county government and schools with those of the taxpayers. In previous years, some supervisors have offered creative solutions to providing more money to the schools while attempting to keep the tax rate from increasing. One option the BOCS has is to break from the formula of the revenue sharing agreement and provide more than 57.23 percent of the county budget to the schools. This however could cut into other countywide needs.

Kavits noted that the school board will continue to deliberate on the budget despite the uncertainty.

Some one the school board have ambitious intentions for the budget, including providing educators with a step increase; however, their ability to approve such initiatives are largely tied to the county tax rate.

School Board members are scheduled to vote on the school budget March 16.

“Residents can address the School Board and Board of County Supervisors during Citizen’s Time at their respective meetings,” Kavits wrote.

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