By Lori Graham
MONTGOMERY Co. – Two public hearings, one concerning the proposed property tax increase of $0.76 per $100 of assessed value, and the second focusing on the total FY 2025-26 advertised budget of close to $271 million drew a crowd of county citizens during the supervisors’ April 10 meeting.
Citizens in opposition of the advertised property tax increase cited a lack of fiduciary responsibility by the Montgomery County Supervisors, most saying they do also support needed funds going to schools. The current real estate tax rate is 75-cents per-$100 in a property’s assessed value.
Bob Beard of Christiansburg suggested mismanagement of funds in his PowerPoint presentation, and asked the board “when is enough, enough?” Beard highlighted the recent purchase of a property at over $900,000 that will be utilized as an emergency management service office and the recent 50% pay increase the supervisors recently approved for themselves.
“The property tax is an assault on freedom of our property rights and that is a right that comes from Almighty God. It’s guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, and it is secured by the Constitution,” Joann Price of Blacksburg said. “Mr. [Supervisor Todd] King, I would have to commend you… the only supervisor consistently voting no on increased taxes.”
“Was it fiscally responsible to purchase a very old, dilapidated building for nearly a million dollars, and set aside over $100,000 for renovations,” Bonnie Harris, an educator in Montgomery County, said. “I also noticed the $0.01 tax increase conveniently covers the purchase you just made, and the renovations, but no extra money for our kids, no extra money for our teachers.”
Dean Hogan of Christiansburg, an 82-year-old Montgomery County resident, said he is still working to afford to live. “Please, please, please, don’t raise taxes,” Hogan said. “I think money needs to be spent more wisely and save a little bit for the teachers to get their raise, but don’t make me and my fellow people pay for it that are just barely making ends meet.”
Other citizens who spoke at the public hearings support the property tax increase, especially the need to increase wages for teachers and fill necessary staffing shortages in the County school system.
Matthew Pickett of Riner encouraged the supervisors to approve the tax increase in support of funding the schools. “I’m happy to pay the $0.20 or less, whatever it ends up being.”
“My main motivation, like all the other educators I work with in my school, is to help children learn and to support them,” Barb Holcomb of Blacksburg said. “I hope you’ll vote to support this.”
Katie Siedemann, educator in Montgomery County Schools and President of District D Montgomery County Educator’s Association also spoke in support of the tax increase. In particular, she felt the money from taxes should be targeted at improving staffing in the schools, particularly special education needs.
Executive Director of the Montgomery Museum of Art and History Sherry Wyatt addressed the board during the second citizen’s comment session of the public hearing focusing on the general advertised budget. Through the fund matching the county provided, Wyatt said the museum was able to achieve the Virginia 250 Grant. The money provided many things for the museum but most importantly an elevator permitting access for all individuals to participate fully in the museum’s other floors of exhibits.
The Board of Supervisors plan to vote on the budget at the April 21 meeting, following an April 14 work session.
