Leesburg's Tax Rate Considered

Town Manager John Wells proposed an 18.75 cent tax rate for Leesburg in his budget. The Town Council widely favors a slightly lower rate of 18 cents.

A straw poll conducted by Leesburg town council members last night found that the majority of council members were in favor of an 18-cent real estate tax rate.

This comes in contrast to an 18.75-cent tax rate proposed by Town Manager John Wells in February, which would drop town resident's tax bills around 2.8 percent on average. - Leesburg Today

Of course, a 2.8% reduction in Town tax bills (which would effectively wipe out the county's tax increase for some Leesburg residents) along with sufficient funding for the many active projects throughout the town (the very things that helped Leesburg achieve it's Fortune ranking) is simply too reasonable for some members of Council.

The lone vote against the 18-cent rate was Councilman Ken Reid, who said he supported an even lower tax rate of 17.5 cents.

"Seventeen point five cents is sending the word out that not only are we cutting taxes, but we're cutting the tax rate," Reid said. "That's something to advertise. That's something we can tout to potential businesses and entrepreneurs." - Leesburg Today

There is no evidence of a relationship between marginal changes in local tax rates and business creation. Furthermore, Leesburg already has something to advertise and tout to potential businesses and entrepreneurs: the recognition of Fortune magazine.

It is gratifying that the majority on the Council see the wisdom of the road taken thus far, and are working diligently to maintain the quality of our Town's administration and progress.

But several council members raised concerns that cutting the tax rate below 18 cents could cause future woes and pose the possibility of escalating the tax rate next year. Mayor Kristen Umstattd said she worried about going below an 18-cent rate because "next year we're probably going to be in as bad a revenue posture as this year." - Leesburg Today

It should be noted that both Tom Dunn and Frank Holtz are running for Council on a platform of significantly lower revenue for Town operations, but they have not specified which roads, fire trucks, policemen or parks they would eliminate to get there.

Our Mayor and Council should keep up the excellent work!