Stafford holding hearing at Brooke Point to get public input on budget - Fredericksburg.com

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2020 budget Tuesday evening.

The meeting, which will be held at Brooke Pointe High School at 7 p.m., will offer the public an opportunity to comment on the county’s proposed budget prior to its final adoption April 16.

On March 19, supervisors voted to advertise a proposed real estate tax rate of $1.03 per $100 of assessed value, 4 cents above the budget’s proposed rate. If approved in April, that would mean higher taxes for county homeowners and a possible raise for teachers.

“The main thing is to get public input at this hearing,” said Supervisor Tom Coen. “It’s part of the Democratic process.”

The higher advertised rate will also allow supervisors time to consider other county needs prior to final adoption of the budget in April. The adopted tax rate cannot exceed the advertised tax rate, however, it could be lowered.

The county’s proposed budget for the new fiscal year is $618.8 million, with general fund revenue of $315.3 million, and a proposed $126.6 million transfer to county schools.

https://ift.tt/2HQrsyI