Pulaski Council talks R.E. tax rate, skate park and grass
No one spoke at Tuesday’s public hearing before Pulaski Town Council on the town’s real estate tax rate. There was discussion during the meeting, however, on topics including the town’s skate park, grass cutting, Virginia Public Service Week and economic development.
The tax rate hearing was required following the recent reassessment of real estate in the county.
Town Manager Darlene Burcham said the reassessment, which occurs every six years, has yielded an increase in the value of town real estate of 12.8 percent.
Burcham said state law requires the town to advertise what rate would be necessary to offset that increase or hold the tax neutral for property owners.
That would require, she explained, the town’s real estate tax rate being lowered to 30 cents per $100 of assessed value to offset any increase.
The public hearing notice, published April 2, noted the town would instead propose to adopt its current rate of 34 cents per $100 of assessed value rather than reducing the rate.
Burcham said the town therefore will prepare a budget that exceeds last year’s by at least 2 percent.
Councilman Brooks Dawson asked if the town had received any comment on the tax rate issue. Burcham responded she had received no comment, and none had been posted on the town’s Facebook broadcast during the meeting.
Burcham noted the annual increase to the town in real estate tax revenue is $197,000.
“That is a six-year increase,” Burcham said. “So, it took six years of growth in real estate to achieve that [$197,000] increase, and there won’t be another assessment for another six years. So that growth is not as significant as that one figure would suggest.”
She told council that is the level of real estate growth the town will have unless there is residential or commercial growth in the town.
The public hearing ended with no comments from the public.
Council took no action on the rate at Tuesday’s meeting.
Steven Spence and Dirk Akers spoke out in support of the town’s skate park located near Macgill Village.
Akers noted the park needs repairs and is in need of trash cans and lighting to improve the appearance and security of the park.
Akers also suggested the possibility of moving the park to a more centrally located area in town, and expressed appreciation for the skateboard shop that opened recently downtown.
“Christiansburg and Blacksburg don’t even have one,” Akers quipped.
Councilman Jamie Radcliffe agreed with Akers that the park needed work and suggested the town study the possibility of creating a new skate park at 6th Street Park.
Burcham noted that the park at 6th Street has become a favorite spot for Pickle Ball players and council would be receiving a request from them in the future concerning a re-surfacing of the tennis court where Pickle Ball is played.
She noted that plans are in the works for both basketball and skateboard facilities off First Street, where parking will not be an issue like it would be at 6th Street.
In Council Member comments, Dawson asked that citizens do more to let council know their feelings on such issues as water and sewer rates, tax rates, etc. to help council make decisions on those and other important matters.
Radcliffe asked about grass cutting in the town and how some areas need cutting and wondered why the town hadn’t cut it.
Burcham replied grass cutting is the responsibility of the property owner, according to the town code.
Radcliffe responded that if the land is owned by the town – being on the town right-of-way – the town should cut the grass.
“Then you’ll have to change the code,” Burcham responded, noting the rules on grass cutting have been in the code “a long time.”
She reminded council of a notice sent out by the town some time ago on grass cutting.
The notice said, “Town Code states that grass and weeds should not exceed 12 inches in height. It’s important to note that your grass must be cut all the way to the curb or where your property meets the roadway.”
In her Town Manager’s Report, Burcham noted Gov. Ralph Northam’s recent designation of May 3-7 as Virginia Public Service Week to pay tribute to local, state and federal employees in Virginia.
“There’s no better example of public service than town employees,” she said.
“Many people have worked at home due to COVID, but that hasn’t happened here. Your staff has been here working for the citizens.
“Public service is one of the most noble professions. You have a lean, but very dedicated staff. I am amazed at the number of years some of them have worked – 10, 20, 25 and 30 years – for the town.
“When you see them, please thank them,” Burcham urged council.
She added that town employees aren’t always well-paid and are often criticized for what they do because much of what they do is enforcement.
“But what they do is done for the safety and protection of citizens. And I’m not just talking about the police department, but code enforcement and everyone else.”
On the economic development front, Burcham said things seem to be picking up for the town.
“There are a number of prospects looking at particular projects within the town,” Burcham said. “People seem interested in coming to Pulaski.”
She especially noted the need for an 8,000-square-foot building with a high ceiling to offer a particular prospect.
By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot
