Wytheville town council is holding a budget hearing at 7 p.m. on Monday to get public input on a $24.5 million spending plan that includes tax and fee increases across the board.
The town’s budget includes increases in real estate taxes, property taxes and trash fees. Even with extra money coming in from taxes, the plan’s expenditures exceeds revenues by nearly $2 million. The pandemic hurt town spending and revenues are still lagging, officials said.
The budget, which is balanced on reserved funds and passed first reading on a 4-1 vote, includes a 2 percent raise for employees.
The town’s budget proposes an 5 and a half cent real estate tax hike, moving the rate to 21 cents per $100 valuation. Personal property taxes are slated to go up by 10 cents to 38 cents per $100. Tools and machinery taxes are set to increase 5 cents to 33 cents per $100 valuation. Tobacco tax will go up 25 cents per pack. Trash pickup will increase by $50 for a 33 gallon container and $25 per year for a 13 gallon container. Water rates will go up by $1 per customer on top of a 3 percent to 10 percent increase based on use.
