Bath County prepares for property reassessment and budget development

To keep the public informed, the Board of Supervisors is pleased to begin 2015 and continue to serve the community.  The Board will provide this monthly update to inform the county of what’s happening in Bath County and further information is available by contacting the Office of County Administrator. 

The organizational meeting of the Board was held January 13 at which the Board unanimously voted Claire Collins as Chair, Cliff Gilchrest as Vice Chair and Bart Perdue as Emergency Services Director.  The Board also unanimously voted for regular meetings to be held the second Tuesday of each month.  What they did change was a trial time of beginning the meetings for February 10, March 10 and April 14 at 6:30 p.m.  At the April 14 meeting the Board will determine the beginning time for regular meetings for the remainder of 2015. 

During the meeting, downtown parking in Hot Springs became the focal point of discussion resulting from concern expressed by citizens about vehicles parking on the street blocking viewing access for business vehicles regularly exiting a business.  The County encourages people to park in the existing 31 street spaces.  When doing business downtown we also would appreciate your cooperation in not parking all day. 

A matter of community interest is the upcoming general reassessment of real property that will begin July 1, 2015.  State law requires Bath County to reassess real property every six years.  Our last general reassessment began in 2009 and ended with property values effective July 1, 2011.  That changed what the rate on the taxes was at the time.  The Board unanimously awarded a contract to perform the general reassessment services beginning July 1 to the Daleville firm of Wampler-Eanes Appraisal Group, Ltd. at a cost not to exceed $129,000.  Wampler-Eanes Appraisal also performed the last reassessment.  The general reassessment will include scheduling of public informational meetings.  As the assessment work begins after July 1, more information will be shared. 

During the public comment portion of the meeting, several people in attendance asked questions.  Answers will be included as part of the County Administrator’s report that has been added to the meeting agenda.  The County welcomes questions and requests for information at any time.  We also encourage calls and visits to County offices with inquiries and requests.

Also, the county held a work session about the budget on January 22.  During the work session the County Administrator provided the Board with an initial overview of General Fund projected revenues and requests received to date.  More work sessions and budget discussions will occur in months to come.  The next budget work session will be held with the school board on February 17.   Input from the public as the budget is being considered by the Board is truly appreciated. 

The Board of Supervisors encourages people to attend meetings, become involved and provide input.    In working with the good people of Bath County, the year ahead promises to be filled with opportunities for conversation, collaboration, communication, outreach and involvement.