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Editorial
A lodging tax?
At its December meeting, the Planning Commission perved notice that it intends to look more closely at the bounty’s burgeoning bed and breakfast business — specifically ithose B &s which are serving dinner along with overnight Accomodations. ! The commissioners also suggested that the county investigate the possibility of levying a lodging tax, an Authority just granted to localities by the Virginia General Assembly.
We agree with the commissioners that both matters •warrant further investigation. The suggestion of a lodging tax seems particularly worthy of study, with an eye toward adoption in the future.
During the next few years, the county will face continually escalating costs as more capital improvement projects are necessary. The landfill will require expansion, which is undoubtedly a big ticket item. The county’s offices in the courthouse complex are bursting at the seams, and more room is needed. Whether more offices are built there, or adjacent property is purchased, the price tag will be enormous. Sheriff John Henry Woodward has requested an addition to the county’s jail. If the present trend in building starts continues, space will be needed by the county’s schools.
All of these needs will require money. And as state and federal contributions to local budgets continue to shrink, more of the funds will have to come from the county’s residents — from its taxpayers.
Right now, the county derives its locally-generated income solely from real estate and personal property taxes. As land values skyrocket, this tax becomes increasingly regressive, and threatens to force the least affluent members of Rappahannock’s community to move elsewhere. They simply won’t be able to afford to live here anymore.
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