MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) – The Martinsville City Council has voted to change the real estate tax rate from 99 cents to 77 cents per $100. But this could actually be a payment increase.
That’s because property reassessment values went up by more than 37 percent.
Controversy over expenses and use of city credit cards did come up at Tuesday night’s meeting, even leading to a meeting recess at one point because of audience disruption.
“But when we’re getting to the point where we are just going to cut-cut-cut or micromanage day-to-day operations, which is not City Council’s job,” said Mayor LC Jones, “We’re supposed to be looking a things at the bigger picture. We shouldn’t be here …what did you eat today? Or what new furniture did you buy? It’s okay to question things, but we are digging too far into the weeds… just my opinion.”
The city manager says the card expenses can be accounted for, with a large chunk of the money used for travel to conferences. The money was previously budgeted by council.
A first reading of the new budget passed with a second reading expected at the next meeting.
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