I have a concern about the impending Real Estate Tax increase of 28 percent. I am a senior citizen living on a fixed income without a COLA other than that provided by Social Security. Again another increase in Real Estate Tax in a year with rising costs in basic living expenses such as food, gasoline and utilities, especially heating fuel, just reduces my standard of living even further.
One example of utilities increase: Prince William County Service Authority increased the service charge on the grinder pump for sewer connection from $4 a month to $12 a month! I hope not to be priced out of Prince William County, as this would be a hardship on me as well as probably an increased expense for Prince William County.
Let me explain. Having owned property in the county for 49 years, I now live in a four bedroom house with only my wife and I occupying the premises.
If I am priced out of the county my home would probably be bought by a family that has 2 or 3 children that the county will have to educate!
As I understand, it costs the county approximately $9,000 to $10,000 per year to educate each child. It appears that this would be a negative cash flow for the county. I think it would be in the best financial interest of the county to give senior citizens a real estate tax break to encourage them to stay in the county rather than heading to the Carolinas or elsewhere that is more tax advantaged and prevent the possibility of a negative cash flow.
It is time for the senior citizens to let their supervisors know their feelings. I did.
ANDREW JAEGER
Woodbridge
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