I
n Franklin County, Virginia, a delicate balance is at play as the Board of Supervisors weighs two proposed tax hikes that have some residents on edge. The county's budget proposal includes a modest increase in real estate taxes from $0.43 to $0.44 per $100 of assessed property value and a meals tax hike from 4% to 6%. While the county asserts these increases are necessary to plug revenue gaps and fund essential services, some residents are pushing back against what they see as an ill-timed burden.

    "We're talking about working-class folks who are barely scraping by," said Ed Saunders, a Ferrum resident. "A small increase might not seem like much to some people, but for others, it's the difference between making ends meet or going hungry." Saunders and others argue that with inflation on the rise and power bills skyrocketing, now is not the time to raise taxes.

    "It feels like governmental shrinkflation," Saunders said. "We're paying more, getting less, and seeing services dwindle. Schools are closing down, and we're being asked to foot the bill for federal and state funding cuts." The county acknowledges that it will need to absorb these costs, but maintains that the tax increases will have a minimal impact on most residents.

    For example, an average home valued at $250,000 would see its yearly tax bill rise by just $25. However, Saunders worries about the cumulative effect of these increases, particularly for families who rely on dining out as a rare treat. "A one-cent increase might not seem like much, but it adds up," he said.

    The county has already trimmed $4.7 million from its budget requests and expects the tax hikes to generate an estimated $1.75 million in revenue. This money would go towards essential equipment, vehicles, and personnel, including school resource officers. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on April 8 to discuss these proposals.