Bedford Town Council met at its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 23. The focus of the meeting was to consider tax rates for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
During the citizen comment portion at the beginning of the meeting, Billy Hackworth sought an explanation to why “In God We Trust” was removed form official police vehicles. He had previously voiced his complaint about the removal and asked for an explanation which he had not received. In response to his inquiry, Councilman Carson said he had spoken with Chief Lewis. According to Carson, Chief Lewis had been “bombarded” by citizens with concerns from both sides of the issue. After consideration, Chief Lewis decided to include only necessary information on the vehicles. Mayor Black also discussed the issue with Chief Lewis, Town Manager Bart Warner and legal counsel. After those discussions, Mayor Black determined he would not force Chief Lewis to include the moniker. Unless a member of Town Council wants to create a policy addressing the issue and bring to council for a vote, he considers the issue resolved.
During the public comment period prior to discussion of tax rates, Nancy Leighton, of Peaks Street, addressed council with her concerns of rising costs and the impact on retirees and people on fixed incomes, expressing her desire for something to be done to curb those costs if possible. No other citizens addressed council.
The total real estate assessment for the Town of Bedford increase by 1.035% based on a reassessment conducted last year. The increase was primarily due to new construction. A proposed real estate tax rate of $.028 per $100 of assessed value was unanimously approved by Council for fiscal year 2024-2025. The rate reflects no change from the current tax rate.
No change to the personal property tax rate of $1.06 per $100 of assessed value was proposed. Included in the personal property tax rate ordinance is a tax rate of $.20 per $100 of assessed value on machinery and tools. Several Council members have had citizens express concerns about the machinery and tools rate leading council to table the proposal until the next regular meeting in order to re-evaluate that portion of the tax rate.
In other action, Council set personal property tax relief on personal use motor vehicles to eliminate personal property tax for qualifying vehicles valued at less than $1000; personal vehicles valued at $1001-$20000 will be eligible for 100% tax relief; and qualifying vehicles valued at $20001 or more shall receive 100% tax relief on the first $20000 of value. The local tax relief program is a result of the Personal Property Tax Relief Act passed by the General Assembly in 1998 with the intent of gradually eliminating personal property tax on personal use vehicles. In 2004, the General Assembly revised the program to cap state contribution to localities. The Town of Bedford received $280,647 from the state to use as personal property tax relief in2024-205. Total relief applied to local personal property bills totaled $462,923 with the town’s budget making up the difference. It is believed that the Town of Bedford is one of the few if not only locality in Virginia that contributes to the State funding amount to lower personal property tax obligations.
Prior to adjourning the meeting, Council went in to closed session to discuss the acquisition or disposition of publicly held real property relating to land around the water reservoir. The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 at 7 pm.
