Van Holen and Marshall are confident that the district can balance the deficit in the 2025 fiscal year budget

The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted in full Tuesday evening not to raise property taxes for the current fiscal year, citing deficiencies identified at the tax office due to a sudden drop in car ownership and falling used car prices.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors had a busy day at its regular meeting on Tuesday. Several presentations, discussions on zoning code revisions and a public hearing were part of the hour-long work session and public meeting.

The supervisors heard from Charles Reinhold, owner of the Virginia Foothills Distillery, Shari Landry, president of the Culpeper Wellness Foundation, the Piedmont Regional Dental Clinic and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Both Reinhold and Landry thanked supervisors and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce for their support and assistance in their respective businesses.

VDOT representative Scott Thornton updated supervisors on the status of road projects in the county. Several roads are included in the Rural Rustic program for resurfacing and there will be a public hearing in September on possible new roundabouts at both ends of High Street in Gordonsville.

The board discussed possible changes to the district’s land use regulations.

Supervisors recognized the need for changes to clarify and simplify the code.

There was discussion about adding Agricultural Zone 1 at the same time and it was concluded that defining and adding this designation was a feasible option.

There would be no rezoning of the land, but this would allow for rezoning in the future.

Instead of making a final decision, they agreed to continue the discussion at the next meeting.

Fourth District Representative Crystal Hale emphasized the need for a clear and logically worded ordinance, saying the current regulation leads to confusion and frustration.

“It’s like being in an old house with secret passageways,” Hale said of the current code. “You open a door and walk down a hallway, think you’re going to the porch, but end up taking a different hallway and ending up somewhere else. Applicants should have a clear path ahead of them, not a complicated maze.”

Josh Crawford, Deputy Chief Commissioner of Revenue, outlined the upcoming changes to private property valuation. Crawford explained that the current valuation system uses JD Power’s price guide, which only applies to models that are 20 years old or newer.

For the 2024 tax year, straight-line depreciation based on original cost will apply. There will also be an appeal form for all citizens who disagree with the valuation of their personal property.

Crawford pointed to two factors that could lead to revenue shortfalls: First, used car prices have fallen after the pandemic and second, there are about 2,000 fewer vehicles in the county than estimated in the budget.

Crawford estimated that raising the personal property tax rate from the current $3.60 to $3.87 per $100 of assessed value would offset the expected deficit.

Supervisors Ed M. Van Hoven (District 2) and Keith F. Marshall (District 3) made it clear that they had no interest in burdening Orange County residents with a personal property tax increase.

The board agreed and unanimously decided not to make any changes to the rates and agreed that there was enough room in the budget to cover the deficit.

The two public hearings on a proposed zoning amendment in which Bindi LLC requested to rezone the 0.36-acre property at 16584 Tomahawk Creek Road from agricultural use to restricted commercial use, and Bindi LLC’s related special use permit to dispense fuel, were both approved unanimously.

Although the property is zoned for agriculture, it has been used as a general store for over 50 years.