Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 7, 1990 TAG: 9006080675
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Medium
The proposed tax was termed "anti-community" by a self-employed certified public accountant in New Castle, who said it would "regulate spare-time businesses out of existence."
"Economic growth will be squashed" in Craig County if the tax is enacted, said Rob Stahl, who operates a CPA business in New Castle.
Stahl was one of about 50 people who turned out to protest the tax at a public hearing. Many of them operate small businesses or work for pay as a sideline occupation.
By the time the hearing was over at least one member of the board appeared to agree with the protesters.
Zane Jones, chairman of the board, said he was fearful the tax would drive small businesses out of business or out of the county.
The board did not take any action on the tax but expects to do so at its next meeting June 19 at 7:30 p.m.
The business, professional and merchant license tax was one of six proposals that were the subjects of public hearings at the Monday meeting.
The board will act on all of them at its June 19 meeting.
A companion proposal to the new tax is the possible repeal of an ordinance that is now on the books - a merchants' capital tax.
If the broader license tax is enacted the more narrowly drawn capital tax would be repealed, board members said.
Jeffrey Johnson, county administrator, said it won't be long until the county will be forced to repeal the capital tax because the General Assembly is expected to withdraw it as a means of tax for localities.
The other matters that were subjects of public hearings were mostly non-controversial, although three of them involved higher taxes or fees.
The largest of them was the proposed general county budget of $4.1 million for fiscal 1990-91. This budget, which would raise the county's real estate levy 5 cents to 70 cents per $100 of assessed value, has been the subject of several public meetings already.
The other two fees proposed are a $50 fee on new septic tank installations and a $2 fee on all criminal and traffic warrants issued.
The septic tank fee would produce revenue to cover higher costs to the county for health department services and the warrant fee would go toward the maintenance of court facilities.
by CNB