
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 12, 1991                   TAG: 9102120479
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

RAISING TAX BASE THROUGH BACK DOOR

PRIOR TO the consolidation referendum, the county supervisors and the Roanoke City Council members were assuring their constituents there was no need for increasing taxes, as each had a surplus.

Now they are increasing their tax base by coming in the back door, raising the assessment on real estate. As an owner of my home, it will cost me more to live there. It would be hard, if not impossible, to sell it for what they tell me it is worth now.

It would seem they do not read the business news, which only recently reported the value of real estate was declining on both the East and West coasts. Only the Midwest is holding its own.

Seems that all the projected capital improvements, such as the water reservoir that was sold to the public when the bond issue was approved, will cost far more than our county Administration advised us. With other so-called improvements, these should be put on hold until the economy improves. GEORGE H. HENNING ROANOKE

by CNB