Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 19, 1993 TAG: 9305190419
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Short
The county Board of Supervisors voted to accept the settlement Monday night, following a 1 1/4 -hour closed session to discuss legal matters, personnel, land acquisition or disposition, and prospective industry.
The suit began several years ago when Arlington County challenged the way railroad property was assessed in Virginia for property taxes.
The case went to the Virginia Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the county and for an assessment method that resulted in higher rail property assessments.
Natkin and Heslep, a Lexington-based law firm that specializes in representing local governments, was hired by Vinton and other towns and the counties of Botetourt, Alleghany, Bath and Rockbridge to collect the higher rail assessments for them.
As the suit went on, other counties - including Pulaski - were added and chose to have Natkin and Heslep represent them as well.
The case has been through both state and federal courts, said Wayne Heslep, one of the lawyers handling it. NS has offered to settle with the localities in which its property lies, he said.
by CNB