Supervisor Vega Argues for More Substantial Tax Cut for Prince William Residents

Dear Neighbor,

Following last evening's proposed budget presentation (Feb. 28, 2023) by the County Executive, one thing is abundantly clear:  There is no reason you shouldn't be given a substantial cut to your residential tax bill this year.

Three years of jacking your tax bill up during the economic strife caused by COVID and then inflation has left the average Prince William County homeowner over $1,400 poorer (some more, some less, but all with less than before).

While the McCoart Complex and Prince William County government has become $182,000,000 richer (*not including the hundreds of millions in additional cash from the federal government*).

While we may not be able to get your $1,400 back in one budget cycle, there are an unlimited amount of ways we can decrease your bill from the CXO's proposal that the Board voted to advertise last night.

How The Board Can Save You $600 on Average

If they tightened their belt like you have and "ONLY" spend $30 MILLION MORE than last year. ($212 million dollar increase over four years).

How The Board Can Save You $500 on Average

If they tightened their belt like you have and "ONLY" spend $47 MILLION MORE than last year. ($229 million dollar increase over four years).

How The Board Can Save You $400 on Average

If they tightened their belt like you have and "ONLY" spend $65 MILLION MORE than last year. ($247 million dollar increase over four years).

How The Board Can Save You $300 on Average

If they tightened their belt like you have and "ONLY" spend $82 MILLION MORE than last year. ($264 million dollar increase over four years).

How The Board Can Save You $200 on Average

If they tightened their belt like you have and "ONLY" spend $100 MILLION MORE than last year. ($282 million dollar increase over four years).

How The Board Can Save You $100 on Average

If they tightened their belt like you have and "ONLY" spend $118 MILLION MORE than last year. ($300 million dollar increase over four years).

How The Board Can Simply Not Increase Your Average Tax Bill Again (the lowest bar)

If they tightened their belt like you have and "ONLY" spend $127 MILLION MORE than last year. ($309 million dollar increase over four years).

And here's the thing folks, we could have saved you hundreds of more dollars if the PWC Board would have decided to place you over multi-billion dollar data center companies and charged them anywhere near what they pay the more savvy governing leadership in neighboring Loudoun.

As a proponent of the free market, I like to keep taxes low - BUT FOR GOODNESS SAKES - even under the current advertised rates, multi-billion dollar data center companies would pay your government 95% LESS than what they pay in Loudoun while your government would force you to personally pay a tax rate 10% MORE than citizens who reside in Loudoun.

If we didn't increase taxes on anyone (you or data centers), the Prince William County government would still spend $113 million more than last year. Obviously, the main culprit is the Prince William County government and the Board's insatiable desire to spend more and inability to spend less.

Our residents have been bludgeoned over the last three years (not to mention the addition of the regressive Meals Tax) even while COVID and inflation wreaked havoc on our personal finances. This is the year to begin correcting those mistakes.

All of my colleagues should be excited about this golden opportunity to finally help reduce your tax bills, and so should you.

If any Prince William County politician tells you this year that we can't lower your tax bill, cite this e-mail. There are so many ways, that you can pick your preferred method.

As always, you're encouraged to share your feedback with the Board at BOCS@pwcgov.org.