Board of County Supervisors Meeting - Apr 16, 2024

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Prince William County Board of Supervisors 5h 55m 2 speakers 8 agenda items transcribed 5 days ago official recording ↗

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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

What opening remarks and public‑comment procedures are announced at the beginning of the meeting?

Deshundra Jefferson 38:18

All right. Thank you everyone. It is seven 30 on Tuesday, April 16th. Um, we are going to start with a moment of silence. Remember the 17th anniversary of the Virginia tech shooting, which took the lives of 32 people.

Deshundra Jefferson 38:42

All right. If you're able for the pledge of allegiance. the

Mrs. Johnson 38:51

United

Deshundra Jefferson 38:51

States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with

Irene Kelly 38:58

liberty and justice

Deshundra Jefferson 38:59

for all. Thank you so very much and we are moving right into public comment time. Please note that this public comment time is for items not listed on today's agenda as a public hearing item. We are going to, while I'm waiting for the list of speakers, I just want to let everyone know that I'm going to call speakers five at a time. Each speaker will have three minutes to share their views and opinions on matters before the board. We ask that all speakers state their name, magisterial district, or generally where they reside. We will close the in-person sign-up list after the first 15 minutes of in-person public comments. All right, thank you so very much. We're going to start with Bill Wright, Liz Maturana, Mike Kaczmarek, Neil Kelly, and Irene Kelly.

Bill Wright 40:07

My name is Bill Wright. I live in Gainesville. I advocate raising the data center tax to the maximum permissible level. I'm sure several supervisors received some positive feedback last week for their encouraging words about supporting an increase in the data center tax and using the resulting revenue for promised taxpayer relief and other pressing public needs. I'm also sure several supervisors received contrary advice from data center proponents trying to make an indefensible case for extending their inexplicable discount. Do yourselves a favor and toss that embarrassingly servile Chamber of Commerce lobbying letter in the recycling bin where it has a chance to do some good. We are here tonight to ensure you are listening to the right voices, the people who elected you and whose interests you are sworn to represent.

Bill Wright 40:52

Those voices which have been tuned out in the past are now reaching a fever pitch. the case for raising the data center tax to the maximum permissible level was made very effectively last week the argument to be made this week is to follow through without backsliding the rate the public expects is three dollars and seventy cents no equivocation there will be absolutely no sympathy for further accommodation of the data center industry they have enjoyed every conceivable advantage over the past four years including unreasonable ones the county is now being sued for Their reckless plunder will scar this county for years to come, and some of you will come to regret your prior support. Please don't conjure up reasons why they need further coddling.

Bill Wright 41:35

No one is buying it, and any supervisor who tries to rationalize it deserves to have their motives examined. county executive shorter told you last week that each nickel increase in the data center tax yields an extra one point eight million dollars to the county coffers that means an increase to three dollars and seventy cents would yield almost fifty six million dollars why would you prefer to leave that in the pockets of amazon google and microsoft The raise to $3.70 is only the first installment. Since the Chamber of Commerce lamented the short notice, the pending increase, they should be advised right now that the rate will go even higher next year to align with neighboring counties. Don't say we didn't warn them.

Bill Wright 42:17

The Board should strongly consider an ordinance like Fauquier County's that decouples the data center tax from other business and personal property taxes to enable setting rates independently. Once done, the county can start to reap some of the long-advertised benefits of data center tax revenue and applying them to legitimate public priorities. Thank you.

Deshundra Jefferson 42:39

Next speaker, please.

Elizabeth Martirana 42:40

Could I use Elmo, please?

Elizabeth Martirana 42:58

Elizabeth Martirana, Gainesville District, Prince William County, almost 48 years. Last week I mentioned my concern that the homes in the Prince William Digital Gateway were recently assessed at $100 each, which did not make any sense to me because my house has certainly not been assessed at $100.