The Shadow
LOW MOOR — Alleghany County is considering changes to an ordinance that lists personal property exemptions.
The ordinance was discussed Wednesday at an Alleghany County Board of Supervisors’ meeting. There were no comments during a public hearing on the proposed changes.
In a memo to supervisors, Commissioner of the Revenue Valerie Bruffey said, “In the past several years, the general assembly added three additional categories of personal property that are considered household goods.
“These include antique motor vehicles, mopeds and certain electronic equipment used in the home. The proposed change to our county code is basically to conform to the state code by uniformly exempting all items considered to be household goods, while no longer exempting them individually.”
In addition, Bruffey is asking supervisors to exempt farm animals, farm machinery and farm equipment from taxation.
“Exempting these items would be a good way to support our local farmers, while joining the majority of localities that already exempt this property,” Bruffey said in the memo.
There are 10 Virginia counties that continue to tax farm animals. Twenty-three counties still tax farm machinery and equipment.
“I’m glad we’re doing this,” Supervisor Vice Chairman Cletus Nicely said of the proposed exemptions for farm animals and equipment.
“I’ve been paying two dollars a year in taxes on my 36-year-old horse and he died last month. That’s just my luck,” Nicely said.
Supervisors will consider approving the new exemptions at their Dec. 2 meeting.
Also at the Dec. 2 meeting, the board will hold a hearing on a proposal to grant tax abatements for existing properties that are renovated or rehabilitated.
Clifton Forge, Covington and Iron Gate are also expected to approve the tax abatement as an incentive to attract new residents to attract new residents and businesses.
Supervisor Chairman Steve Bennett and Falling Spring Supervisor Matt Garten have been part of committee that included representation from the other localities.
“Everybody had input and everybody worked well together. It was a positive step,” Garten said.
Wednesday’s meeting also included a discussion on a request from Iron Gate concerning animal control.
Iron Gate Town Council submitted letter to supervisors requesting that the county adopt a cat ordinance and purchase more cage space at the Alleghany Humane Society Animal Shelter.
“If you adopt a cat ordinance, it’s going to be very difficult to enforce. Plus, let’s face it, you can’t catch a cat like you can a dog,” County Administrator John Strutner said.
In addition, Strutner said the county cannot acquire more cages at the shelter for cats. The county has 34 cages at the facility.
Strutner was directed to right a letter to Iron Gate. The letter will inform members of town council to contact the county’s animal control officer about measures to control cats.
“I will suggest they contact the animal control officer and work with him. He said he will take some traps down there. But the big thing is people need to stop feeding stray cats. They multiply like crazy,” Strutner said.
In other action Wednesday, supervisors:
— Approved $150,000 for emergency replacement of a wastewater line in the Rosedale area.
— Approved a resolution of respect for the late Susan Myers.
Myers, who severed as the county’s financial systems analyst, died Oct. 7.
She had worked for the county since July 1, 1980.
— Heard comments from Clifton Forge Town Councilman Jeff Irvine.
Irvine praised the county recreation department for its assistance with recent youth sporting events at Memorial Park.
