Henrico board approves budget appropriations

Despite corporate bankruptcies, high unemployment rates and home foreclosures, Henrico County property owners are paying their real estate taxes on time.

Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon asked about the issue last night as the board voted to approve appropriations of $1.15 billion in the county operating budget and $53 million in the capital budget for the 2010 fiscal year.

About 98.5 percent of property owners paid their taxes on time this spring, said John A. Vithoulkas, director of finance, and Eugene H. Walter, budget director. That's the case even for properties in foreclosure, Walter said, because when a house is foreclosed on the bank is still responsible for taxes.

"Banks pay on time," Vithoulkas said. "They don't want the penalty and interest."

County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett advised supervisors to expect some amendments to the county budget during the year because of federal stimulus payments or reductions in the state budget.

In 1992, he reminded them, revenues fell short of the forecast and the budget changed midyear.

In other business, supervisors approved a letter of necessity for the Gayton Road extension. The road project will be considered in a work session July 14, and a public hearing is likely at the July 29 board meeting. Construction could begin as early as August and be completed by the beginning of 2012.

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .