Norfolk considers $2.3M property purchase amid tax hike talk

You will accept this tax hike, citizens of Norfolk

This is the BIG day for Norfolk.

Will the real estate tax rate be hiked 4 cents? Or will it be hiked 2 cents?

Of course, this is all for the children.

Naturally, the money will pour into Norfolk’s excellent educational system.

And city employees, as well as the Commissioner of the Revenue and City Treasurer (is he still around?) and their staff, will get raises.

Yes, the big vote is today.

It follows a public hearing held at Granby High School last night.

This is just enough time for Norfolk’s residents to digest the ramifications of a tax hike and a boost in other fees.

Now the school board and City Council are dickering over the cost estimates of school construction.

A penny here, a penny there.

But the debate over pennies shows the hairline fracture between City Council and especially Mayor Paul Fraim and the school board.

It shows that not everything is wonderful in Bi-Polar on the Bay. 

Meanwhile two items on today’s agenda have me wondering if there was a mistake or if the mayor and city council are giving us an in your face attitude.

While the mayor and City Council vote to hike the real estate tax rate, they will also vote to buy property at 321 East Little Creek Road for $179,000.

That’s bad enough.

But this little gem is worse.

They want us to accept the purchase of property located at 1344 Ballentine Boulevard in the Broad Creek section of Norfolk, which is owned by CMC Steel Fabricators.

For $2.3 million. Plus an additional $25,000 for transaction costs that the city will pay, not the property owner. 

The purchase of this property contributes to accomplishing the City’s strategic objective to facilitate the improvement of the quality of life in Broad Creek, the proposed ordinance said.

Maybe it does. But this is the wrong time to vote to buy a piece of property for $2.3 million.

It's only $2.3M 

Maybe this item was budgeted for this year. Perhaps it was. But, with governments everywhere, they have to spend the money or they won’t get it in the following budget year.

But the timing couldn’t be worse.

But it appears as though a city council member is pushing this purchase.

It’s a big deal for Norfolk, for the Broad Creek neighborhood and for Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot who represents this ward.

Next year, while he’s running for City Treasurer, he can point with pride that he made this happen.

What will it be?

A shopping center with retail shops? A theater complex?

A public arts district?

Don’t worry – it’s just $2.3 million.

Your additional taxes will eventually pay for the development of this property.

Another day and another vote in the Bi-Polar on the Bay city.