The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday night to extend the county’s personal property tax deadline until February 5.
Tiffany Hairston, the Commissioner of Revenue, requested an extension due to a delay in generating the file needed for billing this year.
According to Henry County Code, Deputy County Administrator JR Powell said all personal property levies and taxes are due by December 5 of each year.
“However, Ms. Hairston has indicated that her office faced challenges over the past year causing a delay in generating the file needed for billing,” he said.
In light of this, Powell said staff recommend the board extend the payment deadline by two months.
“We are not requesting the board to change the due date for the personal property taxes. Per code, that date is still December 5. However, we are asking the board to consider extending the payment deadline date. In other words, if it’s not paid by February 5 then” it’s late, Powell said.
County Attorney George Lyle said there’s typically a penalty for personal property taxes paid after December 5.
“What you’re doing today is just waiving the penalty for personal properties to be paid after December 5. You’re not changing the date, it’s just no penalty,” he said.
Hairston wrote in a memo that a significant part of the delay was from ensuring that unregistered vehicles weren’t being charged the motor vehicle license (MVL) fee. The MVL fee is charged to every motor vehicle, trailer and semitrailer capable of being operated on the roadways in the county. The fee is $20.75 per vehicle, except motorcycles and trailers which are charged $12.
Hairston said there were approximately 4,000 vehicles that still needed to have the MVL fee removed as of October 25. In addition, approximately 3,000 vehicles needed to be assessed via manual lookup.
Hairston said there were approximately 4,000 vehicles that still needed to have the MVL fee removed as of October 25. In addition, approximately 3,000 vehicles needed to be assessed via manual lookup.
According to Hairston, her office has evaluated more than 76,000 pieces of personal property this year which is an increase of nearly 5,000 vehicles from the year prior.
Residents can also expect their personal property bills to look different this year. The primary difference is that machinery and tools have a breakdown of items that are taxed. Mobile homes and the vehicle identification number will also be listed.
Hairston expects to have the bill file ready for the Treasurer’s Office no later than December 13.
Residents are encouraged to contact the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at (276) 634- 4690 if they receive a bill that includes an MVL fee for a vehicle without registration tags.
In other matters, the board:
- Recognized and thanked Clay Campbell, of the Campbell Foundation, Appalachian Power (AEP) External Affairs Manager Amanda Cox, and representatives of Walmart for their donation of 240 brand new coats to Debra Buchanan’s annual children coat drive.
- Approved an additional appropriation of $66,200 for expenses related to the drug court program in the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
- Approved an additional appropriation of $50,000 to the School Nutrition Budget for the purchase of a walk-in freezer for Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School.
- Approved an additional appropriation of $332,701 received from an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Teacher Apprenticeship Grant Program. The grant will allow school employees to complete their bachelor’s degree and teacher certification through Longwood University.
- Awarded a $195,000 contract to Daniel Builders, LLC for the renovation of six bathrooms on the first floor of the Administration Building to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Approved a request to carry over $94,453,402.40 from fiscal year 2024 funds to the next year for items that were encumbered but the item was not received, or the service was not rendered before June 30.
- Approved a resolution authorizing the county’s participation in the Virginia Municipal Investment Trust and affirmed the role of the county treasurer as the Chief Investment Officer for the county. By joining the trust, the county will have access to lower fees and more investment options, even if it does not put county funds into the trust.
- Approved its 2025 legislative agenda.
- Conducted a public hearing and approved an application to rezone approximately 2.67- acres of the Blackberry District to allow the applicant to use the property for agricultural purposes.
- Conducted a public hearing and approved an application to rezone a lot in the Blackberry District to allow the applicant to place a manufactured home on the property.
