Trio spars over   barking dogs, taxes in county

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors candidates for the Samuel Miller District differed on everything from taxes to barking dogs at a forum Wednesday.

Duane Snow, a Republican, said he would propose a “zero-based budgeting approach” in which the county’s budget is formed based on needs, not wants. Under his proposal, the budget would be formed nearly from scratch, instead of building up from previous years.

John Lowry, an independent, stressed the importance of state government giving localities the ability to impose taxes or user fees to help fund transportation. Lowry also said a real-estate tax increase could be avoided by increasing the vitality of the business community.

Madison Cummings, a Democrat, said wasteful spending needs to be reduced. He added that he can’t promise that he won’t support a real-estate tax increase to fund vital services such as transportation infrastructure and education.

Charlottesville Tomorrow and The Free Enterprise Forum hosted the forum at Murray Elementary School.

The Samuel Miller seat is being vacated by Sally H. Thomas.

Lowry emphasized his proposal to create an economic development authority to increase business activity. Cummings, who supports the creation of a regional transit authority, said the county should work to expand Jaunt, a regional bus system. Snow said the county needs to fix its adverse relationship with the business community.

All three candidates said they support the county’s land use tax program and the revalidation process should continue to ensure the program isn’t misused.

As for how much the county should regulate barking dogs, Cummings said he’d have to hear the particulars of any proposal, Lowry said the county should have someone oversee complaints. Snow said the county should establish a system to help residents solve disputes among themselves and avoid legislating “every little problem that comes down the road.”

Rio District candidates incumbent David L. Slutzky and challenger Rodney S. Thomas will debate at 7 p.m. today at Hollymead Elementary School.