Possible tax hikes for Danville

The Mayor of Danville, Michael Perros, says the city really hasn’t raised taxes over the past seven years, but now he says the city needs more money. Perros says inflation is a major culprit.

According to Perros, a preliminary budget calls for a quarter percent increase in net profits and occupational taxes, a four percent increase in property taxes, and a new 20-cent per $100 dollar motor vehicle tax.

"The tax increases are designed to allow us to continue to provide the level of services that we’ve come to expect in this community," says Perros.

Ron Scott, Danville’s city manager, says the tax increases would mean about $900,000 dollars for the city.  "Its simply an adjustment in recognition, that in order to continue to provide services and make some improvements we need to ultimately go back to the tax payer one additional time. We do it very infrequently, but now is the time," he says, adding, "Even with that proposed increase…we are still at or below the current tax rates for almost all of our neighboring communities."

The proposed increases are still in a preliminary phase.  The city won’t vote on a final budget until the end of June.