by James A. Bacon
Henrico County has launched a website to tout a 4% meals tax proposal that voters will accept or reject in a referendum this fall. With slick graphics and professionally produced video, Henrico County Meals Tax Facts, created by the West Cary Group ad agency, cost $20,250, reports the Times-Dispatch today.
The website contends that the tax will raise $18 million yearly, of which 40% will be paid by non-Henrico residents. In the video County Manager John Vithoulkas and School Superintendent Pat Russo describe the fiscal challenges facing the county and the spending reductions already made. “If the meals tax fails,” says Vithoulkas, “the reality is then two choices: We are looking at a 6-cent real estate tax increase or service level deductions.”
Well, that’s one side of the story…
The website bears the county seal of Henrico, a Henrico County government post office address, and a Henrico County email address. “Henrico County staff is available to meet with your group or organization about the meals tax referendum,” states the contact page.
The website and the Times-Dispatch article leave unanswered one very important question: Did Henrico County also pay for the website production? It appears that it did. Typically, if an outside group had paid for it, that group would identify itself. But no such group is noted.
As a Henrico resident opposed to the meals tax, I have a big problem with the county spending tax dollars to persuade citizens to raise taxes on themselves. It’s fine for the County Supervisors who approved the referendum to get out front and make the case to the public — on their own dime. It’s fine for pro-tax advocates to tap business groups, teachers unions or other private interests to raise the money to make their case. It’s even fine for Vithoulkas and Russo to attend community events and present their analysis. But I have a very big problem with county governments using tax dollars to propagandize for higher taxes.
If that is what, in fact, occurred, it is outrageous. It might even be illegal. Perhaps Bacon’s Rebellion readers know if such an expenditure violates state statutes. (If doesn’t, it should.)
Before going thermonuclear, however, I await a response from county officials as to who paid for the website. I sent an email Saturday and will follow up with a telephone call tomorrow. I will keep readers posted.
