FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the effective date for properties to be taken into the Town of Bedford?
On July 1, 2023 the boundary adjustment will officially take place and all identified properties will be taken into the corporate limits of the Town of Bedford.
What area(s) will be taken into the Town of Bedford?
A complete list of tax parcels is included online at www.townofbedford.info. In addition, there is a map of the area also included at www.townofbedford.info.
How do I know if my property is included in the boundary adjustment area?
The Town of Bedford sent a letter to impacted property owners dated January 31, 2023. In addition, a complete list of impacted tax parcels is included online at www.townofbedford.info. If you’re still not certain, call (540)587-6001 and ask us.
Why are there two different maps posted online?
As part of the reversion process, the Town was granted the right and the ability to annex territories in three different phases. All three of those are identified in the map entitled “Map Showing Proposed Phase I & Phase II New City Boundary Adjustments” which was developed by the City Engineering Department and last revised on March 29, 2010. In giving focused and specific consideration to the Phase II Boundary Adjustment, Town Council amended the area of that phase by reducing the number of parcels and areas to be taken in. These changes are reflected in the map with a revision date of September 14, 2022.
Who approved the boundary adjustment and when did that take place?
The boundary adjustment was approved as part of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement between the City of Bedford and Bedford County as part of the reversion process leading to Town status. In particular, the language addressing this issue can be found in Section 9.7 (and page 26) of that particular document. This agreement was ultimately reviewed and approved by the State Commission on Local Government and first took effect July 1, 2013. Full information about that process can be viewed online at www.townofbedford.info.
Is this a done deal?
Under the provisions of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement, the Town has the right to annex the areas identified on the map developed on March 29, 2010 by passing an ordinance. During its regular meeting on August 9, 2022 Town Council affirmed its intent to proceed with the Phase II Boundary Adjustment, but also reduced the overall area that will become part of the Town limits. No public hearing is legally required, but the Town is interested in hearing from citizens and has scheduled two public information meetings for that purpose (to take place on March 23, 2023 and March 25, 2023 in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building).
In addition, Town Council will likely hold a public hearing at a regular meeting (even though it has no obligation to do so).
How is this related to the reversion process?
The portions of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement dealing with annexation were based on the general ability of towns to annex property under the Code of Virginia as well as the specific intentions of the local community at the time the agreement was negotiated (2010-2013). The Town effectively agreed to waive its rights to annex any territory for a period of 15 years, with the exception of three distinct areas within three distinct phases noted on the map developed on March 29, 2010 (which can be viewed online at www.townofbedford.info).
Where was Phase I located?
Phase I was comprised of an area in which the City and County shared revenues under another agreement previously approved by the Commission on Local Government. This area became part of the Town immediately effective with reversion on July 1, 2013.
How was the Phase II area determined?
Phase II is comprised of an area that was already physically adjacent to the existing corporate limits and in many cases contained areas that cannot be physically accessed without passing through the area of the Town. There was considerable discussion about including this area along with Phase I during the effective date of reversion (July 1, 2013) but the leadership of the City and the County agreed to defer such action for a period of ten years.
What about Phase III?
Back in 2013 Phase III was identified as the absolute limit of conceivable expansion of the Town within 15 years. It is subject to several performance and development criteria which are not likely to occur prior to July 1, 2028 based on current projections. Once that date passes, the Town relinquishes its right to annex this area by passing an ordinance. Current Town leadership has no plans to take in this area at all.
What impact will the boundary adjustment have on population?
It is currently estimated that the Phase II area will increase the population of the Town by about 1,000. When combined with the existing number of residents the overall population of the Town of Bedford is projected to be close to 8,000.
What impact will the boundary adjustment have on provision of Town services?
Residents of the Phase II area will have access to all services and benefits provided to the Town immediately on July 1, 2023.
What impact will the boundary adjustment have on provision of County services?
None. The Town is an inclusive part of the County, and Town residents are also citizens of Bedford County.
Will sidewalks and street lights be installed in the Phase II area?
The Phase II area will be addressed according to the details of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, which can be viewed online at https://www.bedfordva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1065/Comprehensive-Plan---Adopted-June-2017-PDF. The Town’s current plan is to address infrastructure from an “inside out” perspective beginning at the intersection of Bridge and Main streets. However, that priority is amended from time to time based on funding opportunities such as grants and requests for services from citizens as well as the priorities of Town Council.
What impact will the boundary adjustment have on taxes?
Current Town residents will see no direct impact on taxes as a result of the boundary adjustment. Residents within the Phase II area will begin to pay all applicable Town taxes in addition all applicable County taxes. The most significant taxes that both jurisdictions collect are the real estate tax and the personal property tax.
What is the Town’s current real estate tax rate?
The current rate is 31 cents per $100 of assessed value. Please note that this rate is evaluated annually as part of the budget process and may be subject to change.
What is the Town’s current personal property tax rate?
This applies to eligible items such as vehicles and mobile homes and is separate from real estate. The current rate $1.06 per $100 of assessed value. However, this is only charged on the portion of property that is assessed at a value of $20,000 or higher. If you do not own any applicable personal property with a value of $20,000 or higher, you will not receive a personal property tax bill. Please note that this rate is evaluated annually as part of the budget process and may be subject to change.
How much will I be charged for trash pickup?
Currently the fee is $25 per month and it appears on utility bills of customers within Town limits. In addition to weekly curbside pickup of household refuse in a Town-issued rollout container, the Town also picks up brush, “white goods” such as appliances, and offers special pickups for other services by contacting the Public Works Department (during business hours by telephone at 540-587-6081). The Town also sponsors two separate “Clean Up Weeks” in which residents may put out refuse items for collection at no cost and with relatively few restrictions. Please note that this fee is evaluated annually as part of the budget process and may be subject to change.
Will streets within the Phase II area be plowed for snow and repaired for issues such as potholes?
Yes. The Town will assume responsibility for maintenance and repair of all public roads within the Phase II area effective July 1, 2023.
What specific investments will the Town make in the Phase II area?
The Town is already funding significant sewer improvements within the Town and Country subdivision in cooperation with the Bedford Regional Water Authority. Streets and sidewalks will be installed within the Phase II area based on feedback from citizens and prioritization by town Council. Other long-range projects will be identified within the five-year Capital Improvement Program that is part of the Town’s annual budget.
When does Town Council meet?
Regular meetings of Town Council take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month beginning at 7:00 PM. They are held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building located at 215 East Main Street.
Who currently serves on Town Council?
In addition to Mayor Tim Black and Vice Mayor C.G. Stanley (who are elected from within the membership of Council), Bob Carson, Stacey Hailey, Bruce Hartwick, Bruce Johannessen, and Darren Shoen currently serve on Council.
What is the Town’s main website address?
www.bedfordva.gov. In addition to a direct link to the web site dedicated to information about the Phase II Boundary Adjustment (www.townofbedford.info), the main website is a repository for all kinds of other information about the organization and operations of the Town.
Will water and/or sewer service be extended to Phase II residents?
The Town has not been involved in the provision of water or sewer service since the creation of the Bedford Regional Water Authority (BRWA) in 2014. Consequently, those services are not related to the boundary adjustment in any way. Questions about them may be directed to BRWA via telephone at (540)586-7679.
I take my trash to the dump. What is the value of the Town’s solid waste collection services?
Town residents are also County citizens and will continue to have access to all County services. If you prefer to haul your solid waste to offsite facilities, you can certainly continue to do so. In addition, new Town residents will now have the option of depositing those items at the curbside (or property line as the case may be) where they will be picked up on a weekly basis (in the case of household refuse). But the Town’s solid waste services are not limited to household trash collection. We also provide regular brush collection and disposal, a twice annual “clean up” event (during which items can be put out for pick up with very few exceptions), and regular collection of white goods and appliances. That last service can be particularly valuable to citizens who do not own a truck or do not wish to pay a private hauling service.
Isn’t this effectively double taxation?
In general terms, the Town collects separate taxes and fees for services that it specifically provides and the County does the same. However, there are examples in which both jurisdictions collect the same sources of revenue. The real estate tax and personal property tax are examples – although the manner in which the Town administers these taxes is different from the County (both in terms of policy and rate).