Albemarle County Supervisors Mull Personal Property Tax Hike

Real estate tax rate to remain unchanged as county looks to boost affordable housing fund

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:49am

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The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a 15-cent increase in the personal property tax rate, up to $4.42 per $100 of assessed value, while leaving the real estate tax rate unchanged at $0.894 per $100. The proposed personal property tax hike is aimed at generating additional revenue for the county's Affordable Housing Investment Fund, though the final rate can still be lowered before adoption next month.

Why it matters

The personal property tax increase would impact Albemarle County residents who own vehicles, boats, and other movable assets, potentially adding to their tax burden. However, the funds generated would go towards supporting affordable housing initiatives in the area, which is a pressing issue for many communities.

The details

The county's Board of Supervisors voted on Wednesday to advertise the personal property tax rate increase, going against a recommendation from the County Executive to keep the rate unchanged. State code requires Virginia localities to advertise tax rates before a final vote, allowing them to be lowered but not raised above the advertised level. The supervisors stated the rationale behind the increase is to dedicate the additional revenue to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund.

  • The Board of Supervisors voted on the tax rates during their regular meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.
  • Personal property taxes in Albemarle County are due on June 25 and December 5 each year.

The players

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Albemarle County, Virginia, responsible for setting tax rates and budgets for the county.

Jeff Richardson

Albemarle County Executive, who had recommended the personal property tax rate not be raised this year.

Ned Gallaway

Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville

A non-profit organization that will benefit from the increased Affordable Housing Investment Fund.

Piedmont Housing Alliance

A non-profit organization that will benefit from the increased Affordable Housing Investment Fund.

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What they’re saying

“The bottom line is, we're advertising a tax rate that increases the personal property tax 15 cents over what the county executive recommended. The rationale behind it was to dedicate that total increase to our Affordable Housing Investment Fund. And again, this is all for advertisement, but it does change what the county executive has done and recommended.”

— Ned Gallaway, Chair, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors

“What supervisors have said has kind of committed them to that raise and for the purpose, [but] even they can change their minds by the time we take a vote on the final budget. This is a living, moving budget, and we have town halls coming up. So, whether or not we make changes, but especially when we make changes over the county executive's recommendation, the board wants to hear from citizens and residents. So, they should come out to our town halls. They should send us emails.”

— Ned Gallaway, Chair, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors

What’s next

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will hold six community budget town hall events between Thursday, March 20 and April 2, 2026, where residents can provide feedback on the proposed tax rate changes before the final budget is adopted next month.

The takeaway

The Albemarle County Supervisors' decision to advertise a personal property tax increase, despite the County Executive's recommendation to keep the rate unchanged, highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing residents' tax burdens with the need to fund critical community initiatives like affordable housing. The upcoming town hall meetings will be an important opportunity for residents to voice their perspectives on the proposed changes.