More Government Intrusion

The Norfolk tax assessor wants to look around my house for more things to tax.

"Beginning April 20, the Norfolk Real Estate Assessor's office will begin a five year field review program that will include a physical inspection of every residential and commercial property in the City of Norfolk.

"Field reviews will be conducted Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am - 5 pm. The neighborhood inspections will take place from April through July for the next five years. Prior to initiating the inspection of a particular property, the appraiser will make the appropriate introduction at the door. If the owner/occupant is not home, an exterior review will be conducted and a notice will be left informing the owner of the visit...."

Apparently, the city think it isn't get its fair share of the interior investment some of its citizens have made on their property. They already collect a yearly property tax on our vehicles and homes, but they won't be happy until they can further levy our granite countertops and hardwood floors.

We have decided that unless they arrive with a uniformed officer and a search warrant, they aren't coming in here. The whole situation is nicely tidied up by the columnist:

I asked the assessor if it was fair that those accommodating types with tidy houses and fresh paint might see their assessments raised, while their more slovenly neighbors might not.

Not going to happen, Bunn said. Her employees are looking for structural improvements.

Such as?

Mahogany trim or granite countertops.

Oh, I see. In Norfolk, it's not enough that you paid income taxes on the money you used to buy the granite. Or that you paid a sales tax on the stone itself. And the installation.

The city is now itching to slap you with a countertop tax.