On April 8, Town Administrator Jerry Schiro informed Council that notices have been published and public hearings on the Town's proposed real estate and utility rate increases have been set for May 13.

As a result of two consecutive years of both declining real estate values and local business tax revenues Council proposed an increase in the Town's real property tax rate from $0.15 to $.19 per $100 of assessed value, a 26% rate increase. Utility rates are expected to rise by 6%.

If approved by the newly elected town council, these increases would appear on the tax billing at the end of calendar year 2010. Utility rates could be increased earlier.

In anticipation of the May 13 public hearings, Council also requested that local media direct citizens interested in further details on the FY 2011 Budge to the Council's "Budget Message to Citizenry", on the web at http://www.middleburg.org/index.htm