Chesterfield wants to turn its data center boom into cheaper car taxes, but the Board of Supervisors isn’t convinced it’s the right decision — yet.
Why it matters: Data center revenue could mean hundreds of dollars in annual car-tax savings for residents.
- But some supervisors and residents are questioning whether that money is better spent on schools, infrastructure or housing.
Driving the news: On Wednesday night, the board unanimously delayed a vote to direct future growth in data center tax revenue toward lowering taxes on cars, trucks and motorcycles.
- The proposal is now expected to be picked back up Sept. 23, after supervisors and residents called for more community input.
The intrigue: The debate comes as Chesterfield leaders have signaled in recent meetings that there’s little appetite for more data centers, amid growing pushback against the industry across the region.
How it works: Chesterfield’s proposal would establish the county’s existing data center revenue as a baseline starting in January, then use the new revenue from Google and other already-approved projects to lower the car tax rate…