Water bill amounts in James City County (Hampton, Williamsburg: sales, homes)

[Patrick1973]

Possibly moving to James City County and have a question concerning water bills. Looking at homes approximately 2000 sf and there are two of us.

We were visiting the area recently and had a conversation with another couple in Aroma's. First, we talked about the taxes placed on restaurant meals. They asked what we currently pay for water rates (out of state) and when we told them (around 120 annually) they laughed. They told us to really investigate costs in James City County before we make any decisions.

Anyone care to share water bill amounts?

[North Beach Person]

Here's a link to the water and sewer charges.

https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/61...vice-Authority

I didn't open the file but figure @120 to 200 gallons per day total for the two of you unless you're incredibly profligate in your water use.

You may very well be on a well and septic and not public water and sewer.

https://jamescitycountyva.gov/535/Pr...rvice-Area-PSA

[Patrick1973]

Thanks, I'll take a look. Everything we have considered in JCC is public water and sewage. Since we currently have public now, I don't know if we would consider a well.

[TN Lily]

You may want to post your question in the Hampton Roads subforum. Good luck.

[Patrick1973]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried looking at the pdf but it's difficult to figure out (at least for me).

[Piney Creek]

We're on public water in Ford's Colony. Can't remember the amount of the bill, off hand, but FWIW I do remember it was lower than what it cost us in Northern Va.


ps. Restaurant taxes are lower in JCC than in the city of WBurg.

[Patrick1973]

That encouraging because we were really surprised when we had dinner at Food For Thought and Mellow Mushroom!

[Piney Creek]

Originally Posted by Patrick1973

That encouraging because we were really surprised when we had dinner at Food For Thought and Mellow Mushroom!

Yeah, I feel sorry for those places. The restaurant tax is a new thing the city of Williamsburg is trying, and I think it's a big mistake. Eat at Blaze Pizza over in New Town, and it's a different story.

[Patrick1973]

You are correct. We are visiting frequently but there were two tables of tourists next to us that we talking about this tax. It's a shame they did this.


From now on we will eat in James City County.

[North Beach Person]

If this is because it's a tourist area then a meals tax makes sense. The reality is that tourism doesn't bring in all that much governmental revenue after you tote up the costs (parking, emergency and police services, trash, etc.), especially if the state sales tax isn't shared with the municipality. Property taxes are property taxes and get paid in any event.

We have that here, no sales tax from the state but the town provides free parking, trash services, police services, etc. So a restaurant can sell $100K in meals and the tax revenue to the town is zero. The $50 business license fee doesn't even cover the staff cost to issue it.