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Elect Kellam revenue commissioner
The Virginian-Pilot © October 24, 2001
The race for Virginia Beach commissioner of the revenue is a rematch. Four years ago, Democrat Philip J. Kellam defeated Rickie L. Richards by 6 percentage points.
This is one of those pleasant races in which one cannot cast a bad vote, since both candidates are qualified.
In 1997 we endorsed Richards, a CPA who now has 26 years of experience with city finances and is knowledgeable about computers. While Richards remains well-qualified, this time we're endorsing Kellam, based on his four-year record running the department.
The commissioner of the revenue is responsible for assessing property, except real estate. The department reviews all state and local tax returns and enforces compliance with state and local tax laws.
Kellam says he has reduced staff by 12 percent and increased productivity by 6 percent. The department budget is smaller now, he says, than when he took office. He has served 19 years in the commissioner's offices, in a number of capacities.
This may turn into a one-issue race. Kellam has proposed doing away with the hated city sticker. It used to be needed to ensure compliance with property tax laws, he says, but no more. The Vir-ginia Department of Motor Vehicles database contains sufficient information -- no stickers required.
Richards calls Kellam's proposal a scam, because it would cost the city some $7 million a year in car-sticker fees, yet it offers no way to make up the lost revenue.
Besides which, it would be up to City Council, not the commissioner, to do away with the stickers. Kellam has seized on a popular campaign issue that would leave others holding the bag.
Which may support the proposition that commissioners of revenue should be appointed rather than elected, but is not necessarily reason to elect Kellam's opponent.
Granted, we would have preferred that Kellam work closer with the city so a joint committee could be formed to find the best solution. Government by campaign slogan often ill-serves the citizenry.
But we favor being rid of the city stickers if possible. Scraping old ones off is a royal pain.
And we believe Kellam's plan is doable, once the city finds a way to make up the lost revenue. For example, if the $25 sticker fee were retained, but with no sticker issued, that would seem a bit odd, but would be an improvement nonetheless.