Update and correction: On February 18, the Board of County Supervisors approved an advertised tax rate on boats and trailers. On February 25, county staff were directed to advertise a tax rate of .00001 on boats and boat trailers. We previously reported that the advertised tax would have also applied to RVs.
Prince William County could soon be home to fewer boats.
The Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) is considering increasing taxes.
At a meeting on February 18, the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) approved an advertised tax rate of $3.70 per $100 value for boats and trailers.
They may adopt the $3.70 rate or a lower one.
If the advertised tax rate was approved, it would be around the same amount as a slip fee — doubling how much Boat Owner George Phillips spends each year.
“By raising this tax, you basically chase everyone out of Prince William, and all the companies that exist today to support … the boating world would implode,” Boat Owner George Phillips explained to What’s Up Prince William. “A Marina can’t … exist at half capacity, so the marina’s going to close.”
This would result in the closing of restaurants and specialty supplies stores.
Members of the community are thinking about moving their boats and RVs to surrounding counties and Maryland — a decision that is already impacting local businesses, including Hampton’s Landing Marina and Holly Acres RV and Marine.
Lisa Graybill is among those who would move their boat to Maryland.
Graybill purchases groceries and gas from Prince William County businesses.
“By going to Maryland — which is what a lot of people are talking about doing — that’s going to hurt not only Prince William County, that’s going to hurt the state,” Graybill said.
