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Treasury

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1. I have a garden or lawn and want to water it regularly, but I don't want to be charged for sewer fees that are levied based on water usage. What can I do?

The Town offers residents a garden meter (irrigation meter) for purchase at a cost of $150. The meter is attached to your exterior faucet that is used for watering. The meter is brought to Town Hall once per year, usually in October and your bill will be credited for sewer charges based on the water consumption shown on the meter. Please contact Debbie Reed or Shana Reed in the Finance Department at 382-9519 ext. 1149 or ext.1164 and schedule to pick up a garden meter.

You may also contact Finance to rent a pool meter for filling your pool. Please note that garden meters are available for purchase, but pool meters are only available for rent.

2. When are taxes due?

Personal property and real estate tax statements are mailed out by November 1st and are due December 5th. Town taxes are billed annually. 

Supplemental bills as a result of proration are sent out periodically throughout December, January, February, March and April and are due 30 days from the date of the bill.

3. I received a tax bill from Montgomery County and the Town of Christiansburg. Do I pay both?

Yes. When you live within the town limits of Christiansburg you are taxed from both town and county.

4. The information on my tax statement is incorrect. What do I do?

We get all of our tax information from Montgomery County Commissioner of Revenue's Office. The Town Treasurer has no authority to make any assessments or adjustments. If you have questions concerning the assessment or information on your tax bill, please contact the Commissioner of Revenue's office at (540) 382-5710.

5. I no longer live in the Town of Christiansburg, why am I getting a tax bill?

If you lived in the Town of Christiansburg on January 1 of that tax year, you will be charged taxes for the full year. If you moved before January 1 of that tax year, please call the Montgomery County Commissioner of Revenue's Office at (540) 382-5710.

Please note that personal property taxes are prorated based upon vehicle registrations records with the DMV. If you buy, sell, or trade a vehicle during the year, your personal property taxes will be prorated for that calendar year.

6. Will there be a late fee if my taxes aren't paid by December 5th?

Yes. A 10% penalty will be charged (based on the tax amount) if not paid by December 5th. Interest will be charged at the rate of 10% per year beginning January 1 of the following year.

Once your personal property taxes become 60 days past due they are subject to an additional $35.00 penalty fee and restrictions on your records at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

7. What is the "Motor Vehicle Licensing Fee" charged on my tax statement?

The Town of Christiansburg used to have Town decals/stickers that you purchased every year to go on your windshield. We no longer have those decal/stickers but now charge a "Motor Vehicle Licensing Fee" for every vehicle that you own in the town limits. This fee of $32.00 is charged along with your personal property taxes for each of your vehicles. If you traded in one vehicle for another the fee will transfer to the new vehicle. If you purchase an additional vehicle not showing on your tax bill, you will need to bring the registration in and pay that fee to the Town Hall.

8. I just moved to the Town of Christiansburg. What do I need to do for tax purposes?

You have thirty days to change your address and information at the Department of Motor Vehicles once you move. It's important to change your address on your driver's license and your vehicle registration to show that you are now in the Town of Christiansburg. Once you have your new registration please bring them to the Treasurer's Office at the Town Hall. There is a Motor Vehicle Licensing Fee of $32.00 for each vehicle you own. Once you have lived in the Town on January 1, you will be taxed for your vehicles. This motor vehicle licensing fee will be charged along with your taxes.

9. We have our real estate tax escrowed through our mortgage company. Why are we being billed?

Effective November 1, 2013, the Town of Christiansburg will send a customer copy of the real estate tax bill to the property owner for their records. A bill will also be sent to the customer's mortgage company, as normal. If you have refinanced or changed mortgage companies within the year, please contact your current mortgage company to verify they have received this bill.

Please note that each additional copy of the bill will be clearly marked. If you receive a bill and it does not say 'Copy,' you are responsible for paying that bill and no copy has been sent to your mortgage company.

10. How much will my utility bill be?

A customer's bill depends on their water and sewer usage. To view current rates, visit here. Utility service is billed on a monthly basis.

11. How do I sign up for water/sewer/garbage service?

New customers will need to come to the Treasury Office at Town Hall located at 100 E. Main St. to fill out an application for service. You will need to bring a valid picture ID or driver's license. Expired forms of identification are not accepted. The Town also requires a deposit of $50.00 or higher, subject to credit. If you are renting, you will be required to present a lease/rental agreement. If you are purchasing a home, you will need to present a buyer's agreement or closing documents. If same day service is needed, please be at Town Hall by 3 p.m.

12. Can I pay my utility bill or taxes online?

The Town accepts utility bill payments online; however, we do not currently offer tax payment online. To pay taxes, you must either come to Town Hall (100 East Main Street) and visit Finance to pay taxes in person, drop off your taxes in the drop box located to the left of the sliding glass doors at the entrance of Town Hall, or you may mail your tax payment to 100 E. Main St., Christiansburg, VA 24073.

To pay your utility bill online, please visit: utilitybilling.christiansburg.org/ 

We are also able to accept payments via the following: 

- Visa, Mastercard, and Discover debit/credit cards are accepted for payment, along with cash, checks, and money orders. 

- Payments may be automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account each month through the Direct Payment Plan. Visit the Billing & Service Office at Christiansburg Town Hall, 100 E. Main Street or www.christiansburg.org/treasury for more information. 

- Payments may also be directly billed to your credit card. Visit our office at the address above for more information. Please also note: It is very important that you use your correct 12 digit account number listed on your utility statement or the PID number listed on your tax statement to assure proper application of your payment.

13. What are your hours of operation?

Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

14. My solid waste was not picked up today. Why not?

Please call the Town office at (540) 382-9519. Additionally, if your solid waste pickup day is on a Town observed holiday, please check the News & Announcement portion of the Town website located on the homepage here or view the Town's Facebook page for changes in solid waste collection due to observed holidays.

15. Does the Town provide recycling services?

Yes, curbside recycling services are included in solid waste collection services. Please call Finance to sign up at 540-382-9519.

16. What happens if the due date for the utility bill is on a weekend or holiday?

Utility bills are always due on the first of the month. However, if the first falls on a weekend or observed holiday, we will accept payment the next business day without penalty.

17. I do not have any water. What could be the problem?

1. Have you paid your utility bill? If you did not pay your bill by the due date, you should have received a reminder. If your bill is not paid by the 10th of the following month, a day is scheduled to disconnect current service for non-payment. If this is the case, the unpaid balance (including penalty) plus a restore fee in the amount of $25.00 must be paid to have services reconnected. Please be aware, checks are not accepted as a form of payment for re-connection of service (cash, money order, debit or credit cards are accepted). 

2. If the weather is very cold for several days, you could have frozen water lines. Please call the Town Hall and we can check if the water is frozen at the meter. 

3. Sometimes the Town has to work on the main water lines and will disconnect water to a section of residences. Please call the Town Hall to see if we are working on or near your street.

18. I did not receive my water/sewer/garbage bill this month, but received a late notice. Do I still have to pay the penalty?

If payment is not received or postmarked by the due date, a 10% penalty is added to the bill the next day. Bills are mailed from an outsourced printing company in Lynchburg, VA. If you do not receive your bill within the first week of the billing month, please call the Town Hall for your current balance due. We are not responsible for mail delivery. Please contact your local post office. You may also pay your bill online at utilitybilling.christiansburg.org/

19. I can't afford to pay my bill. Can I get an extension?

We understand that there are times when a customer has financial difficulty. We accept pledges from several community agencies and churches. We also offer a "one-time only" hardship payment plan. The account holder will need to apply at the Treasurer's Office for this option.

20. My usage seems higher than normal. Could I have a leak?

Water usage is dependent on several factors. Summer usage is usually higher due to watering lawns and gardens, washing cars, and filling pools. Extra people staying in the residence will also contribute to more water usage (more laundry, toilet/shower usage, etc.). The most common problem is the toilet flush valve. To check for a toilet leak, follow the directions below:

1. Flush the toilet and allow the tank to refill.
2. Once the tank is full, turn off the intake valve under the toilet so no more water comes in.
3. Make a pencil mark at the water level inside the tank (not the bowl).
4. Let the toilet sit all day (if you are gone during the day) or overnight. Make sure the toilet is not used during that time.
5. After that period of time, check the water level in the tank. If the water level has dropped below the pencil mark, there is a leak at the flapper seal at the bottom of the tank and it will need to be replaced.

If you have more than one toilet in the residence, you can do the check on all the toilets but one, leaving it free for use, and then check the one after all the others have been checked.

Should you find a leak, do make arrangements for repair as soon as possible. Keep your receipts or invoices as we will need a copy for our records. Contact the Town Hall at (540) 382-9519 to notify us of your leak and/or repair.

21. I want to fill my pool for the summer, but do not want to be charged for sewer fees that are levied based on water usage. What can I do?

The Town offers residents a pool meter which counts the number of gallons used to fill your pool, and that quantity will be deducted from the sewer portion of your bill upon return. Please contact Debbie Reed or Kayla Crawford in the Finance Department at 382-9519 ext. 1149 or ext.1156 and schedule to pick up a pool meter. Meters are available for a 48-hour loan period with a $25 deposit that will be refunded if returned on-time and in working order.

You may also contact Finance to purchase a meter for watering your garden. Please note that garden meters are available for purchase, but pool meters are only available for rent.