Common Cents

“We kind of just felt like the money belongs to

the residents of the town.”

Jay Tobias, Town Councilman

Photo by Beth Baugh

The town of Haymarket, Virginia (population 1,252) was faced with a nice little problem recently. In these days of budget deficits and spending cuts, Haymarket found itself with a surplus: $700,000. What’s a small town to do with all that money?

In this town, where common sense rules the day, the city council gathered to hash out the “problem.” First, they set aside a large chunk of the money for capital improvement projects slated to be completed this year. Next, they ran the numbers again and found there was still $150,000 in the coffers. Then, town leaders did the unimaginable: they gave the money back to the taxpayers. After all, the council members reasoned, it’s their money. 

Checks were mailed to 568 taxpayers in town. At first the residents were puzzled, calling the town clerk to make sure the money was really theirs. It really was. Since then, the residents have been tickled. Town leaders are hoping folks will do a little celebrating with their unexpected windfall—maybe go out to dinner or make a special purchase—something to give the local economy an extra boost. 

One of the town council members pondered that if a small town can do this, who knows what a big city could do? Of course, for that to happen big city leaders would have to borrow inspiration from this small town and put their “common cents” to good use.

Read the article ® Small Virginia town giving rebate checks; residents of haymarket surprised by windfall