Chesapeake Commissioner of Revenue Victoria Proffitt, a Republican, will face Democratic challenger Jennifer Naperala in November’s election for a four-year term.
The commissioner of revenue is a constitutional officer position that assesses individual and business personal property taxes, issues city business licenses, prorates personal property taxes on motor vehicles, and administers the city’s real estate tax relief program.
Proffitt was first elected to the position in 2021. She did not complete the questionnaire in time for publication.
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Jennifer Naperala
Age: 56
Employment: Teacher, Chesapeake Public Schools
Education: Bachelor in English, University of Maryland; Master’s in education, Old Dominion University
Party affiliation: Democrat
Website: jennifernap.com/
What would be your top priority if elected to office?
If the voters elect me to serve as Chesapeake’s Commissioner of Revenue, the office’s top priority will be to protect taxpayers and small business owners from the uncertainties that lie ahead at the state and federal levels. Over the next few years, Chesapeake will struggle to control taxes and to provide community services. We’ll also experience financial challenges at home. Local businesses already need relief from license renewal fees. Under my leadership, the office will be committed to finding sources of revenue that don’t rely on increasing our financial burdens: an office that prioritizes protecting those of us who live and run small businesses in Chesapeake. I’ll establish an office that makes decisions with the impact on us — individuals and small business owners — at the forefront. Furthermore, I’ll ensure we are all protected from overreach.
What relief efforts would you support for taxpayers who are facing financial hardship?
Residents can be certain of community outreach. I’ll immediately establish a dedicated website and social media pages to report budget issues, dates of City Council hearings on issues related to proposed rate increases, and dates of the office’s workshops. The office will hold well-advertised workshops at community centers that will focus on financial literacy, changes to tax laws that affect individuals and small businesses, supporting our seniors an their caregivers, and information for entrepreneurs who want to establish or relocate their business in Chesapeake. Further, I will reach out to our treasurer with the intent of providing personal property tax payment options. Candidates have a debt to the people. I’m committed to repaying that debt by providing a commissioner’s office that provides services and relief to the people who live and do business in Chesapeake.