As Albemarle County battles a sour economy, some officials are eyeing the possibility of tax increases, but a local anti-tax group is trying to kill that idea before it grows wings.

Local officials will meet Monday to discuss the creation of a task force charged with examining the reasons for and scope of a study on dredging the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir.

Albemarle County supervisors unanimously decided Wednesday to take a step they say would “re-validate” a program that allows rural area landowners to defer a hefty portion of their real-estate tax bill in exchange for keeping their land undeveloped.

In stark contrast to a hearing a year ago, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors heard plenty of praise Wednesday for a Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle project that would allow it to expand soccer facilities and be a boon for area sport enthusiasts.

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors moved ahead this week with obtaining an independent scrutiny of its operations.

By The numbers
Proposed budget: $331.4 million
Increase over fiscal 2008 budget: $26 million
Advertised real-estate tax rate for fiscal 2009: 71 cents per $100 assessed value
Current real-estate tax rate: 68 cents per $100 assessed value