He said members of the Arlington delegation have just begun to discuss the resolution with other Northern Virginia legislators.
"We're victims of the wonderful location we're in," Brink said. "Anybody's who's driving up from Stafford County in rush hour understands how attractive Arlington and Alexandria are if you work in the central part of the region. . . . The basic notion of providing relief to homeowners will have wide appeal."
DEL. ROBERT H. BRINK
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Last year, the Alexandria City Council lowered the city's real estate tax rate by 4 cents, marking the first time in 54 years that the rate dipped under $1, to 99.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. Still, the average homeowner paid $395 more in real estate taxes because of increased average assessments, which rose 16.9 percent to $361,040.
Similar increases are expected in Alexandria again this year. Assessments will be available online Feb. 9 and arrive by mail shortly thereafter.
Mark Jinks, Alexandria's assistant city manager for fiscal and financial affairs, said the City Council has not taken a position on the homestead bill and is reviewing the impact the tax shift would have on various types of commercial property, such as apartment buildings, and residential properties with high assessments.
"We know it isn't a reduction in benefit to everyone," Jinks said. "There are folks who would end up paying more, residentially and commercially. That's what we're trying to sort out."
In the next week, the resolution will go before both the House and Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.
The outcome will determine whether the proposal goes before the full House and Senate for a vote.
