Thursday, March 22, 2007; VA03
The county's two incorporated cities issued budget proposals for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and both proposals carry increases in taxes or fees.
The city of Falls Church's $71 million budget would increase city government operating expenses by 3 percent and would increase the real estate tax rate by 1 cent, to $1.01 for every $100 of assessed value. It also would increase cigarette taxes.
The proposed budget would reduce payroll costs for upper management and redirect those funds to create five positions. It would allocate $100,000 for employee training and the development of performance benchmarks.
The budget also would:
? Provide $19,491 for an annual household hazardous waste collection event.
? Continue the city's Green Fleet Program to replace vehicles with hybrids.
? Retain the water rate at $3.03 for each thousand gallons and the sewer rate at $5.91 for each thousand gallons.
? Raise the cigarette tax from 65 cents a pack to 70 cents a pack.
Copies of the budget proposal, as well as the city's capital improvements program, are available online at http://www.fallschurchva.gov; and in person at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., and Office of Communications in the East Wing of City Hall, 300 Park Ave., Suite 303.
Falls Church has scheduled a series of budget work sessions and public hearings before final budget adoption by the City Council at the April 23 regular meeting. Visit http://www.fallschurchva.gov to view the budget timeline.
In Fairfax City, a proposed $124.3 million budget would increase the real estate tax rate 3 cents to 74 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation and raise meals taxes and water and sewer rates.
The proposed budget would increase spending by 5.1 percent.
Priorities include funding for education, public safety and city services.
The budget would:
? Increase water and sewer rates by 3 percent.
? Impose an ambulance transport fee.
? Double the meal tax to 4 percent.
For a copy of the proposed budget, call 703-385-7870, go to the City Manager's Office, Room A200, in the City Hall annex or visit http://www.fairfaxva.gov.
For information, contact David Hodgkins, assistant city manager/finance director, at 703-385-7870 or dhodgkins@fairfaxva.gov.
-- BOB SAMSOT
