Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Arlington County Board Advertises 96.5 cent tax rate for CY 2010
- Adopted rate will be at or below advertised rate
- Tax rate, budget will be adopted in April
- Three public hearings in March
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board today voted unanimously to advertise a property tax rate of 96.5 cents per $100 assessed value for Calendar Year (CY) 2010. The Board will hold public hearings on the budget in March and adopt the budget in April. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 fiscal year begins July 1, 2010.
By law, the Board cannot adopt a rate higher than the one advertised, although it may adopt a lower rate.
The Board voted to advertise the rate after Acting County Manager Barbara Donnellan detailed her FY 2011 Proposed Budget at Saturday’s Regular Board Meeting. Donnellan’s Proposed Budget is $941.8 million, a 0.5% decrease from the FY 2010 Adopted Budget of $946.8 million. It includes proposed cuts in services and programs, the elimination of 87 full time County staff positions and the real estate tax rate of 94.2 cents -- an increase of 6.7 cents. The Board, in its action, chose to advertise a rate increase of 9 cents above the CY 2009 rate.
In voting to advertise the higher rate, Board members cited the need to preserve flexibility as they assess the constantly shifting economic situation and its impact on County finances. The County must close a budget gap of $65 million for FY 2011, attributed largely to declining residential and commercial real estate assessments.
“This rate provides us the flexibility we need to address the unknowns presented since our budget guidance was provided in the fall – primarily the uncertain state budget cuts and Metro demands that we may face,” said Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette.
To provide additional flexibility in review of the budget, the Board also voted to advertise proposed fee increases, including an increase in the residential solid waste fee to fully cover the cost of leaf collection; increases in motor vehicle decal fee, increased fines for parking tickets and an $8 per-sport, per-season fee for children who play in County Sports Leagues. These additional fees, if adopted, could raise an additional $3.4 million in revenue. For a detailed list of proposed increases, visit the County website.
“Now the work begins, as we scour the budget, engage the community and do what we are required to do – produce a balanced budget in April,” commented Chairman Fisette. “We are committed to find the balance of the service quality that we have come to expect with the burden on taxpayers.”
Public hearings on the FY 2011 Expenditure Budget will be held on Tuesday, March 23 and Wednesday, March 24 and on taxes and fees on March 25. All three hearings will begin at 7 p.m. in the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA.
Press contact: Diana Sun, 703-228-3247
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
