Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Contact: Mary Curtius 703-228-7943 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Arlington County Board Adopts FY 2011 Budget
- 8.3-cent increase in property tax rate
- General Fund Budget grows 1.0%, 2nd smallest increase in 25 years
- Public safety cuts, state cuts restored
ARLINGTON, Va. – Acting to preserve core services, ensure fiscal sustainability and retain a highly skilled workforce, the Arlington County Board today adopted a $955.9 million General Fund budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 with an 8.3-cent increase in the real estate tax rate. The Board's vote was unanimous.
Board members said they listened to hundreds of residents who asked at public budget hearings that core services, funding for non-profits and funding for affordable housing be preserved as the County continues to cope with the economic downturn.
“This budget reflects the values of our community,” County Board Chairman Jay Fisette said. “We listened to residents and acted to preserve core services and our quality of life. We have also been fiscally prudent, making deep and sometimes painful cuts that affected services and reduced staff. This budget ensures Arlington’s fiscal sustainability while protecting the most vulnerable among us.”
The adopted tax rate is higher than the 6.7 cents recommended in the County Manager’s proposed budget, but lower than the advertised rate of 9 cents.
Budget highlights
The Board restored nearly all proposed cuts to the police and fire departments, and voted to grant employees step increases which were eliminated last year. The Board also restored some proposed cuts to parks, libraries and human services, and added funds for affordable housing. The budget restored some state funding cuts, which have totaled $18 million over the last 3 years.
Board members accepted proposed cuts of approximately 57 general fund positions. Since 2009, the County has reduced its workforce by approximately 160 full time positions.
Combined tax, fee increases mean $346 increase for average household
The Board raised the base real estate tax rate 8.0 cents, to $0.945 cents per $100 of assessed value. The stormwater tax rate also was increased by 0.3 cents to $1.3 cents per $100 of assessed value, for a blended tax rate of $0.958 cents. The personal property tax rate will remain at $5 per $100 of assessed value.
Combined fee increases for water, sewer, trash, recycling and motor vehicle licensing totaled $71 a year. The total impact of tax and fee changes for a household, on average, will be an increase of $346 a year, or $29 per month.
The Board voted to continue a Budget Stabilization Fund, setting aside $3.3 million for unexpected expenses or revenue shortfalls. The Board also identified funding to increase the County’s General Fund Operating Reserve from 3.25% to 3.5% as a continued commitment to maintaining the County’s coveted triple-AAA bond rating.
The total budget, which includes appropriations to the Arlington Public Schools, as well as Utility Fund and other self-supported funds, is $1.2 billion, an increase of 0.4 percent from the FY 2010 revised budget. The General Fund Budget’s increase is the second lowest in 25 years.The FY 2011 Budget includes $13.7 million in service cuts, which follow $19.5 million in service cuts made in FY 2010.
Schools fully funded
The largest line in the budget is $360.3 million for Arlington Public Schools. The transfer of funds to schools increased 2.3% over FY 2010, and will fully fund an increase of 699 enrolled students.
Key items restored by the Board include:
- Community policing ($964,754)
- Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit ($1.5 million)
- Two Sheriff’s position ($155,100)
- Deputy director of Emergency Management ($163,133)
- Merit steps for County staff ($2.8 million)
- Metro funding ($3.6 million increase this year)
- Partial funding for non-profit organizations ($270,451)
- Aurora Hills and Lee Senior Centers ($55,075)
- Sunday hours at Central Library ($78,132)
- Some funding for library materials, including periodicals ($100,000)
- Park maintenance ($46,166)
- Some funding for tree planting and pruning ($52,000)
- Some funding for nature centers, including restoration of a naturalist position ($71,000)
- Some funding of Arts Grants ($100,000)
Compensation, health clinic for employees
Employees will receive merit step raises in FY 2011, but no cost of living increases. The board also approved a one-time lump sum payment of 2% of salary for employees who are at the end of their grade, to help offset anticipated health care cost increases, and restored some educational leave. The Board also funded a new on-site health clinic, in an effort to reduce rising health care costs.
To learn more about the budget, visit the County's website.
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.
