[Archived] Alexandria City Manager's Proposed FY 2000 Budget Maintains Current Services, Fully Funds Schools Operating Budget


Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Tuesday, March 16, 1999
Contact:	Angelita Plemmer, City Manager's Office, (703) 838-4300; Lori Godwin, Office of Management and Budget, ; (703) 838-4780

Alexandria City Manager's Proposed FY 2000 Budget Maintains Current Services, Fully Funds Schools Operating Budget

No Increase In Real Property Tax Recommended

Alexandria City Manager Vola Lawson unveiled to the Alexandria City Council Tuesday night a $288.2 million Proposed General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2000, including a 4 percent increase in funding for Alexandria City Public Schools, a 2.1 percent overall increase for City services and full funding of the City's visitors and convention bureau.

The proposed budget does not recommend any increase in the real property tax rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value --- stemming from increases in State aid, agency cutbacks and new growth in the real property tax base. The average assessed value for an Alexandria residence increased from $179,496 to $180,752, which represents an average increase of $14 in property taxes to homeowners.

Recommendations also include an increase in user fees for refuse collection and two new initiatives to diversify revenue sources, a $1 per night lodging fee and a 5 percent admission tax for entertainment event tickets.

The City's overall proposed budget represents a 5.4 percent increase over the current year's budget and would take effect July 1, 1999 if approved by the City Council on May 5. The School Board's operating budget has been increased by 4 percent, in addition to its Capital Improvement Program, which rose 10.9 percent. The City's operating budget would be increased by 2.1 percent and its Capital Improvement Program budget has decreased by 25.7 percent.

"As in recent years, the challenge of the FY 2000 Budget is to maintain current services and increase the City's investment in tourism and economic development, while experiencing minimal growth in the existing residential tax base," Mrs. Lawson said. "It is critical that the City continue to invest in its future, both by funding the School Board's operating budget and by funding tourism promotion and economic development to create additional and diverse sources of revenue."

With the City Council's guidance, Mrs. Lawson sought to maintain high quality and cost effective services to citizens, while achieving savings wherever possible. As a result, more than $2 million has been cut from City agency budgets in FY 2000. This reduction follows more than $3.6 million in cuts included in the FY 1999 operating budget. These cuts will not result in the elimination of any direct services to citizens, but departments will not be able to absorb additional duties or respond to unbudgeted initiatives without receiving additional funding authorized by the City Council.

Other budget highlights include:

Appropriation of $92.4 million to the City Schools, including $3.3

million for pay increases for Schools employees comparable to

those proposed for City employees;

$179.6 million in funding for City programs and services ;

A 2 percent cost of living adjustment and merit in-step increases for

City employees;

A total of $53.6 million in funding for the six-year Capital Improvement

Program (FY 2000-FY 2005), including $1.7 million in State aid and

nearly $52 million in local funds for Schools facilities. The local funds

represent 44 percent of the City's total funding for the six-year Capital

Improvement Program;

Full funding of $447,233 for the Alexandria Economic Development

Partnership and $1,330,378 for the Alexandria Convention and

Visitors Association. Also includes $374,000 in first year capital

funding for a new visitors' center;

Increases in residential trash fees, ambulance transports and

recreation user fees.

Prior to adopting the FY 2000 budget, the City Council will hold a series of public hearings:

March 24, 7:30 p.m, Council Workroom at City Hall, 301 King Street;

April 12, 7:30 p.m, Capital Improvement Program, Council Work Room;

April 20, 4:30 p.m., Council Chamber;

April 22, 7:30 p.m., joint session with the School Board, location TBA;

April 28, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom;

May 5, 6:30 p.m., Council Workroom.

Additional information on the Proposed Budget is available on the City's web site at http://ci.alexandria.va.us.