[Archived] Proposed FY 2001 Budget Reflects City's Healthy Economy: Increases Funding for Education and Youth; Enhances Quality of Life With More Monies for Environment and Open Space; Expands Services for Seniors and Increases Money for Capital Projects for City and Schools

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

Alexandria City Manager Philip Sunderland presented to Alexandria City Council Tuesday night the City’s $318.6 million Proposed General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2000.

The budget, which was prepared under former City Manager Vola Lawson’s tenure before her March 1 retirement, contains several landmark recommendations and initiatives, largely the result of the appreciation of the City’s real property tax base, and new residential and commercial development.

These recommendations include: additional funding to increase the City’s investment in education and youth; increased funding for park improvements, enhanced recreational opportunities and more open space; expanded services for senior citizens; boosted outreach and services to the Hispanic community; greater funding for high priority capital improvement projects for the City and the Schools; and competitive compensation to City and Schools employees --- without raising the current real property tax rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value.

"The proposed budget maintains all current tax rates and also includes two new tax relief measures: one involving the expansion of the real estate tax relief program for seniors and the disabled; and the other involving a reduction in the business personal property taxes on computers --- to promote Alexandria as a technology-friendly place for business," Sunderland said.

The City’s overall proposed budget represents an 8.8 percent increase over the current year and fully funds the Schools operating budget, while providing an additional $2.1 million to fund compensation and health insurance increases for Schools employees --- comparable to compensation increases for City employees. If approved by City Council on April 27, the budget would take effect July 1, 2000.

The budget also recommends full funding of the first four years of the Schools $62.5 million six-year capital improvement program --- necessary to renovate the City’s two middle schools to meet rising student enrollment and provide improvements at the two new focus schools slated to open next year.

Other budget highlights include:

Funding for City programs and services totaling $198.5 million, an increase of 7.9 percent in comparison to last year;
The proposed General Fund appropriation to the Alexandria City Public Schools is $98.3 million, an increase of 6.4 percent since last year;
Funding for the new Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, the first new elementary school to be constructed in 30 years;

$300,000 to create an affordable, high-quality model before-and-after-school child care pilot program at the Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School. The City is committed to ensuring sufficient funding so that no child will be turned away from the program because of any family’s inability to afford the modest sliding scale fees;

$55,600 to fund a "Power Up" after-school program for middle school students at George Washington Middle School and Francis Hammond Middle School;

$100,000 to improve access to services for non-English speaking residents, including free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to City residents, plus an increase of $50,000 for the Arlandria Health Center for Women and Children;

$222,200 to expand companion aide services to elderly and disabled residents;

$34,000 for new recreational and leisure programming for seniors at the Ramsay Recreation Center when this facility opens in the fall of 2000;

Funding for merit in-step increases, plus funding for a two percent general salary adjustment and a five percent increase in health insurance for City employees;

Proposed FY 2001-FY 2006 Capital Improvement Program includes $155 million in local funding for City Schools and capital projects, a 31.4% increase in comparison to last year’s six-year CIP;

A total of $18 million over six years to address the City’s sewer infrastructure, including adding sanitary sewer capacity in the Holmes Run sewer service area;

$8 million, phased over three years, to address the facility needs for the Alexandria Health Department’s main facility on St. Asaph Street;

$1.2 million over six years to preserve and acquire open space, plus additional capital funds for bicycle trails and increased tree planting;

Prior to adopting the FY 2001 budget, the City Council will hold a series of public work sessions and a public hearing:

Thursday, March 23, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom at City Hall, 301 King Street;
Thursday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, joint session with the School Board;
Monday, April 10, 4:30 p.m., public hearing on the budget, Council Chamber;
Monday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom;
Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m., Council Workroom, followed by budget adoption at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

Additional information on the proposed budget is currently available on the City’s web site at ci.alexandria.va.us.