[Archived] Alexandria City Council Approves FY 2001 Budget; Fully Funds Schools; Offers Additional Recreational Opportunities and Open Space; Re-Opens Burke Library Facility as New Learning Center

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

The Alexandria City Council approved the City’s $320 million General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2001 Thursday night, following a six to one vote.

The budget, which contains several landmark initiatives, increases funding for the Alexandria City Public Schools and fully funds their operating budget; offers enhanced recreational opportunities and open space; expands services for senior citizens and adult learning, including English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes; re-opens the Burke Library facility as an expanded community learning center; increases efforts to address teen pregnancy; provides competitive compensation to City and Schools employees; and maintains City services --- without raising the current real property tax rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value.

"This is the first budget that we have had in a long time that allows us to meet a number of the City’s growing needs," Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley said. "It will allow the City to provide citizens with more services, additional opportunities for learning and recreation and an enhanced quality of life."

The budget provides $57.5 million in capital funding for the Alexandria City Public Schools, which ensures full funding for the first four years of the School Board’s adopted capital program.

"Without enacting new taxes, we have created a solid foundation for future capital projects that include building a new elementary school and renovating the City’s two middle schools," Mayor Donley said. "In addition, we can begin to tackle the City’s antiquated sewer infrastructure, expand Ramsay Recreation Center and address the facility needs for the Alexandria Health Department."

The City’s adopted budget also includes more than $1 million to re-open and expand the Burke Library facility into a full service community education center. The improved center will feature branch library services, including access to public computers and Internet services, conventional library lending materials for children and adults and reference materials. In addition, the facility will be re-designed to include community meeting space, a kitchen area, adult education classes, English as a Second Language services, and other community-oriented offerings for the public.

Other budget highlights include:

* Funding for City programs and services totaling $199.5 million, an increase of 8.5 percent in comparison to last year;

* The General Fund appropriation to the Alexandria City Public Schools is $98.8 million, an increase of 6.9 percent since last year;

* Funding for the new Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, the first new elementary school to be constructed in 30 years;

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

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

* 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;

* $100,000 to improve access to services for non-English speaking residents;

* $100,000 to fund a position to address adolescent services, particularly the problem of teen pregnancy;

* a 25-cents increase (per phone line) in the current 25-cents Emergency 911 tax, which still allows Alexandria to boast the lowest rate in Northern Virginia;

* Funding for merit in-step increases, plus funding for a 2.5 percent general salary adjustment and an increase in health insurance for City employees;

The City’s 2001 fiscal year budget will begin on July 1, 2000.