[Archived] Alexandria City Council Adopts Fy 2003 Budget

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 COUNCIL ADOPTS FY 2003 BUDGET
WITH 3-CENT REAL ESTATE TAX RATE CUT

On May 6, the Alexandria City Council adopted a Fiscal Year 2003 Operating Budget of $454.4 million, with a real estate tax rate of $1.08 per $100 of assessed valuation. The tax rate was cut 3 cents from the current rate of $1.11, and will result in an average residential tax bill increase of $292 , the second lowest increase in Northern Virginia. The total FY2003 General Fund Budget represents a 5.7 percent increase over FY2002.

Other key features of the adopted budget include:

• Full funding for the Alexandria City Public School Board base budget request plus a 2.5 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for employees, and $397,000 for an additional step on the employee pay scale. The City support of the schools in FY 2003 will total $115.3 million which represents a 7.5 percent increase over FY 2002.
• Nine additional police officers and additional funds for the Police Department Office of Security and Intelligence to improve police response to service calls throughout the City. Additional funding for the Office of Sheriff to improve security at the Public Safety Center. These increases total $1.1 million.
• Funding totaling $1 million to implement the recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force. In addition, the CIP includes $1.5 million for the Samuel Madden Homes Redevelopment Project.
• A 2.5 percent COLA for City employees in addition to a new step in the City employee pay scales.
• Increased funding for tourism promotion and $120,000 to continue the Dash About free shuttle service.
• Expansion of the Child Day Care program so more families are eligible.
• Construction of a skateboard park.
• Expanded tax relief for the elderly and disabled.
• New City funding for losses of $2.7 million in State aid including $0.7 million in formerly state funded juvenile justice and social services programs.