FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 2, 2009     

City of Alexandria to Hold Public Hearings On Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget, FY 2010-2015 Capital Improvement Program

The City of Alexandria will hold three public hearings in March and April to allow the public the opportunity to offer comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2010 Operating Budget, the Capital Improvement Program for FY 2010-2015 and on the proposed tax rate. The hearings will be held in City Hall (301 King St.) in the Council Chambers, on the following dates:

• Wednesday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m., Budget Public Hearing
• Monday, April 13, at 4 p.m., Budget Public Hearing
• Saturday, April 18, at 9:30 a.m., Public Hearing on Effective Tax Rate Increase

City Council is scheduled to adopt the budget and tax rate at a special meeting scheduled for Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m.

Persons who wish to speak should complete a speaker’s form before or at the hearing. The form is available in the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, Room 2300. Requests to speak may also be e-mailed to jackie.henderson@alexandriava.gov. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or individuals who need special arrangements to participate in the hearings, such as translation services or language interpreters, can call the City Clerk at 703.838.4500 (TTY 703.838.5056). A 48-hour notice should be provided to ensure that special arrangements can be made.

On February 10, City Manager James K. Hartmann proposed a General Fund Operating Budget of $524.3 million that decreases General Fund spending by 7.7 percent ($43.6 million) below what it would cost to maintain current City and School services. The budget would decrease spending by 3.3% ($17.8 million) below the FY 2009 Approved Budget. In accordance with City Council guidance, the operating transfer to the Alexandria City Public Schools would decrease by 2.0% or $3.4 million from last year’s approved budget and funds managed by the City would decrease 3.85%.

As directed by Council in its budget resolution, the average homeowner’s real estate tax burden will not change. Accordingly, the budget proposes that Council increase the real estate tax rate by 4.2%  to offset the decline in the average assessed home value.

The tax rate for commercial property owners will remain significantly lower than surrounding jurisdictions because the budget continues the current policy of no add-on tax on commercial property. The real estate tax rate for homeowners will likely remain as low as any major jurisdiction in the region. Given the economic difficulties facing taxpayers, the City Manager does not propose to change any other tax rates. The City Manager does recommend, however, increasing a number of user fees and charges for services to recover more of the costs of providing those services.

For more information on the City’s proposed FY 2010 Budget, visit alexandriava.gov/budget