Fairfax County approves five-cent increase in property tax rate

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a marked-up budget April 20 for fiscal year 2011 that raises the real estate tax rate by five cents—from $1.04 to $1.09 per $100 of assessed value. The board take a final vote to adopt a budget on April 27.

The board also approved a vehicle registration license of fee of $33 for most vehicles. The budget increases the storm water services fee from $0.01 to $0.015 per $100 assess value. The sewer service charge would be increased by 77 cents per 1,000 gallons, from $4.50 to $5.27.

The higher property taxes are offset by a 6 percent decline in residential property values and an 18 percent drop in commercial property values. The net reduction to the average homeowner’s tax bill would be $29.93.

Most supervisors believe the increases, along with cuts in services, are necessary due to declining revenues and an increased demand for services.

The marked-up budget would cut 176 positions – considerably less than the 284 positions proposed for elimination in the previously proposed budget for 2011, the so-called advertised budget. The restored positions include the 26 school resource officers, 10 positions to partially restore hours at regional libraries, and other positions in the police, fire, human services, and parks departments.

The majority of county funding goes to the Fairfax County Public Schools, and the marked up budget would decrease transfers to the schools by 1 percent from 2010. The county would transfer $1.61 to FCPS for school operations. However, the state has revised its formula for distributing funds to the schools, which means FCPS would receive an additional $61 million. That means the school system won’t have to cut the elementary school music and foreign language programs, as previously proposed.

Mason Supervisor Penny Gross was among the seven supervisors who voted in favor of the marked-up budget. Braddock Supervisor John Cook, whose district covers part of Annandale, was among the three supervisors who voted against it. Cook cited his opposition to a tax increase, especially the vehicle registration fee, as the reason for his vote.