The Board of Directors approved the profit margin balance in a 9-1 . vote
FThe Airfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) lowered the proposed estate tax from $1.14 to $1.11 per $100 of assessed value at its 2023 budget margin meeting April 26. vote.
The meeting followed three days of public hearings earlier this month in which Fairfax County residents shared their thoughts on the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget and what changes they want supervisors to consider making.
The drop in property tax is not as severe as some residents had hoped. The Fairfax County Taxpayer Coalition asked the board of directors to cut 10 cents.
“First of all, I think we need to be clear that while the budget presented includes a 3 cent reduction in the tax rate, it also contains the largest increase in property taxes since 2006,” said Springfield County Superintendent Pat Herty. .
Because of this, Hurtie said he could not support the proposed budget. “This is not a budget that I can support given the very realistic choices to lower the rate a lot more. We could have achieved a flat tax rate if we were willing to make the same hard choices our residents have to make every day,” he said.
According to Herrity, the estate tax still represents a 6.7 percent increase for the average taxpayer.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay was proud of the budget changes.
“This budget is about balance,” McKay said. “We are ensuring that the county makes smart financial decisions to support services for our residents taking into account the increasing housing valuations and the financial pressures faced by many in our community.”
In addition to the estate tax, the council also included a four percent pay increase for all county employees. Uniformed staff including Police, Fire and Rescue Deputies and the Mayor will receive an additional gradation increase.
The board also voted to value the vehicles at 85 percent of market value as a tax relief measure for taxpayers that will save a total of $98 million.
Among those who spoke at public hearings held April 12-14, several people spoke out in support of Fairfax CountyPark’s funding.
“Gardens are strategic for our social fabric and community,” said William Bowie, chair of the Fairfax Park County Authority.
Bowie has spoken out in opposition to revenue-financing models for the park system, saying that they create systems of inequality. “Our desire is for a system where fees do not create a barrier for any of the county residents to participate in all of our programs,” he said.
As a result of the number of speakers supporting the parks, the council included an additional $751,954 for new positions and other sustainability efforts. The board also worked with the FCPA to develop a stock equity pilot program using funds from the announced budget package for a total of $500,000.
“Housing is an urgent need… We didn’t just hear about housing needs from just one community or just from housing advocates, we heard from 18 to 36 years old, we heard from our seniors on fixed incomes. We heard from Providence District Supervisor Dalia Balchik,” said Providence Supervisor Dalia Balchik. of our handicapped community.
“We’ve also heard from advocates for parks, libraries, human services, and other cause areas who have also focused on the critical need for this cause.”
The Board of Directors has appropriated an additional $12 million for affordable housing, with $2 million from a third-quarter review for fiscal year 2022.
The council will vote on the final budget on May 10. Although it is unlikely that any changes will be made between coding and approval.
