June 24, 2004
To the Residents of Arlington:
The County Board unanimously approved a balanced,
fiscally sustainable budget for Fiscal Year 2005. The budget process is
a participatory one, involving countless hours of deliberations, input
from residents, recommendations from our citizens’ advisory groups, and
work sessions with County staff. The County Board was able to adopt a
budget that provides for continuing services, expands or enhances
services in a number of priority areas, fully supports educational
funding, and provides a competitive compensation and benefits package
for our employees.
Because of our expanding local economy, especially in
the area of residential real estate values, the Board was able to reduce
the real estate tax rate for the third consecutive year. Our overall tax
and fee burden continues to be one of the lowest in the region.
The adopted budget provides additional support for
demand-driven increases in priority areas such as affordable housing,
economic sustainability, and public health and safety. A number of
budget highlights are detailed below.
Policy Priorities
The County Board was able to fund a number of policy
priorities that will provide enhanced services in the following areas:
- Housing grants and supportive housing
- Renovation of the George Mason Center to house the
Head Start Program
- “Green building” initiatives
- Food safety inspections
- Court Security
- Debt Service Reserve Funds
Education
The transfer of funds to the Arlington County Public
Schools for FY 2005 totals nearly $275 million. This amount, based on
the revenue sharing agreement – apportionment of 48.6% of local tax
revenues to Schools – will fully support the School Board’s adopted
budget requirements.
Taxes and Fees
- Reduced the real estate tax rate by two cents, from
97.8 cents to 95.8 cents per $100 of assessed value
- Increased the household solid waste rate by $13.04
to an annual total per household of $245.64 to recover the full cost
of refuse collection and disposal
- Increased the water and sewer rate by an average of
$72 per year per household to help finance upgrades to the Water
Pollution Control Plant
- Increased the E-911 rate by $1.25 to $3 per month
to support the construction and equipping of a new Emergency
Communications Center
Employer of Choice
The budget funds a number of increases in employee
compensation and benefits including annual step increases, a 2%
cost-of-living adjustment, an additional step in the pay plan,
additional employer contributions to the retirement system, and
increases in the
transit subsidy, “Live Where You Work” grant, and tuition reimbursement
programs.
Capital Investment
County Pay-As-You-Go capital projects totaling $11.7
million were approved for funding in the adopted budget. These funds
will support:
- Additional voting machines for the presidential
election
- Neighborhood traffic calming and conservation
projects
- Asset preservation funds for transportation, parks
and government facilities
- Technology investments to support e-government
The adopted budget is fiscally sustainable, continues
high quality services, provides for major capital investment, a
competitive pay and benefits package, and full funding for education,
all at reasonable cost to our residents and businesses.
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Sincerely,
Barbara A. Favola
Chairman |
