UPDATE: FY 2021 Budget Proposal Would Raise Overall Tax Burden

CORRECTION: Property assessments will not be increasing under the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Proposal.

ARLINGTON, VA — Real estate and personal property taxes in total would increase $284 for the average Arlington homeowner, if the $1.4 billion Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Proposal County Manager Mark Schwartz presented to the Arlington County Board at its Thursday, Feb. 20 work session were adopted. This would also mean the overall tax burden for the average household would go up $376.

The proposal, which is a 2.9 percent ($40 million) increase over FY 2020 budget, targets $848 million toward county operations and transfers $550 million to Arlington Public Schools. Both sides of the ledger are seeing increases over last year, 2.7 percent ($22.2 million) for county operations and 3.3 percent ($17.7 million) for schools.

One of the priorities for Schwartz with his proposed budget was to increase employee compensation. If adopted, general employees would see a 3.25-3.50 percent pay increase and public safety personnel would receive a 6.5 percent pay hike.

"Each of the proposals I have made in the budget, if it's to provide additional resources, it is for employees, which are the core of what we do, the critical part of it," he said. "We're in a full employment economy. It's a really tough competitive environment. We have great employees. The other thing is to the extent I've proposed additions, they are all for things that I can say unashamedly that the community not only has asked for, but needs."

In addition, the proposed budget would raise the minimum and maximum salary ranges for county employees by 5 percent. "Not only does it give a few people a raise, but it also makes us more competitive," Schwartz said.

In the area of employee benefits, the proposal increases paid parental leave, transit subsidies, leave accrual and a match for people for dependent care, so they're able to take care of their children or aging parents.

In addition to the 6.5 percent pay increase for public safety employees, the proposal would allow the Arlington County Fire Department to add nine new positions and continue implementation of Kelly Day staffing. This approach establishes a 12-hour work day, 48-hour work week and eliminates 24-hour shifts.

"It has helped us with our recruitment, because people want to become firefighters, but it's not your model from 30 years ago," Schwartz said. "They tend to be dual-income couples raising kids. They're not particularly enamored of the 24-hour shift and having a regular schedule helps."

The proposed budget would add five new positions at the Arlington County Police Department, including establishment of Traffic Control Officers. These would not be fully sworn officers nor would they carry a firearm, but they would assist the police in traffic enforcement, such as ticketing trucks parked in bike lanes.

"I'm going to propose six positions that will focus on traffic control," Schwartz said. "This would be really important I think not only as a statement, but it's we need to be more visible about that and this will help us with enforcement."

Following guidance from the County Board, Schwartz is earmarking $9.1 million for affordable housing. This includes a $2.7 million increase to the Arlington Housing Investment Fund and $248,750 for an additional Principal Planner position and for research, analysis, and community engagement.

Additional housing support in the FY 2021 budget proposal includes:

• $801, 781 increase in housing grants
• $412,554 for Permanent Supportive Housing program
• $250,000 for a pilot program to support individuals aging out of foster care
• 3 full-time equivalents for permanent housing locator and case manager

The proposed budget dedicates $2.3 million in funding to the Columbia Pike Tax Increment Financing Area (TIF).

Other priorities included in the FY 2021 Budget Proposal are:

• Metro: Increasing Arlington County's contribution ($1.7 million) to Metro's operating budget and Phase 2 of the Silver Line.
• Stormwater: Adding two new stormwater inspector positions and launching a flood sensor pilot program.
• Trees: Dedicating $250,000 to improve pruning and pest management of the county's tree canopy.
• Facilities: Adding new and expanding existing facilities, including Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center, Lubber Run Community Center and Courthouse Library.
• Cultural Affairs: Along with one-time funding of $30,000 for additional arts grants, the budget proposal would implement a revised fees schedule, more flexible hours and a manger for the Scenic Studio; transition the Mobile Stage to a vendor model; and launch a pilot program at Signature Theater to manage the CostumeLAB.

Schwartz will formally submit his proposed budget to the County Board on Feb. 25, and Arlington Public Schools will present its proposed budget on Feb. 27. The County Board will conduct budget work sessions in March and April, with public hearings scheduled for March 31 and April 2. The County Board will adopt the budget on April 18 and the School Budget will be adopted on May 7. FY 2021 begins on July 1.