Budget Presentation, Outdoor Dining Guidelines Head To Falls Church City Council

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Falls Church City Council has a busy agenda for Monday's meeting between the city budget presentation and other key items.

City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers at City Hall. Below are key items being discussed or considered at Monday's meeting. Return to Patch on Tuesday for follow-up coverage of key City Council items.

1. Budget Presentation

City Manager Wyatt Shields will present a budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 in the City of Falls Church. Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan will also present the school district's budget after the School Board approved an advertised budget. The final schools budget is dependent on the city budget approval.

The city budget proposal will include a recommended real estate tax rate. The current tax rate is $1.23 per $100 of assessed value, which was lowered by 9 cents in the last budget.

Assessment data affecting property tax bills has already been released. Residential property values overall increased 3.5 percent, while single-family homes alone increased 4.03 percent overall. Townhouses increased 5.86 percent, while residential condominiums had varying value changes and overall decreased 1 percent.

City Council also had a recent discussion on a possible commercial and industrial tax. The proposed surtax on commercial property would provide revenues for eligible transportation projects under state law. State law allows localities to charge an additional property tax up to 12.5 cents per $100 of assessed value on commercial and industrial use properties.

The proposed budget will be posted on the city's website after the budget presentation. Opportunities for public comment on the budget will follow in the budget process.

2. Permanent Outdoor Dining Regulations

City Council will consider adopting permanent outdoor dining guidelines for restaurants, as expanded outdoor dining has proved popular in the community and at businesses. Outdoor dining regulations had been relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic to support businesses' continued operations. The temporary guidelines expire on March 31.

The city sought permanent guidelines to give certainty to businesses considering permanent investments in outdoor dining expansions. Permanent guidelines allow businesses to seek reductions of parking spot requirements for outdoor dining space.

3. City Attorney Appointment

City Council will consider appointment of a permanent city attorney. Brian Lubkeman has been serving as interim city attorney since Carol McKoskrie retired in 2022. The city attorney is the legal counsel to City Council, the city manager, the Falls Church City School Board, and other city departments, boards and commissions. Those duties include drafting and reviewing proposed ordinances.

4. Employee of the Year Recognitions

City Council will recognize two of the city's recent Employee of the Year honorees. Veronica Prince, deputy city clerk, was named 2021 Employee of the Year. Joe Carter, emergency manager, was named 2020 Employee of the Year.

Prince was selected for bringing open meeting procedures and practices to the city, allowing City Council and other boards and commissions to operate virtually during the pandemic. Carter was recognized for leading the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.