Public Hearing on Proposed Annual Budget Tonight

A public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2012 budget will take place  at tonight's regularly-scheduled city council meeting.

At the end of each regularly-scheduled council meeting, time is set aside so that residents of the city can come forward to address the council. And at tonight's meeting, a public hearing will take place on the proposed fiscal year 2012 budget, which is set to move forward with a vote soon.

Citizens do not have to give prior notice to city officials to speak during the citizens' time portion of the meeting, but for those who wish address council members for longer than the allotted three minutes must ask the City Manager for a place on the agenda at least four working days before the meeting, according to city documents.

The public hearing on the proposes fiscal year 2012 City Council Budget, Five-Year Capital Improvement Program will begin  at 7:30 p.m. and last for approximately 30 minutes. A public hearing on the effective real property tax rate will then follow at approximately 8 p.m. City Budget Manager Diane V. Bergeron will be present to address questions and/or concerns.

The City Council held its "mark-up" budget work session on April 6, and from that came the proposed Annual Operating Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Program to be discussed. The City Council then presented the proposed budget, which includes a higher residential tax rate and increases to electric, water, sewer and solid waste rates, at the April 11  meeting.

Following tonight's public hearing, council members will hold a work session to discuss any issues or concerns before the budget moves forward with a final vote.

Information from: http://www.manassascity.org/