Alexandria Adopts Budget With 5.7 Cent Tax Hike

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Alexandria City Council adopted the 2018 fiscal budget with a 5.7 cent property tax hike and other fee increases Thursday night. The $728.1 million budget passed 6-1.

The increase adjusts the tax rate to $1.13 per $100 of assessed value, the same as neighboring Fairfax County, which opted not to increase the tax rate this year. Alexandria's new rate, which goes into effect July 1, is higher than those in Arlington, Prince William and Loudoun counties. The hike will increase the average household's bill by about $356 per year.

The $728.1 million budget represents a 5.8 increase over the current fiscal year. Significant increases were $144.7 million for Metro, $370.4 million for sewer projects to comply with state mandates and $8.4 million increase for public schools.

When the council finalized the budget, Mayor Allison Silberberg was the only member of the council still opposed to the 5.7 cent increase. Vice Mayor Justin Wilson had proposed the 5.7 cent tax hike in March after parents called for more capital funding to address aging school buildings.

She unsuccessfully proposed a 3.6 cent increase as a compromise. "The tax rate of 5.7 cents is too much to ask our residents to shoulder," she said during a May 1 council meeting.

Fee increases passed as well. The sewer fee will rise from $1.40 to $1.82 per 1000 gallons to begin updating its sewer system as mandated by the state. The solid waste fee will also increase from $363 to $373, and the city would introduce a stormwater utility fee Jan. 1, 2018.

Visit the city's website to view the full budget.

Image via Visit Alexandria