No Real Estate Tax Hike in Vienna Budget

VIENNA, VA -- Another round of good news is due for Vienna residents. The town's fiscal year 2018 budget adopted Monday includes no real estate tax hike. The town has not increased the rate for seven years. The current rate is $0.225 per $100 of assessed value.

Last week, Vienna residents learned that their Fairfax County real estate taxes would not rise either. Fairfax County's rate will remain at $1.13 per $100 of assessed value.

The town accounted for rising property values and other revenue changes with the real estate tax decision. One increase Vienna residents will absorb is a 10-cent cigarette tax hike to $0.85 per pack.

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Despite no change in the tax rate, Vienna's $36.3 million operating budget is 7 percent higher than last year's. A significant portion of the increases account for adjustments to the Town’s vehicle capital lease program. The budget also provides staff pay raises and one new position each for the Planning and Zoning and Parks and Recreation Departments. The town expects to fund additional hours and a new position in Parks and Recreation with revenues from reopening of the Vienna Community Center.

New sources of funding include community enhancement and public art programs, Chillin’ on Church event expenses and additional asphalt overlay.

“It’s important to our Councilmembers and staff that Vienna citizens receive a high level of service at a good value for their taxes paid,” said Town Manager Mercury Payton in a statement. “We’re really pleased that good management by our department heads and modest revenue growth have allowed the Town to hold or decrease its property tax rate since 2012."

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