Real Estate Tax Stays Same Under Proposed Vienna Budget

VIENNA, VA—Vienna's town manager proposed no real estate tax increase but a number of fee increases for the 2019-2020 budget. Town Council received the $41.1 million budget proposal on March 1 and will hold hearings on March 16 and 18.

The tax rate would stay at $0.2250 per $100 of assessed value for the fifth consecutive year. The town anticipates the average residential tax bill to be $1,850, a 5.2 percent increase from last year. This is due to rising property values and a 4.9 percent growth in property assessments.

Town of Vienna taxpayers pay this real estate tax in addition to the tax for Fairfax County. The county's budget proposes keeping the tax rate at $1.15 per $100 of assessed value.

Vienna's budget covers four funds: the operating fund, water and sewer fund, debt service fund and stormwater fund. The water and sewer fund would get a $631,890 boost, covered by higher tap fees and service and water and sewer consumption charges. Water rates would rise by 3.9 percent, sewer rates by 10.5 percent and service charges from $17.75 to $23 per quarter. Water availability and meter purchase fees would increase by 2.5 and 3.5 percent, respectively.

Debt service fund is expected to increase by $441,980, mostly due to a projected 7.5 increase in meal tax revenues, and transfers from the water and sewer fund to cover debt payments. The proposed budget also covers 3 percent salary increases for most employees and a new part-time revenue auditor position.

The public hearing for the budget and water and sewer rates will happen on April 8, and the hearing for the tax rate on April 29. The Town Council will adopt the budget, tax rate and water and sewer rates on May 13.