Vienna Budget Keeps Real Estate Tax Rate Flat, Water And Sewer Rates Up

VIENNA, VA — Town Manager Mercury Payton's budget proposal for the Town of Vienna calls for no increase in the real estate tax rate, while water and sewer rates would continue to climb.

The town's has an annual budget process for its four operating funds: general, water and sewer, debt service and stormwater. The proposed $53.8 million budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 is an increase of 7.5 percent, or about $3.7 million over the current year's budget.

"All four FY 2024-25 operating fund budgets reflect increases over the prior year as operations have returned to pre-pandemic levels," Payton shared in a budget introduction. "However, economic trends in inflation and supply chain difficulties continue and are leading to pressure on expenditures without a commensurate increase in revenue.

Town of Vienna property owners pay the town's real estate tax on top of Fairfax County's real estate tax. The budget proposes keeping the real estate tax rate at 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. Last year, the rate was lowered from 20.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Even with a flat tax rate, tax bills could go up due to appreciating values. The average tax bill would be $2,204, a 6.5 percent increase over the current budget. The average property assessment increased by $69,395, compared to an average increase of $91,160 last year.

SEE ALSO: 4-Cent Increase To Real Estate Tax Rate In FY 2025 Budget Proposal

Water and sewer rates are proposed to go up, similar to previous budgets. The budget calls for a 10 percent increase in water and sewer rates due to required infrastructure investments and cost increases. Residential account service charges would increase from $35 to $40 per quarter. The average customer's would increase by 10.6 percent — $25.25 per quarter or $101 per year.

Vienna Town Council will hold conference sessions on the budget proposal at 7:30 p.m. on March 11 and 9 a.m. on March 16. On March 21 and 28, proposed tax rate and water and sewer rates will be advertised. A public hearing on the proposed budget and water and sewer rates will be on April 8, and tax rate public hearing will be on April 29. Budget adoption is scheduled for May 20. The new fiscal year begins on July 1, 2024.

See the town's budget web page for more information.