Water, Sewer Rates Increase Under New Vienna Budget

VIENNA, VA—Residents won't see an increase in their real estate tax rate, at least from the Town of Vienna. The Town's fiscal year 2019 budget adopted Monday keeps the tax rate at $0.225 per $100 of assessed value for the fourth straight year. However, there will be hikes in water and sewer rates.

The budget accounts for a 3.5 percent increase in water rates, 10 percent increase in sewer rates and 10-15 percent increase in service charges. Customers will see an average $13.61 increase per quarter on their water bills.

The new water and sewer rates are based on recommendations from the Municipal & Financial Services Group study. The rates cover the cost of operations and debt service, increasing sewer treatment costs and funding for water and sewer infrastructure needs. Town officials re-evaluate water and sewer rates annually.

"Citizens will notice an increase in water and sewer rates," said Town Manager Mercury Payton in a statemennt. "We hope that our citizens will recognize that these increases are absolutely necessary in order to address critical infrastructure needs, an issue that communities around the country are facing."

The $38.65 million budget also provides a 3.5 percent performance-based salary increase for most Town employees and performance-based bonus program for some employees. The budget accounted for an 18 percent increase in health insurance costs and adjusted employee contributions.

The budget creates three new full-time and one part-time public works positions: a transportation planner/engineer, two maintenance workers and a part-time water and sewer administrative assistant. Meanwhile 27 police officer positions were regraded and had 5 percent salary increases.

Other items in the budget include updates to the Town’s zoning code, a biennial citizen survey and $20,000 in parks improvements.

Fairfax County adopted its budget on Tuesday, May 1, increasing the tax rate from $1.13 to $1.15 per $100 of assessed value. Based on assessments, Town of Vienna property values went up an average of 4.5 percent in the past year.

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