Real Estate Tax Rate Set to Stay Even in Vienna, But Water and Sewer Rates Could Increase

At tonight’s Vienna Town Council meeting, a planned overview of the town’s budget process lays out local budget priorities so far and offers a look at what’s coming next.

In previous meetings, the town manager presented his proposed budget and 10 budget priorities:

• Real estate tax rate remains at $0.225 per $100 of assessed value. This is the seventh year of decrease or no change.
• Three percent compensation increase for eligible employees
• Water and Sewer rates rising 10 percent in total to cover operating costs, maintain positive cash flow and meet industry standards for billing the fixed cost portion of the bill.
• Parks and Recreation revenue increasing $280,000 due to strong attendance and programming
• Minimal personnel changes
• Stormwater engineer salary increase to handle sustainability coordinator duties
• Shift $200,000 from operating budget to capital budget for asphalt costs
• Two vehicles added using unspent capital lease proceeds, water and sewer funds and stormwater funds
• Three percent decrease in health insurance for Anthem, 9 percent increase for Kaiser health insurance, generating an additional $125,000 in savings
• $400,000 available for unfunded priorities allocated to an economic development manager, updated zoning code and other priorities

The economic development manager position was one discussed by the Town Council as part of the strategic plan. The consultant would assist the town in trying to stem the tide of businesses vacating the town.

Town Council work sessions for the budget are planned for March 16 and 18, with a third on April 22 if needed.

A public hearing on the budget, water and sewer rates is scheduled for April 8 and for the proposed tax rate on April 29.

Final budget adoption is scheduled for May 13.

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