Leesburg Budget Done; Tax Rate 19.2¢

The Town Council finalizes the FY 2014-15 budget.

Average Loudoun Tax Bill, Not All, To Go Down

The Board of Supervisors approved the FY 2014 budget along with a $1.205 real estate tax rate; what will it do to your tax bill?

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved a $1.8 billion FY 2014 budget that equates to a slightly reduced tax rate for the average landowner. Supervisors lowered the tax rate from $1.235 per $100 of assessed valued to $1.205, which equates to a $69 for a $405,977 home. The personal property tax rate remains unchanged at $4.20 per $100. Supervisors opposing the budget and tax rate said they preferred to make additional cuts. Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian) said increased assessments in eastern Loudoun mean that the new tax rate, even though it’s lower than the current rate, “in effect is a tax increase in my district.” However, Supervisor Matt Letourneau (R-Dulles) said there were many speakers at budget hearings …

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Board Agenda: Budget, Ballpark, Metro Parking, Tax Rate

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors have a wide range of topics scheduled Wednesday.

Among the many items on the Loudoun Board of Supervisors’ agenda Wednesday are the county’s budget and tax rate, a proposal to construct a professional sports park at One Loudoun and proposals to construct parking decks at the Metro stations planned in Ashburn. The $2.8 billion county budget and the $1.205 per $100 of assessed value real estate tax that would support it are all but decided. While changes are not off the table, significant changes are unlikely at this point. School advocates and nonprofits pressed for additional funds, but supervisors held firm. As part of an agreement with Fairfax County and the state to lower the cost of constructing Metro’s Silver Line to Ashburn, Loudoun supervisors agreed to try to find a way to have a…

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Loudoun Sheriff Faces Scrutiny in Budget Overruns

County ponders how to cover agency spending that outpaced its budget by millions.

Leesburg Budget: 19.5¢ Tax Rate?

The Council begins work on Town Manager John Wells’ proposed budget.

The Leesburg Town Council work sessions on the proposed FY 2014-2015 Budget and FY 2014-2019 Capital Improvements Program begin today, March 9, with a starting proposed real estate tax rate of 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. The work session—which takes place in the second floor Council Chamber at the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street—begins at 9 a.m. For those who are interested but do not wish to attend, the work session will be broadcast on Leesburg’s government access cable TV channel (Comcast Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35) as well as via webcast on the town’s website. Public hearings on the budget are set for March 12 and April 8, with approval of the budget and tax rate expected during the council’s April 9 …

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Leesburg Budget Starts with 19.5¢ Tax Rate

Town Manager John Wells delivered his $48 million budget proposal to council members.

Leesburg Town Manager John Wells’ opening bid on the Leesburg was a 19.5¢ real estate tax rate for FY 2014 budget, which calls for $47.9 million in expenditures and fewer employees. The budget represents a .5 percent increase over the FY 2013. Previous projections that called for a 5¢ increase in the tax rate during the next three years have been revised and now called for a 2.5¢ increase over two years. Town residents pay the town rate in addition to the county's real estate tax rate, which is currently advertised at $1.23¢ per $100 of assessed value. Two town positions have been eliminated during the past 12 months, bringing the total reduction of the town’s workforce to 8.1 percent since its peak in 2010, or 36 full-time equivalent (FTE…

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Virginia Lawmakers Vote to Expand Medicaid, Schools Funding

Final budget amendments include $3.4 million to add 1,700 in-state undergraduate seats at Virginia universities.

By Jessica Dahlberg, Capital News Service As the 2013 legislative session came to a close, the Virginia General Assembly approved amendments to the state’s two-year budget Saturday that included expanding Medicaid and spending more money on education. The amendments were passed by both the House (on an 83-17 vote) and the Senate (31-8) after tense discussions over Medicaid, which provides medical care for low-income residents. Legislators agreed to expand the program if certain reforms are made. Loudoun's General Assembly delegation split on the vote, with most of the more conservative legislators opting against it. Both Democrats joined the moderate Republicans in the county. See vote tally at bottom of story. The reforms will make …

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Fiscal Guidance Not Required

Board’s practice of setting limits on budget proposals is a relatively recent development.

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York made a good point on Oct. 3 when the board was discussing the fiscal guidance it would give the county administrator and school system regarding the development of the budget for Fiscal Year 2014. Earlier in the discussion, Blue Ridge District Supervisor Janet Clarke prefaced her remarks by saying, “I appreciate the fact that we have to go through this exercise every budget season.” By “appreciate,” I assume she meant that she understood that the fiscal guidance was a necessary first step in the process. But it really isn’t necessary. In fact, the board hasn’t always kicked off the budget process by delivering fiscal guidance. This is a relatively new phenomenon. When York’s turn came…

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What About the Four Percent?

Poverty is on the rise here in the richest county in America.

Marko, the guy who cuts my hair, was in a lather about the four percent. “Outrageous,” he shouted as I cautiously approached the chair. “Four percent!” “Don’t you mean 47 percent?” I asked, settling in for my haircut. Marko snorted. “No, not that. I mean the four percent of people in Loudoun County who are living in poverty. Four percent!” Marko hails from another country, and possesses both the immigrant’s love of America and the fresh eyes of an outsider that enable him to see paradoxes that I sometimes take for granted.  “Here we are, the richest county in America. Our median income is almost $120,000. The economy is improving. And the poverty level is going up. Four percent!” “Oh, I saw that in the Washington Post,” I said. “Actually, …

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A Damaging Message

Finance Committee’s budget recommendation could hurt the recruitment and retention of good employees.

“If you think things are bad now, get used to it. They’re not going to get any better for the next few years.” They may not have intended it, but that’s the message the Board of Supervisors’ Finance, Government Services & Operations Committee sent to employees of the Loudoun County government and school system last week. By a 4-1 vote, the committee recommended that the budget for next year, Fiscal Year 2014, be prepared at a tax rate three cents below the equalized rate, which would keep property tax bills level for the average homeowner. All cuts resulting from the three-cent reduction below the equalized rate would occur on the school side of the budget. The committee’s recommendation is expected to go to the full Board of Supervisors …

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Bob Bruhns

2:52 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hi BCan - aren't you the guy who didn't believe that several pro-rail leaders admitted that mostly airport employees would use the Dulles Airport rail station? You thought I was making that up, but I showed you three quotes - from Stuart Mendelsohn, Sharon Bulova and Sean Connaughton. So maybe you should not be in such a hurry to ignore facts? Maybe? Taxpayers should have paid attention to the …   more ›