Council Lowers Tax Rate to $1.09 Before Approving Budget

For the first time in two decades, the Falls Church City Council voted unanimously this Monday to lower the tax rate by more than a penny in a single year.

Sensitive to the impact of a re-assessment of all City real properties this spring that produced a whopping average assessment hike of 25%, the Council acted swiftly to lower the upper limit of the tax rate for the coming fiscal year from $1.13 per $100 of assessed valuation to $1.09.

Not only was the size of the cut the biggest since the early 1980s, but it was the first time such a cut was voted in prior to the final adoption of a budget.

By the time the Council adopts the FY 2005 budget on April 26, the cut in the rate could go even further. At least one member of the City Council, Lindy Hockenberry, has gone on record saying she's determined to find a way to cut at least one more penny.

The last time a significant cut occurred in the Falls Church tax rate, it was done as a policy shift from a time when assessments were kept deliberately low and the tax rate relatively high. When the Council back then decided to bring assessments up to 100% of property sale value, it accompanied the move with a large tax cut.

This year, with a Council election looming and many residents concerned about large one-year increases in their tax assessments, "it is important that the Council signal that it does not intend to spend a dime more than necessary despite the added revenue from the higher-than-expected re-assessment," said Mayor Dan Gardner.

The action to lower the ceiling for the tax rate intended to do that. Council member Robin Gardner made the motion for the cut, and Hockenberry seconded it. Both Council members are seeking re-election in the upcoming May 4 election.

Meanwhile, as the gloves come off in the campaigns with strongly-worded statements naming opponents in paid political advertisements in this week's edition of the News-Press, three public events to which all six candidates seeking the three seats being contested have been invited are slated in the coming week.

On Tuesday, April 20, the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce has invited all six candidates (and three School Board candidate running uncontested) to participate in the organization's monthly luncheon program. The public is invited to the event, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Italian Cafe.

On Thursday, April 22, the Falls Church League of Women Voters will host a City Council candidates' forum from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Council chambers of City Hall. The League is also planning to publish a Voter's Guide in the April 22 edition of the News-Press.

On Saturday, April 24, the six Council candidates have been invited to a roundtable exchange in the offices of the Falls Church News-Press. The debate, moderated by the News-Press, will be reported extensively in the April 29 edition of the News-Press just prior to the election.

Candidates are emerging as sharply divided over the wisdom of the current Council's economic development achievements and the candidates' track records of participation in the destiny of the City.

The sitting Council has planned to wrap up the FY 2005 budget by Monday, April 26, although it is permissible under the law to go as late at May 10. However, the incumbents on the Council seeking re-election will try to button down the tax rate cuts prior to the election.