Does Growth of F.C. Population Impact Tax Rate?

Editor,

I would like to know how the growing population of the Little City is affecting the taxation and budget issues currently facing Falls Church City.

Fifteen or 20 years ago, there was an article in the Washington Post about a study in Washington, D.C. that said if a single person or a person(s) with children moved into the city, the city spent more money on services than was collected in tax money. Only if two wage earners without children moved into a dwelling would the city be likely to take in more tax money than would be spent in services.

I have no idea whether this is applicable to Falls Church City, as D.C. is a different type of city, and that was a different time period.

However, considering the already-known effects of new construction and expanding population on our wonderful city, such as knocking down more trees, building more and bigger houses–which increases impervious surfaces, thereby facilitating flooding and unhealthy run off to the Chesapeake Bay–more road congestion and increasing school enrollment with its subsequent pressure on the schools, we also need to focus on the fiscal impact and financial health of the city and its inhabitants.

Shirley Connuck

Falls Church

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