<b>Board Proposes No Tax Cut</b>
In a unanimous vote at their Feb. 21 meeting, County Board members set the maximum possible tax rate for the coming fiscal year at $0.978 — the tax rate currently in effect.
With rising assessments this year, a steady tax rate would mean that the property tax bill for the average single family home would cost an additional $525.
County Board members stressed that the advertisement is a legal formality, and does not constitute a vote by board members to set the tax rate. Instead, the advertised rate represents the highest possible rate board members can consider in putting together a county budget for fiscal 2005, which begins on July 1, 2004.
But John Antonelli, an anti-tax activist in the past, encouraged board members to slash the advertised tax rate. “I appreciate that this is an advertisement, but it’s an advertisement on steroids,” he said. “Citizens deserve a break: my condo increased $53,000 in one year.”
In fact, the motion passed by Board members does acknowledge the rise in assessments between this year and last. “The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year … would be $0.887 per $100 of assessed value,” reads language in the notice of proposed real property tax increase, passed by the board. “The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.091 … or 10.2 percent. This dfference will be known as the ‘effective tax rate increase.’”
<b>Metro to Hold Local Fare Hearing</b>
Facing a budget shortfall between $20 million and $36 million, Metro Board members are considering fare increases to pay for service next year.
At the Feb. 21 County Board meeting, Board member Chris Zimmerman, Arlington’s representative on the Metro Board, said the proposed fare increases may look large. But they are like tax rates: the numbers under discussion are the largest possible increases, and may not translate to real world costs.
Metro Board members will hold seven hearings around the Washington region, to hear public comment on whether or not fares should increase this year.
With normal Metrorail and Metrobus fares having increased 10 cents last year, and another fare increase possible, there’s another question to answer, said Zimmerman: “Should there be a basis for regular fare increases?”
The hearings will give Metro riders a chance to speak up about the possibility of such regular increases, and how often they might come. “One possibility is annually, which I think is too frequent,” said Zimmerman. “Another possibility is biennially, and I personally think it should be every three years.”
Metro Board members will hold a public hearing in Arlington at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 22, in the County Board Room at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard. More information is available <a href="http://www.wmata.com/public_hearing.cfm">online</a>.
<b>Board OKs Courthouse Apartment Project</b>
On Saturday, County Board members approved a $70 million, 327-unit high-rise apartment project for the Courthouse area.
Developed by Gables Residential of McLean, the building on North Troy Street will replace Oakridge Apartments, a 60-year-old garden-style apartment complex which currently has 49 units, primarily small one-bedroom apartments.
In place of the current Oakridge Apartments, Gables will put in four-, five- and 11-story buildings, with 327 units, including 24 committed units at Courthouse Crossing, dedicated to families making $55,000 or less annually.
The developer is funding rent subsidies for 24 affordable units off-site at the nearby Courthouse Crossing Apartments, of which 16 will be two- or three-bedroom units. Fourteen of the households at Oakridge Apartments have indicated interest in the additional affordable units at Courthouse Crossing.
Construction on the project should be completed by autumn 2005, and apartments will be ready for tenants in early 2006.