Alexandria residents open to tax increase
By: David Sherfinski
Examiner Staff Writer
October 16, 2009
A majority of Alexandria residents polled in an annual survey would be willing to pay more in taxes to preserve city services and maintain the quality of area schools, according to a recent survey.
Of the 1,000 residents polled, 55 percent said they would be "very willing" or "somewhat willing" to pay "reasonably" more in taxes to ensure the city meets its strategic goals, which include contributing to quality public schools and enhancing the vitality of city neighborhoods. Conversely, 41 percent said they were "somewhat unwilling" or "not at all willing" to do so.
The survey was conducted by the Center for Research & Public Policy, a Connecticut research and consulting firm.
Still, nearly 70 percent said they preferred that the city keep services and taxes around their current levels, about 12 percent said the city should reduce taxes even if it might have to decrease services, and about 12 percent said the city should increase service even if it might mean an increase in taxes.
Preserving services while maintaining a relatively low tax rate is a "constant balancing act," said Bernard Caton, the city's legislative director.
Alexandria boasts one of the lowest property tax rates in the region, at 93 cents per $100 of assessed value. Nearby Arlington County has a rate of 87.5 cents per $100 of assessed value, including the storm water tax rate.
Arlington likely will face a combination of tax rate increases and budget cuts this year, outgoing county manager Ron Carlee recently told a group of civic leaders. Some at the meeting said they would be open to paying more in taxes -- as long as they know what they're paying for.
