The Arlington County Board approved an $888.5 million budget this weekend, $14.9 million more than the budget the county manager originally recommended in February.
One of the larger increases, $4.1 million over the original proposed budget, went toward a 1.5 percent raise for county employees. Maintenance and improvements to county buildings and property also received one of the larger increases, $4.7 million over the proposed budget.
“It’s not a very sexy part of the budget,” board member Barbara Favola said. “[But] we have to maintain our buildings.”
The board spent an additional $1.3 million and funded nine and a half full employee positions in human services, including youth mental health therapists and adult day care for those with dementia. Federal dollars had funded the county’s programs, but that money was cut earlier in the year.
One of the smallest increases was $22,963 to open the new Shirlington library on Sundays, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Property tax rates in the new budget are the same as last year, at a rate of 81.8 cents per $100 of assessed value of the home. The county’s average residential property assessment is expected to decrease by 0.8 percent, shaving perhaps $35 from the average 2008 bill.
“The budget, I think, provides great services to the Arlington public while keeping the tax rate stable,” board chairman Paul Ferguson said.
While Arlington is not raising the property tax, its main source of income, it is raising a number of fees. Water rates are expected to increase to $3.34 per 1,000 gallons used and sewer service rates to $5.86 per 1,000 gallons consumed. The county estimates the increase would add $84 per year to the average homeowner’s bills.
This marks the third consecutive year that water and sewer fees have increased. The county expects to continue increasing these fees to cover ongoing upgrades to its water treatment plant for the next several years, according to a county budget report.
The budget also includes fee increases for parking meters, county day camps, athletic leagues and adult day care. The board will also consider new taxes on gas and electric bills at its May meeting.
