Fairfax County supervisors are balking at some recent proposals by agency officials to finance transportation improvements for Tysons Corner.
The staff officials have suggested taking extra money from property taxes, establishing a countywide meals tax, using commercial transportation taxes and designating special tax districts as possible ways to pay for $1.4 billion needed to improve county roads through 2030.
“I think using countywide taxes to fund Tysons is problematic,” said Supervisor John Cook, R-Braddock, explaining it was unrealistic to expect a 4 percent meals tax, for example, to raise the money required for the business district. “I hope the folks within Tysons understand they are going to have to pay for this because they are going to be the ones to benefit.”
County officials and supervisors alike say there needs to be an appropriate mix between public and private funding, so as not to put too much pressure on developers or break the back of a local government dealing with budget issues of its own.
The officials have proposed that governments foot more than $800 million — 55 percent — of the bill. To do so, the county would likely turn to taxes, as planners have said it is unrealistic to count on state and federal funding for a new street grid and road improvements.
But Supervisor Pat Herrity, R-Springfield, said a bevy of countywide taxes aren’t the answer.
“We’ve asked the developers of Tysons to solve all of our social ills,” he said, referring to strict affordable housing and stormwater requirements. “I don’t want those taxes. I’d prefer we readjust our priorities.”
Herrity said easing of those standards would free more money for transportation.
County officials also proposed general obligation bonds, private donations tied to development incentives and tax-increment financing as potential funding solutions.
The county has not endorsed any of the strategies. Supervisors are expected to vote on the final plan in late June.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if eventually we ended up with a number of options that are suggested,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sharon Bulova. “I don’t think we would just go with one or two. We may have a hybrid of various solutions.”
