Who We Are
Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance
The Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan, volunteer organization founded in 1956 to prevent excessive real estate tax increases. We analyze government spending and speak out against government waste. (Note: Though we act as a non-profit, the SEC lists us as a corporation, and contributions to us are not tax-deductible.)
We publish a Bulletin, issue press releases, attend County budget press conferences, testify at public hearings, write letters-to the editor and op-ed pieces, and respond to press inquiries.
We depend on contributions from members and friends. Membership is open to Fairfax County residents and those who pay real estate taxes in Fairfax County.
Our Address: Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance / P.O. Box 356 / Fairfax, Virginia 22038
Email: contact@fcta.org
FCTA Board of Directors (06/17/2022)
Arthur Purves At-Large (Hunter Mill) President Since 10/15/1996 Tom Cranmer At-Large (Dranesville) First VP Since 02/07/2012 Mike Albin At-Large (Braddock) Second VP Since 09/10/2019 Perry Young At-Large (Sully) Secretary Since 10/15/1996 Ron Quasebarth At-Large (Sully) Since 10/01/2019 Fred Costello At-Large (Hunter Mill) Since 12/06/2004 Rob Whitfield At-Large (Hunter Mill) Since 10/28/2017 Rod Dyck At-Large (Braddock) Since 04/05/2022 (vacant) At-Large William Peabody Braddock Since 11/18/2003 (vacant) Dranesville David Swink Hunter Mill Acting Treasurer Since 09/10/2002 (vacant) Lee Robert Anderson Mason Since 05/11/2021 Miriam Sullivan Mt. Vernon Since 10/04/2014 (vacant) Providence Brad Butler Springfield Since 03/05/2002 Chuck McAndrew Sully Since 05/06/2003
FCTA Resolutions
- Resolution supporting a car tax exemption for residents affected by Fairfax County Community Parking Districts with background information (6/6/06)
- Resolution opposing higher taxes for transportation (6/6/06)
- Resolution in favor of an elected auditor (1/6/04)
- Vote NO on the school bond referendum (10/14/03)
- Resolution opposing 22% sales tax increase (1/17/01)
FCTA Policies
Policy #1: TOTAL REVENUE CAP (Adopted 03/19/1991, Revised 11/19/1991)
Fairfax County's revenue should be limited to (1) a rate of growth that is no higher in any year than the rate of growth of total personal income in the County in the preceding year, and (2) a share of total personal income no higher than in fiscal year 1987. These limits should apply to total County revenue exclusive only of proceeds from bond sales and of transfers from the state and federal governments.
Policy #2: INDEBTEDNESS CAP (Adopted 03/19/1991)
Bonded indebtedness of Fairfax County should not exceed 3% of the County's total personal income.
Policy #3: REAL ESTATE REVENUE CAP (Adopted 04/16/1991)
The Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance endorses a Fairfax County revenue program wherein, the real estate tax is subject to 'full equalization' for the next four years; that is, whenever assessments increase, the tax rate should be lowered to fully offset the assessment increase so there is no increase in the average tax bill. This policy permits revenue increases resulting from new growth (i.e. construction, rezoning, and sub-division) in the real estate tax base.
Policy #4: INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT CAP (Adopted 05/21/1991)
The Fairfax County Taxpayer Alliance supports a change to the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitution which would limit the increase in assessment for an owner occupied residential property to two (2) percent during any year of ownership. This policy would permit assessment increases to current market value whenever a residential property changes ownership.
Policy #5: PRIVATIZATION (Adopted 08/20/1991)
Fairfax County will not use tax, license, or bond revenues to compete against the private sector. In order to provide the public with services of superior quality, lower price, and a choice of providers, we recommend the following:
- Wherever possible, all services currently provided by the county government that can be provided by the private sector, should be relinquished to the private sector.
- Any task that can be contracted out to a private sector group in the support of mission essential functions, should be.
Policy #6: USER FEES (Adopted 08/16/1994)
A user fee is a charge imposed by a governmental body to voluntary recipients of goods and services provided by the governmental body; the amount of the charge is based on the cost of providing the good or service. Sometimes lower rates are charged during non-peak times to reflect variable value at different times.
The Fairfax County Taxpayers' Alliance supports the charging of user fees over the alternative of funding the provision of goods and services with general tax revenues, whenever the recipients are identifiable. This preference for user fees as a funding method does not constitute an endorsement of government providing those goods and services in lieu of the private sector.
The imposition of user fees should be accompanied by tax reductions and the tightening of revenue growth limits.