Fairfax County
Taxpayer's Alliance
Home Search FCTA Publications - Monthly Msgs - Reports - Bulletins - Handouts - Good Reads Fairfax Co - Taxes & Budget - Gov't Schools - Pensions - Transportation - Misc / Other Beyond Fx - Virginia - National - World Miscellaneous - Health - Environment - Potpourri About Us - Who We Are - Calendar - Support FCTA
A A
FCTA Testimonies to Fx Co Board on the County Budget - 2022

Testimonies to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the County Budget - 04/12-14/2022

The Board of Supervisors held its final public hearing on property tax increases on April 12-14. Five members of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance made strong protests over the proposed 10% tax gouge:

Testimony from Charles McAndrew (Oak Hill) at Budget Hearing

To:  Mr. Jeffrey McKay
Chairman, Fairfax Co.
Board of Supervisors		 | Mrs. Kathy Smith
| Fairfax County
| Board of Supervisors		 | Ms. Stella Pekarsky
| Chairman
| FCPS

Dear Mr. McKay, Mrs. Smith and Ms. Pekarsky:

My wife and I have been homeowners and taxpayers in Fairfax County since 1968. We are retired and living on a fixed income. Therefore, I wish to protest the increases in the Fairfax County budget and real estate taxes. From the year 2000 to 2020, real estate taxes have increased approximately three times the inflation rate and household income. My assessment increased 12.84%. The County Board wants to keep the real estate tax rate at $1.14 per $100 of assessed value which means that the average tax bill would increase by $666. Based on the tax rate of $1.14, my tax bill will rise by $1,142 which is outrageous! I understand that overall tax assessments increased an average of 9.5% countywide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (inflation rate) for the year 2021 was 4.7%. So, for many years I have seen the real estate taxes usually increase two to three times the inflation rate, year after year and decade after decade. I request that you lower the tax rate by 10 cents to $1.04!

Last year FY2022, the General Funds Disbursements was $4,488,427,184 and for FY2023 the General Funds Disbursements is $4,776,728,869, an increase of $249,403,428, or 5.2% over FY2022 Adopted Budget Plan. This increase is greater than the inflation rate of 4.7% for calendar year 2021. Again, for many years, I have seen the County and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) budgets usually increase two to three times the inflation rate. Certainly, in an overall $9 billion budget, you should be able to reduce it!

The County is proposing to issue more bonds in 2023 and future years. For FY2023, the County debt for bond interest is $43.9 million or 2.8% of the county budget. In the good times as the economy booms, why does the County feel they must keep issuing bonds? I have read that Fairfax County wants taxpayers to approve a $180 million bond issue for WMATA this November but has so far failed to respond on how these funds will be used! Is this true?

The FCPS has had reductions in students over the past two years and is now down to approximately 178,000 students. As I understand, the FCPS has had a reduction of around 10,000 students and yet the FCPS budget continues to rise. Why is that?

I look forward to a written response to my presentation. Thank you for your attention.

Testimony from Arthur Purves (Vienna) at Tax Rate Hearing

Members of the Board:

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I am Arthur Purves and address you as president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance.

Virginia Code Section 58.1-3321 requires that you hold this hearing and that you publicize it. The purpose is to let voters know that the supervisors can prevent a real estate tax increase due to higher assessments by reducing the real estate tax rate ten cents.

Many believe that if assessments increase, real estate taxes have to increase. This is false. The supervisors can prevent a tax increase due to higher assessments by lowering the tax rate.

To prevent a tax increase for homeowners next year, Mr. Chairman, you and the board can reduce the tax rate ten cents.

However, this hearing and the ability to prevent a real estate tax increase by reducing the rate by ten cents is one of the county's best-kept secrets. The ten-cent reduction is not mentioned anywhere in the county's 1400-page FY2023 Advertised Budget Plan. The ten-cent reduction is not mentioned in budget press releases. The ten-cent reduction is not mentioned in supervisor newsletters. The ten-cent reduction is not mentioned in town halls. Even this hearing's legally required announcement that you publish in the Washington Times, does not mention the ten-cent reduction.

One might conclude that the supervisors do not want voters and taxpayers to know that a ten-cent reduction in the tax rate would prevent a real estate tax increase, perhaps because knowledge of that fact would jeopardize the supervisors' reelection next year.

Note, any rate reduction of less than ten cents will result in a tax hike for homeowners. If you reduce the rate eight cents, that still results in a tax hike. If you reduce the rate 5 cents, that's a bigger tax hike. If you reduce the rate 2 cents, that is an enormous tax hike.

If you believe that taxpayers would vote you out of office if they knew that you hiked taxes by failing to reduce the rate ten cents, then maybe you should reduce rate by ten cents.

However, by not reducing the rate, you get an extra $250 million. That's a quarter of a billion dollars. You want that money because you have promised 37,000 county and school employees 6% raises next year, and those raises cost $250 million.

For the past two decades the average raises for county and school employees have been well above inflation. To pay for those raises, you've had to increase household real estate taxes faster than inflation. That's because your other revenue sources are stagnant. Commercial real estate taxes, the car tax, the BPOL tax, utility taxes, and sales taxes collected per household have barely kept up with inflation.

So, the only way you've been able to grant raises above inflation has been to sock it to the homeowners. For two decades you've increased homeowner real estate taxes about three times faster than household income.

You should be concerned. In FY2000, real estate tax revenues were only half of the county's income. But because all your other revenue sources are stagnant and because of your soaring residential real estate tax hikes, real estate taxes are now two-thirds of the county's income. You should see red flags.

If 37,000 county and school employees want raises that are above inflation, then then schools and county administrators should produce a workforce and a business climate that attracts and retains good businesses, increases personal wealth, and drives up tax revenues due to increased prosperity and not tax-rate increases.

The numbers say that hasn't happened in 20 years. Until it starts happening, there is no justification for increasing residential tax revenues any faster than your other, stagnant, revenue sources.

As far as the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance is concerned, if the real estate tax rate is reduced by only 8, or 5, or 2 cents, we will do our best to inform the voters that the incumbent supervisors enacted a tax hike.

Thank you.

Testimony from Arthur Purves (Vienna) at Budget Hearing

Members of the Board:

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I am Arthur Purves and address you as president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance.

Everyone believes that when assessments increase, real estate taxes automatically increase. This is false. The supervisors can prevent a tax increase due to higher assessments by lowering the real estate tax rate. The Taxpayers Alliance urges the supervisors to do just that for next year, by lowering the tax rate 10 cents, from $1.14 to $1.04.

We have two topics: the supervisors' "Unaffordable Housing Program" and the supervisors' "Two Fairfax Program".

First, Unaffordable Housing. The county has an "Affordable Housing" program, but the waiting list is so long that the county keeps it a secret. However, there is no waiting list for Unaffordable Housing, as every July we get a real estate tax hike.

For two decades homeowner real estate taxes have been increasing about three times faster than household income. All the increased revenues have gone to pay for county and school raises and the increased cost of benefits, especially pensions. The average raises for county and school employees since 2000 have been well above inflation. Most county and school employees would probably lose pay and benefits if they switched to the private sector. They would definitely lose pensions.

The advertised real estate tax hike gives the supervisors an extra $250 million. That's a quarter of a billion dollars in one tax hike. County and school employees have been promised 6% raises next year, and those raises cost about $250 million.

We are told that the raises are needed due to "retention and recruitment" problems. Except for police, the supervisors have provided no data about retention. What's the impact of mask and vaccine mandates? Administrivia? Or in the schools, student behavior? What's the impact of the anti-police rhetoric?

We were told in 2016 if the meals tax referendum failed, there would be a mass exodus of teachers. The referendum failed, but we never heard about a mass exodus of teachers.

There may be another reason for the 6% raises. The top contributors to the county chairman's 2019 reelection campaign were unions. Of the $500,000 he raised in cash, $100,000 came from unions. When supervisors consider a zoning waiver, they disclose campaign contributions from the parties asking for the waiver. There is no such disclosure when the supervisors consider raises. This is a conflict of interest. We hope that in the future, supervisors will not accept union contributions. We in fact ask that union contributions to local government political campaigns be banned.

Next, the "Two Fairfax" program, which is the Fairfax County Public Schools.

"One Fairfax" is a stunning admission that the equity strategies of the past half-century have failed. However, One Fairfax is simply a recycling of these failed strategies while continuing to ignore the failure of public schools to provide upward mobility. If you are poor in kindergarten, you will be poor as an adult. In fact, except for a few high schools, overall achievement in FCPS is mediocre.

The low test scores seen in high school first appear in third grade reading and arithmetic tests. The most important school years are grades 1-3, where students are to master reading and arithmetic. If they don't, they fall behind by third grade and never catch up. The reason is that FCPS does not use phonics-based reading instruction and does not have children memorize the multiplication tables. I remember as a Scoutleader I was helping an FCPS middle-schooler prepare a menu for a campout. We had nine campers and agreed to serve 1/2 pound of hamburger to each camper. I asked, how much hamburger do we have tobuy? He didn't know.

Investment in public schools is an investment in mediocrity, poverty, and perpetual racial inequality. Public schools are transforming America from the land of opportunity to the land of poverty. Unless you require phonics and multiplication tables, your $2 billion investment in Fairfax County Public Schools is an investment in Two perpetual Fairfaxes.

In the absence of any documentation about recruitment and retention, and because of the conflict of interest over campaign contributions, and because of decades-long public-school failure, we recommend that the tax rate be reduced 10 cents.

Testimony from Bill Peabody (Springfield) at Budget Hearing

Prince William county is offering a tax hike under 4.9%. According to WTOP, the reaction of PWco taxpayers is very negative. Zillow and other real estate sites show appreciation percentages the same as Fairfax. We have a more robust tax base. Soon the board will approve a meals tax that adds over $100 million in revenue. You have over 60 fees and taxes. Why always always hit homeowners?

The society for HR managers shows raises of 3.4% for 2022/23. This association represents large companies with deep pockets. Many small businesses are still waiting for 2019 pricing to return. My barber has the same pricing as 5 years ago. During a recession, private sector workers often lose a year of profits or wages. Government workers don't. My understanding is the county paid everyone last year. This is the risk premium never calculated by those comparing private sector wages to government pay.

At Mr Herrity's town Hall I like to ask 4 questions. If I work for you:

  1. Can I retire at age 55?
  2. Will I get a pension?
  3. Do you offer employment uninterrupted by recession or product obsolescence till retirement?
  4. Do I get a 6% raise?

Hard to hire and retain the best? A small retention bonus might be a good strategy as you wait for the employment market to turn down.

Two years ago we added a seven-member green energy group . Let's trim that and hire an independent auditor.

IRS data shows people over age 60 are leaving. They generally don't burden the county with kids in school at $17,000 per. Nor do they clog the roads at rush hour or hassle the police.

County wealth may increase slowly with DOD execs staying, but your liabilities grow faster. Constituents requiring ESOL and other services are replacing those leaving.

Looking ahead: This year Mortgage expense is up over 50%; the XHB,or home builder index is down 25%; a 7%+ tax hike may be the straw that breaks the housing market.

Thank you.

Testimony from Lou Di Leonardo (Springfield) at Budget Hearing

My name is Lou Di Leonardo, a long-time resident of Fairfax County, and I'm here to ask the Board of Supervisors to rescind their premade decision to raise RE taxes.

We all know the decision has already been made, it's just a question of how much raise will be.

My own home's value has risen 12.63%, but I CANNOT feel any benefit from this rise in value until we sell and move out. BOS thinks people are too stupid to understand this.

RE taxes = home value x tax rate -- LOWER THE RATE by 10 cents and taxes won't rise. Will any one of you make a motion to lower this tax RATE??

In the meantime, County real estate taxes have risen 3 times the rate of inflation since the year 2000. All under Democrat stewardship, by the way.

The BOS doesn't need more money, you need to spend less! For example:

  • School enrollment down over 4% so why does FCPS need more $$? It already takes over 53% of County Budget.

Instead of focusing on spiraling crime, gang members in high schools, overt sexualizing of little kids, being a sanctuary county for illegal aliens (US Code 1325), a Commonwealth Attorney who refuses to prosecute many, many crimes, a Sheriff who releases criminal aliens onto our streets instead of turning them over to ICE...

We now have a BOS more concerned with:

  • Bike Lanes to Nowhere
  • Height of our Flagpoles
  • How we should bag leaves in the fall
  • Plastic bag use at supermarkets (like Giant)
  • Hurt feelings because Gov Youngkin made the decision to un-mandate masks in schools
  • AFFORDABLE housing - WHY?? How about keeping my home affordable?

Why must our sanctimonious Board Members feel they must spend other people's money on building "Affordable Housing"? Are any of our vaunted BOS members going to have Affordable Housing built in your neighborhoods -- next door to your homes? Can I have each one of your home addresses so that I can keep tabs on this?

The BOS used to be a part time entity, like our State Government. Now, your jobs are fulltime, with staffs, and you get a salary of $90K/year. That has been a recipe for mischief and abuse of power. Will you be willing to take a pay cut?

If the State can run with a part time legislature, why can't Fairfax County?

That is all.

Testimony from Vittal Anantatmula (Great Falls) at Budget Hearing

I came to the US as a legal immigrant to pursue higher studies (PhD) at the George Washington University about 30 years ago, and since then I have been living in Fairfax County. At that time I chose Fairfax County as my residence based on four criteria:

  1. good education,
  2. low crime rate,
  3. affordability, and
  4. low tax rate.

All these four criteria or values that I cherish disappeared gradually over a period of time. Although my son completed his studies and is now a Commander in the US Navy, as an academician, I notice the deterioration of the county school education system in terms of quality of education and facilities that are becominginadequate.

Percentage of space allocated for recreational purposes such as parks has decreased. Property taxes for vehicles and homes witnessed a steep increase and overall, property taxes increased by over 200% in the last 20 years. Buying a house in the county is beyond the reach of middle class families. Property tax is almost equivalent to the mortgage payment. Still the county administration kept permitting construction of more residential homes. Consequently, traffic situation has become a nightmare. We experience traffic congestion everywhere and even in odd hours. Roads are poorly maintained.

When my friends from other states visit us, they make fun of both the traffic and road conditions. For example,for the last 3-4 years, Tysons Corner to Georgetown Pike part of the Route 7 is under construction with no visible progress. The metro system above ground is an eye sore and is ineffective in providing a relief to the traffic congestion.

The crime rate has increased significantly in the recent past. Living conditions are becoming deplorable. I am afraid, it is a matter of time, that Fairfax County could become another San Francisco (CA) or Bronx (NY). If you consider another tax rate increase, I may sell my property and move down south where better living conditions prevail.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to present my views.

Respectfully,
Dr. Vittal Anantatmula -- 810 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066
Past resident of Fairfax, Vienna, Oakton, and Herndon

Selected testimony from Tom Cranmer (Great Falls) at Budget Hearing

Reduce the real estate tax amount to the level of impositions during last year. Many residents can't pay your tax increases. Inflation is driving residents into poverty. Irresponsible Democrat spending has driven inflation to 8.5% and it is going higher.

Inflated real estate values are not a reason for tax increases. People on fixed incomes are not able to afford the higher taxes you are proposing, on top of fuel, food, and housing cost increases.

Affordable housing expenditures hurt residents more. What is the cost of your "affordable housing"? How much does Fairfax own and manage such housing? What are the residents supposed to pay? What happens if they do not pay? What happens if they destroy the housing? How many illegal aliens are being put into affordable housing and at what cost in Fairfax?

Crime decreases collection of business taxes and drives people out of this area. Crime is an increasingly major problem everywhere, not just in big cities. The chief persecutor in Fairfax, Steve Descano, does not ask judges to convict most criminals. Why should people and businesses stay? Descano, made it clear in his campaign statements he is soft on crime, not prosecuting major crimes done by younger criminals. This encourages more danger for residents.

The Fairfax police force is down by 200 and the VA state police force is down by 300. How can residents have confidence that it is useful to report crime? Or, for that matter have any confidence in the BOS? Judges are refusing to back up the remaining police.

What is the welfare cost from your financial budget? Homeless and lawless people are coming to Northern VA, attracted by your handouts. How much of our taxes are paying for them?

Schooling in Fairfax is a bad joke. Test results before the WuFlu showed most kids were not able to perform at near grade level. Now we can't get test results.

Your schools are teaching black kids they should not strive for excellence, because you believe they can't. This is the first time in American history since the Civil War that an ethnic group is told by government and political leaders that they have no chance and inferring they should give up studying.

Parents should have a major say in what schools teach. FCPS is continuing to fight disclosure and discussion. Democrats and the teachers' unions are doing their best to promote sexual assaults on children and more widespread showing of pornography. This is grooming kids for pedophiles.

The proper role of schools is to teach reading, writing and arithmetic, not how to hate classmates of a different ethnic group.

School expenditures are increasing as the school population of students decreases.

Fairfax should use the West Virginia formula of tracking taxes to students. Then students should be able to use the taxes to pay for any school of their choice. In Fairfax, students should be able to direct $17,000 per student to be paid by Fairfax Public Schools to other schools, including charter schools and parents who home school.

Destruction of the outstanding Thomas Jefferson School is discrimination against Asians. Since three quarters of new students admitted to "TJ" were Asian you, destroyed it by changing the admission rules in the name of "diversity". The new admissions rules were later found by a federal judge to discriminate against Asian-Americans, have since been reinstated by the U.S. 4th Circuit, and is now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

People don't want the Metro. Statistics on crime on the Metro and in Fairfax are not believable. Fairfax will have to fund a portion of the current billion-dollar Metro operating deficit.

Thanks for listening and reading. My comments are my own.