DRCA Neighborhood News

Alexandria City Manager Proposes $534.1 Million General Fund Operating Budget for FY 2011

-- Posted on Feb 18, 2010 --
On February 16, Alexandria City Manager James K. Hartmann proposed a $534.1 million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. The proposed budget includes a range of reductions to close a $44 million spending gap.

“Fiscal Year 2011 will be the third year of unprecedented fiscal challenges facing the City of Alexandria,” said Hartmann. “We can expect at least three, and maybe four more years of difficult financial prospects, calling for significant spending restraint.”

In the proposed budget, total spending decreases by 3.5% ($19.2 million) from what it would cost to maintain current City and Schools services.

Compared to the previous year’s budget, the operating budget transfer to the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) would increase by 2.0% ($3.3 million) from last year’s approved budget. The City-managed part of the budget increases 0.2% ($0.8 million).

The proposed budget includes a tax rate increase of 7 cents, from 90.3 cents to 97.3 cents per $100 of assessed value. The City’s tax rate would still remain among the lowest in the region, and even with the tax rate increase, 34% of homeowners would pay less real estate taxes than last year, due to the 5.5% decline in residential assessments during the past year. The average homeowner would pay $103 more than in 2009. Commercial property owners would also generally pay less taxes because commercial property assessments decreased by 10.6%.

Reporting Graffiti and Other Non-emergency Situations to the Alexandria Police

-- Posted on Feb 1, 2010 --
If you wish to report graffiti sightings or other non-emergency situations, you can activate an "on line" reporting procedure by going to the following web page:

http://www3.alexandriava.gov/police/pd_report_incident.php

Do not use this form if:

* You are having an emergency right now: Call 9-1-1 immediately!

* You are reporting a crime in progress: Call 9-1-1 immediately!

* You think you know who committed the crime: Call 9-1-1 immediately!

* It's not an emergency, but you need a fast response: Call 703.838.4444 and an officer will be dispatched.

* The incident did not occur in the City of Alexandria : Contact the police department in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred.

* Your vehicle was completely stolen: Call 703.838.4444

Keep in mind that it is a crime to make a false police report. If you are found to have submitted false information on this form, you will be prosecuted under Sec. 18.2-461 of the Code of Virginia and may be subjected to up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

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1 and 7 East Del Ray Pocket Park Update

-- Posted on Jan 21, 2010 --
Throughout January and February, City contractors will conduct site surveying and obtain soil borings at the City park located at 1 & 7 E Del Ray Ave. Residents should expect to see equipment in use and survey crews at work during the daytime. Noise and interruption to park usage from these operations are expected to be minimal. The survey work and soil analysis are a component of preparing engineering plans necessary to construct the community approved park design. Click here to see approved plan.

* For additional information or to report concerns about the field work, call Laura Durham, Park Planning Division, at 703.746.5493.

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