The Connection

Herndon's Town Council will host a public hearing next Tuesday, April 28 to give residents the opportunity to speak on all matters in this year's proposed budget and town plans.

"We want to make sure taxpayers have time to weigh in on the budget," said Councilmember Sheila Olem.

"Please do email us or see us," said Councilmember Grace H. Wolf. "We really want to see your input."

"We hope to hear from many of you. If you have a friend or neighbor, please bring them to help us decide how their tax dollars are spent," said Mayor Lisa Merkel.

Herndon Town Manager Arthur A. Anselene proposed this year's FY 2016 Budget of $49,862,400, a 2.1 percent increase over the adopted FY 2015 Budget. The town's FY 2016 begins July 1, 2015 and extends to June 30, 2016.

"A slight increase in residential real estate assessments is offset by a decrease in commercial assessments," said Anselene. "Accordingly, my proposed FY 2016 Budget calls for maintaining existing tax rates and continued focus on redevelopment of the downtown, planning for transit-oriented development near Metrorail's Herndon station and maintenance of the quality of our public facilities and infrastructure."

The town real estate tax rate, meals tax rate and all other taxes and levies will remain at their current rates, he said.

A NEW AUTOMATED trash collection program called the "One Arm Bandit," will be implemented this year in Herndon, which includes purchasing 1,750 trash containers and 950 recycling containers for homes. The budgeted cost: $420,000.

Another $150,000 will help make Elden-Monroe Intersection Improvements and $325,000 will used for major road repaving throughout the town.

Herndon's Community Television Station is celebrating its 25th year. Herndon will support its efforts, which includes ensuring that all town meetings from Town Council to the Heritage Preservation Review Board are accessible. Money allotted: $95,000.

Police radio equipment in the amount of $210,000 will keep technology current for Herndon officers current with Fairfax county.

The Town Budget addressed the implementation this year of current projects like Herndon's automated trash collection and water meter readings. It also budgets for longer-term planning for projects such as bus, auto, pedestrian and cyclist access to the future Metrorail station; improvements to the intersection at Elden and Center streets; and park improvements to include synthetic turf at Bready Park.

For example:

$700,000 has been reserved for sports fields and park improvements, including artificial turf to be installed at Bready Park.

$325,00 will be given to Phase V of Herndon's Community Center .

$70,000 is needed to replace fitness equipment and aquatic center bleachers at the Herndon Community Club.

$80,000 will be used for a concept design to remodel the golf course club house.

$819,000 is allocated for the Chestnut Grove Cemetery Fund.

$1,000 will help the Herndon High School PTSA; $3,000 will be given to help Kids at Hope; $17,000 for the Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts, Council for Arts of Herndon, and NextStop Theater.

$278,000 will be used to buy vehicles and equipment for snow removal and leaf collection.

$203,000 will be used to replace three police cars and one motorcycle.

$50,000 will be used for Metro Planning Initiatives and an additional $50,000 to update Herndon's Heritage Preservation Review Guidelines.

Hard copies of the proposed budget are available for review at the Herndon Municipal Center and Herndon Fortnightly Library.

Budget By the Numbers

$49,862,400

Herndon's budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which includes all funds (General Fund, Water and Sewer Fund, Golf Course Fund, Chestnut Grove Cemetery Fund, Downtown Parking Enterprise Fund and the Capital Projects Funds). The total reflects an increase of 2.1 percent over the adopted fiscal year 2015 budget.

$6,472,000 Herndon's capital improvement fund.

$419,000

One penny on the real estate tax rate is equivalent to approximately $419,000 in tax revenues. The budget proposed keeps the real estate tax rate at $0.2650 per $100 of assessed value.

$360,826

Average residential property value.

$956.19

Average residential real estate tax bill. The average real estate tax bill will increase $31 this year, "that's the smallest increase we've had in the last three years," said Art Anselene, Town Manager.

$2,111,000

A 2.5 percent meals tax translates to $2,111,000 in revenue. The Town has seen an 8% increase since the FY 2015 budget. "We're seeing good activity in our restaurants which is positive economic news for our 120 restaurants," said Anselene.

75

A 75 cent cigarette tax per pack raises $340,000. 16 businesses sell cigarettes, said Anselene.

55

Residential properties comprised 55 percent of real estate value in Herndon this year, 45 percent from commercial properties. That was reversed the last three years, said Anselene.

$25

Motor vehicle license fee remains $25 for private passenger and other vehicles less than 4,000 pounds. Motorcycles cost $12 to maintain vehicle decal fee and vehicles that weigh more than 4,000 pounds cost $32 per year.

$4

Recycling fee remains at $4 per quarter or $16 per year.

$26,295,300

Personnel costs for this upcoming fiscal year, an increase of $925,500 from fiscal year 2015.

$5.05

The sewer service rate base rate remains at $5.05 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption. The sewer availability fee remains at $7,490 for new, single-family homes.

$2.90

Water service base rate remains at $2.90 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption and the peak rate remains at $4.95. Water availability remains at $4,863 for new, single-family homes.