To the Editor:
Well my prediction about higher county taxes has happened, unfortunately.
On April 21, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the 2016 County budget markup that includes raising at least six fees that include sewer and refuse disposal fees. Although the real estate tax rate remained at $1.09 per hundred of assessed value, your real estate tax bill will be higher than the prior year because property assessd values have increased. To find out how much extra you will pay, compare the prior year's tax bill amount with the amount derived by multiplying the increased property assessed value by $1.09. According to a supervisor's published information, county taxes have increased 16 percent over the last three years.
The markup also included money for the supervisors' pay raise increasing supevisors' annuall pay from $75,000 to $95,000 or a $20,000 increase and Chairman's Bulova's pay from $75,000 to $100,000 or $25,000 increase. The supervisors' pay before the pay raise was substantially higher that the four top surrounding Virginia counties. The mark up also included pay raises for the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals and a new pay plan for general county employees.The motion to approve the budget markup was made by Chairman Bulova (B) and seconded by Supervisor Hyland (D). Supervisors who voted for the markup that included more taxes are Cook (R), Foust (D), Hudgins (D), Hyland (D), McKay (D), and Bulova (D) and voting “no” are Frey (R), Herrity (R) and Smyth (D).
The supervisors seem to take care of themselves with your tax money. If there isn't enough money to take care of supervisors' wants, they raise your taxes. In Fairfax County the supervisors win and the taxpayers lose. Keep that in mind when you go to the polls in November.
Frank Medico
Mt. Vernon