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Town proposes $43.7 million budget
Unlike other jurisdictions in the area, the Town of Herndon is considering an essentially flat budget, rather than having to make cuts – without considering increasing any town taxes.
Town staff released the $43.7 million proposed budget for fiscal 2009 Monday, which represents a 3.6-percent increase from the adopted fiscal 2008 budget.
Herndon Town Manager Arthur Anselene primarily attributed the increase to the smallest growth in town revenues since fiscal 2002.
Recurring revenues, which include real estate and other taxes, permit fees, fines, grants, interest income and fees for service, increased only 1.1 percent over last year's budget.
Director of Finance Mary Tuohy said that although there was a 9-percent increase in commercial property assessments, existing residential property assessments decreased by 8.5 percent.
The average residential property within the Town is currently valued at just over $375,000 with an average tax bill of $900, according to Anselene, who also cited a reduction in state funding as a minor contributing factor to this year's budget.
The budget proposes to keep the town's real estate tax rate the same, at 24 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Recurring general fund budget expenditures, such as personnel, operations and maintenance, debt service and minor capital, make up just over $31.5 million of the total budget -- an increase of 2.5 percent over fiscal year 2008 recurring expenses.
Despite a suggestion made Monday night by planning commissioner David Swan to increase the meals tax from 1.5 percent to 2 percent, Anselene maintained on Tuesday morning that meals, cigarette and hotel taxes can all remain unchanged.
However, water service rates will increase by 3 percent again this year, as they have the previous two years.
In addition, this year a “water availability” fee for new single-family homes will increase from $2,760 to $4,200.
Anselene said that this fee is for new construction only, and that the fee is generally paid by developers. Tuohy added that this fee has not been increased since 1999.
In terms of personnel, the town does not plan to add any new positions, but does plan on staffing all currently open positions, including hiring a new neighborhood resource director.
The new budget also plans for a 3-percent increase in staff salaries, based on a pay-for-performance scale.
Police officers, who are not compensated under the pay-for-performance system, will receive a 1.48-percent cost-of-living increase that will be applied as a salary adjustment on July 1, as well as a 5-percent performance increase to maintain pay parity with Fairfax County police officers.
Copies of the proposed fiscal 2009 budget are available for review in the Department of Human Resources in the Herndon Municipal Center, 777 Lynn St., Suite 110.
Town residents will also receive a budget summary in the mail. It is also available to residents in a compact disc format and will also soon be available online.
Citizens will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed budget at public hearings Tuesday, April 8, and possibly again on Tuesday, April 22. The hearings will be held at 7 p.m. in the Herndon Council Chambers at 765 Lynn St.
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