Join

Property assessments lower than city leaders hoped, and a school funding promise is driving a higher Manassas tax rate

MANASSAS — The proposed rate in the fiscal year 2019 Manassas budget is about 2.6 percent higher than last year.

Pate

That means residents and business will most likely be paying more next year once the city council approves the budget May 14.

So, whats with the tax-rate increase this year, especially after the city council hiked taxes last year to pay for capital projects like new fire and police stations, and the remake of Grant Avenue near Downtown?

I sat down with Manassas City Manager Patrick Pate this week for a recording of the Potomac Local Podcast, and he told the proposed tax hike has to do with lower-than-expected real estate property assessments.

Pate said:

“…it’s a difficult thing for most people to think about or to pay attention to. But our assessments of our housing tends to be a little lower than some of our neighbors here, particularly in Northern Virginia. So the costs for me to hire a police officer is the same as it’s going to cost for Prince William County or Fairfax County.

If we’re not paying the same for police officers or teachers or mechanics whatever the case may be that those folks who will leave and go to other places, so that cost base cost of government is going to be the same for us.

A House tends to be valued a little lower than the averages in Fairfax or Prince William County. So our tax rate tends to be a little higher but the average the actual bill that somebody pays is going to be very comparable, or in most cases, we see a little bit less than some of our surrounding jurisdictions. But people do talk about the tax rate, and the tax rate is a little higher.”

In fact, the city has one of the highest tax rates in Virginia, though not necessarily the highest tax bills. With property values down, revenues are pulled down with them.

Pate continued:

‘That is absolutely correct. We are basically we were looking at a growth…our total budget scoring about 2.6 percent. A lot of our revenues are actually going on the decline. The cigarette tax is a good example. People just are smoking less. Now a lot of good public health benefits from that, but from a revenue string, that means for us revenue that’s going down, that we don’t have to support police officers or teachers, as the case may be.”

Pate said the city council aims to keep the tax rate increase between three and four percent over the previous year. The biggest city budget driver this year: the city council’s promise to make good on a three-year agreement with the city’s school board to provide more revenue for the school division.

Listen to the full episode of the Potomac Local Podcast.

Author

  • I'm the Founder and Publisher of Potomac Local News. Raised in Woodbridge, I'm now raising my family in Northern Virginia and care deeply about our community. If you're not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!

    View all posts

Recent Stories

Five years after its debut, the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Exit 140 on Interstate 95 in Stafford County has reshaped traffic patterns, boosted capacity, and contributed to regional growth.

Construction has begun on the Wellington Road Shared Use Path, a long-awaited project aimed at closing a crucial gap in the city’s pedestrian and bicycle network.

A sweet and affectionate feline named Maggie is looking for a new home after her previous living situation became too stressful.

The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) hosted the 2025 Fredericksburg Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 1, at James Monroe High School.

McClung-Logan Equipment Company is hosting its 40th Annual Oyster Roast, a signature customer appreciation event celebrating tradition, community, and generosity.

This year’s milestone celebration will take place on Thursday, March 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fairgrounds.

The first Oyster Roast began as a fundraiser in 1985, led by White Oak Equipment founder Frank McCarty, to raise donations for an employee battling cancer. This turned into a time-honored tradition for individuals facing hardship.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

A Night on the Riviera

Experience a magical evening at the Embassy of France with A Night on the Riviera, an event that will transport you to the glamour of the French Riviera while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras!

Indulge in an exquisite selection of French wines and champagne, paired with the finest French cuisine prepared by the talented Chef of the Embassy of France. Additionally, Chef Hugh Cossard will be carving ham live, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Don’t miss out on the authentic French crêpes, made to order and sure to transport you straight to the streets of Nice.

For those seeking an extra touch of exclusivity, the VIP experience includes unlimited champagne, adding an extra layer of sophistication to this festive celebration.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Environmental Film Festival: Turtle Walker

DC Premiere.

In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India’s coastline and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries

×

Subscribe to our mailing list