Higher Tax Rate Means New Police Officers, Parks

Woodbridge, Va. –– Prince William has new budget that raises taxes in the county, as well as provides new services for county residents.

The $890 million budget approved for 2012 takes effect July 1, and includes funding for 11 new police officers and eight new staff positions for the Department of Social Services.

It also includes money for road projects stalled during the recession, like widening Prince William Parkway between Old Bridge and Minnieville roads and widening U.S. 1 between Neabsco Mills and Featherstone roads, said Prince William County spokesman Nikki Brown.

A new outdoor plaza will be constructed at the Potomac Library, new funding will to build two new libraries –– one in Montclair and the other in western Prince William.

Other funds will go to improvements along the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail and to build a new riverfront park on the Occoquan River.

Each new project comes with a price tag, as they average tax bill for residents will be $78 higher than last year. Officials say that adjusted for inflation the average bill will remain lower than the previous year.

The budget didn’t pass unanimously, as Prince William Board Supervisors Mike May and John Stirrup, both Republicans, didn’t approve of funding so many new projects all at once, reports Virginia Virtucon.

The new budget also includes a two-percent cost of living raise, increasing funding to non-profit organizations and raising the threshold for the county’s Business and Professional Licensing Tax from $100,000 in gross receipts to $200,000.