Public invited to comment on Manassas budget

As the Manassas City Council zeroes in on a $94.9-million budget for fiscal 2011, tax bills should remain flat for most residents.

Councilman Marc T. Aveni, chairman of the city's finance committee, publicly presented the proposed budget -- down from last year's budget of roughly $100.9 million -- in a recent council meeting.

The average tax bill for a single family home would be $2,883 annually, which is down about $9 from last year's tax bill.

Under the proposed budget, condominium owners will pay an average of $1,743 annually, down by $102 from fiscal 2010, while townhouse owners will see average increases of roughly $102, to bring their annual tax bills to about $1,922 a year.

In February, Manassas City Manager Lawrence D. Hughes proposed a tax rate of $1.33 per $100 of assessed value, with a 15.8-cent fire levy that brings the total tax rate to $1.488.

The city council's proposed budget recommends a tax rate of $1.318, with a 15.4-cent fire levy for a total tax rate of $1.472.

"As much as we can minimize residential and commercial taxes, we think that's a good thing to do," Aveni said of the council's reduced tax rate.

Budget cuts resulted in no pay raises for city employees, 20 eliminated positions, reduced benefits for city employees, reduced support for the Manassas Museum, reduced police services, reduced neighborhood services and reduced street sweeping, paving and sidewalk repairs.

The offices of the treasurer, registrar, commissioner of the revenue and city hall lobby will also reduce services, Aveni's presentation showed.

Even with the smaller budget, the city will be spending money on some things.

The proposed budget will allow the city to buy a computer dispatch system for fire and rescue, and increase the department's funding by $66,000, Aveni said.

The budget Aveni presented allows the city to keep one police officer, its neighborhood services coordinator and hire a family services benefits specialist.

Aveni said the benefits specialist was necessary to keep the city current with federal mandates in regard to the time it takes to respond to requests for public assistance.

"Certainly we don't want to do anything that's going to put the city in a situation where it could be fined, and certainly we don't want to do anything to make matters worse for people who are coming to us for public assistance," Aveni said.

The proposed budget will allow the city to spend $7.7 million on dam maintenance at Lake Manassas, which supplies the city with water. Also budgeted is $2.7 million for automated water meters, $1.5 million for the design work on a runway at the Manassas Regional Airport and $940,000 for roof repairs, heating and air conditioning units and renovations to city buildings.

Sections of several streets, including Nokesville Road, Hastings Drive, Abbot Court and Browning Court, will be repaved under the fiscal 2011 budget.

Aveni said the money spent will save the city money in the long run.

"We are mindful ever that if we don't keep up with our infrastructure, large things like dams and electric substations will fail and cost our citizens even more money," Aveni said.

The council did not use money from its fund balance or "rainy day" fund to balance the budget, Aveni said.

Residents who want to comment on the proposed budget can attend the Monday city council meeting at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers in the Manassas City Hall.

The council will hold its final work session on the budget on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room at city hall. Council will set aside time during its meeting Monday for the public to talk about the proposed budget.

Senior Reporter Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.