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News release:

County Board OK's tax hike;
'token' rate cut not enough

The County Board's decision on real estate taxes represents another big tax increase on Arlington homeowners, according to the Arlington County Republican Committee.

"The Board increased spending beyond the County Manager's recommendations; it ignored spending and tax advice from its own citizens advisory group; and then rejected proposals for real tax relief from a wide range of civic organizations," said ACRC Chairman Elise Kenderian.

"The token cut in the tax rate doesn't begin to offset the impact of rising assessments," said Kenderian. "It's less than half of the limited relief our citizens had requested. It's the unfortunate but predictable result of one-party control in County government."

Earlier this month, the non-partisan Arlington Civic Federation had recommended a 6-cent reduction in the County real-estate tax rate, and the Arlington County Taxpayers Association had discussed a 9-cent decrease. Kenderian noted that ACRC had endorsed a 7-cent reduction. The Board's final decision, to reduce the rate by only 3 cents in the face of sharply higher assessments, was smaller than any of the recommendations, and would result in average tax increases of $350 for residential property owners.

Kenderian noted that the Board finally agreed to start correcting some longstanding deficiencies in staffing of fire and ambulance service. "We commend the Board for its admission that Mike Clancy was right. The Board's decision is overdue, but nonetheless welcome, in helping to improve safety and security for Arlington residents."

Clancy, the presumptive Republican nominee for County Board this year, first raised the issue of staffing deficiencies in fire and ambulance services last year, after the Board rejected recommendations on the subject from its own Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission (FAAC) on the subject in spring 2001. This year, the Board finally agreed to begin implementing FAAC recommendations in that area.

But at the same time, the Board rejected other FAAC recommendations to control spending and reduce taxes and fees. Kenderian cited two glaring examples:

• The Board failed to eliminate the $24 car-tax decal, a needless annoyance for local taxpayers. "Both FAAC and the County Treasurer agreed the decal fee could be eliminated, but the Board voted to continue this burden" Kenderian noted.

• The Board decided to add an extra $1 million for subsidized rental housing, over and above the County Manager's recommendation. Kenderian said: "The best way to promote affordable housing is to bring down property taxes for everyone, not to provide subsidies for a few renters and developers."

Kenderian predicted the impact of this year's tax hike would spark interest in County elections, resulting in Clancy's election this fall. "The Board has made its decision. Six months from now, the voters will have their turn to respond. The people of Arlington will make clear that it's time for new leadership on the County Board."

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