Tonight's Agenda: Budget Adoption

Current city council members are set to approve the FY2013 budget at a special meeting tonight. 

The proposed budget would raise real estate taxes by 11.5 cents.  to 93.7 cents from the recommended $1. Next year taxpayers could face a tax rate of $1.05 per $100 assessed value. to see how the proposed budget would affect your wallet.

Budget adoption comes one day after voters chose a new mayor and added a brand new council member. Adoption was initially scheduled earlier, but moved to May 2 to allow Fairfax County to pass their budget first, said Chris Cohen of the city's information office. Fairfax City relies on the county for several services.

Current Mayor Rob Lederer will lead his council in changing and/or approving the budget tonight. New mayor and council terms won't start until July 1.

Other items on the agenda:

Increase water and sewer rates. If approved...

• Water rate would increase by 7.5 percent or $6.47 per quarter for the average consumer. This would provide an additional $201,200 for water infrastructure upgrades and rising costs.
• Wastewater rate would increase by 12 percent or $10.10 per quarter for the average consumer. This would provide an additional $293,200 for water infrastructure upgrades and rising costs.

Keep separate commercial tax rate. This tax was established in 2008. All revenue raised will continue to be used for transportation projects in the city.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall. Read the agenda here. Watch it online here.

Check Patch for budget coverage.