Falls Church City Manager Proposes Fiscal Year 2015 Budget

Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields proposed a Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) budget of $80.9 million, an increase of 7.2 percent over the previous fiscal year. The proposed Budget provides for a 3.6 percent increase in general government operating expenditures and a 9.8 percent increase in the transfer to the school division, as requested by the School Board.

Shields submitted his proposed budget and the Five-Year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to the City Council at its regular meeting on March 10. The Council will adopt a final budget on April 28 after three public hearings and two town hall meetings. The 2015 fiscal year runs from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

In the Budget document, Shields writes, "The FY15 Budget will require tough decisions given the gap between expenditure growth and economic growth. As the Council and community wrestle with these decisions, it will be very important to uphold the sound management policies as we have done in recent years. I look forward to working with the City Council and the community as this budget is improved through a process of extensive review, questions, discussion, and in the end, sound decisions on how best to meet the needs and values of the City of Falls Church."

The City Manager's proposed FY15 budget includes a General Government operating budget (not including debt service or pay-as-you-go capital projects) of $36.3 million, a 3.6 percent increase over the current year. This rate of growth more than meets the Council budget guidance to keep general government expenditures (not including schools) in line with revenues generated solely by economic growth (4.6 percent).

The proposed budget also fully funds the School Board's adopted budget request of $37 million, which represents a 9.8 percent increase over the current year. The total School Division operating budget of $44.8 million represents a percent9.5% increase over the current FY14 budget.

The proposed budget, as presented to Council, would increase the real estate tax rate to $1.35 per $100 of assessed value, a four and a half cent increase. The Manager recommended an advertised tax rate of $1.35.

The CIP contains significant projects in FY15 and the subsequent four year planning period. Major funding is provided for City public facility improvements, public safety, transportation improvements on the primary corridors, stormwater mitigation and park improvements. Financing the proposed CIP is in line with Council guidance and City policy. In the FY15 budget, $4.4 million from use of fund balance and one-time funding sources is dedicated to capital needs.

"Over the coming weeks, the City Council will thoroughly review and consider the City Manager’s proposal and listen to input from the community,” said Mayor David Tarter. “We encourage our residents and business owners to attend the upcoming City Council and Town Hall meetings and to offer your thoughts to your elected officials."

The complete text and charts included in the City Manager’s FY15 proposed budget can be viewed atwww.fallschurchva.gov/Budget and at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave.).The schedule of budget meetings and public hearings is also available on the website and in the budget document. The first of two Town Hall meetings is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. in the Community Center (223 Little Falls St.). Public comments may be sent via email tobudget@fallschurchva.gov.

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Budget Development Schedule

• Town Hall Meeting #1
  Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m., Community Center
• Public Hearing #1, First Reading of Budget Ordinance and Tax Rate Ordinance
  Monday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall
• Town Hall Meeting #2
  Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m., Council Chambers, City Hall
• Public Hearing #2, Second Reading of Budget Ordinance and Tax Rate Ordinance
  Monday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall
• Public Hearing #3, Adoption of FY15 Operating Budget and CIP
  Monday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall
• Work Sessions
  To be determined

• Online Presentations and Documents
  • City and CIP:www.fallschurchva.gov/Budget andwww.fallschurchva.gov/CIP
  • Schools' Budget: www.fccps.org/Budget
  • Video of public meetings:www.fallschurchva.gov/Webcasts