[0:00] And then I want discussion item one point one is to talk about

[0:03] what we want to make as priorities on the March sixth,

[0:07] all day, budget planning session.

[0:11] So I don't know if this, Burke,

[0:13] if you want to Yes, ma'am.

[0:15] A couple of the items that staff have identified that we

[0:18] would propose to include.

[0:20] One, we want to just go give you a brief overview of the

[0:24] website that our finance department has developed just

[0:26] so you can see what's available

[0:29] to our residents,

[0:30] as well as that there is the ability for our residents to

[0:34] provide comments about the budget,

[0:36] and we will be tracking that.

[0:37] So just want to walk you through the website again just

[0:40] so that you have an idea of what is available for our

[0:42] residents.

[0:44] We want to talk through personnel.

[0:47] We received health insurance information today.

[0:49] We'll be sharing with the impact of that with you at the sixth.

[0:54] Talk about staffing just to go through.

[0:56] Again, we are proposing to add some additional positions.

[0:59] Just want to go through that so you have the opportunity to

[1:02] understand that better.

[1:04] And then retention,

[1:05] talk through what we're looking at as far as the proposed

[1:09] COLA and merit increases.

[1:12] Then talk through social services,

[1:14] just give an overview of the additional budget that has been

[1:20] included to cover some of their costs.

[1:22] And then similarly for fire and rescue,

[1:26] since we are not proposing a reduction in the fire levy,

[1:29] just to talk through with you all what is included with the

[1:34] budget for our fire department.

[1:38] And then enhancements to the funding that's available for

[1:41] you all to identify.

[1:42] Just talk through that.

[1:44] So if there's any additional items that we we

[1:48] that you you want us to go into more detail with,

[1:51] please let us know.

[1:55] Sure.

[1:57] Two things.

[1:59] Maybe, number one, I I suggest we have

[2:04] a discussion about whether to maintain the fire levy as a

[2:07] separate entity rather than just have

[2:10] everything in general fund.

[2:13] Think it's personally, think it's outlived its usefulness.

[2:17] Number two and most important,

[2:20] I would appreciate

[2:23] staff doing a deep dive in presenting

[2:27] a five year budget projection.

[2:30] I'm not just talking general fund.

[2:33] Focused on

[2:36] incremental or anticipated revenues

[2:41] by broad category.

[2:44] Not not, I would probably suggest we wreck we look at a

[2:51] four percent standardized increase in

[2:54] on the expense side, you know,

[2:56] which is a little more than the norm, but just cover.

[2:59] And and, frankly,

[3:00] where I'm going with this is I appreciate the the

[3:03] feedback from staff about, the out years.

[3:06] I wanna see more more details so I get the

[3:09] numbers, and I can be more analytic

[3:12] about it, and understand the the assumptions and and,

[3:16] you know, more more like you would what I've done for,

[3:19] you know, three plus years in the corporate world.

[3:22] You know, I do the five year, ten year,

[3:24] you know, p and l projection.

[3:28] And frankly, it's doing that so that,

[3:32] I and and maybe the council is has a better

[3:36] understanding, therefore,

[3:37] of what we can do with being set aside for the

[3:41] council, but, frankly,

[3:42] the million and a half reserve that that staff has has talked about.

[3:47] Willing to sit with Diane or whoever and walk through what

[3:52] I'm sort of looking through for on that.

[3:57] I think that's it. Easy.

[4:01] Miss Dossingh.

[4:03] Question.

[4:03] So what percentage increase is

[4:06] there in the budget both on the revenue and expense side?

[4:11] I'm sorry.

[4:12] So what

[4:15] is the percentage increase in your

[4:18] proposed budget on the income side and the expense side?

[4:27] Percentage wise, we are looking at a

[4:32] are you asking general fund or the total budget?

[4:34] Total budget.

[4:36] Increase of twenty nine percent.

[4:38] There is for all funds For income, right? Yes.

[4:42] To match the expense, yes, sir.

[4:44] Okay. And so expenses?

[4:47] Twenty nine percent. How about just the general fund?

[4:50] General fund, seventeen percent.

[4:53] Seventeen point six percent if if you want to be So,

[4:56] you know, dovetailing on account of the vice mayor here.

[5:00] I demoting you for a moment here.

[5:04] Of a four percent, you know,

[5:06] maybe it should

[5:09] not be four percent.

[5:10] Go ahead.

[5:11] So a lot of I would have to to get a true

[5:15] increase number, not just this current year.

[5:18] I have to back out all the onetime costs because there's a

[5:20] significant use of onetime reserves in there,

[5:23] bringing that total to the twenty nine percent.

[5:26] So if you give me a minute,

[5:27] I can do that calculation too.

[5:30] To his point, what I've I I agree.

[5:32] What I'm interested in and what I heard you say on Monday was

[5:37] that looking ahead,

[5:40] the financial situation looked good.

[5:43] And I want I wanna I wanna understand what that what does that mean?

[5:48] Meaning, what are the pieces that fall in place we expect or we're

[5:52] anticipating or where whatever, you know, where it's going,

[5:55] but to be discussed Yes, sir.

[5:58] So that

[6:00] not only about the the contingency

[6:04] amount of money, but also, you know, kind of big picture.

[6:08] So we're not just doing this year and then waiting for the

[6:12] next year to have more kind of thinking ahead.

[6:15] Sort of like we do with our CIP.

[6:17] And that's where what we would do

[6:20] is typically assume a four percent

[6:23] or five percent growth on some of the expenses,

[6:26] but then also add into that the CIP because within that five

[6:29] year window, we are looking at floating a bond to do some of

[6:33] the improvements,

[6:34] specifically out for the fire department and for the

[6:37] community center.

[6:38] So, yes, sir.

[6:39] We can we can do a a presentation of of of a five

[6:42] year anticipated Forgive my inaccuracy as a layman here,

[6:47] but read my mind and then you'll know what I want.

[6:50] No. But I I get it.

[6:51] You you wanna give us what we're asking for and not waste

[6:54] time, and I I don't wanna do that either.

[6:56] But I think that's that's very important

[6:59] along the way to see see that picture as as

[7:03] far as you as you were working with your staff

[7:07] along the way, you know, with if it was a year,

[7:10] it was a year.

[7:11] If it's five years, it's five year.

[7:12] You know, what in other words,

[7:14] share with us the the more of the detail along the way.

[7:18] I do know we have a work session specifically

[7:22] on utility rates, but I think it's important

[7:27] that we our our March six meeting

[7:32] overview that somehow.

[7:34] I mean, there's some there's for us to get a for all of

[7:39] us to understand a little bit more what's what what might be coming along.

[7:46] If I could, we have already scheduled for representatives from the

[7:49] Utility Commission and from our consultants to be at your

[7:52] eighteenth meeting.

[7:54] And I understand wanting to be able to get more into the details.

[7:58] But

[8:00] as we've scheduled it,

[8:02] it would be our preference if we could do the more deep dive

[8:06] at the eighteenth because we will have a lot of the

[8:09] individuals that can provide more detail than

[8:13] Anna might otherwise be able to.

[8:16] You heard what I my suggestion, at least,

[8:20] I always am a believer in getting ahead of news even if

[8:24] it's somewhat general.

[8:25] I mean, those are some numbers,

[8:27] percentages that you presented in your

[8:32] proposed budget that

[8:35] are sitting out there in have you in terms of that.

[8:40] We we can definitely provide you with since we're spending a

[8:42] whole day, whatever, with the caveat that a lot of lot

[8:47] of more information is being developed and and on.

[8:51] We can definitely provide you with an overview of the

[8:54] recommendations from the consultant, which definitely

[8:58] exceed what staff are proposing.

[9:00] So yes, sir, we have that ready for you all.

[9:03] I'd like to, if I may, continue, mayor, for a moment,

[9:07] a list of items that were

[9:11] proposed

[9:14] from the to the budget from various departments,

[9:17] but not not included Yes, sir.

[9:19] Just so we can see what what those were

[9:23] along the way.

[9:25] So those are my initial, you know,

[9:28] thoughts for for March the sixth.

[9:30] Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you, mayor.

[9:35] Thank you.

[9:36] I think the list that you've provided is a really good, jumping point.

[9:40] I think all of that would be a good framework for the sixth.

[9:44] I wanna echo councilman Ossina's suggestion about

[9:48] talking about utilities.

[9:49] I think that the I think our the state of our utilities is

[9:52] going be a big deal this year.

[9:54] And I don't want to put that off.

[9:56] I want to be addressing that from the front.

[10:00] So that's probably my one of my big priorities this year is

[10:03] talking about utilities.

[10:04] I'll

[10:08] just say it out loud.

[10:09] I've in this as she stated to this,

[10:12] it's fine with tickets from my perspective things that are

[10:15] highly helpful in the social services discussion.

[10:18] And

[10:19] then I've heard some subjects that will be very valuable

[10:23] to us in planning.

[10:25] I'm fine with that.

[10:29] Kind of a question I want to just kind of recap something

[10:32] about, the personal property tax rates.

[10:37] The data center computer equipment tax rate of three

[10:41] sixty, If I recall,

[10:44] that cannot go above

[10:46] the personal property tax rate.

[10:48] Is that right? Okay.

[10:51] Tangible personal property.

[10:57] When you when we're talking about the car tax,

[10:59] that is not is that something locally we can adjust?

[11:03] Yes, ma'am.

[11:03] That's basically a twenty five dollars It used to be the

[11:05] sticker fee, the twenty five dollars sticker fee.

[11:07] We don't hand out the sticker anymore.

[11:08] That is the car tax, the twenty five dollars sticker fee?

[11:11] That's not that's step The car tax is a separate clause.

[11:15] The million dollars is the twenty

[11:19] five dollars fee.

[11:20] Which is on your budget.

[11:23] The car tax, yes, ma'am, that is something.

[11:26] Well, tax, what we would refer it to,

[11:30] can we also do anything to adjust that rate?

[11:32] Is that the state?

[11:35] I believe we can adjust it. Yes, ma'am.

[11:38] But since the data center tax rate is now tied with

[11:41] that, if we would lower that car tax rate,

[11:44] we would also have to lower the data center tax rate.

[11:48] Is that right?

[11:49] I think we can do it independent,

[11:52] but I need to confirm that.

[11:54] And if there's something you want to discuss,

[11:55] we can definitely Yeah.

[11:56] I would like to know that.

[11:57] Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

[12:01] Thank

[12:04] you, Madam Mayor.

[12:05] As we go into a more hybrid or

[12:08] more intense day, I just wanna make sure that the

[12:11] agenda, if I know it's hard,

[12:14] but if there's a way to allocate a time because if

[12:18] people want to come and listen in,

[12:20] I just want to make sure that we are clear and

[12:23] and the people have the information

[12:25] on on residents or, you know, anybody who wants to, you know,

[12:29] be in to listen to the session.

[12:32] I

[12:44] think I have an accent.

[12:45] I know it's too early, but, you know,

[12:47] I will be trying to look for a decrease.

[12:50] And for me, what it was mentioned is important.

[12:53] It's not the knowledge two. That we have.

[12:57] But I believe councilmen have seen and talk about it.

[13:00] Before we used to get the.

[13:02] So I

[13:04] items, but they were not relevant or they were not they didn't

[13:09] made it to the top this year.

[13:10] So I think that that's important.

[13:13] I believe at the beginning,

[13:14] I did I wasn't paying as

[13:18] a lot of attention to those new

[13:22] new capital items that come to the five years.

[13:25] And then as we have worked so successfully in those, you know,

[13:29] I just wanna make sure that I keep a close eye on that,

[13:32] that we don't just click the page because I wanna make sure

[13:35] that we understand it.

[13:37] And

[13:38] we when we fund it, because a lot of them are, like,

[13:42] through the years.

[13:42] I just wanna make sure that, you know,

[13:44] we're trying to divide it.

[13:47] I worry that that we might have a bigger

[13:52] increase this year on the income and on the following

[13:55] year's projections.

[13:57] I would like to continue to be conservative as possible.

[14:01] Yes, ma'am.

[14:01] But I know I'm, like, probably, maybe to deep into it.

[14:05] My apologies.

[14:06] But I really you know,

[14:07] those are the things that they worry me.

[14:10] And, yeah, you know, like last year.

[14:14] I'll be looking into see if we can,

[14:18] you know, we can get our support to

[14:23] I

[14:25] really want to make sure not only that the staff is

[14:28] available when you when they present each,

[14:30] but also the public is knowledgeable of when the staff

[14:34] is gonna present.

[14:44] I

[14:46] know in previous budget sessions,

[14:49] we were the

[14:53] tax rate for a flat tax bill.

[14:55] Do we know what that is? Know. Okay.

[15:08] Just a question on page thirty five, revenue overview.

[15:12] When I there's a list here,

[15:14] and it says machinery and tools used in semiconductor

[15:17] manufacturing, CBD.

[15:21] I know

[15:23] it can.

[15:25] Page thirty five.

[15:29] And then there's a list of tax rates.

[15:31] And the second one in the bulleted items,

[15:35] machinery and tools used in semiconductor manufacturing.

[15:39] That's the agreement that we have with Micron, I believe,

[15:43] that with a a a there's a prescribed amount that we could

[15:47] increase that if I'm hopefully getting head nods from?

[15:50] Yes.

[15:51] So when they file their returns with Tim,

[15:54] he'll be able to back into the rate that that's needed.

[15:56] And that's the rate that you'll set to honor the agreement to

[15:59] come up with a four percent increase.

[16:01] Okay. Thank you. It's four percent.

[16:05] Okay. Thank you.

[16:14] Well, if I can,

[16:16] the list that I have tentatively and if there's

[16:18] other items, please let us know before we schedule it.

[16:20] But, again, walking through the website, personnel issues,

[16:25] fire and rescue, specific to their current

[16:28] budget, fire and fire levy, social services,

[16:33] a five year projection of our expenses and

[16:36] revenues, the enhancement discussion, utilities,

[16:41] unfunded items,

[16:43] discussion of our CIP, and then a flat tax rate,

[16:49] what the equivalent our real estate would be.

[16:54] If there's other items, please just let us know.

[17:00] Make sure that we get the agenda complete.

[17:03] And we will include times for individual items.

[17:09] I'll just say more procedural.

[17:11] So, when we meet March six over there at the community center,

[17:16] our meeting will be recorded.

[17:18] We are planning to have it being recorded.

[17:20] We are planning to have a projector and screen there.

[17:23] Excellent. Thank you.

[17:30] Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[17:31] I'm not sure if it's the right time that I would like to share.

[17:35] When we went to our jurisdiction first ever

[17:40] meeting, they talk about how the clerk and

[17:44] everybody goes to provide them everything,

[17:49] not only asking for more,

[17:50] but also providing the reports and things.

[17:53] And I was wondering if

[17:58] we in agreement or if something the council would like to

[18:02] consider if there will be

[18:06] follow-up with with those offices that if we're gonna get

[18:10] annual report or feedback on on what they do because they do

[18:13] represent us and I think other than coming to one

[18:18] coming to Sperto's Inn.

[18:20] We never heard from them.

[18:21] Oh, asking them to attend. We can we can I've.

[18:26] You don't have to share his office clerk and. Yeah.

[18:30] Have not reached out to them yet but we can definitely That

[18:33] is on our agenda to do.

[18:34] Yes, sir.

[18:35] Yeah. So I'm not sure if it was.

[18:37] I just wanna make sure that we do mention because we we never,

[18:41] you know I think I might have we get maybe mailers and stuff.

[18:47] But I wouldn't I don't wanna impose if that's not something

[18:51] you guys are interested in.

[18:52] I just wanted to bring it up because

[18:54] I thought that, you know, it was an eye opening that, you know,

[18:58] they always go there because that's who supposedly paid them

[19:01] and we get often overlooked when they are representing us.

[19:05] We can definitely make that request to them.

[19:11] Take it we've heard from, excuse me,

[19:15] heard from OmniRide and DRE and things like that.

[19:19] What what kind of increases? In general, yes, sir.

[19:23] That's that's been incorporated into the anticipation.

[19:26] And you don't anticipate that they need to come and talk to us?

[19:30] I'm asking.

[19:32] I don't believe we I think the omnivore was increased,

[19:35] but that doesn't mean they can't come talk to us.

[19:37] I'm gonna ask him for more. Okay.

[19:40] Well, I don't wanna lose our time.

[19:44] Not not saying Wake them up.

[19:46] Yeah. It's right.

[19:47] Don't wake them up.

[19:48] You didn't ask them.

[19:48] That's right. That's all. I'm just asking.

[19:51] That's all. Okay. Any anything else?

[19:58] Oh, did you want me to answer the flat tax bill question now, the rate?

[20:01] I was gonna have that at this.

[20:02] It's the same. Okay.

[20:04] Thank you, though. You're see efficient.

[20:08] Anything I'll explain this real quick.

[20:11] I'll explain this real Explain what?

[20:13] Before you go there. Uh-oh.

[20:15] Think Just give me one second. One second.

[20:20] Is the is the twenty twenty six plan

[20:23] post in the website?

[20:25] I will have to check on that.

[20:26] I believe that everything included in your book is on our website.

[20:31] But I confirm that because that is something that you have to adopt.

[20:35] We will be requesting you to adopt

[20:38] as part of the budget.

[20:39] Yes, ma'am. I just wanna make sure people can proceed.

[20:42] You. Sit down. Diana's. Thank you.

[20:45] Sorry.

[20:46] It's that Vice Mayor.

[20:48] No.

[20:48] There's So I I had a curiosity and some just basic research.

[20:55] Six thousand dollars is the pre close, plus or minus.

[21:01] The average revenue the city will receive from property tax

[21:05] this year for the average residential property?

[21:09] Six thousand. Six thousand dollars.

[21:12] Four thousand dollars is what Fauquier County gets.

[21:18] Seven thousand dollars is the bill in the park.

[21:24] Eight thousand dollars is the average residential bill.

[21:29] Actually, a little over eight thousand in Fairfax and Loudoun County.

[21:34] Arlington, Alexandria is more like eighty five hundred.

[21:37] Nine thousand is the amount of revenue the city of Fairfax

[21:41] receives from the average house.

[21:43] Daily.

[21:46] What was the I'm sorry? What was the seven?

[21:49] Seven is the park.

[21:50] The park. Park.

[21:51] Oh, that's the park.

[21:53] But my point in, you know, I'll I'll eventually Six is us.

[21:56] We all end up paying the same, essentially,

[21:59] for the city manager or fireman

[22:03] or a policeman.

[22:06] But other jurisdictions get a lot more revenue

[22:10] in the average house than we do,

[22:13] which therefore drives rates.

[22:17] Just an interesting little aside.

[22:20] A little tidbit.

[22:21] Yeah. Thank you.

[22:23] Anything

[22:30] else?

[22:31] Any other comments, questions?

[22:33] Priorities are laid out for the sixth. Eight thirty sharp.

[22:37] Yeah. We'll bang.

[22:39] Eight for breakfast. Eight thirty sharp.

[22:41] We eat. Eight. Okay. So eight breakfast. Okay.

[22:44] And what you eating it from?

[22:46] Omelette Cafe.

[22:47] Oh.

[22:49] Omelette Cafe.

[22:52] That's a community center we're playing. We're playing.

[22:55] We're playing.

[22:56] Yes, we're playing at the movie center.

[22:58] That's good.

[22:59] No, mister Smith, we're all gonna be given ten dollars,

[23:02] and we'll go to Wawa and pick up breakfast there.

[23:05] Oh.

[23:05] There you go.

[23:06] In lottery tickets, you might win a million dollars.

[23:08] That's right.

[23:08] In a lottery ticket.

[23:09] No.

[23:10] Okay. Anything else?

[23:11] And your taxes. To tell us?

[23:13] No, ma'am.

[23:13] So the sixth is the next budget meeting.

[23:16] Eight o'clock, and eight thirty,

[23:18] we'll start the meeting.

[23:18] So be there till five. Question.

[23:24] Have we had a broadcast it's not being broadcast.

[23:27] It's just, what, live again, like our retreat?

[23:30] Is they're doing the same thing?

[23:31] This Yes,

[23:32] I don't believe we have the ability to broadcast from the

[23:35] community center.

[23:36] Yet.

[23:36] We will check that out.

[23:38] I I do know we have the ability to record.

[23:40] I just don't believe we have the ability And I will note

[23:42] that I I've already just talked to AMS about it.

[23:45] We'll have the ability to pause and start the stream while we're there.

[23:49] So, hopefully, that'll be Are you gonna control it?

[23:52] Thank you.

[23:56] Anything else? Any other comments, questions?

[24:00] Not.

[24:00] We're adjourned.

[24:01] Thank you.

Manassas City Council 2/25/2026

Transcript