Town of Herndon Releases Proposed 2012 Budget

Herndon Town Manager Art Anselene proposed the 2012 budget, totaling $45,432,660, on Friday.

The 2012 budget is a 7.8 percent increase over the 2011 budget. The town is rebounding from the nationwide recession, and real estate assessments, both commercial and residential, are up by three and seven percent respectively compared to last year, Anselene said in a press release from the town.

“In this moderating economic environment, the proposed FY 2012 Budget recommends the fiscal resources to initiate the town’s vision for development of the downtown,” Anselene said.

The budget maintains the town real estate tax at its current rate of $0.2675 per $100 of assessed value.  

It recommends an increase in the meals tax from the current 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent. The revenue collected from the increase will be dedicated to downtown utility relocation, major road repaving, future funding of a downtown parking garage and targeted promotion of the town’s restaurants.

The budget includes an increase in personnel costs that includes a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment for all regular employees. This is after two years where no market rate or merit-based increases were provided to town employees. The increase in personnel costs is also because of a significant increase in health insurance premiums that the town anticipates in 2012.

Also included in the budget is transitional funding for the operation of the Neighborhood Resource Center through October 2011. Fairfax County will be taking over operations of the Neighborhood Resource Center after October, which is proposed in the county’s 2012 budget.  

“The proposed FY 2012 Budget strikes a careful balance between the imposition of taxes and the town’s ability to provide the services and programs that citizens expect and enjoy,” Anselene said.

The complete budget is available online at www.herndon-va.gov and hard copies are available at the Herndon Municipal Center and the Herndon Fortnightly Library. All town residents and businesses will receive the citizens’ guide to the budget.

The Town Council will hold two public hearings on the budget, on April 12 and 26 beginning at 7 p.m. each night at the Mary Ingram Council Chambers, 765 Lynn Street. Residents can submit comments on the budget online at www.herndon-va.gov or send an email to the town at town.budget@herndon-va.gov.