Mayor Says Taxes Must Rise To Pay For Services

During a discussion of a proposal to build an income-restricted housing complex for the elderly, Mayor Thomas Tomzak said something which seemed to cause a small stir in the Council Chamber. 

"The city will be raising taxes to sustain core services and the schools," said Tomzak rather bluntly. "Taxes on the property owner will be going up."

So what did he men by that? In an interview after the meeting, Tomzak expanded on his comments saying that he sees tax increases as inevitable if the city is to provide adequate services. 

"We've held [taxes] down, but the trouble is we have to maintain our infastructure and we haven't given our staff a raise in three years." said Tomzak. "The trouble with it is a lot of businesses say we haven't had a raise either, but a lot of our employees aren't in a static environment."

What he means by that is that he fears Fredericksburg's police, fire and educational employees are being lured away from Fredericksburg by more lucrative employment elsewhere in northern Virginia. Pay increases could help stem that tide. The Fredericksburg School Board has already submitted a budget proposal calling for across the board pay increases for faculty and staff. 

Tomzak said that he was keen to make sure that property owners didn't bear the brunt of the tax increases. 

"I am so intent on maintaining an income stream from non-property tax sources," said Tomzak. He said that expanding tourism and business is a part of that plan, pointing to a projected $4 million in tax revenue which the

So, why did Tomzak bring up taxation during a discussion of a low-income housing complex for the elderly? Well, his initial remarks came during questions with the Humanities Foundation, developers behind a 60 unit apartment complex for the elderly on Fall Hill Avenue financed by Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Some members of the Fredericksburg City Council were concerned that the apartment units could at some point in the future become a traditional residential apartments and possibly further stress municipal services like schools and police with more families to serve. 

"What are the provisions that this will not revert to a standard rental property should the organization behind it go under?" Asked Councilor Fred Howe. 

Ray Ocel, director of planning and community development for the city of Fredericksburg, said that the measure would require the complex to operate as a low income housing tax credit program for at least 40 years. 

Councilor Brad Ellis was still a bit skeptical. "Why not put a 100 year provision on it? Is that reasonable? We're concerned about [the apartments] changing back."

City Attorney Kathleen Dooley seemed to calm the fears of the council by reminding them that any change in use at the property would still require a zoning change to be approved by a future city council. The project was approved unanimously. 

After the meeting, Tomzak said that the concerns were justified because the city sees a danger in approving too many rental units which could burden the city.

"We have to worry about rental properties impacting negatively on city services," said Tomzak. "They are, as evidenced this year by 240 more children in the school system."