A Review of the Proposed FY 2025 Budget
The $138.3 million FY 2025 budget is a 16% increase that includes $11.8 million of capital spending. City staff will receive a 6% pay raise while real estate taxes average increase is 2.4%.
Plans and Policies
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2025 and Beyond
The capital plan (CIP) projects for 2025 total $18.3m. Over the next 6 years, the CIty plan has $191m of projects that will require about $60m of debt to be issued.
The Little City’s Big Sewage Challenge – Part 2: Has Growth Paid For Growth?
The City Manager proposed funding the $20+ million cost of adding sewage capacity with City funds and $14.3 million bond issuance. City Council asked why growth isn’t paying for growth, what other options.
The Little City’s Big Sewage Challenge – Part 1
Approved and coming mixed-use projects prompted negotiations to increase sewage processing capacity. The City Manager surprised Council with an estimate of $19.3m.
Senate Bill SB 304 on Accessory Dwelling Units: How Would It Affect Falls Church?
Senate bill SB 304 proposes to mandate that accessory dwelling units be allowed throughout Virginia, specifying zoning requirements for all to follow.
Falls Church’s Black History: A Welcoming Community That Has Not Always Been So Welcoming
Falls Church was once 42% black. Local historian Ed Henderson writes about their struggle for equity and how zoning, taxes and budgets can displace a community, intentionally or not.
2024 Economic Development Authority Appointments and Updates on Mixed-Use Developments, Virginia Village, New Businesses
For 2024, the EDA re-elects Bob Young chair, no newcomers appointed. Updates on Virginia Village property acquisitions, new businesses, a new 7-story mixed-use development.
Accessory Dwelling Units Will Be a Key Focus of City Planning in 2024. What Are They? What Are Other Jurisdictions Doing?
City Council has signaled that it will consider zoning changes on Accessory Dwelling Units in 2024. Learn about what other jurisdictions have done and why.
T-Zone Lessons Elected Officials and City Staff Plan To Apply To Future Zoning Changes
City staff and Council members perform a candid and revealing postmortem to glean T-Zone lessons for handling future zoning changes.