The August 7, 1997, Washington Post reports that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors may vote as soon as October to impose a new storm water utility fee that would raise up to $24 million in new revenue annually. This November, the Fairfax County School Board is proposing a $233 million school bond referendum of which only $87 million is for new construction. The Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance questions the need for a new fee and for funding school maintenance from bond revenues.

Since 1975, while inflation increased 207%, Fairfax County per-capita taxes increased 385%. If County spending since 1975 had not increased faster than population growth and inflation, the County's FY98 budget would have been 50% less - $.9 billion instead of $1.8 billion. Since 1975, the County has collected $9 billion more in taxes than was required to keep up with inflation and population growth. Why weren't storm water drainage projects and school renovations funded from this $9 billion?

We request that you report, in some detail, to the citizens of Fairfax County where the $9 billion went and why the County's FY98 budget is $900 million larger than it would have been if County spending had increased no faster than population growth and inflation since 1975. The Taxpayers Alliance will publicize this letter and your response on its web site (www.crosslink.net/~fcta), in press releases, and in its newsletter. If numbers cited in this letter and the enclosures are incorrect, then please provide correct numbers.

Sincerely yours,
Arthur Purves
President

 

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