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Alexandria City Council Calendar

The City Council will reconvene in September.

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Council Notebook
by Michael Pope, Alexandria Gazette
Thursday, April 1, 2010

BALANCING THE BOOKS

Republican Councilman Frank Fannon is putting his money where his mouth is. After being elected last year on a platform of fiscal discipline, Fannon has now vowed to withhold support for any budget that increases spending. This week, he’s come forward with some specific proposals to cut spending.

First up is the pension plan for city employees. Currently, Alexandria workers don’t contribute to the plan. Fannon says he would like to see a 3 percent contribution, which he estimates will save the city about $5.4 million.

"City employees provide outstanding service," said Fannon. "But as leaders in the Alexandria community, it is important for us to put city employees on a level playing field with current private sector employees who are often required to contribute to their 401(k) plans."

The next suggestion: furloughs. Although City Manager Jim Hartmann has dismissed the idea of furloughs in the past, Fannon would like to see city employees take one day of unpaid leave each quarter, which he estimates would save about $2.4 million.
"In a time when our economy is not growing and revenue is falling, it is not the time to increase our spending," said Fannon. "I will not support a budget where spending is increased from last year."

To read the entire piece, click here.

New Bid for BID
After a failed attempt in 2005, business leaders decide to reconsider Business Improvement District.
by Michael Pope, Alexandria Gazette
Thursday, July 30, 2009

CHAMBER LEADERS were clear that they are not necessarily advocating the creation of a district, although they organized a breakfast discussion of the idea this week. The meeting was purposefully located in one of the many vacated retail spaces on King Street, highlighting the economic stark problems facing the city. Organizers said they were open to exploring a number of different possibilities for how such an organization could be created and maintained, including where such a district might be located.

"Old Town is the natural focus," said Cathy Pusker, chairwoman of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. "But there are other areas of opportunity, including Del Ray or the West End or Carlyle."

No formalized plans exist yet, although opposition is already mounting against the idea of forcing higher taxes on business owners. The Crystal City BID, for example, adds 4.3 cents to the existing commercial property tax rate. Some who opposed the 2005 BID attempt in Alexandria say that kind of plan would likely face an opposition campaign that would resurrect the old stop-sign placards.

"If they propose an involuntary tax, we’ll probably have those stop signs up within 72 hours," said Bud Miller, president of Alexandria Taxpayers United. "The worst thing you could do to a business in this environment is raise taxes."

Chamber leaders were clear that they were more interested in finding out what level of interest the idea had rather than discussing the mechanics of how the operation might work. Yet the details of how revenue is collected, how much money is involved and who is granted oversight are certain to frame any discussion of what an Alexandria BID might look like. Although building a consensus behind an involuntary tax might be difficult, a voluntary association of merchants might be an easier sell.

"It can’t be a mandate," said Councilman Frank Fannon. "It would definitely have to be a voluntary program."

To read the entire piece, click here.

When Swearing is Allowed

by David Sachs, Alexandria Times



Three new City Council members were installed Wednesday, including new Vice Mayor Kerry Donley (a former mayor of the city), Councilman Frank Fannon and Councilwoman Alicia Hughes.

To read the entire piece, click here.