Summary

Council adopts FY2027 budget, sets 2026 tax rates, and approves multiple fee and rate increases

AlexandriaApr 29, 20262 min read

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At a special April 29, 2026 City Council Legislative Meeting, Council adopted the FY2027 operating budget and FY2027–2036 CIP, set the calendar year 2026 blended real property tax rate at $1.135 per $100 (no change), approved a series of fee and rate increases (stormwater, parking meters/pay-by-phone, fire prevention, BPOL for financial services, historic preservation/planning and RPCA fees), and disapproved adding Sunday parking meter operations.

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City Council Legislative Meeting

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationCommerceHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Adopted FY2027 General Fund operating budget of $979,063,681 and FY2027–FY2036 Capital Improvement Program totaling $2,020,217,368 (FY2027 CIP total $244,556,708) (RES. NO. 3381).
Set calendar year 2026 blended real property tax rate at $1.135 per $100 of assessed value (no change from 2025); includes $0.022 reserved for the Transportation Improvement Fund and $0.01 dedicated for affordable housing beginning July 1, 2026; Tier 1 Potomac Yard SSD levy of $0.20 remains unchanged (ORD. NO. 5627).
Maintained personal property tax rates as listed for 2026 (vehicle personal property $5.33 per $100; tangible business personal property $4.75 per $100; other specified categories unchanged) (ORD. NO. 5627).
Moved to disapprove the ordinance to add Sunday parking meter operations (agenda item 26-0941).
Adopted ordinance setting the penalty for specified parking citation violations at $55 (ORD. NO. 5628).
Adopted an ordinance to increase the Stormwater Utility Fee as set forth in the Stormwater Utility ordinance (ORD. NO. 5629).
Adopted ordinance increasing Fire Prevention Permit initial inspection fee and Fire Protection and Detection testing/retesting fees (ORD. NO. 5630).
Adopted ordinance increasing the BPOL tax rate for financial services businesses as set forth in the ordinance (ORD. NO. 5631).
Adopted fee schedule updates for FY2027 for the Office of Historic Alexandria, Department of Planning & Zoning (including a new minor sign amendment historic preservation fee), and Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities to increase cost recovery (RES. NOS. 3377, 3378, 3379).
Adopted resolution to increase Parking Meter and Pay by Phone Rates for FY2027 (RES. NO. 3380).
The meeting was called to order with all Council members present and adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

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City Council Legislative Meeting

Apr 29, 2026, 12:00 AMCouncil Chamberscheduled

Special Meeting - Budget Adoption

Agenda

Calling the Roll.
ORDINANCES
RESOLUTIONS
ADJOURNMENT.
OTHER
OPENING
The April 29, 2026 Special Budget Adoption Meeting is being held in the Council Chamber (4850 Mark Center Drive, Room 1305, Alexandria, Virginia, 22311) and electronically. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. Members of City Council and staff are participating either in-person or from a remote location through video conference call on Zoom webinar. The meeting can be accessed by government channel 70, streaming on the City's website, and can be accessed via Zoom by the following link: Webinar ID: 922 0695 7453 Webinar Passcode: 929174 Dial-in number: 301-715-8592 Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kdw1DJHqTWqm1A-TvQEocA If you use the Zoom webinar application, please be sure you have updated the application to the latest version for the best results. If you are unable to access the Zoom webinar, please use the Dial-In number to access the meeting. ***PLEASE LOG-IN EARLY IF POSSIBLE*** Links: Meeting Agenda and Live Webcast The meeting will be webcast live and video and audio recordings will be available a few days after the meeting. Zoom Registration Form If you wish to use Zoom to watch the meeting or to address Council, you must register first. ******* Individuals requiring translation services should contact the City Clerk and Clerk of Council at gloria.sitton@alexandriava.gov or at 703.746.4550. We request that you provide a 48 hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made. Please specify the language for translation when you make the request. Las personas que requieran servicios de traducción deben comunicarse con el Secretario de la Ciudad y el Secretario del Consejo en gloria.sitton@alexandriava.gov o al 703.746.4550. Le solicitamos que proporcione un aviso de 48 horas para que se puedan hacer los arreglos necesarios. Por favor, especifique el idioma de traducción cuando realice la solicitud. ****** Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 703.746.4550 (TTY/TDD 838.5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made. City meetings are closed-captioned for the hearing impaired. ******
Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt Fee Changes for the Office of Historic Alexandria for FY 2027. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt a Department of Planning & Zoning Fee Increase for development and historic preservation fees under the Department of Planning & Zoning’s FY 2027 Fee Schedule
Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt Fee Changes to Increase Cost Recovery for the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) Programs for FY 2027
Consideration of a Resolution to Increase the Parking Meter and Pay by Phone Rates. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Consideration of the Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2027 (including Schools) and the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for FY 2027 to FY 2036 (including Schools CIP) and Adoption of a Resolution. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance on the Proposed Real and Personal Property Tax Rates and Proposed Effective Tax Rate Increase for Calendar Year 2026 (Fiscal Year 2027). [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 3-2-354 of Article S (Payment, Contest and Enforcement of Parking Citations) of Chapter 2 (Taxation) of Title 3 (Finance, Taxation and Procurement) and Section 10-4-48 (Penalties for violations of this chapter) of Chapter 4 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) of Title 10 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 5-6-233 (STORMWATER UTILITY FEE) of Chapter 6 (WATER AND SEWER) of Article C (STORMWATER UTILITY) of Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES), of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 5-8-93 (PARKING METERS; HOURS AND DAYS OF OPERATION; MAXIMUM TIME LIMITS; RATES) of Article G (PARKING METERS) of Chapter 8 (PARKING AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS) of Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Amend Section 4-2-21 (CHANGES IN VIRGINIA STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION CODE) of Article B (FIRE PREVENTION) of Chapter 2 (FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION) of Title 4 (PUBLIC SAFETY) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 9-1-71.1 (FINANCIAL SERVICES) of Article C (NONREGULATORY LICENSES) of Chapter 1 (Business Licenses) of Title 9 (Licensing and regulation) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
Approval of Electronic Participation Resolution by City Council [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

Council adopts FY2027 budget, sets 2026 tax rates, and approves multiple fee and rate increases

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