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Alexandria City Council convenes Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for a wide-ranging public hearing that puts the city's fiscal year 2027 budget, proposed tax rate, parking changes, and several major development projects before residents for public comment.
The meeting will be held at City Council Chambers at Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive. It can also be watched live on government channel 70, the city's website, or via Zoom, webinar ID 917 0792 8494, passcode 468360.
Budget and tax rate
The centerpiece of Saturday's agenda is a public hearing on the preliminary add/delete proposals submitted by council members ahead of the April 9 deadline. The 10 proposals — covering transit, rental assistance, arts funding, jail operations, and more — total more than $1.2 million in new operating spending for fiscal year 2027. The full list is available online. A preliminary add/delete work session follows on April 21, with final budget adoption set for April 29.
Alongside the add/delete hearing, council will take public testimony on the proposed real and personal property tax rates for calendar year 2026. Under Virginia law, the ordinance is formally described as a proposed effective tax rate increase — required language whenever rising property assessments mean residents pay more even if the nominal rate stays flat. The city manager's proposed budget holds the real estate tax rate flat at $1.135 per $100 of assessed value, though council set a one-cent ceiling in March that preserves the option of a rate increase. One cent generates approximately $4.7 million in revenue — a figure that has been central to discussions about whether the city can close a $5.6 million gap between what Alexandria City Public Schools is requesting and what the city manager's budget provides. Embedded within the current rate are a 1-cent dedication for affordable housing and a 2.2-cent reservation for transportation projects, both of which would carry over regardless of where the final rate lands.
Parking and fees
Saturday's docket includes public hearings on several fee and rate changes introduced on first reading at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The most consequential is a proposed ordinance to expand metered parking to Sundays citywide and raise the hourly rate from $1.75 to $2.50 — a change estimated to generate approximately $500,000 annually. A separate ordinance would increase parking citation fines, and another would raise the stormwater utility fee. Council will also hear testimony on the proposed 5-cent increase to the BPOL tax rate for financial services businesses, which is intended to fund the $458,500 annual increase to the city's emergency rental assistance program. The Alexandria Brief will have additional coverage on the parking, meter, and stormwater proposals following Tuesday night's meeting.
Development
Several land use items are on the consent docket, meaning they are expected to pass without extended debate unless pulled for individual consideration. Community Lodgings is seeking an extension of its approved development permit for an all-affordable residential building at 3908 and 3910 Elbert Avenue. EYA Development is seeking approval to construct townhomes at 300 North Lee Street and 333 North Fairfax Street in Old Town. Tri Pointe Homes is seeking approval for Eisenhower Pointe Phase 2, a 117-unit mixed residential project along Eisenhower Avenue that received a 6-1 recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Council will also consider a zoning text amendment updating commercial use regulations, including new rules around live entertainment, outdoor fitness studios, restaurant use, and day care — a package that received unanimous Planning Commission support.
Other items
Council will present a proclamation recognizing National Library Week and vote on administrative project agreements with the Virginia Department of Transportation. A proposed ordinance to establish a formal process for renumbering property addresses — originally requested by Councilman Elnoubi — is also on the docket for final passage.
See the full docket and supporting documents here.
What comes next
Saturday's hearing is the last major opportunity for public input before the budget is finalized. The remaining schedule is as follows:
April 18 — Tax rate and add/delete public hearings, 9:30 a.m., Del Pepper Community Resource Center
April 21 — Preliminary add/delete work session, Council Chambers; special City Council election
April 27 — Final add/delete work session, if needed
April 29 — FY 2027 budget and tax rate adoption, 6 p.m.
July 1 — Fiscal year 2027 begins
Written comments may be submitted to CouncilComment@alexandriava.gov or at alexandriava.gov/Budget through April 22. Residents wishing to speak Saturday must register in advance at apps.alexandriava.gov/SpeakerSignup.
