Votes at a glance: Council approves tax rates, fee increases and permit changes alongside FY2026 budget

The Alexandria City Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions at its April 30 special meeting that set tax rates for calendar year 2025, increased several fees and moved permit authority for certain items to the Department of Planning and Zoning. Each item below records the motion, mover/second where provided, and the recorded vote from the roll call.

Real and personal property tax rates (ordinance) Motion: Final passage of an ordinance to set the city's calendar year 2025 blended real property tax rate at “$1 and 13 and 1 half cents on each $100 of assessed value” (motion by Councilman Aguirre; second by Councilwoman Green). Key details from motion: the motion stated the blended real property tax rate will reserve 2.2¢ per $100 for the Transportation Improvement Fund and dedicate 1¢ per $100 for affordable housing beginning 07/01/2025; personal property tax rates cited in the motion were $5.33 per $100 for vehicle personal property, $4.75 per $100 for tangible business personal property, and $4.50 per $100 for machinery and tools (all described as unchanged from calendar year 2024). Vote: Unanimous roll call recorded in transcript (aye votes by Councilman Nagiri, Councilwoman Green, Mayor Gaskins, Vice Mayor Bagley, Councilman Chapman, Councilman El Newby, Councilman McPike). Outcome: approved.

Stormwater utility fee increase (ordinance; Code amendment: Section 5-6-223) Motion: Councilman Chapman moved final passage of an ordinance to increase the stormwater utility fee “as set forth in the stormwater utility ordinance.” Second: Councilman McPike. Vote: Unanimous roll call recorded in transcript (ayes recorded for Chapman, McPike, Mayor Gaskins, Vice Mayor Bagley, Councilman Nagiri, Councilman El Newby, Councilwoman Green). Outcome: approved. Purpose stated in meeting: to continue acceleration of storm sewer capacity capital improvement projects and operations and maintenance activities related to flood action.

Residential permit parking fee increase (ordinance; Code amendment: Section 5-8-77) Motion: Vice Mayor Bagley moved final passage to increase residential permit parking fees for FY2026; second by Councilman Chapman. Vote: Unanimous roll call recorded in transcript. Outcome: approved.

Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities fee increases (resolution) Motion: Councilman El Newby moved adoption of the resolution to increase cost-recovery fees for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities programs for FY2026; second by Councilwoman Green. Vote: Unanimous roll call recorded in transcript. Outcome: approved.

Planning and Zoning fee updates and transfer of grading plan permit fees (resolution) Motion: Councilman McPike moved adoption of a resolution to add short-term residential rental permit fees to the Department of Planning and Zoning fee schedule and to transfer grading and drainage plan permit fees to that schedule. Second: Councilman Chapman. Vote: Unanimous roll call recorded in transcript. Outcome: approved. The motion set a new effective date for short-term rental permit fees of 09/01/2025 as stated in the motion.

Department of Code Administration Permit Center fee schedule adjustments (resolution) Motion: Councilwoman Green moved adoption of a resolution to adjust the Permit Center fee schedule for FY2026; second recorded in transcript. Vote: Unanimous roll call recorded in transcript. Outcome: approved.

Procedural disclosures Before the council considered the tax-rate ordinance, two members made disclosures. Councilman El Newby disclosed employment with WMATA and said, after consulting the city attorney, he could participate and vote because of an applicable legal exception. Councilman Chapman disclosed ownership of Manu Mission Tour Company and membership in Visit Alexandria and likewise said he could participate and vote after consulting the city attorney.

All measures above were passed by recorded roll call votes during the April 30 special meeting.