Manassas council approves FY2026 tax and fee measures, hears public hearing with no speakers

The City of Manassas City Council voted on multiple ordinances and a resolution related to the fiscal year 2026 budget, utility rate increases and fee schedules during a special meeting; a public hearing on the FY2026 budget drew no public speakers and was closed by the council.

The council opened a public hearing on the proposed FY2026 annual operating budget and five-year capital improvement program, including proposed increases to water, sewer and electric utility rates and emergency medical transport fees. City staff told the council the special meeting was necessary to meet public-advertising requirements and that council would consider final adoption of the utility and non-tax rates again at its June 9 meeting.

Council member Ellis (first name not specified) said the city "has not had an increase in our utility rates for many years," and urged support for the proposal, citing outages and insufficient infrastructure. A member of city staff (unnamed) described the ordinance before the council as establishing a rate "specifically for our large power service distribution" and said subsequent ordinances would set rates for residential customers.

No members of the public signed up to speak for the hearing. The mayor certified publication of the required newspaper advertisements in the Prince William Times and, after staff remarks and no public comment, the council voted to close the public hearing.

Votes at a glance

- Uncodified Ordinance O2025-798 (real estate tax rates, second reading): Approved (roll-call: Vice Mayor Wolf — yes; Council member Smith — yes; Council member Ellis — no; Council member Rosina — yes; Council member Vasquez Luna — yes; Council member Hudson — yes). The ordinance sets the city's real estate tax rates to support the FY2026 budget and was adopted on second reading.

- Ordinance O2025-834 (large power service distribution electric rate, first reading): Approved on first reading (unanimous). Council member Ellis noted the need to update rates for large power distribution separately from residential rates.

- Uncodified Ordinance O2025-855 (water, sewer and electric utility rates): Approved (first reading). Council discussion reiterated that the proposed increases were intended to maintain service, address infrastructure shortfalls and help preserve the city's bonding capacity.

- Uncodified Ordinance O2025-856 (parks, culture and recreation fee schedule, effective July 1, 2025): Approved (first reading).

- Ordinance O2025-857 (airport fee and rent schedule, effective July 1, 2025, first reading): Approved (first reading).

- Ordinance O2025-858 (fire prevention permit fee schedule, effective July 1, 2025, first reading): Approved (first reading).

- Resolution R2025-860 (emergency medical transport fee schedule): Approved (first reading).

What the council did and why it matters

Council members and staff framed the utility-rate ordinances as necessary adjustments after years without increases. Council member Ellis said outages and aging infrastructure motivated support for higher rates to shore up service. Another council member noted the proposed rates were the "lowest possible" option during work sessions and said keeping rates modest would help with the city's bonding profile.

Staff emphasized the procedural steps: the special meeting met the public-notice requirements for utility and non-tax rate public hearings, and the council will take the utility and non-tax rates and fees up again for final adoption at its June 9 meeting.

Other procedural notes

- The public hearing record includes a certification by the mayor that advertisements ran in the Prince William Times; the council confirmed the affidavit of publication was on file.

- Because no public speakers signed up, the council closed the public hearing by motion and roll call.

Next steps

Council members will revisit the utility and fee ordinances for final adoption at the June 9 council meeting, per staff's statement during the hearing.