Manassas council sets FY2026 real estate and personal-property tax rates; budget moves to June adoption

The Manassas City Council on first reading set the real estate tax rate for tax year 2026 at $1.26 per $100 of assessed value and approved the companion personal‑property tax rates needed to support the city’s $327.9 million fiscal year 2026 budget.

Council members voted on the measures after extended debate over reserve levels, school compensation and the level of services the budget must maintain. The real estate ordinance passed on a 5‑1 roll call (Vice Mayor Wolf: yes; Councilman Smith: yes; Councilwoman Ellis: no; Councilman Ocina: yes; Councilwoman Vasquez Luna: yes; Councilwoman Hudson: yes). The personal‑property ordinance passed unanimously among voting members present.

The tax rate decision preserves the flat rate city staff proposed and funds priorities included in the FY2026 proposal. City Manager Steve Burke notified the council earlier that the second reading and final adoption are scheduled at a special meeting on June 2 (public hearings) with second reading and adoption at the council meeting on June 9.

Council debate and numbers Councilwoman Ellis said she voted against keeping the rate flat and…