City manager: reassessments on the way, tax base up 6.9% and compost carts delivered

City Manager Shields used the March 9 meeting to highlight two items: reassessment notices and the compost‑cart rollout.

Shields told the council property owners should expect reassessment notices and that the city’s assessed tax base has grown to just over $6,800,000,000 — a 6.9% increase over the prior year. He said market growth accounted for about 5.3% and new construction roughly 1.6% of that increase, and he encouraged residents to contact the Office of Real Estate Assessment with questions shown on the mailed notice.

On a separate item, Shields announced the final delivery of the new yellow compost carts and said the compost program’s intent is to divert organics from Fairfax County’s waste‑to‑energy incinerator and lower tipping costs; he explicitly clarified that the solid‑waste fee is driven by what residents place in the gray trash bin and is not a fee for the compost cart itself.

Shields also reminded the council that staff will present the city manager’s budget recommendations and the school board’s budget request at the next council meeting on March 23 and invited the public to two budget town halls: March 26 (noon) and April 30 (7 p.m.).

Councilmembers asked follow‑up questions about yard‑waste pickup frequency, whether compostable bag liners are acceptable, and concerns about rodent or odor issues with mixed organics; staff said Arlington County’s experience informed the program design, follow‑up will clarify yard‑waste schedule and liner acceptability, and communications will provide best‑practice tips to residents.