Arlington in deep financial trouble -- $30-$40 million budget deficit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hardly say it is dire. Property taxes are not that high here. I would gladly pay more for the services I get.

I wouldn’t. Taxes have gone up so much since I moved here 25 years ago, and the schools are getting worse and worse since 1/5 of the county school population is ESL.

That is not the reason schools are getting worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hardly say it is dire. Property taxes are not that high here. I would gladly pay more for the services I get.

I wouldn’t. Taxes have gone up so much since I moved here 25 years ago, and the schools are getting worse and worse since 1/5 of the county school population is ESL.

That is not the reason schools are getting worse.

DP. I would love to know the secret of academic achievement that is not linked to parents SES.

[Anonymous]

Crappily trained teachers and crap curricula.

[Anonymous]

Arlington is shooting them starting next winter. Board changed ordinances to allow discharge of firearms.
Mysteriously the "community preference" switched to lethal means.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure it will only require a small tax increase. With so much home appreciation, you can afford to spend 5-10% more on property taxes. And if you can't afford it, you can sell and take all of your profit with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington is shooting them starting next winter. Board changed ordinances to allow discharge of firearms.
Mysteriously the "community preference" switched to lethal means.

Hold on there, what if a child gets shot? I think we need study and community input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it will only require a small tax increase. With so much home appreciation, you can afford to spend 5-10% more on property taxes. And if you can't afford it, you can sell and take all of your profit with you.

Wait a second, if home values go up with inflation, why do you need to raise taxes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hardly say it is dire. Property taxes are not that high here. I would gladly pay more for the services I get.

I wouldn’t. Taxes have gone up so much since I moved here 25 years ago, and the schools are getting worse and worse since 1/5 of the county school population is ESL.

That is not the reason schools are getting worse.

What is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it will only require a small tax increase. With so much home appreciation, you can afford to spend 5-10% more on property taxes. And if you can't afford it, you can sell and take all of your profit with you.

Wait a second, if home values go up with inflation, why do you need to raise taxes?

Exactly!!!

[Anonymous]

They did that. Staff run. Board rubber stamped. Staff and County Manager run Arlington.

[Anonymous]

You need to raise residential tax rate to make up for decline in commercial real estate tax revenues. Empty towers. Negotiated lower assessments.

[Anonymous]

Article about dysfunctional governance in Arlington
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/11/29/governance-structure-should-be-an-arlington-priority-in-2025-expert-argues/

Board currently does everything staff recommends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Article about dysfunctional governance in Arlington
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/11/29/governance-structure-should-be-an-arlington-priority-in-2025-expert-argues/

Board currently does everything staff recommends.

I really wish the county was governed by a single executive who also controlled the schools. This would allow for much more accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hardly say it is dire. Property taxes are not that high here. I would gladly pay more for the services I get.

I wouldn’t. Taxes have gone up so much since I moved here 25 years ago, and the schools are getting worse and worse since 1/5 of the county school population is ESL.

That is not the reason schools are getting worse.

What is it?

Crappy, whiny parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article about dysfunctional governance in Arlington
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/11/29/governance-structure-should-be-an-arlington-priority-in-2025-expert-argues/

Board currently does everything staff recommends.

I really wish the county was governed by a single executive who also controlled the schools. This would allow for much more accountability.

Maybe then the county would appropriately fund the schools.

APS is underfunded.