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Reply to "Is Reston an official town?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Why isn't Ashburn its own town?[/quote]

SHORT VERSION:
Virginia has had a state-wide ban on creating new towns and cities since some year in the late 1960s. This ban recently was renewed by the VA Legislature and signed by the Governor.  I have never heard of any other state with such a law.

LONG VERSION:
As a long-time VA resident, as near as I can tell, the main driver for this is how sales taxes are handled.  In an incorporated town or city, sales taxes accrue to the town and not to the county.  So every county in the state has financial incentives to block creation (or expansion) of incorporated towns and cities.  In turn, this county desire influences elected legislators voting.

There also can be other revenue-related considerations.  The part of McLean which is in Tysons (specifically, 22102) generates much more business tax and property tax revenue than most other areas of the county.  This is a (predictable) consequence of decades-long focus by county elected officials to concentrate development, especially Class 1 office space, in Tysons.

As an example, Fairfax County would lose a lot of revenue, and not lose as much responsibility, if McLean (22101+22102) incorporated as a town or city.

I think it would be better if there were more towns and cities in NoVA, but I doubt things will change in my lifetime.[/quote]

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