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Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance

The Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan, volunteer organization founded in 1956 to prevent excessive real estate tax increases. We analyze government spending and speak out against government waste.

We publish a Bulletin, issue press releases, attend County budget press conferences, testify at public hearings, write letters-to the editor and op-ed pieces, and respond to press inquiries.

We depend on contributions from members and friends. Membership is open to Fairfax County residents and those who pay real estate taxes in Fairfax County.

FCTA Board of Directors
FCTA Board of Directors (1/20/12)
President Arthur Purves
First Vice President Thomas Cranmer
Second Vice President Bill Peabody
Treasurer David Swink (acting)
Secretary Perry Young
At-Large Arthur Purves
At-Large Alexander Romero
At-Large Bill Peabody
At-Large Perry Young
At-Large Thomas Cranmer
At-Large Fred Costello
At-Large Gary Koerner
At-Large vacant
At-Large vacant
Braddock District vacant
Dranesville District Richard Buck
Hunter Mill District David Swink
Lee District vacant
Mason District The Honorable David C. F. Ray
Mt. Vernon District vacant
Providence District Jim Ruland
Springfield District Brad Butler
Sully District Chuck McAndrew

    

The FCTA has deactivated its telephone number

FCTA RESOLUTIONS

Resolution supporting a car tax exemption for residents affected by Fairfax County Community Parking Districts with background information (6/6/06)

Resolution opposing higher taxes for transportation (6/6/06)

Resolution in favor of an elected auditor (1/6/04)

Vote NO on the school bond referendum (10/14/03)

Resolution opposing 22% sales tax increase (1/17/01)

FCTA POLICIES

POLICY NUMBER 1: TOTAL REVENUE CAP

(Adopted March 19, 1991 and Revised November 19, 1991)

Fairfax County's revenue should be limited to (1) a rate of growth that is no higher in any year than the rate of growth of total personal income in the County in the preceding year, and (2) a share of total personal income no higher than in fiscal year 1987. These limits should apply to total County revenue exclusive only of proceeds from bond sales and of transfers from the state and federal governments.

POLICY NUMBER 2: INDEBTEDNESS CAP

(Adopted March 19, 1991)

Bonded indebtedness of Fairfax County should not exceed 3% of the County's total personal income.

POLICY NUMBER 3: REAL ESTATE REVENUE CAP

(Adopted April 16, 1991)

The Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance endorses a Fairfax County revenue program wherein, the real estate tax is subject to 'full equalization' for the next four years; that is, whenever assessments increase, the tax rate should be lowered to fully offset the assessment increase so there is no increase in the average tax bill. This policy permits revenue increases resulting from new growth (i.e. construction, rezoning, and sub-division) in the real estate tax base.

POLICY NUMBER 4: INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT CAP

(Adopted May 21, 1991)

The Fairfax County Taxpayer Alliance supports a change to the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitution which would limit the increase in assessment for an owner occupied residential property to two (2) percent during any year of ownership. This policy would permit assessment increases to current market value whenever a residential property changes ownership.

POLICY NUMBER 5: PRIVATIZATION

(Adopted August 20, 1991)

Fairfax County will not use tax, license, or bond revenues to compete against the private sector.

  1. In order to provide the public with services of superior quality, lower price, and a choice of providers, we recommend the following:
    1. Wherever possible, all services currently provided by the county government that can be provided by the private sector, should be relinquished to the
    2. Any task that can be contracted out to a private sector group in the support of mission essential functions, should be.

POLICY: USER FEES

(Adopted August 16, 1994

A user fee is a charge imposed by a governmental body to voluntary recipients of goods and services provided by the governmental body; the amount of the charge is based on the cost of providing the good or service. Sometimes lower rates are charged during non-peak times to reflect variable value at different times. The Fairfax County Taxpayers' Alliance supports the charging of user fees over the alternative of funding the provision of goods and services with general tax revenues, whenever the recipients are identifiable. This preference for user fees as a funding method does not constitute an endorsement of government providing those goods and services in lieu of the private sector. The imposition of user fees should be accompanied by tax reductions and the tightening of revenue growth limits.


Address:

Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance
P.O. Box 356
Fairfax, Virginia 22038

Email:

alerts@fcta.org