Manassas City Residents that would like the City Council to halt raising taxes for Fiscal Year 2020 please sign this petition. The public hearing held on Monday, April 29th generated 50/50 feedback from those in attendance. The City Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 1st at 5:30pm to review the public hearing results. We MUST let our voices be heard. STOP TAX & SPEND POLICIES!!! (Please sign using both first & last name)

2 cent tax rate increase to $1.48 / Compounded by an average residential assessment increase of 5.24% / Total tax bill impact by category of home (condo, single family and town home). SUGGESTED TAX INCREASES in the following categories: Real Estate Property PLUS your Assessment will finally go up / Real & Personal Property Tax Increases / Water & Sewer Utility Rates and Stormwater Utility Rates to Increase. SAY NO TO ACROSS THE BOARD ANNUAL TAX INCREASES!

Second UPDATE:

The final count: Lovejoy & Ellis voted no and Elston, Wolfe, Sebesky, and Davis Younger voted yes to move forward the reading of the budget as is at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 13th.

Residents need to attend Monday night's meeting to push back against this notion that a Public Hearing is too late in the process to express your opposition for proposals. Frankly, that is the entire purpose of a Public Hearing.

The resistance to compromise seems to stem from frustration felt by council members on exacty what to cut or put on hold to get there. The museum and grant street beautification projects were the ones up for debate and there is great divide.

First UPDATE:

The council met on 5/1 and our petition was submitted before that meeting containing 160 signatures at the time. Councilman Ian Lovejoy proposed an amendment to the budget that would keep the tax rate flat for this fiscal year, while still funding schools, public safety and other crucial services. Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis 2nded the plan.

The remaining 4 Council members however, did not vote in the affirmative so the proposal is currently dead. An additional budget meeting is now scheduled on May 6th to continue the discussion.

PLEASE continue to share this petition with Manassas City residents. You can email and text the link in addition to sharing on social media.

PLEASE also consider emailing the Mayor & Council using one email: MayorandCouncil@ci.manassas.va.us to express your opposition for higher taxes. If you are amenable to a flat tax - please let them know that as well. A flat tax has been suggested by Councilman Lovejoy.

CALL: Feel free to also contact the 4 Council members pushing to raise taxes directly via phone to encourage them to NOT raise our taxes for Fiscal Year 2020. Ken Elston 571-377-8817, Mark Wolfe 703-257-1702, Pam Sebesky 571-330-5514, and Michelle Davis-Younger 571-206-8433.