Manassas council approves readings for FY2026 budget, tax rates and utility and fee schedules; no public comment
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At a special meeting, the Manassas City Council approved the readings of multiple ordinances related to the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026 annual operating budget, five‑year capital improvement program and associated rate and fee schedules, after opening a public hearing on those items and receiving no public comment.
City Manager said the meeting’s purpose was to “finalize the adoption of the FY '26 real estate and personal property tax rates” and to present the proposed FY2026 operating budget and five‑year capital improvement program; he also said council would consider the utility and non‑tax rates again for final adoption at its June 9 meeting.
The council formally opened the public hearing and noted that newspaper advertisements appeared in the Prince William Times as required. No members of the public signed up to speak, and Vice Mayor Wolf moved to close the hearing; the motion carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
Council members then approved the readings of a series of ordinances and one resolution that set rates and fees tied to the FY2026 budget. The measures approved on first reading or as uncodified ordinances included: uncodified ordinance O2025‑798 setting the 2026 real estate tax rate; O2025‑834 establishing a large power service distribution electric rate; O2025‑855 setting the water, sewer and electric utility rates; O2025‑856 updating the parks, culture and recreation fee schedule (effective July 1); O2025‑857 setting the airport fee and rent schedule (effective July 1, 2025, first reading); and O2025‑858 setting the fire prevention permit fee schedule (effective July 1). The council also approved Resolution R2025‑860 setting the schedule of emergency medical transport fees.
Councilwoman Coates Ellis, who voted in favor of several measures, urged residents to note that the city has not increased utility rates “for many years” and supported the increases to address infrastructure shortfalls. Councilman Vasquez Luna and others characterized the proposed utility rates as the lowest possible to maintain service and to protect the city’s borrowing capacity; Vasquez Luna moved several of the ordinance readings and motions were routinely seconded by other members.
Votes on the items were recorded by roll call. The reading for O2025‑798 passed with one recorded no vote from Councilwoman Coates Ellis; the other ordinances and the EMT fee resolution passed on recorded roll calls with the members present voting in favor.
The council scheduled final consideration and possible final adoption of the utility and non‑tax rates and fees at its June 9 meeting. No public testimony was received during the public hearing portion of the special meeting.
Less critical procedural items at the meeting included the mayor’s certification that advertising requirements had been met and routine roll calls for each motion.
The council adjourned after completing the agenda.
City Manager said the meeting’s purpose was to “finalize the adoption of the FY '26 real estate and personal property tax rates” and to present the proposed FY2026 operating budget and five‑year capital improvement program; he also said council would consider the utility and non‑tax rates again for final adoption at its June 9 meeting.
The council formally opened the public hearing and noted that newspaper advertisements appeared in the Prince William Times as required. No members of the public signed up to speak, and Vice Mayor Wolf moved to close the hearing; the motion carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
Council members then approved the readings of a series of ordinances and one resolution that set rates and fees tied to the FY2026 budget. The measures approved on first reading or as uncodified ordinances included: uncodified ordinance O2025‑798 setting the 2026 real estate tax rate; O2025‑834 establishing a large power service distribution electric rate; O2025‑855 setting the water, sewer and electric utility rates; O2025‑856 updating the parks, culture and recreation fee schedule (effective July 1); O2025‑857 setting the airport fee and rent schedule (effective July 1, 2025, first reading); and O2025‑858 setting the fire prevention permit fee schedule (effective July 1). The council also approved Resolution R2025‑860 setting the schedule of emergency medical transport fees.
Councilwoman Coates Ellis, who voted in favor of several measures, urged residents to note that the city has not increased utility rates “for many years” and supported the increases to address infrastructure shortfalls. Councilman Vasquez Luna and others characterized the proposed utility rates as the lowest possible to maintain service and to protect the city’s borrowing capacity; Vasquez Luna moved several of the ordinance readings and motions were routinely seconded by other members.
Votes on the items were recorded by roll call. The reading for O2025‑798 passed with one recorded no vote from Councilwoman Coates Ellis; the other ordinances and the EMT fee resolution passed on recorded roll calls with the members present voting in favor.
The council scheduled final consideration and possible final adoption of the utility and non‑tax rates and fees at its June 9 meeting. No public testimony was received during the public hearing portion of the special meeting.
Less critical procedural items at the meeting included the mayor’s certification that advertising requirements had been met and routine roll calls for each motion.
The council adjourned after completing the agenda.
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