Manassas department leaders report fiscal and operational highlights, including AAA rating and 98% tax collection

Manassas — Multiple city departments presented annual reports to the Manassas City Council on Jan. 12, highlighting finance, tax administration, information‑technology and human‑resources accomplishments during fiscal 2025.

Commissioner of the Revenue Tim DeMary reported the office assessed nearly 31,000 vehicles, managed business licensing for roughly 2,500 businesses and maintained annual real‑property valuation at about $12.4 billion with 12,899 taxable properties and 511 exempt properties. DeMary described staffing increases — including three new hires and additional Spanish‑speaking front‑desk staff — and stressed continued staff professional education.

Treasurer Patricia Ritchie Folkes reported fiscal‑year highlights including a maintained 98% tax collection rate, processing about 115,000 transactions and a growth in credit‑card transactions (34,382). Folkes noted the treasurer’s office received an accreditation from the Treasurers Association of Virginia and opened diversified investment accounts.

Finance Director Bergeron reported the city received a clean audit opinion and said Moody’s upgraded the city to an AAA rating in October 2024 in advance of school‑construction bonds, giving Manassas a double‑AAA rating with S&P. HR Director Darla Hicks summarized recruitment and retention metrics (3,600 applications, 94 recruitments, 81 hires), diversity improvements and safety/wellness investments.

Council members asked operational follow‑ups: staff agreed to clarify data‑center valuation details and outstanding delinquent‑tax totals, and the treasurer said residents can sign up for billing reminders and ACH options to avoid payment fees. The departments will provide follow‑up figures and explanations as requested.