Fairfax Board to Vote on Tysons Tax Hike Tuesday

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote Tuesday whether to raise taxes on Tysons Corner residents and developers as a way to fund extensive transportation improvements in the area.

Supervisors have endorsed plans for a special service tax district that would require landowners and developers to help pay for billions of dollars of transportation projects meant to help Tysons thrive as the county’s new urban downtown area. With a hike of 7 to 9 cents per $100 of assessed value, the proposed service district is expected to generate approximately $250 million over the next 40 years.

But the Board chose to defer a vote on the matter last month after a public hearing in which many angry residents objected to paying more taxes. Tysons homeowners argued developers should shoulder the majority of the tax burden and advocated for residential properties to be exempt from the tax district.

Residents could see some respite thanks to a bill Del. Mark Keam (D-35th) has said he plans to introduce during the General Assembly’s 2013 session.

Last month, Keam told The Washington Examiner he plans to file a bill that will either exempt Tysons homeowners from a tax district entirely or require they pay a lower rate than businesses in the area.

The Board shot down a similar motion from Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) in October. 

If approved Tuesday, the tax district would take effect in July. But officials would have to readjust dramatically if Keam's legislation is successful.

Stay up to date on all Vienna area news with our free email newsletter.