Maria Hegstad, The Examiner
2007-03-27 07:00:00.0
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Arlington -

Arlington County will hold a public hearing Thursday on new taxes proposed in the 2008 budget.

Two of Arlington’s business districts, Rosslyn and Crystal City, have proposed real estate taxes to fund area improvements. The additional tax is levied only on commercial properties, including residential rental, retail and commercial space within the business improvement districts.

Rosslyn’s suggested rate is 8.2 cents per $100 of assessed value, an increase of 4 cents from this year. Crystal City’s proposed rate is 4.5 cents per $100 of assessed value, unchanged from this year.

Rosslyn’s 20-block business improvement district was formed in 2002 with the goal of developing Rosslyn into a world-class commercial center. The tax raises about $2 million, which the district spends on street sweeping, gardening, a Metro connection shuttle, concerts and a farmers market.

Crystal City’s business improvement district formed last April, modeled after Rosslyn’s. It includes roughly three blocks straddling US 1, from Interstate 395 to Fort Scott Drive. The aim is to develop Crystal City into Arlington’s best downtown area through public improvements, community events, transportation and safety programs and marketing promotions.

The public hearing will also address the county real estate tax. The county proposes leaving the tax rate at 81.8 cents per $100 of assessed value, the same rate as the current year. Due to declining residential real estate assessments, the average Arlington homeowner should expect to pay about $35 less in taxes than last year.

The overall assessment of property in the county rose 4.6 percent, due to growing commercial real estate assessments.

The public hearing will be 7 p.m. Thursday at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

mhegstad@dcexaminer.com