Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins addressed many community concerns in the inaugural “Ask the Mayor” session with ALXnow on Friday (April 4), highlighting her first 100 days in office, the city’s response to federal uncertainty, and much more.
The conversation, hosted by ALXnow Publisher Ryan Belmore, marks the beginning of a new monthly ALXnow series designed to provide residents with direct access to city leadership.
“I think this is a great idea,” Gaskins said of the new format. “I’ve never done anything like this.”
Among the mayor’s top priorities is youth engagement, which she says is demonstrated through the recently launched Mayoral Youth Forum. The initiative grew from feedback gathered during focus groups with young Alexandrians.
“Throughout my time serving on the city council, I have made an effort to reach out to our young people and to ask them about their questions, their concerns, but also their ideas,” Gaskins explained. “Something they often said was that they want a space and an opportunity where they are working directly with their elected officials.”
The first forum, held in late March, attracted about 25 participants aged 14 to 18 from nearly every high school in Alexandria. The young people led discussions on topics ranging from gun violence to immigration and climate policy.
“It was their agenda,” Gaskins noted, adding that the next forum is scheduled for May.
The mayor also addressed the city’s response to potential federal government changes that could impact Alexandria’s approximately 15,000 federal workers and 9,000 direct federal jobs within the community.
“We are monitoring deeply how changes in federal policy impact our residents,” Gaskins said.
The city has created a dedicated resource page for affected federal workers, offering information on job opportunities, skill translation resources, business startup guidance, and assistance with basic necessities like food and housing.
Alexandria is also preparing for potential fiscal impacts through contingency planning in the proposed budget.
“Many economists are predicting maybe a local recession. So really trying to think strategically about how we are cautious as we plan and prepare for the next phase,” Gaskins explained.
On the budget front, Gaskins outlined how the city allocates new revenue, noting that of the approximately $30 million in new money this year, about one-third is directed to Alexandria City Public Schools, another third to debt service and capital projects, and the remainder to existing agreements and new initiatives.
“By the time we had finished that exercise, there’s about $4 million left for us to kind of work with and think about new initiatives, enhanced services and things like that,” she said, noting that departments submitted over $12 million in requests for those limited funds.
The mayor confirmed her support for keeping the tax rate flat, citing residents’ concerns about their ability to make existing property tax payments during uncertain economic times.
Public safety emerged as another key topic, with Gaskins emphasizing her commitment to community security.
“I believe everyone deserves to feel safe in our community, whether no matter where you live, no matter where you move, no matter sort of where the activity or what you were trying to do within our city,” she stated.
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire is scheduled to present his public safety plan at the April 8 City Council meeting. The plan will include findings from his listening tour, his 100-day assessment, and strategies for the future.
Gaskins also highlighted infrastructure investments, noting that the city’s Capital Improvement Plan includes over $2 billion in planned investments over the next 10 years.
“This Council recognizes our ageing infrastructure, recognizes the places where we need to do investments and we are committed to doing that,” she said.
Reflecting on her first 100 days in office, Gaskins expressed pride in several accomplishments, including improved communications, streamlined council meetings, and the creation of an Interfaith Council that brings together faith leaders quarterly to discuss community issues.
“It has been a tremendous joy and an honor,” Gaskins said of her time as mayor so far. “I feel like I wake up with a joy and excitement knowing that I get to serve the city I love and that we are on the way to do really, really great things.”
The next “Ask the Mayor” session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. Beginning in June, the conversations will occur on the first Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. Residents can submit questions for our next conversation.
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