budget | ALXnow

Despite School Board protest, City Council votes to change ACPS appropriation process

Published March 12, 2026 at 1:00PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins in Council Chambers, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City Council ignored a plea from the School Board Tuesday night, unanimously approving a resolution to change how the city appropriates funding to Alexandria City Public Schools.

City Council’s resolution directs ACPS, in preparation for the Fiscal Year 2028 budget, to submit estimates for funds needed through major classifications instead of a lump sum. The School Board asked that the move, which was introduced at a March 4 joint work session with City Council, be postponed as it restricts the school system from redirecting budgeted funds to pay for programs and services.

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City Council sets one-cent tax hike as ceiling for budget talks

By James Cullum

Published March 11, 2026 at 1:45PM

Alexandria City Council Member John Taylor Chapman (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s City Council set a one-cent ceiling for the city’s real estate tax rate on Tuesday night.

City Councilman John Taylor Chapman made the motion to increase the ceiling, which is not the final adopted tax rate. While City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposed $977 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget has no tax increase, the one-cent ceiling gives the city more options in crafting the budget, which is set for a final council vote on April 29.

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ACPS board asks City Council to postpone resolution vote on new school funding measure

By James Cullum

Published March 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City School Board is asking City Council to postpone voting on a resolution this week that would change how the city appropriates funding to the school system.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins introduced the proposal at City Council’s joint work session with the School Board on March 4. The new system would authorize Council to approve funding allocations by major classification, instead of an annual lump sum. School Board Chair Michelle Rief says that more discussion is needed.

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Challenges remain for children’s shelter despite fulfilled funding in Alexandria budget proposal

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2026 at 12:40PM

Handprints from kids at Sheltercare in Alexandria's West End (staff photo by James Cullum)

The executive director of Sheltercare, a short-term group home that provides services to youth in the city’s West End, says she may have to consider cutting staff, services or beds, despite nearly $2 million in funding included in the city’s proposed 2027 budget.

The city manager’s budget fulfills a funding request from the Juvenile Detention Commission of Northern Virginia, which oversees the 14-bed Sheltercare facility. However, the program’s planned budget of $2.14 million is scaled down from executive director Annie Reiney’s initial $2.7 million proposal, which included a 40% increase in funding to pay for extra staffing and building improvements.

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City Manager unveils $977 million budget proposal without tax increase

By James Cullum

Published February 25, 2026 at 3:45PM

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon unveiled his proposed $977.3 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget last night (Tuesday).

While the budget is a 2.2% increase from the current FY 2026 budget, Parajon’s proposal keeps the real estate tax rate of $1.135 per $100 of assessed value, and does not change the city’s refuse rate. He was able to achieve the feat through $9 million “in efficiency reductions, cost cutting savings, and vacant position reductions to balance the budget.”

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Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority board served with lawsuit by fired CEO

By James Cullum

Published February 25, 2026 at 9:45AM

Erik C. Johnson, former CEO of ARHA, asks City Council to back the Silver Fox plan, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board was served with a $4.5 million lawsuit by its former CEO Erik Johnson on Monday.

ARHA’s former board fired Johnson in September after it was revealed that he and his family were living in an ARHA property in Old Town. Johnson’s filing alleges that, with the blessing of the previous board, ARHA staff selected a moving company for his family, chose a hotel for them to stay in and renovated the property.

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ACPS board approves $406M budget, but uncertainty remains over city funding

By Emily Leayman

Published February 20, 2026 at 10:30AM | Updated February 20, 2026 at 10:49AM

Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City School Board approved the school division’s 2027 budget yesterday (Thursday), but challenges surrounding city funding and employee health care costs remain before the final version is adopted in June.

The bulk of the Alexandria City Public Schools’ $406.5 million combined funds budget includes the $374.5 million operating budget, as well as school nutrition funds, grants and a special projects fund. The operating budget itself is a 3.7% increase from the last budget.

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Proposals to limit ICE activity and more Alexandria-supported bills advance in General Assembly

By Emily Leayman

Published February 11, 2026 at 2:30PM

Wendy Ginsberg, the City of Alexandria's legislative director, provided a mid-session General Assembly update to City Council (via City of Alexandria)

As the General Assembly reaches mid-session, the City of Alexandria is supporting nearly 400 proposed bills, including restrictions on immigration enforcement.

Wendy Ginsberg, the city’s legislative director, provided a mid-session General Assembly update to City Council yesterday (Tuesday). According to Ginsberg, city staff have reviewed 584 bills for potential impacts to the city. During the presentation, Councilman Abdel Elnoubi requested an update on the immigration enforcement-related bills, which Ginsberg said are continuing to make progress.

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ACPS proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language programs draw public concern

By Emily Leayman

Published February 10, 2026 at 3:30PM

Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language classes at Alexandria City Public Schools have drawn public concern as school officials prepare to make funding decisions.

The Alexandria City School Board discussed a proposal that would remove two middle school Latin teachers and one Chinese teacher due to low enrollment during a Jan. 27 work session.

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City manager asks City Council to affirm authority to move unencumbered funds

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2026 at 12:15PM | Updated January 27, 2026 at 8:55PM

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking City Council to reaffirm his authority to transfer unencumbered city funds from any office, department or agency to another.

City Council unanimously approved the proposed resolution at its virtual meeting this evening (Tuesday), mandating city staff to formalize the process for making transfers of appropriated unencumbered funds.

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Proposed $406M ACPS budget accounts for redistricting, collective bargaining

By Emily Leayman

Published January 23, 2026 at 11:15AM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Potential collective bargaining agreements and redrawn school boundaries were factored into the latest budget proposal presented to the Alexandria City School Board last night (Thursday).

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt proposed the $406.5 million combined funds budget for fiscal year 2027, a 3.7% increase from the last approved budget. The bulk of funds are in the $374.5 million operating budget, but it also includes school nutrition funds as well as grants and a special projects fund.