Jim Parajon | ALXnow

Alexandria’s City Council and School Board clash in intense budget battle

Published March 14, 2023 at 3:55PM | Updated March 14, 2023 at 4:55PM

ACPS headquarters and clock (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The tense discussions between Alexandria’s City Council and School Board came to a head over Alexandria City High School’s Chance for Change Academy.

The joint work sessions are a chance for the school and city leaders to close the $7.5 million gap between the School Board’s $58.7 million request and the City Manager’s proposed $51.3 funding to the schools in the fiscal year 2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). But while both sides agreed relations between the two bodies are better than they’ve been in the past, the conversation still reopened old wounds between the two leadership teams.

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Police and Firefighters getting big raises in Alexandria City Manager’s $881 million budget proposal

By James Cullum

Published March 1, 2023 at 3:50PM

Alexandria City Hall lit up (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon released his proposed $881.1 million fiscal year 2024 budget at City Hall on Tuesday night, and it includes an option to raise taxes by 1 cent.

The budget also reflects $8.1 million in collective bargaining agreement funds that will go to the Fire and Police Departments.

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PHOTOS: The 2023 George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 21, 2023 at 10:45AM | Updated February 21, 2023 at 12:12PM

Martha and George Washington (Brian Hilton) at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Old Town was packed on Monday, as thousands of revelers and marchers celebrated the George Washington Birthday Parade.

More than 2,000 freemasons from all over the country marched in the 100th annual parade, which is the largest annual celebration of Washington in the world.

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PHOTOS: Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 5, 2022 at 9:35AM | Updated December 5, 2022 at 11:03AM

Santa at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was an unseasonably warm 60 degrees on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) in Old Town for the Campagna Center’s 51st Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

The parade is one of the most popular events in the city, bringing thousands of participants, including Irish dancers, historic reenactors and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. It is considered the highlight of a weekend full of events.

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Mayor: Alexandria seeing ‘anemic growth’ in tax revenues with budget shortfall ahead

By Vernon Miles

Published December 1, 2022 at 2:45PM | Updated December 1, 2022 at 4:15PM

Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles)

Alexandria’s revenue tax is growing, but too sluggishly to keep pace with the expenditures — leading to a $17 million shortfall as the city heads into budget season.

That estimate, from Mayor Justin Wilson’s monthly newsletter, is slightly lower than the estimate from a City Council meeting in November, but still presents a substantial challenge for city leadership attempting hold off on a tax rate increase.

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Alexandria City Public Schools is prepping a collective bargaining proposal

By James Cullum

Published November 30, 2022 at 2:15PM

Alexandria City Public Schools is in the initial stages of organizing a collective bargaining effort for thousands of its employees.

The school system has more than 2,400 employees and pays $11.6 million in salaries, with funds approved by the City Council. That means that any agreement reached between ACPS staffers and the school system will have to be approved by Council.

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Alexandria Police to get significant raise after reaching collective bargaining agreement

By James Cullum

Published November 23, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated November 30, 2022 at 12:54PM

Mayor Justin Wilson (on right) shakes hands with Damon Minnix, president of the Alexandria chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, after coming to a collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (Via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, ushering in a new era of collaboration with city employees.

If likely approved in the fiscal year 2024 budget this May, the agreement means substantial pay increases for new officers, sergeants and lieutenants. The current base salary of $54,698 for an officer would be increased by 11% to $61,503 at the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 1, 2023. After next year, salaries for officers would increase 2% annually.

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Alexandria City Council will consider raising taxes in upcoming budget

By James Cullum

Published November 23, 2022 at 11:30AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Facing inflation, a $17 million budget shortfall and fewer federal economic recovery funds, the Alexandria City Council will consider a tax increase in its upcoming fiscal year 2024 budget.

City Manager Jim Parajon has been tasked with presenting Council with two budget alternatives — one with a tax increase and another without.

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City Manager: Trading height for affordable housing means ‘unlikely’ impact on historic districts

By James Cullum

Published October 26, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated October 26, 2022 at 11:35PM

A packed house at the Agenda Alexandia discussion on building heights and affordable housing, October 24, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The most contentious part of last Monday’s Agenda Alexandria discussion on building heights was when City Manager Jim Parajon told the audience that the City Council’s priorities on affordable housing have the best interests of residents in mind.

Many members of the audience voiced disapproval by groaning, “No,” that they don’t.

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City Manager Jim Parajon to discuss exchanging building heights for more affordable housing

By James Cullum

Published October 18, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated October 26, 2022 at 2:03PM

What two additional stories looks like on a 45-foot-tall structure. (Via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria needs to solve its affordable housing crisis, but should building up be the solution?

The City’s bonus density and height program would allow developers to increase heights of buildings to 70 feet in areas of the city that are capped at 45 feet in height, like in Del Ray.

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With enrollment increase, Alexandria needs more middle school space

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2022 at 2:35PM

Students return to George Washington Middle School, August 24, 2021 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria leaders agree that the city either needs to expand its aging middle schools or completely build a new one.

There are now 15,700 students within Alexandria City Public Schools, and roughy 2,000 more students are expected by 2024. That puts the city in a tricky position, as 10 ACPS schools are more than 70 years old and need continual maintenance, and a surge in elementary school kids means that Alexandria needs more middle school space.