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Higher pay for elected Manassas leaders, tax bills on tonight’s agenda 

The Manassas Mayor and City Council, and Mayor tonight are set to vote themselves a pay raise.

If approved, the elected leaders will see a $2,300 hike in their annual pay, putting the mayor’s salary at $20,000 and council members’ pay at $18,000, the state-allowed maximum.

The role of the Mayor is largely ceremonial, with her primary duties being to manage council meetings and break tie votes. Both the Mayor and Council members are elected to serve part-time.

According to city documents, the city’s charter states that the Council may establish the annual salary of the Mayor and members of the Council and does not provide any limitation on the amount.

State law requires the salaries to be established by ordinance. Any salary increase can only become effective on July 1 after the next regularly scheduled general election of council members on November 8, 2022, when three seats on the City Council are up for grabs.

Seats held by Ralph Smith, and Theresa Ellis will be on the November ballot. So will the seat held by Lynn Forkell Greene, who was elected to complete a term vacated when Michelle Davis Younger when Davis Younger was elected mayor and took the seat in January 2021

State law also establishes a maximum salary based on the locality’s population. For cities with a population between 35,000 and 74,999, such as Manassas, the maximums are $20,000 for the Mayor and $18,000 for members of the City Council.

On Monday, April 25, the City Council approved a new pay scale classification system that will hike the pay for city government workers in various departments.

For example, the midpoint pay range for a fire marshal increases to $106,216, up from $97,468, while an employee in the human resources office will have a salary midpoint increased to $82,222, up from $75,463.

You can see a complete list of increases, job titles, and comparisons here. The city’s proposed the Fiscal Year of 2023, to be approved by the City Council and funding from its current 2022 budget, will fund the increases.

The City Council is also expected to approve the 2023 budget at its 5 p.m meeting today, Monday, May 9, 2022. You may view the meeting online, or Manassas City residents may watch on Comcast Channel 23, Verizon Channel 38.

Taxpayers are expected to see higher property tax bills (about five percent higher) in the coming year to fund the new pay classification and other spending priorities identified by the City Council. The average homeowner’s Real Estate tax bill will be $6,610, up $312 from 2022.

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FREE Leadership Sessions will be conducted at the George Mason University –Arlington Campus for High School Latinas. The program runs from Monday 7/15 through Friday 7/19 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM EST each day (1-week).

Las sesiones de liderazgo GRATUITAS se llevarán a cabo en el campus de George Mason University – Arlington para latinas de secundaria. El programa se desarrollará desde el lunes 15 de julio hasta el viernes 19 de julio, de 10:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. EST cada día (1 semana).

Our goal is to equip students with the fundamentals of self-promotion and guide them in shaping their personal brand for future success. What sets this program apart is its integration of self-awareness activities and mentorship by seasoned professionals.

Sessions begin with a thorough assessment of leadership dynamics on July 15th, participants delve into the intricacies of personal branding and etiquette on July 16th, followed by practical guidance on crafting compelling LinkedIn profiles and resumes on July 17th. July 18th emphasizes the art of storytelling through personal statements, while July 19th culminates in portfolio presentations, allowing participants to showcase their newfound skills. The program concludes on July 20th with a memorable graduation ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the ELITE Academy’s graduates and their journey towards leadership excellence.

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We are honored to have the Honorable Andrea O. Bailey of the Potomac District, along with the esteemed leadership of Prince William County, hosting our 4th Annual 5K Walk for Mental Health Awareness. This event is a testament to their commitment to educate, advocate for, and dispel myths and stigma surrounding mental illness.

Dust off your running or walking shoes, bring your pets, and move with us in this county-wide FREE event in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month on Saturday, May 18th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This year’s theme is Movement: Moving for Your Mental Health.

We will walk along a scenic multi-purpose trail in a wooded setting with sufficient signage to meet the needs of the walkers at Locust Shade Park, 4701 Locust Shade Drive, Triangle, Virginia 22192.

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