Manassas residents will see higher tax bills in the coming year.
The Manassas City Council on Monday approved its annual $253 million budget that will be funded by a $1.46 per $100 of the assessed property value Real Estate tax.
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Author: Olivia Aveni Briscoe
The unemployment rate in Manassas has skyrocketed to 13% in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and long-awaited stimulus money from the Federal Government has yet to arrive.
In January and February, the city’s unemployment rates were 2.8% and 2.5%, respectively, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. The city had just come off a “banner year,” with new businesses opening and existing businesses expanding or relocating to the city.
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It’s looking like Manassas City will have a female mayor for the first time in its 147-year history.
Mayor Hal Parrish II announced his retirement at a small gathering at Okras restaurant in Downtown Manassas in February. It came as a surprise to many, as he’s served as mayor since 2008, and has been on the city council since 1993.
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Manassas leaders are asking themselves if they can do more when it comes to bailing out business owners affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
At a city council meeting Tuesday night, leaders suggested taping the city’s $18 million rainy day fund in order to provide relief to businesses. The reserve represents 15% of the city’s general revenue budget and is to be used for emergencies.
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A candidate for Manassas City Council teamed up with Miss Virginia to bring hot meals to a city trailer park.
Miss Virginia United States 2020 Katelyn Page joined Helen Zurita, a community activist turned city council candidate, at the East End Mobile Home Park on Route 28 where they donated 150 hot meals to residents.
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Manassas Park is moving forward with plans for its own library and voted Tuesday to approve the Library Strategic Plan and Policies.
City Manager Laszlo Palko addressed the council members briefly before they had a brief discussion and a final vote.
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Dina Qureshi, a 26-year old engineer with Dominion Energy, bought a sewing machine.
For months, it sat unused — until now.
The coronavirus outbreak has Manassas leaders predicting some changes to the city’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021.
Manassas City Manager Patrick Pate said that a decline in tax revenues, particularly the meals tax, will leave less for the city to spend in the coming fiscal year which begins July 1. Many restaurants have either had to close or pivot their business models, like offering curbside or delivery service only.
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Zandra’s, like many other restaurants, has a large kitchen.
But due to the coronavirus outbreak that has forced the closure of many dining rooms in the area and around the state, the kitchen has seen little use these past few weeks.