MANASSAS PARK, Va. â Manassas Park homeowners could see their tax bills rise by hundreds of dollars under the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, despite a planned reduction in the city's real estate tax rate.
City Manager Carl Cole presented the $129 million budget to the Governing Body on April 22, 2025, proposing a one-cent reduction to the real estate tax rate, which would lower it to $1.395 per $100 of assessed value. However, because the average assessed value of residential properties increased by 7.48%, the typical single-family homeowner, with an average home value of $507,689, would still pay approximately $483 more in real estate taxes next year.
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MANASSAS PARK, Va. â A major residential project proposed just outside Manassas Park's borders is moving through its second round of review in Prince William County, and city leaders are taking a close look at the plan's potential impact on local roads and services.
Representatives from D.R. Horton, the developer behind the Mayfield Crossing project, and attorney Noah Klein of Venable LLP presented an updated site plan to the Manassas Park Governing Body during its April 15, 2025, meeting. The project site, approximately 20 acres located at the intersection of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive, is nearly surrounded by Manassas Park city limits.
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The Manassas Park Governing Body will meet on Tuesday to review several vital items impacting regional development, transportation, and public safety.
Here’s what residents can expect:
Mayfield Crossing Development Presentation
The Governing Body will hear a presentation from DR Horton and legal representatives about the proposed Mayfield Crossing development, located at the corner of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive in Prince William County.
The site is currently undeveloped, and the developer has submitted a second rezoning application to Prince William County. Manassas Park staff, who have been engaged in the planning process since 2023, submitted comments on April 1, 2025, voicing the cityâs priorities and concerns. The current concept includes:
- 180 townhomes (a reduction from the original 288)
- Enhanced pedestrian connections to nearby parks and trails
- Open space amenities like a dog park, playground, and recreation fields
- Off-site improvements such as underground utilities and sidewalk expansions
- City officials will review how the project may affect traffic and community character.
Rail with Trail Study Moves Forward Without Federal Funding
After failing to secure a federal grant last year, Manassas Park, the City of Manassas, and Prince William County are moving forward with a self-funded Rail with Trail Phase 1 Study.
- The study, with a total cost of $268,600, will examine the feasibility of constructing a 3-mile multi-use trail running alongside the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Manassas Lineâfrom Downtown Manassas to the Bull Run Trail in Fairfax County. Manassas Park will contribute $90,000 toward the study.
- The study will evaluate potential alignments, estimate construction costs, and include public input. It is part of a larger long-term effort listed in the Northern Virginia Transportation Authorityâs Six-Year Program and the Visualize 2045 National Capital Trail Network.
- The goal is to complete the study in time to submit a joint funding application for the next NVTA funding cycle.
Crime Solvers Program Presentation
Manassas Park residents will get an in-depth look at the Manassas City / Manassas Park Crime Solvers program, which allows citizens to anonymously report crime tips to local police.
Key highlights include:
- A 24-hour confidential tip line (703-330-0330) and online P3 Tip Portal
- Cash rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to arrests
- A volunteer board that manages fundraising, program promotion, and reward distribution
- Founded in 1987 and expanded to Manassas Park in 2012, Crime Solvers is a community-based, nonprofit organization working to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. Both citiesâ police departments endorse the program and relies on donations to operate.
The meeting will take place at City Hall, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. inside the city hall board meeting room
For more information or to view the full agenda, manassasparkva.gov/government/governing_body/meetings_agendas___minutes/index.php
Let us know if you plan to attend or have questions about these agenda items. You can also follow our continuing coverage for updates after the meeting.
Residents voiced strong opposition during the March 4, 2025, governing body meeting after the city voted 4-3 to disband the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. The decision, made without public comment beforehand, drew sharp criticism from former officials and community members who accused the governing body of a lack of transparency and disregard for volunteer efforts.
Laura Hampton, a former governing body member, condemned the decision, stating that it was based on misinformation and made without consultation.
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During a tense Manassas Park Governing Body meeting on March 4, Mayor Alanna Mensing raised a pointed question about the city treasurerâs plan to publish the names of delinquent taxpayers.
"It is a shame tactic, right? You are putting out people's names to kind of compel them to pay so that they're not publicly shamed. And so does that actually work?"
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The Manassas Park Governing Body has appointed Kevin Moreau to fill a vacant seat on the Governing Body (City Council) following the recent election of Alana Mensing as mayor. Moreau will serve as an interim council member until a special election fills the vacancy.
During a short meeting on February 13, 2025, council members voted in favor of Moreauâs appointment, with one abstention. Moreau was selected from a pool of applicants, including former council members and community leaders seeking to serve the city.
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Updated âMembers of the community gathered to honor the Manassas Park police department for their diligent efforts in the investigation of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a mother who has not been seen since July 2024. The recognition ceremony highlighted the role of law enforcement in uncovering key evidence in the high-profile case.
During the ceremony, 11 officers from the Manassas Park Police Department were presented with traditional Topi headdresses provided by Kafle Bhattâs Nepalese family. Sunita Basnet Thapa, a coworker and mentor to Kafle Bhatt during her nursing career, explained the cultural significance of the Topi. âThe headdress is traditionally presented to Nepalese men to identify them as honorable and hardworking,â she said.
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The City of Manassas Park has two terms expiring. Manassas Park School Board term expires June 30, 2026.
? The City of Manassas Park has two terms expiring. Manassas Park School Board term expiring June 30, 2026. Interim appointment Manassas Park Governing Body due to Alanna Mensing winning seat as Mayor. Resumes accepted until 4pm on January 7, 2025. https://t.co/9Gfsk9Ubhz pic.twitter.com/jF9oDymMTL
â City of Manassas Park (@ManassasParkGov) December 12, 2024
Manassas Park is set to begin a new chapter in its leadership by hiring Carl Cole as its new City Manager. Cole, who will assume his role on January 13, 2025, brings over 25 years of public sector experience, including significant leadership roles in city management and law enforcement.
According to Acting City Manager Keith Nguyen, Mr. Coleâs base salary will be $215,000. Acting City Manager Keith Nguyen emphasized that the Governing Body conducted an extensive vetting process to identify the best candidate for the position. âThe Governing Body went through an extensive vetting process and picked the best candidate for this job,â Nguyen stated.
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Following the Tuesday, November 5, 2025, General Election, Manassas Park will see a new mayor and a fresh face on the city council. Democrat Alanna M. Mensing, who ran unopposed, will assume the mayoral role, succeeding outgoing Mayor Jeanette Rishell. Mensing received 83.87% of the vote, marking a significant shift as Rishell, mayor since 2016, did not seek re-election this year.
