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Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: News patrol ()
Date: April 23, 2014 11:54AM

Fairfax County wants to pay taxes for everything. Before you know it Fairfax County will tax you every time you take a dump

http://wtop.com/?nid=893&sid=3608587

Fairfax County may put a meals tax on the ballot to generate $88M
Tuesday - 4/22/2014, 1:55pmĀ  ET

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has created a task force, led by two former board chairs, to explore the possibility of putting a meals tax referendum on the ballot.

A 4 percent meals tax would generate an estimated $88 million.

The board, at Chairman Sharon Bulova's request, created the study group, which will present its conclusions on June 17. Led by Kate Hanley and Tom Davis, the task force will be comprised of representatives from roughly 25 organizations, including the Republican and Democratic parties, the county's Chamber of Commerce, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, Visit Fairfax, the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance and the Fairfax Education Association.

Northern Virginia localities are allowed to install a meals tax, but only by referendum. The last time the question was put to voters, in 1992, it failed. All of the cities and towns surrounding Fairfax have such a tax.

"There has been a growing sentiment during recent years for our board to once again allow the voters to decide whether or not they wish to avail themselves of this additional source of revenue," Bulova said in her statement to the board. "Reasons for urging this include the desire to diversify the revenues we have available to fund schools, public safety, parks, libraries and human services."

The task force will be asked not only to recommend, or reject, a meals tax referendum, but also to suggest what year the question should be asked and how the resulting revenues should be used.

A meals tax would apply to all ready-to-eat foods and beverages wherever they are sold, except from vending machines. The tax would not apply to groceries.

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Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Math is Good ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:08PM

"$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot of moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal in the county a new house in Great Falls for $80 Trillion bucks.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: News patrol ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:19PM

Math is Good Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot of
> moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal in the
> county a new house in Great Falls for $80 Trillion
> bucks.


It's $88million, not trillion. There is a difference, you know?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Debbie Downer Democrat XDD ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:21PM

At some point, the residents will seriously question if paying the extra 4% for that generic burger at Ruby Tuesday is really worth it. Plus, add in the potential of new thresholds for minimum wages, the costs of the ACA that employer's will take on and lots of meals will get quite pricey and fast.

When your McDonald's meal #3 goes from $7.29 to $13.99, it might be the time to wake up. I've lived in areas where there were special taxes being applied. The result? When we'd see the receipt and how much of the total meal cost went towards taxes, we would not dine out nearly as often.

At this time, Fairfax residents have a fair amount of disposable income so these increases that creep on up can be buffered a bit. But when one takes enough trips to the well, it will eventually run dry.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Math is Good ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:25PM

News patrol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Math is Good Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > "$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot of
> > moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal in
> the
> > county a new house in Great Falls for $80
> Trillion
> > bucks.
>
>
> It's $88million, not trillion. There is a
> difference, you know?


$88,000,000 million is actually $88 Trillion. A million million is X, 000,000,000,000. Math, learn it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Screw Sharon Bulova ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:39PM

Karen Garza pitched a hissy fit over the sorry state of the school budget. A food tax is Bulova's solution. My solution is to send Garza's fat ass back to Texas and let her roll around on turf fields.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: News patrol ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:43PM

Math is Good Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> News patrol Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Math is Good Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > "$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot of
> > > moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal in
> > the
> > > county a new house in Great Falls for $80
> > Trillion
> > > bucks.
> >
> >
> > It's $88million, not trillion. There is a
> > difference, you know?
>
>
> $88,000,000 million is actually $88 Trillion. A
> million million is X, 000,000,000,000. Math,
> learn it.


I wrote the word million for those who don't know how read numbers.

Reading, learn it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Actually... ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:44PM

Right-wing asswipes can't do anything right. Even when someone points out the mistake, they still get it wrong. Colossal losers, the entire lot of them.

Meanwhile, the Board is not proposing anything but to explore the idea of a referendum on a MEALS tax, not a FOOD tax. Every town and city in the area already has a MEALS tax, and since the burden of MEALS taxes falls disproportionately on out-of-town tourists and those well-to-do locals who can afford to dine out a lot, it may be a way to raise needed revenue without hitting up everybody else. Goobers object, as would have been expected.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Math > Reading ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:46PM

News patrol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Math is Good Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > News patrol Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Math is Good Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > "$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot
> of
> > > > moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal
> in
> > > the
> > > > county a new house in Great Falls for $80
> > > Trillion
> > > > bucks.
> > >
> > >
> > > It's $88million, not trillion. There is a
> > > difference, you know?
> >
> >
> > $88,000,000 million is actually $88 Trillion.
> A
> > million million is X, 000,000,000,000. Math,
> > learn it.
>
>
> I wrote the word million for those who don't know
> how read numbers.
>
> Reading, learn it.


In other words, you screwed up and instead of just admitting it (or even ignoring it), you're doubling down by trying to tell us you meant to write it wrong. Good luck with that bro.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Actually... ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:46PM

News patrol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wrote the word million for those who don't know
> how read numbers. Reading, learn it.

God, you're stupid!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: WTF, strikeout REMOVED!!! ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:48PM

Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Math > Reading ()
Date: April 23, 2014 12:46PM

News patrol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Math is Good Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > News patrol Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Math is Good Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > "$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot
> of
> > > > moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal
> in
> > > the
> > > > county a new house in Great Falls for $80
> > > Trillion
> > > > bucks.
> > >
> > >
> > > It's $88million, not trillion. There is a
> > > difference, you know?
> >
> >
> > $88,000,000 million is actually $88 Trillion.
> A
> > million million is X, 000,000,000,000. Math,
> > learn it.
>
>
> I wrote the word million for those who don't know
> how read numbers.
>
> Reading, learn it.


In other words, you screwed up and instead of just admitting it (or even ignoring it), you're doubling down by trying to tell us you meant to write it wrong. Good luck with that bro.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: facepalm ()
Date: April 23, 2014 01:02PM

News patrol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Math is Good Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > News patrol Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Math is Good Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > "$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot
> of
> > > > moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal
> in
> > > the
> > > > county a new house in Great Falls for $80
> > > Trillion
> > > > bucks.
> > >
> > >
> > > It's $88million, not trillion. There is a
> > > difference, you know?
> >
> >
> > $88,000,000 million is actually $88 Trillion.
> A
> > million million is X, 000,000,000,000. Math,
> > learn it.
>
>
> I wrote the word million for those who don't know
> how read numbers.
>
> Reading, learn it.


Either use the 0's OR the word million to get your point across, not both. You change the numerical value when you use both. Basic common sense, learn it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: LouderthanHell ()
Date: April 23, 2014 01:05PM

Raise the tax on real estate, then raise it on the restaurants.
That will not be enough.
They will want more and more and more.
How long til another tax is proposed?
How much more will the employees, agencies, and contractors waste until more is needed?
And aren't they all Democrats?

Tell them no.
There WILL be a referendum.

Citizens can stop the greedy wasteful government.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Dump tax ()
Date: April 23, 2014 01:15PM

LouderthanHell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Raise the tax on real estate, then raise it on the
> restaurants.
> That will not be enough.
> They will want more and more and more.
> How long til another tax is proposed?
> How much more will the employees, agencies, and
> contractors waste until more is needed?
> And aren't they all Democrats?
>
> Tell them no.
> There WILL be a referendum.
>
> Citizens can stop the greedy wasteful government.


Before long they Fairfax Count Govrnement will be taxing each dump we take!

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Alexander Smith ()
Date: April 23, 2014 01:17PM

LouderthanHell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Raise the tax on real estate, then raise it on the
> restaurants.
> That will not be enough.
> They will want more and more and more.
> How long til another tax is proposed?
> How much more will the employees, agencies, and
> contractors waste until more is needed?
> And aren't they all Democrats?
>
> Tell them no.
> There WILL be a referendum.
>
> Citizens can stop the greedy wasteful government.


This will NOT pass, people of Fairfax County are smarter than to allow ANOTHER piece of shit burden on us normal humans.

God, I would wish the worst punishment possible for the self-serving assholes who run this and the surrounding areas.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: math, the more you know ()
Date: April 23, 2014 02:38PM

"Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year"

88 thousand = 88,000
8,800 thousand = 8,800,000
8,800 million = 8,800,000,000

88,000,000 million = 88,000,000,000,000 (88 trillion)


If you meant to express $88M in numbers and words, a better way is to say "88 million dollars" or "$88M" or "$88 million".

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Meals Tax ()
Date: April 23, 2014 02:55PM

Every other locality around Fairfax County has a meals tax and their restaurants seem to being doing just fine.

I frequently go out to eat in Arlington, Falls Church City, Old Town Alexandria, etc. and have never once been deterred by the meals tax. Why shouldn't the county be able to collect some extra revenue in this manner too -- as one previous poster mentioned, it might be nice to gain some extra money off the business execs expensing meals at a nice steak house in Tyson's.

If you spend $15 going out to eat at Ruby Tuesday (yuck how are any of these places in business still), you're going to pay an extra 68 cents (assuming a 4.5% rate). If that is going to break the bank for you, then you probably should not be going out to eat. This tax will be hitting the big spenders least likely to notice it and can be a huge help toward funding our roads and schools. Only knee-jerk reactionaries who think all taxes are bad would complain about a meals tax.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Harry Balz ()
Date: April 23, 2014 03:32PM

Well, I needed to stop eating out so much. I've cut way back on going to restaurants in Fairfax City because of the meals tax and I'll do the same if the tax is implemented in Fairfax County. Hopefully the voters will vote it down again - the county will just have to get by on less money. BTW, I thought the lottery was supposed to be a windfall for schools - what happened to that?

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: tax player ()
Date: April 23, 2014 03:36PM

FUCK NO VOTE NO

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: slubdawg ()
Date: April 23, 2014 04:25PM

I'd support if there was an $88,000,000 reduction in the Real Estate Tax.

Problem is that no matter how much money that can be raised it is always spent on something new, not on payng for existing programs. You can bet that the Board members have any number of pet projects that they are just salivating over. And this is nonpartisan, it cuts both ways.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: This ()
Date: April 23, 2014 04:43PM

slubdawg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'd support if there was an $88,000,000 reduction
> in the Real Estate Tax.
>
> Problem is that no matter how much money that can
> be raised it is always spent on something new, not
> on payng for existing programs. You can bet that
> the Board members have any number of pet projects
> that they are just salivating over. And this is
> nonpartisan, it cuts both ways.


^ This. They never want to talk about the other side of the tax/spending equation. As long as they can raise taxes a little more the magic money keeps rolling in and there's no real appreciation of value or financial discipline and we end up bailing out Lorton Arts Centers.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: sick of it... ()
Date: April 23, 2014 05:33PM

The leaders of this county should just be ashamed of themselves... How does one of the richest counties in the US have such a hard time figuring this stuff out??? Sickening...

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: sockpuppet ()
Date: April 23, 2014 05:39PM

BTW, they do tax you to take a dump. Have you been noticing how sewer rates have skyrocketed? These teenage kids posting on here have never paid a bill in their life so of course they support tax and spend.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Pssssed ()
Date: April 23, 2014 07:47PM

Why on earth should a county earn money because I go out to eat. You have been bamboozled if you don't have a problem with such taxes. Restaurants are already paying business taxes. The food and supplies they buy are taxed. The employees are taxed. The customers are already taxed. The property the restaurant is on is taxed. When does it stop?

Cost of living continues to rise while salaries are stagnant if not shrinking, yet the county continues to add taxes everywhere they can. And look around, people. Where is our money going? This county is ugly and unkempt. Roads are a mess, medians aren't mowed, our schools are broke, shopping centers and businesses are rundown, small businesses can't afford to locate here. People have less and less discretionary income so houses aren't being updated or kept up, cars are older, and the whole county is taking a downturn.

Sick of it

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Gamma Gamma ()
Date: April 23, 2014 08:30PM

"I wrote the word million for those who don't know how read numbers.

Reading, learn it."

You claim to have written something incorrectly so illiterate could understand. However, when a literate person points out your mistake, you tell them to learn how to read?

Maybe you should consider teaching the illiterate, the ones you're so concerned about that you wrote it in error, how to read instead of providing a bad writing example to all. Or maybe you just give up the excuse and try learning how to write.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Yr Illogical Post Taxes My Brain ()
Date: April 23, 2014 08:37PM

Tax It Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You don't realize that most of this tax will be
> paid by OUT OF COUNTY folks - people who travel
> here on business and have expensive travel meals.


You don't realize that most of this tax will be paid by COUNTY RESIDENTS - people who live here and are the largest group of customers for county restaurants.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: same crap, different year ()
Date: April 23, 2014 09:01PM

Screw Sharon Bulova Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Karen Garza pitched a hissy fit over the sorry
> state of the school budget. A food tax is Bulova's
> solution. My solution is to send Garza's fat ass
> back to Texas and let her roll around on turf
> fields.


So the meals tax passes and Garza placates all the whiners in the school system, What happens next year, and it will, when the school system tries to extort another 100 million over budget to make ends meet, What rabbit will the board pull out of the hat to "save the children" ?

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: its all about the zeros ()
Date: April 24, 2014 08:09AM

News patrol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Math is Good Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > "$80,000,000 million" Dang, that's a lot of
> > moolah. Heck, we could buy every illegal in
> the
> > county a new house in Great Falls for $80
> Trillion
> > bucks.
>
>
> It's $88million, not trillion. There is a
> difference, you know?


$80,000,000 million = $80 trillion or $80,000,000,000,000 - its all about the zeros

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 08:37AM

Debbie Downer Democrat XDD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When your McDonald's meal #3 goes from $7.29 to
> $13.99, it might be the time to wake up. I've
> lived in areas where there were special taxes
> being applied. The result? When we'd see the
> receipt and how much of the total meal cost went
> towards taxes, we would not dine out nearly as
> often.

Eat at home, you fat cow! Try some fresh fruits and vegetables.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 08:43AM

Screw Sharon Bulova Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Karen Garza pitched a hissy fit over the sorry
> state of the school budget. A food tax is Bulova's
> solution. My solution is to send Garza's fat ass
> back to Texas and let her roll around on turf
> fields.

Texas wouldn't be far enough away for your pathetic sorry ass. Try Zanzibar or someplace. It's lovely there this time of year, and I'm sure you'd quickly learn to love Taarab. And dont worry -- we'll be happy to burn your house down once you're gone.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 08:49AM

Dump tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Before long they Fairfax Count Govrnement will be
> taxing each dump we take!

With as much shit as comes out of right-wingers, that might solve all our fiscal problems right there. And by making the stupid pay for it as well. Great idea!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 08:53AM

Alexander Smith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> God, I would wish the worst punishment possible
> for the self-serving assholes who run this and the
> surrounding areas.

They already have to put up with the babbling rants of clueless ignorant asshats such as yourself. What could be worse than that?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:06AM

Meals Tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Every other locality around Fairfax County has a
> meals tax and their restaurants seem to be doing just
> fine. I frequently go out to eat > in Arlington, Falls
> Church City, Old Town Alexandria, etc. and have never
> once been deterred by the meals tax.

Don't forget, Vienna, Herndon, and Clifton. Vienna in particular has some of the top restaurants in the county. Very popular with Tysons-based tourists and business types. Also with the well-to-do in the area who can afford to eat out often. These town-level meals taxes have been doing very well by town residents.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: duMpYteHclOwN ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:09AM

Helpful Advice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dump tax Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Before long they Fairfax Count Govrnement will
> be
> > taxing each dump we take!

here is some news for you genius:
>

FY 2015 Sewer Rate Increase

How much is the rate increase? The Wastewater Management Program has developed its financial forecast and its evaluation of the rates for service. The rates for service are designed to: i) recover the cost of operating and maintaining the system; ii) recover the payment of debt service and the funding of capital improvements; and iii) meet the financial policies and bond covenants as approved by the Board of Supervisors. For Fiscal Year 2015, the Sewer Base Charge is recommended to increase by $3.07 per month for residential customers and by varying amounts for commercial customers based on their water meter size, as described below.The proposed volumetric rate increase, for all customers, is $0.07 per thousand gallons of water consumption. Taxes paid to the County do not support the cost of collecting and treating the wastewater. The wastewater system is only supported by the fees that are paid by its customers.

What is the reason for the rate increase? The costs to operate and manage the system have continued to increase due to inflation, declines in billed wastewater flow, the need to continually upgrade and rehabilitate facilities and equipment reaching the end of their useful lives, and the need to meet increasing regulatory requirements. Additionally, the County must maintain a strong financial position in order to maintain its AAA credit rating for future bond issuances required to meet the capital improvement needs of the wastewater system.

Why do we need to continue to fund capital improvements to the wastewater system? The county has invested billions of dollars in its wastewater infrastructure, which is getting old and continues to require significant funding to maintain. Also, new regulations to protect the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay have required capital expenditures for the upgrade of all wastewater treatment plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in order to further reduce their discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus. Finally, a large portion of our system is approaching the end of its useful life and now is, or shortly will be, in need of replacement. For the next ten years, the County has identified over $1 Billion in capital investment needs. This continued reinvestment in the system will affect the rates for wastewater service.

Fee Increase at a Glance
The residential base charge is increasing $3.07 per quarter. The base charge for commercial customers will vary depending on the meter size. Both residential and commercial customers will see an increase of $0.07 in the volumetric rate.

New environmental rules to protect the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay are one reason for the increase.

Sewer rates are also increasing to cover the cost of replacing our aging sewer system.

The county still has one of the lowest rates in the region.



When will the increase become effective? The proposed rates will become effective with service rendered beginning July 1, 2014. For metered accounts, the change is effective with meter readings beginning October 1 of each year. For unmetered accounts, the change is effective with billings beginning October 1 of each year

Why increase the Base Charge instead of the Service Charge? Approximately 70 percent of the costs to provide wastewater service are fixed and do not vary by wastewater flow to the plant. Also, although the service area has grown over 3 percent per year, the wastewater flow has not changed due to conservation and water saving fixtures. Because of this uncertainty in flow and recognizing most of our costs are fixed, it was determined that an increase of the Base Charge was needed.

How does this affect the bills? The Base Charge is billed regardless of the amount of use a customer may have. Currently, residential customers with zero or low winter quarter use receive very small bills, because residential customers are billed for the entire year based on winter quarter use. For example, if a customer has zero winter quarter usage (they spend the winter elsewhere in a winter home) the customer only pays the current Base Charge of $12.79 per quarter for the entire year. This only recovers a small portion of the systemā€™s fixed costs. However, the County incurs the total cost of maintaining the system for the benefit of this customer. Therefore, the Base Charge is being increased to equitably distribute the recovery of fixed costs amongst all customers.

For Fiscal Year 2015, the proposed residential Base Charge is $15.86 per quarter, an increase of $3.07 per quarter over the current rate of $12.79. The Base Charge for commercial customers will vary depending on the meter size. The larger the meter size, the higher the Base Charge. The current volumetric Service Charge of $6.55 per 1,000 gallons will increase to $6.62 for both residential and commercial customers.

All residential customers will see the same increase in the Base Charge of $3.07 per quarter or $1.02 per month.

The size of the water meter will determine the Base Charge for commercial customers, as shown below:

Meter Size Base Charge
3/4" or smaller
$15.86

1"
$39.65

1 1/2"
$79.30

2"
$126.88

3"
$237.90

4"
$396.50

6"
$793.00

8"
$1,268.80

10"
$1,823.90



What are other wastewater utilities doing? Many utilities have a fixed cost recovery charge, and the industry norms indicate that many more are moving towards a fixed cost recovery basis for similar reasons as the county. The following is a summary of quarterly fixed charge rates of our neighboring wastewater utilitiesMany utilities have a fixed cost recovery charge, and the industry norms indicate that many more are moving towards a fixed cost recovery basis for similar reasons as the county. The following is a summary of quarterly fixed charge rates of our neighboring wastewater utilities:

Alexandria Renew Enterprises

$25.15

Prince William County Service Authority

$22.50

Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission

$11.00

DC Water

$23.57

Stafford County

$25.05

Loudoun Water

$28.83

Neighboring Utilities Average

$19.44

How will the decision be made to increase the rates? The Board of Supervisors will gather public feedback on the proposed rate increases as part of FY 2015 budget public hearing process.

Is there a possibility of future increases? It is anticipated that rate increases will be necessary in the future. However, the Board of Supervisors must approve any future rate increases.

Why might rates go up again? To meet new environmental rules, the county will need to install new equipment and build new facilities. These items generate new operating and maintenance costs for the county. Also, the cost of electricity and chemicals used in treating wastewater will increase. The rate increases will be reviewed and adopted each year by the Board of Supervisors.

How do I express my opinion? If you wish to express your opinion about the fee increase, please contact the Board of Supervisors. For more information about the FY 2015 budget, visit the countyā€™s budget page.

Where can I get more information? More information about the fee increase can be found in the Wastewater Revenue Sufficiency and Rate Analysis report. Or, you can contact Wastewater Management at 703-324-5015, TTY 711.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/wastewater/sewerrate.htm

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Research ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:12AM

If only you did a little research on the topic, you would know that every study conducted on meals taxes shows that over 50% of the tax burden is paid by out-of-county residents. Think about it - how many people commute from out-of-county to work in Tyson's, Reston or Arlington? How many business travelers come into these same areas? The amount spent on meals by these folks is the same (and maybe more) than the amount spent by county residents who might eat out once or twice a week.

Yr Illogical Post Taxes My Brain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tax It Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You don't realize that most of this tax will be
> > paid by OUT OF COUNTY folks - people who travel
> > here on business and have expensive travel
> meals.
>
>
> You don't realize that most of this tax will be
> paid by COUNTY RESIDENTS - people who live here
> and are the largest group of customers for county
> restaurants.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:14AM

slubdawg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can bet that the Board members have any number
> of pet projects that they are just salivating over.
> And this is nonpartisan, it cuts both ways.

Nonpartisan? It's nonsensical. Watch a board meeting sometime. They're on TV you know. Write down all the personal "pet projects" you see being discussed. Let us know when your list reaches one. Maybe try as well to figure out what that "staff" is that they keep talking about. Perhaps you'll learn from this exercise how not to make yourself look like such a ridiculous ass. Could be a big thing for you. It's an opportunity I'd jump on if I were you.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:18AM

sick of it... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The leaders of this county should just be ashamed
> of themselves... How does one of the richest
> counties in the US have such a hard time figuring
> this stuff out??? Sickening...

The sickened people here have illnesses of their own. Particularly of the mental variety. The Noard realized this long ago and has made available a variety of helpful mental health services for these unfortunates to apply for. You should definitely look into it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:25AM

sockpuppet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BTW, they do tax you to take a dump. Have you
> been noticing how sewer rates have skyrocketed?
> These teenage kids posting on here have never paid
> a bill in their life so of course they support tax
> and spend.

For those who might have missed the earlier announcement, "tax and spend" is what all governments do. It's a bit like "extort and profit" in the private sector, only a lot more open and transparent.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:32AM

Pssssed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why on earth should a county earn money because I
> go out to eat. You have been bamboozled if you
> don't have a problem with such taxes. Restaurants
> are already paying business taxes. The food and
> supplies they buy are taxed. The employees are
> taxed. The customers are already taxed. The
> property the restaurant is on is taxed. When does
> it stop?

Having a diverse tax base is actually a good thing. Imagine for instance what would happen if you got all your information from FOX News and they started lying to you. Uh-oh...that would be "bad news", wouldn't it. It's the same with taxes. Everybody who has ever paid any attemntion to the topic recognizes the value of tax-base diversity. diverist

> This county is ugly and unkempt. Roads are a mess,
> medians aren't mowed, our schools are broke,
> shopping centers and businesses are rundown, small
> businesses can't afford to locate here. People
> have less and less discretionary income so houses
> aren't being updated or kept up, cars are older,
> and the whole county is taking a downturn.
> Sick of it

What you are sick of goes by the popular name of assholitis. The good news is that there is a cure! It starts with relocating to the outback of Arkansas. You can claim that it's for health reasons and take it off you income taxes. You do have an income, don't you?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: taxed to death ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:34AM

Dump tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LouderthanHell Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Raise the tax on real estate, then raise it on
> the
> > restaurants.
> > That will not be enough.
> > They will want more and more and more.
> > How long til another tax is proposed?
> > How much more will the employees, agencies, and
> > contractors waste until more is needed?
> > And aren't they all Democrats?
> >
> > Tell them no.
> > There WILL be a referendum.
> >
> > Citizens can stop the greedy wasteful
> government.
>
>
> Before long they Fairfax Count Govrnement will be
> taxing each dump we take!


They already do you dumb fuck! (Water bill)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:39AM

Yr Illogical Post Taxes My Brain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You don't realize that most of this tax will be
> paid by COUNTY RESIDENTS - people who live here
> and are the largest group of customers for county
> restaurants.

It always pays to look behnd the curtain. For example, which county residents are the ones who pay the most for restaurant meals per day/week/month/whatever? Those are the ones who pay the lion's share if current meals taxes and would pay the same for any new meals tax that was passed. So who are these people? What do they look like as a group? Can you tell us or would you like me to handle that for you?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:53AM

same crap, different year Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So the meals tax passes and Garza placates all the
> whiners in the school system, What happens next
> year, and it will, when the school system tries to
> extort another 100 million over budget to make
> ends meet, What rabbit will the board pull out of
> the hat to "save the children" ?

It isn't the crap that drives costs, it's the number of kids. People keep moving here, and the people who are already here keep having babies. Maybe you should write a letter-to-the-editor and complain about this. But even if you do, the number of children we need to teach and the scope and complexity of what we need to teach them will continue to grow. The associated costs will continue to grow as well, and expanded means to pay those costs will need to be discoverd somewhere. What are your great ideas for funding?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Amen ()
Date: April 24, 2014 10:23AM

Finally someone who understands why the cost of education continues to grow - and why our society's refusal to fund those needs only results in our country falling behind in all meaningful measures of success. Thanks for your post!

Helpful Advice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> same crap, different year Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So the meals tax passes and Garza placates all
> the
> > whiners in the school system, What happens
> next
> > year, and it will, when the school system tries
> to
> > extort another 100 million over budget to make
> > ends meet, What rabbit will the board pull out
> of
> > the hat to "save the children" ?
>
> It isn't the crap that drives costs, it's the
> number of kids. People keep moving here, and the
> people who are already here keep having babies.
> Maybe you should write a letter-to-the-editor and
> complain about this. But even if you do, the
> number of children we need to teach and the scope
> and complexity of what we need to teach them will
> continue to grow. The associated costs will
> continue to grow as well, and expanded means to
> pay those costs will need to be discoverd
> somewhere. What are your great ideas for funding?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Doubt that you did any ()
Date: April 24, 2014 10:26AM

Research Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If only you did a little research on the topic,
> you would know that every study conducted on meals
> taxes shows that over 50% of the tax burden is
> paid by out-of-county residents. Think about it -
> how many people commute from out-of-county to work
> in Tyson's, Reston or Arlington? How many
> business travelers come into these same areas?
> The amount spent on meals by these folks is the
> same (and maybe more) than the amount spent by
> county residents who might eat out once or twice a
> week.
>
> Yr Illogical Post Taxes My Brain Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Tax It Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > You don't realize that most of this tax will
> be
> > > paid by OUT OF COUNTY folks - people who
> travel
> > > here on business and have expensive travel
> > meals.
> >
> >
> > You don't realize that most of this tax will be
> > paid by COUNTY RESIDENTS - people who live here
> > and are the largest group of customers for
> county
> > restaurants.

That's because most places which have meal taxes tend to be resort or other types of areas with lots of transient people to support them. That's where they started at least as a means to generate revenue without the generally smaller base of local taxpayers/voters taking the hit. I doubt that's the case here.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Gerry ConMan ()
Date: April 24, 2014 10:26AM

Amen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Finally someone who understands why the cost of
> education continues to grow - and why our
> society's refusal to fund those needs only results
> in our country falling behind in all meaningful
> measures of success. Thanks for your post!
>
> Helpful Advice Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > same crap, different year Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > So the meals tax passes and Garza placates
> all
> > the
> > > whiners in the school system, What happens
> > next
> > > year, and it will, when the school system
> tries
> > to
> > > extort another 100 million over budget to
> make
> > > ends meet, What rabbit will the board pull
> out
> > of
> > > the hat to "save the children" ?
> >
> > It isn't the crap that drives costs, it's the
> > number of kids. People keep moving here, and
> the
> > people who are already here keep having babies.
>
> > Maybe you should write a letter-to-the-editor
> and
> > complain about this. But even if you do, the
> > number of children we need to teach and the
> scope
> > and complexity of what we need to teach them
> will
> > continue to grow. The associated costs will
> > continue to grow as well, and expanded means to
> > pay those costs will need to be discoverd
> > somewhere. What are your great ideas for
> funding?

I said it when I was the BOS Chair and I'll say it again.
We do not have a problem with illegal immigration in Fairfax County.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Full Stomach ()
Date: April 24, 2014 10:53AM

Instead, how about we reduce Food Stamps and EBT by 88 Million?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: List... ()
Date: April 24, 2014 10:59AM

"Write down all the personal "pet projects" you see being discussed. Let us know when your list reaches one"

er, http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1427170.html

You're welcome.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: News patrol ()
Date: April 24, 2014 12:18PM

Your all a bunch of dumb-fucks!

Seriously, stop trying to correct my fine work. You just make youre self looking fucking stupid int the process!

88,000,000 million 88,000,000 88million are the same things.

Reading is good for the MOTHER-FUCKING soul!!!!!

Without me, you would never know how the Fairfax fucking County Government wants to tax you everytime you eat out at Five Guys!

Without me, you would never know that starting in March of 2016 the government of Fairfax County is going to tax you .05% of you're fucking net-worth each time you take a dump and .15% everytime you flush a fucking tampon!

You need to be greatful. For real. I am on point. I am you're mother-fucking friend!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: LetsRock ()
Date: April 24, 2014 12:28PM

Actually... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Right-wing asswipes can't do anything right. Even
> when someone points out the mistake, they still
> get it wrong. Colossal losers, the entire lot of
> them.
>
> Meanwhile, the Board is not proposing anything but
> to explore the idea of a referendum on a MEALS
> tax, not a FOOD tax. Every town and city in the
> area already has a MEALS tax, and since the burden
> of MEALS taxes falls disproportionately on
> out-of-town tourists and those well-to-do locals
> who can afford to dine out a lot, it may be a way
> to raise needed revenue without hitting up
> everybody else. Goobers object, as would have
> been expected.


The tax will fall mostly on the lazy bums that refuse to cook for their family. THEY are the ones that eat the most fast food, NOT tourists.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Your wrong!! ()
Date: April 24, 2014 12:32PM

LetsRock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Actually... Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Right-wing asswipes can't do anything right.
> Even
> > when someone points out the mistake, they still
> > get it wrong. Colossal losers, the entire lot
> of
> > them.
> >
> > Meanwhile, the Board is not proposing anything
> but
> > to explore the idea of a referendum on a MEALS
> > tax, not a FOOD tax. Every town and city in
> the
> > area already has a MEALS tax, and since the
> burden
> > of MEALS taxes falls disproportionately on
> > out-of-town tourists and those well-to-do
> locals
> > who can afford to dine out a lot, it may be a
> way
> > to raise needed revenue without hitting up
> > everybody else. Goobers object, as would have
> > been expected.
>
>
> The tax will fall mostly on the lazy bums that
> refuse to cook for their family. THEY are the ones
> that eat the most fast food, NOT tourists.

Um, your WRONG!!!

The tourists do eat out because they have no way of preparing their own food!

60% of Fairfax County Governments revenue comes from tourist's expenditures!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: You're wrongerer!!! ()
Date: April 24, 2014 12:50PM

Your wrong!! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Um, your WRONG!!!
>
> The tourists do eat out because they have no way
> of preparing their own food!
>
> 60% of Fairfax County Governments revenue comes
> from tourist's expenditures!


Not a chance. At least the way that's written.

Maybe you intended something else.



fy2013-adv-where-it-comes-from.jpg

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Move Out ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:09PM

You're not happy with the meals tax - move to f'in Loudon County then. Oh wait - their real estate tax rate is 1.155 which is quite a bit higher than Faifax County. Move to Prince William then - oh wait they're at 1.18. Tell you what - move way out to Fauquier - enjoy the low taxes and report back on your commuting and the quality of schools.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:10PM

Doubt that you did any Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's because most places which have meal taxes
> tend to be resort or other types of areas with
> lots of transient people to support them. That's
> where they started at least as a means to generate
> revenue without the generally smaller base of
> local taxpayers/voters taking the hit. I doubt
> that's the case here.

You know, it's always a good idea to read the read before posting. That way you might have learned that every town and city in the area already has meals tax legislation on the books and they all seem happy with it. Places like Vienna, Herndon, Falls Church and so on are not widely known as resort areas or transient havens, and the restaurant industry has not collapsed in any of them. Seems to make meals taxes something that would be worth looking into, wouldn't you agree?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:10PM

Doubt that you did any Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's because most places which have meal taxes
> tend to be resort or other types of areas with
> lots of transient people to support them. That's
> where they started at least as a means to generate
> revenue without the generally smaller base of
> local taxpayers/voters taking the hit. I doubt
> that's the case here.

You know, it's always a good idea to read the thread before posting. That way you might have learned that every town and city in the area already has meals tax legislation on the books and they all seem happy with it. Places like Vienna, Herndon, Falls Church and so on are not widely known as resort areas or transient havens, and the restaurant industry has not collapsed in any of them. Seems to make meals taxes something that would be worth looking into, wouldn't you agree?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:14PM

Gerry ConMan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I said it when I was the BOS Chair and I'll say it again.
> We do not have a problem with illegal immigration in
> Fairfax County.

Immigration is a federal matter, you know. Remember, learning is good for you.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:18PM

Full Stomach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Instead, how about we reduce Food Stamps and EBT
> by 88 Million?

Oh dear. SNAP and other benefits that go on an EBT card are joint federal and state program. I'm afraid that there is little that Fairfax County could od with regard to them.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:22PM

List... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Write down all the personal "pet projects" you
> see being discussed. Let us know when your list
> reaches one"
>
> http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/142
> 7170.html
>
> You're welcome.

Ah, I see. Your definition of "personal pet project" covers ordianry civic issues that thousands of people support and are involved in but that you don't happen to like. That's very different from an ACTUAL personal pet project, isn't it.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Stop posting Hepful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:42PM

Dearest Helpful Advice,

Stop posting stupid SHIT!!

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Doubt that you did any ()
Date: April 24, 2014 01:56PM

Helpful Advice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doubt that you did any Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That's because most places which have meal
> taxes
> > tend to be resort or other types of areas with
> > lots of transient people to support them.
> That's
> > where they started at least as a means to
> generate
> > revenue without the generally smaller base of
> > local taxpayers/voters taking the hit. I doubt
> > that's the case here.
>
> You know, it's always a good idea to read the
> thread before posting. That way you might have
> learned that every town and city in the area
> already has meals tax legislation on the books and
> they all seem happy with it. Places like Vienna,
> Herndon, Falls Church and so on are not widely
> known as resort areas or transient havens, and the
> restaurant industry has not collapsed in any of
> them. Seems to make meals taxes something that
> would be worth looking into, wouldn't you agree?


Yeah, it is helpful. They exist lots of places now. I said that's how they started. And that remains how they are sold. i.e., "Don't worry local residents, somebody else will be paying it."

But surely you have some empirical evidence from your own research to support your claim that:

> If only you did a little research on the topic,
> you would know that every study conducted on meals
> taxes shows that over 50% of the tax burden is
> paid by out-of-county residents.

So please provide it.

You could make that claim legitimately for DC. Doubtful for Fairfax especially given its size and relative population versus other surrounding areas and the local business base here.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 02:22PM

Stop posting Hepful Advice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dearest Helpful Advice,
> Stop posting stupid SHIT!!

And leave the helpless and needy of FFXU without the benefit of my sage advice and guidance? How could you even suggest such a thing!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 02:37PM

Doubt that you did any Wrote:
-----------------------------------------------------
> Yeah, it is helpful. They exist lots of places
> now. I said that's how they started. And that
> remains how they are sold.

Actually, all that's being "sold" at the moment is the idea of one day putting a meals tax referendum on the ballot. The county has specifically noted the success that area cities and towns have had with their own meals taxes, but to my knowledge thay've not mentioned any actual resort area at all.

> But surely you have some empirical evidence from
> your own research to support your claim that:

That wasn't my claim. I know it's easy to confuse "Research" with "Helpful Advice". They look almost the same after all. Have you seen an optometrist lately? Proper eye care is so important, you know, particularly as we get older.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: ordianry civic issues ()
Date: April 24, 2014 02:55PM

Yeah. Sure. Thousands, huh? Try dozens. At best.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Doubt that you did any ()
Date: April 24, 2014 02:57PM

Helpful Advice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doubt that you did any Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> ---
> > Yeah, it is helpful. They exist lots of places
> > now. I said that's how they started. And that
> > remains how they are sold.
>
> Actually, all that's being "sold" at the moment
> is the idea of one day putting a meals tax
> referendum on the ballot. The county has
> specifically noted the success that area cities
> and towns have had with their own meals taxes, but
> to my knowledge thay've not mentioned any actual
> resort area at all.


The resort aspect was an aside. The more relevant aspect is the primarily out-of-county source for revenues which is the basis on which such taxes typically are presented and the 'success' of such measures based (whether true or not). Obviously it will generate money.

>
> > But surely you have some empirical evidence
> from
> > your own research to support your claim that:
>
> That wasn't my claim. I know it's easy to confuse
> "Research" with "Helpful Advice". They look
> almost the same after all. Have you seen an
> optometrist lately? Proper eye care is so
> important, you know, particularly as we get older.


People change names post-to-post here all the time. You responded to my post addressing it so it was a reasonable assumption. In any case, my point stands whether it was your claim or not - very doubtful that's the case and especially doubtful for Fairfax.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Helpful Advice ()
Date: April 24, 2014 06:38PM

Doubt that you did any Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The resort aspect was an aside.

Perhaps you could have labeled it as such? That would have been, you know -- helpful. As actually presented, it seemed to be you central thesis. Poor work on your part, but I know you'll try hard to improve.

> The more relevant aspect is the primarily out-of-county
> source for revenues which is the basis on which such taxes
> typically are presented and the 'success' of such
> measures based (whether true or not).

Who cares about what's "typical"? There are real-life concrete examples of meals taxes in the area's towns and cities. How are those doing? How would a parallel county-level tax be expected to work?

> Obviously it will generate money.

That's kind of the purpose of taxes, you know,

> People change names post-to-post here all the time.

From which you conclude what? My advice would be to respond to whatever the name is on the post you wish to discuss. I certainly hope you'll find that helpful.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: 7pLwT ()
Date: April 24, 2014 07:41PM


revenue of LIES

revenue booked improperly

revenue from wage disperity

revenu no one beleives your ass


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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: taxes do matter ()
Date: April 24, 2014 08:36PM

The basic problem is that taxes are being raised and new taxes are being suggested (the meals tax) while people don't see any public benefit (roads are in bad condition and schools are reducing course offerings and raising class sizes even as the taxes are being raised and implemented). This is a very scary scenario. We pay more (and it's a percentage that is far above inflation) and get less (even more crowded roads and schools). Something is very wrong. Yes, one thing that is wrong is that people are cramming more people into houses and they are not paying a "fair share" of taxes. Other people are working under the table and not paying taxes. The middle class is going to be forced out of Fairfax County and what you will have left are the rich and the poor (yes, an urbanized area). Maybe that's okay with "helpful advice", but it's not a happy outcome for people who want to live here so that they don't have to commute in from far away (which apparently are horrible places if you listen to "helpful advice"). Retirees will definitely be priced out of this county. You can't live on the value of your house---you need to live in it and that means paying the taxes. High taxes also don't attract businesses. Just saying.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: taxes do matter ()
Date: April 24, 2014 08:41PM

And we have done this to ourselves. The federal and state governments are not giving as much money to the county (we are basically being taxed the same or more, but more of our tax dollars go to pay interest on debt or for Social Security or whatever). This forces the county to raise taxes to keep services at some kind of a level that people have become accustomed to, but the net result is that people's taxes are higher and they are not getting more. Meanwhile, people's wages are not increasing. Of course people feel pinched and are angry. "Helpful Advice" needs to realize this.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Tiffany ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:10PM

There's a reason too it. Huge increases in healthcare costs and numbers of students coming into the school systems with needs for free or reduced lunch and other benefit programs have led to the need to cut 730+ teachers/school staff. Classes are already at around 30 people per period. Any larger and kids get less individual help, meaning suffering grades and a decline in the quality of their education. We have to pay for the best. There's a reason all of Fairfax Counties high schools were just ranked in the top 200 most demanding schools in the nation.

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Re: Sharon Bulova wants to tax you 4% on your food so the county can gain $88,000,000 million a year
Posted by: Doubt that you did any ()
Date: April 24, 2014 09:27PM

Helpful Advice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doubt that you did any Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The resort aspect was an aside.
>
> Perhaps you could have labeled it as such? That
> would have been, you know -- helpful. As actually
> presented, it seemed to be you central thesis.
> Poor work on your part, but I know you'll try hard
> to improve.


Wasn't necessary. It's obvious that Fairfax and the surrounding area are not. It wasn't addressing the meal tax in Fairfax specifically; rather, it was related to the quoted part of the post (which is why it was included in quoted form) to which I was responding (see below).

>
> > The more relevant aspect is the primarily
> out-of-county
> > source for revenues which is the basis on which
> such taxes
> > typically are presented and the 'success' of
> such
> > measures based (whether true or not).
>
> Who cares about what's "typical"? There are
> real-life concrete examples of meals taxes in the
> area's towns and cities. How are those doing?
> How would a parallel county-level tax be expected
> to work?


"Typical" was relevant in the context of the post to which I was responding:

> If only you did a little research on the topic,
> you would know that every study conducted on meals
> taxes shows that over 50% of the tax burden is
> paid by out-of-county residents.

The implication being that the same necessarily applied by extension to a meal tax in Fairfax. Highly doubtful that EVERY study will show anything of the sort. One may find SOME which do for the areas as I described, but not "typical" for other areas. For Fairfax specifically, not likely. That was the relevance.


> > Obviously it will generate money.
>
> That's kind of the purpose of taxes, you know,


Shocker huh?


>
> > People change names post-to-post here all the
> time.
>
> From which you conclude what? My advice would be
> to respond to whatever the name is on the post you
> wish to discuss. I certainly hope you'll find
> that helpful.


That you might pay more attention to specifically what's being addressed in a given post particularly if it wasn't addressed to you?

Hope that's helpful...

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