A mother living in Fairfax County, Virginia, gave a passionate plea on Tuesday, calling on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors not to go ahead with its budget proposal to raise taxes and fees on residents.
“Unlike the board who has received a 20% salary increase effective 2024, it is typical of citizens in Fairfax County to receive just a 3% pay increase year-over-year … if that,” she said at the hearing’s speaker podium while wearing a baby wrap carrier that held a small infant.
“As we are all aware, the cost of living has soared since the beginning of COVID-19. With all of this being said, as taxpayers, we are constantly searching for ways to make ends meet and things to cut out of our family’s budget,” the unidentified mother explained.
The county is planning to pass a budget that would have a 7% tax increase and would likely increase the average homeowner’s tax bill by $524. In addition, fees for trash collection, recycling, sewage, cigarettes, and athletics would all go up in cost. This comes after the board voted for a pay raise, cars, and increased office budgets for board members last year.
“These minimal increases in our salary are easily surpassed by the 19% increase in everyday goods and services resulting from inflation. Examples of these cuts include delayed family planning, delayed home repairs, no longer eating out, no vacations, and canceling subscriptions, etc,” the mother said to the board on Tuesday.
She added that the increase in taxes and fees would hurt her ability to expand her family.
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“I am not alone in saying that as my family considers having another kid, we are certain that we cannot afford to expand our family here in Fairfax County. I am asking you to take the difficult and time consuming task of sorting through the budget and begin to prioritize the needs and wants of your citizens that do not require a tax increase,” she said.
The Fairfax mother had to begin her speech by imploring the board members to look a her while she was speaking instead of surfing on their cellphones. As she scolded the government officials while holding a young baby, the Fairfax resident remarked that she had been waiting for an hour and a half to come speak to them. She reminded them that there were manners involved in listening and looking at someone when a person is speaking. ABC7 reported that Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Dan Storck continued to look down despite her request.
