Alexandria calls for tax hike amid cuts

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - The Alexandria City Council has voted to propose a nearly 10 percent increase in the property tax rate to help deal with state budget uncertainties.

The proposed increase would boost the rate to 99.3 cents per $100 of a property's assessed value. The tax bill for an average property would increase by $193.

The council also voted Saturday to increase commercial property taxes by an additional 3 cents.

The tax increases would help the city meet its contribution for Metro and would provide a 2 percent increase in funding for Alexandria public schools. Many other school systems in the region are facing steep cuts.

The council will hold several public hearings before a final vote on the budget in May.