Dumfries adopts $10.7 million budget for 2024

Spending plan reflects 49% increase in tax revenues fueled by ‘The Rose’

By Jill Palermo Times sTaff WriTer

Dumfries has big plans for the coming fiscal year as a result of an expected 49% increase in the town’s budget, growth propelled by a projected 260% increase in gaming tax revenue and 129% increase in meals tax revenues expected when “The Rose” gaming facility opens next March.

The town’s real estate tax rate will remain 18.9 cents per $100 in assessed value – the same it’s been since 2016. Because of rising property values, average real estate tax bills will rise by about $50 during the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1, according to Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood.

But Real estate taxes make up only about 13%, or $1.3 million, of the town’s $10.7 million budget, which the town council adopted May 16.

Other local taxes, including gaming taxes, which are expected to rise to $3.6 million next year, and meals taxes, which are projected to add another $2 million, make up 66% of the town’s budget.

The town’s spending plan is based on revenues that won’t be achieved until The Rose officially opens, so the town council might pull back on some planned spending decisions if tax revenues are lower than expected, Wood said Wednesday.

“It’s a matter of if everything is trending the way it’s supposed to be,” Wood said.

Now under construction along Interstate 95 near the now-closed Potomac Landfill, The Rose will be Virginia’s first casino-sized gaming facility that’s technically not a casino. By state code, gambling at The Rose will be limited to off-track betting and historic horse race betting machines, which are similar to slot machines.

The $400 million complex is slated to include a hotel with up to 305 rooms, eight restaurants, a 1,500seat theater and 175,000 square feet of gaming space.

The town will use the extra tax revenue, in part, to boost spending on its police department from $1.7 million to $2.6 million. The town will add five new positions to its police force, raising the department’s ranks from 20 to 25, while also tripling spending on overtime, from $39,000 to $150,000.

The town will also add four new positions to the town staff, including a deputy town clerk, a human resources coordinator, an executive assistant and an accountant, according to budget documents. All staff will also receive 3% raises under the new spending plan.

Dumfries will also spend $20,000 to establish a youth council and summer youth employment program, which will hire local teens to work town events. The town council also adopted a $3.5 million capital improvement plan for fiscal years 2024 through 2028. The town plans to spend about $2.37 million of that in the coming year, with the largest expense, about $1.5 million, going toward the second phase of work to restore Quantico Creek.

Other projects include $300,000 toward an $800,000 plan to upgrade the former rescue squad building to provide space for various activities, group recreation and a learning lab. The town is also planning to spend $400,000 to upgrade Ginn Park with new drinking fountains, a covered pavilion and accessible play equipment in conjunction with a new fitness court.

Although the plans might change based on business at The Rose, Wood said he is pleased with the opportunities the new gaming facility will create for the town.

“When you look at the grand scheme of our budget, (The Rose) gives us the opportunity to make investments in our community we haven’t been able to make in the past,” Wood said.

Reach Jill Palermo at jpalermo@fauquier.com