October 16, 2023.
I’m Audrey Clement, Independent candidate for County Board on November 7, and I’ve been campaigning for tax relief for residents and businesses alike. The County’s annual average 10 year effective real estate tax rate increase is 4.5 percent (FY 2024 Adopted Budget, p. 109) or almost double the 10 year average Consumer Price Index, clearly indicating that residents are tax burdened.
My call for tax relief is not supported by the current County Board. In fact, according to the Gazette Leader, outgoing Board Chair Christian Dorsey announced at a recent meeting of the Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC) that a tax hike is likely in 2024.
It’s no accident that Dorsey’s call was announced at the October 4 ACDC meeting. Why? because ACDC is confident that it can quell any taxpayer revolt by simply passing out the Democratic Party Blue Ballot at the polls on Election Day.
ACDC is right. When voters refuse to hold their elected officials accountable at the ballot box by blindly voting the Blue Ballot, excessive taxation is the result.
Of course you can turn this situation around, by voting for fiscal conservatives like Juan Carlos Fierro and me to replace tax and spend Democrats on County Board. In addition to delivering tax relief, we pledge to:
- Revisit the recently adopted EHO ordinance that rezoned the county for high density development.
- Emphasize basic services like: streets, schools, libraries and public safety.
- Reduce the office vacancy rate by lobbying federal agencies to relocate here.
If you share my agenda, then:
- Support my candidacy,
- Donate to my campaign, and
- Help make the “Arlington Way” more than an empty phrase.
Sincerely,