ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - The Arlington County manager has proposed raising property taxes and cutting spending in every county agency to help close a budget gap.

Continue reading

The property tax hike would cost the average single-family homeowner an additional $262 next year.

County Manager Barbara Donnellan says the increases are necessary in part because enrollment in county schools is expected to increase by more than 1,000 students next year.

Donnellan also says the county's commercial tax revenue has fallen flat.

She has also proposed eliminating 46 county jobs, although just 20 of those jobs are currently filled.

Donnellan also cited the threat of major federal budget cuts as a potential drain on the county's finances. But she says her $1 billion budget proposal will maintain the services county residents say they want.