Town of Herndon Considers Extending Property Tax Due Date

The Town of Herndon is considering a plan to extend the due date for property taxes from July 28 to August 28. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a similar proposal at its meeting on March 24.

The move is expected to cause some financial strain. The town’s cash flow relies significantly on property taxes, which amount to roughly 31 percent of the town’s general fund revenue.

“Extending the due date delays a significant cash flow for the town,” wrote Jennie Tripoli, the town’s finance director, in a memo. “The town’s debt service payment schedules were established to coincide with cash inflows from real property taxes.”

Tripoli also noted that the town would be able to cover a third-day delay in the revenue stream. Beyond that time frame, delays in additional general fund revenues could “interfere with the town’s ability to fund core services.”

The town government has not announced any furloughs, a town spokesperson told Reston Now in a statement. But part-time, seasonal and temporary positions related to currently suspended programs are under review.

The Herndon Town Council will consider the proposal at a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7 p.m.