🌱 City Raises Taxes And Employee Pay + City Moves Ahead With ADUs

Good morning, neighbors. I'm here with your weekend edition of the Fredericksburg Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 76 Low: 56.
• Sunday: Sun through high clouds. High: 75 Low: 53.

Business owners and marketers in Fredericksburg: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Fredericksburg today:

1. On Tuesday, the Fredericksburg City Council voted to adopt a budget for fiscal year 2024. The council also voted to increase the real estate tax rate to 89 cents per $100 of assessed value. This 3-cent increase is expected to generate $1.4 million in new revenue that will go to the general fund. The general fund budget that was approved includes an average 7 percent raise for city employees, as well as funding for new positions, including deputy police chief, fire department training chief, and building inspector. (Subscription: The Free-Lance Star)
2. Coming up on Saturday, May 27, the National Park Service is hosting the 28th annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. This event honors those who have died while serving the country. Each of the 15,300 graves will be lit with a candle by local Scouts, and a bugler will play "Taps" every half hour. Park staff will be in the cemetery to share stories about some of the soldiers. The event will run from 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. and is free to the public. (National Parks Traveler)
3. On Wednesday, the Fredericksburg Planning Commission voted to recommend the approval of amendments to the city's current development ordinance in order to allow for accessory dwelling units, also called ADUs. The upcoming amendments would allow for ADUs up to 600 square feet with full kitchens on residential lots, either within an existing dwelling or free standing as an accessory structure. The ordinance would require that the property owner live in the primary structure when the zoning permit for the ADU is issued. Senior Planner Mike Craig stressed, "This is not a two-family zoning, only one family may occupy the lot." (The Free-Lance Star)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Fredericksburg Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Fredericksburg Patch newsletter possible.

Today and tomorrow in Fredericksburg:

Saturday, May 13

• Sunken Road Guided Walk At Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center (10:30 AM)
• Tacos And Beer Festival At Fredericksburg Fairgrounds (11:00 AM)
• JD Roberts And Crowfoot Bottom Live At Cowboy Jack's (7:00 PM)

Sunday, May 14

• Free Axe Throwing For Moms At FXBG Axes (12:00 PM)
• Mother's Day Brunch At Fredericksburg Square (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you're heading to the Fredericksburg Farmer's Market on Sunday for Mother's Day at the Market, be sure to stop by the Market Manager booth for a special Mother's Day Giveaway. (Fredericksburg, VA Farmer's Market via Facebook)
• Lieutenant Moore with the Fredericksburg Fire Department recently graduated from Germanna Community College with a degree in Arts and Sciences General Studies. Congratulations Lieutenant Moore! (Fredericksburg Fire Department via Facebook)
• The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank recently received a $10,000 donation from Mount Hope Baptist Church! The donation comes at the end of the "A Place at the Table" fundraiser, where every $2 donation feeds a family of four. (Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (May 16)
• College Steps Q&A Panel Event - Brightpoint Community College (May 18)
• SAT Practice Test (May 20)
• Add your event

Featured job listings:

• Barbers and Stylists Wanted! Start Now! (Details)
• Add your listing

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.