WASHINGTON — Homeowners in Prince William County will likely soon pay more in taxes, as the Virginia county considers larger-than-expected pay raises for school employees and local government workers.

In a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate Tuesday evening, David Sinclair with the county’s Office of Management and Budget said the proposal would raise the rate from $1.122 per $100 of assessed value to $1.125, “which results in an average tax bill increase of $71.”

Sinclair said the annual fire levy would also be raised slightly, “and that results in an average residential tax bill increase of $34.”

The increases of approximately $100 a year are expected to be adopted April 18.

The extra revenue would help fund large raises for Prince William County school employees and government workers, and help meet a goal of eliminating portable classroom trailers within 10 years, as proposed by Supervisor Frank Principi, D-Woodbridge.

Principi has said the best way to attract new businesses to Prince William County is to improve local schools.

While county school superintendent Steven Walts had initially recommended a 2 percent pay raise, some board supervisors want to see larger merit raises.