Michael O’Connell,Patch Staff

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill submitted to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget proposal, which called for a 1.5-cent increase per $100 of assessed value to the real estate tax rate and cutting hundreds of county jobs.

If the board adopts this rate increase at its March 18 meeting, the average household tax bill would increase by $638 next year.

“Responsible budgeting is about balance, and this proposal seeks to strike the right balance and funding necessary expenditure increases, finding sensible reduction opportunities and managing the impact on our residents,” Hill said, in his presentation to the board. “This budget release comes at a time of great uncertainty for our region, as the new presidential administration has begun taking actions to significantly reshape the federal government.”

The proposed FY 2026 budget faces challenges due to federal policy changes and economic uncertainties, with a 5.34 percent increase in the real estate tax base and a 3.2 percent increase in general fund revenues.

Hill’s budget proposal includes $118.64 million to fund Fairfax County public schools. This is significantly below the $268.26 million FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid included in her budget request.

Reid’s request would’ve increased the county’s budget by 10.4 percent, which would be the largest school operating budget increase in terms of dollars for the county.

In order to fully fund Reid’s request, the county would need an additional $149.62 million, which would mean an additional 4.5 cents on the real estate tax rate beyond the 1.5-cent increase included in Hill’s proposed budget.

The proposed tax rate increase includes 0.25-cent or $8.49 million dedicated to affordable housing. This would allow the county to meet its goal of adding 10,000 units to its affordable housing stock.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal calls for a 2 percent increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax rate. This would include 1 percent held in reserve for tourism-related purposes and 1 percent used to balance the budget.

Hill also recommended that the board of supervisors include a Food and Beverage Tax in the advertised budget it is scheduled to adopt on March 18. This would allow a meals tax to be part of the current budget process, giving residents an opportunity to provide feedback during one of the upcoming public meetings.

In order to meet all the county’s priorities, the FY 2026 budget proposal calls for $60 million in staff reductions, according to Hill’s presentation to the board. This would include the reduction of 208 positions from county agencies.

Other Adjustments In FY2026 Budget Proposal

• $16.22 million due to inflationary increases in contracts, including increases in personnel-based human services contracts, Police body worn cameras, and animal shelter veterinary services
• $10.57 million to support Information Technology, including enhancements to IT infrastructure and operating support for completed IT projects
• $10.17 million for increases in the cost of County operations, including lease escalations, maintenance at new or expanded facilities, fuel, and library security
• $3.84 million as a result of state and federal mandates and the expiration of grant funding, including the establishment of a Fire and Rescue Department pharmacy, replacing expired Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funding, and providing legal services to indigent defendants

Ways To Provide Input On The FY 2026 Budget
In the coming weeks, the public will have a number of opportunities to provide input on the FY 2026 advertised budget. Each of the supervisors will host budget town hall meetings in each of their districts.

• Email FY26Budget@publicinput.com
• By Phone call 703-890-5898, code 7574
• On Feb. 24, Online and Text options will be available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/fy-2026-feedback
• Testify at a budget public hearing in person, by video or phone. Sign up at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-form. Call the Clerk to the Board’s Office at (703) 324-3151 (TTY711) or email clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov for more information.
• Attend a Budget Town Hall in your district. Times and details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/f…
• The complete FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan and the FY 2026-FY 2030 Capital Improvement Program are available online at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget

The following is the county’s timeline for the budget process:

• Feb. 20: School Board adopts FY 2026 Advertised Budget
• Feb. 25: Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Budget Committee Meeting
• March 18: Board of Supervisors authorizes advertisement of FY 2026 tax rates and FY 2025
• April 22-24: Third Quarter Review Board of Supervisors holds Public Hearings on FY 2026 Budget, FY 2026-FY 2030 Capital Improvement Program, and FY 2025 Third Quarter Review
• May 6: Board of Supervisors marks-up FY 2026 Budget, adopts FY 2026-FY 2030 Capital Improvement Program and FY 2025 Third Quarter Review
• May 13, 2025: Board of Supervisors adopts FY 2026 Adopted Budget
• May 13: School Board holds public hearings on FY 2026 budget
• May 22: School Board adopts FY 2026 Approved Budget
• July 1: FY 2026 Budget Year Begins