Supervisors pass a budget for FY 2027

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 28 marked up a Fiscal Year 2027 budget that includes a slight reduction in the property tax rate and restores some of the funding cuts that had been proposed in the advertised budget.

The board set the tax rate at $1.12 per $100 of assessed value, which is one-quarter cent less than the $1.1225 in the advertised budget proposed by County Executive Bryan Hill.

The average homeowner will still see a tax increase of $337 from the previous year due to higher real estate assessments.

Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said the board is able to cut the property tax rate because of the additional revenue collected from the 4 percent meals tax implemented on Jan. 1.

More than half of the county’s a $5.9 billion budget – over $3 billion – supports Fairfax County Public Schools, although that is nearly $44 million less than the amount requested by FCPS.

The budget includes an additional $8.8 million for affordable housing, which would bring the county’s baseline investment to approximately $52.7 million annually.

Partial funding is restored for the following programs:

• Low and moderate-income home repair pilot – $250,000.
• Part-time preschool program – $200,000.
• Home-delivered meals – $130,588.
• BeWell behavioral health support – $310,000.

The budget adds several new positions to support economic competitiveness and housing initiatives, with costs largely offset through existing resources.

The board also deferred by one year the planned realignment of transition services for high school students with individualized education plans (IEPs) as they exit FCPS. That will provide additional time to coordinate with the school system and ensure a smooth transition for students and families.

The budget continues to prioritize employee compensation, fully funding collective bargaining agreements and pay adjustments for non-represented employees.

It also reflects a fourth consecutive year of agency reductions, bringing total reductions over that period to nearly $124 million.

The budget eliminates crossing guards for high schools and cuts $7.2 million from the Fairfax Connector by reducing service on low-performing routes.

The board passed the budget markup on an 8-2 vote. Supervisors Pat Herrity (Springfield) and Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill) voted against it.

Herrity preferred a deeper tax cut and fewer funding increases. Alcorn said he voted against the budget because of its negative impact on the most vulnerable members of the community.

Alcorn issued the following statement: “This year, the cuts go too far, and they do not justify any reduction in the real estate tax, even a mostly symbolic reduction of about $9 million that could have been used to help fulfill promises I have made to Hunter Mill residents.”

“This budget reflects the careful balance we must strike in a time of continued uncertainty – maintaining core services, investing in our workforce and community priorities, and taking measured steps to ease the burden on taxpayers,” McKay said.

The board is scheduled to formally adopt the FY 2027 budget on May 5. The county’s 2027 budget year takes effect on July 1.