budget | FFXnow

Published May 7, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated May 7, 2025 at 8:01PM

Fairfax County Public Schools workers wear Fairfax Education Unions T-shirts after electing FEU as their collective bargaining representative (courtesy Fairfax County Federation of Teachers)

Fairfax County teachers’ elation at securing a collective bargaining agreement, the first of its kind in nearly 50 years for the district, has proven short-lived.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to adopt a budget for fiscal year 2026 that transfers $2.93 billion to Fairfax County Public Schools — up $119 million from the current fiscal year, but well short of the $248 million increase that Superintendent Michelle Reid requested primarily to cover employee pay raises promised by the union contract.

Countywide

Fairfax board to approve meals tax, real estate rate cut with FY 2026 budget

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 6, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated May 7, 2025 at 3:24PM

Board Chairman Jeff McKay at FY26 budget-markup session (screenshot via Fairfax County)

A lower real estate tax rate, smaller transfer than school leaders sought and imposition of a meals tax are all part of Fairfax County’s $5.7 billion fiscal year 2026 budget slated for formal adoption next week.

“Our residents are worried” as they “prepare for the impact” of the Trump administration’s downsizing of the federal government and its related economic fallout, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at a budget markup session today (Tuesday).

News

High school stabbing incites budget battle between Fairfax School Board and Board of Supervisors

By Vernon Miles

Published April 25, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated April 27, 2025 at 8:36PM

Fairfax County School Board logo (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

At their first meeting after a stabbing at West Potomac High School this week, School Board members said safety and the Fairfax County Public Schools budgets are inextricably linked.

School Board members expressed sympathy for staff, students and families affected by the stabbing, but also used it as a rallying cry in an ongoing budget battle with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

News

Possible increase to county’s lodging tax receives mixed reviews

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 25, 2025 at 9:00AM

A standard AC Hotel room with a king bed at Marriott's Reston Town Center location (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Consideration of a meals tax has gained most of the attention this budget cycle, but Fairfax County supervisors also are looking at increasing the transient-occupancy tax paid on hotel stays.

If adopted next month, the increase from 4% to 6% on stays of less than 30 days will raise an additional $13 million in the coming fiscal year, said Phil Hagen, director of the county’s Department of Management and Budget.

News

Restaurateurs push back against Fairfax meals tax proposal

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 24, 2025 at 9:45AM

Restaurant dining (via Dan Gold/Unsplash)

Opponents outnumbered supporters as the public weighed in Tuesday (April 22) on the imposition of a countywide meals tax.

Adding a meals tax on top of the sales tax for restaurant meals and prepared foods would “really be a burden” both to the industry and “economically exhausted consumers,” Jim Rafferty of the Glory Days Grill restaurant chain told Fairfax County supervisors during a public hearing.

Countywide

Fairfax County worker unions fear budget cuts could strain services as demand increases

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 9, 2025 at 9:45AM

Fairfax County Government Center seal (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Public benefits assistance, child care and senior center support services are just a few of the areas where Fairfax County might pull back on funding, as it seeks to close a $292.7 million budget gap.

If approved, the $59.8 million in potential reductions would be the county’s largest funding cut since it slashed over $90 million in 2009 following the Great Recession, County Executive Bryan Hill told the Board of Supervisors when presenting his proposed fiscal year 2026 budget plan on Feb. 18.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders plan to reinforce financial reserves in case of economic downturn

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 27, 2025 at 9:45AM

The Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County officials plan to put additional millions in fiscal reserves as they brace for the economic fallout from Trump administration policies to take hold.

County staff are recommending that the Board of Supervisors allocate $2.4 million more for reserves, with an additional $8.1 million available that also could be sent there or used to address other priorities.

Countywide

Youngkin amends state budget bill to increase rainy-day reserves over changes in D.C.

By Associated Press

Published March 25, 2025 at 11:15AM

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announces Alarm.com expansion in Tysons in February 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said on Monday that he hoped to bolster Virginia’s rainy-day fund by $300 million in light of economic uncertainty surrounding the White House’s overhaul of federal jobs and its impact on the state’s workforce.

Countywide

Fairfax supervisors ask state to increase unemployment benefits as federal layoffs intensify

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 19, 2025 at 1:15PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaking at the Capital One headquarters in Tysons on Feb. 24, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Democrats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to send a letter to state leaders, asking for expanded unemployment coverage for federal workers having lost their jobs due to downsizing.

The maximum weekly Virginia unemployment-compensation rate of $378 is “one of the lowest in the country,” according to Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw.

Countywide

Fairfax board advertises meals tax, higher real estate tax rate for public comment

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 18, 2025 at 2:30PM

Sign points to the Department of Tax Administration in the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is officially seeking public input on a potential meals tax.

The Board of Supervisors voted today (March 18) to advertise a public hearing on amending the county code to impose a meals tax of up to 4%, starting as soon as next January. The board will also advertise a base real estate tax rate of $1.14 per $100, up from the current $1.125, as recommended by County Executive Bryan Hill.