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May 7, 2025
Neighbors,
Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors marked up the FY’26 budget. Highlights for the new year include an increase of the block transfer to our public schools by $119 million, increased funding for affordable housing by $8.5 million, cuts to other county programs of nearly $50 million, a slight reduction in the real estate tax rate (1/4 cent per $100 of assessed value), and a new prepared food and beverage tax. Additional detail is provided below.
The markup process is when the Board makes changes to the advertised budget, and we took several key actions on Tuesday.
- While the advertised budget proposed a 1.5-cent increase in the real estate tax rate, we did not do that and instead cut the existing tax rate by a quarter penny from the current $1.125 to $1.1225. But before cheering too loudly note that residential real estate values have continued to rise — so homeowners countywide will still see an average increase in their real estate tax bills of $499. Commercial real estate values remain flat, which was definitely not helpful this year. The real estate tax and the residential homeowners who pay that tax still bear too much of the burden for funding public schools and local government services.
- After hearing concerns from many of you during our budget review process, we were able to restored over $9 million of the $60 million in budget cuts proposed in the advertised budget — mostly programs supporting FCPS and human services for some of our most vulnerable residents. First among these was the Middle School After-School Program which will be funded for another year with the expectation that county and FCPS staff will return to the Board of Supervisors with a compromise plan for sustaining the program long-term. Paramedic unit 439 at the North Point Fire Station, which provides advanced life-support care in a very busy part of the county, was also restored. We also restored funding and three positions operated by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for services to support students with developmental disabilities who are transitioning out of FCPS, and maintained for another year the CSB’s program to pay for post-secondary education for adults with developmental disabilities. While crossing guards will continue to be provided at high schools, the Fairfax County Police will continue to look for cost-savings for this program but without changes to the existing school crossing guard program for FY 2026. Finally, we restored full funding for case managers in our homeless shelters — including the Embry Rucker shelter in Reston.
- Funding for the Fairfax County Public Schools increased by $119 million, which is a 4.6% increase compared to last year. (Note that the increase in the previous budget year, the FCPS transfer was $165 million, or a 6.8% increase over the FY’24 transfer, and was possible because of a 3-cent increase of the real estate tax rate in FY’25). Of the county’s total budget, more than 51% goes to the public schools every year, and the state continues to chronically underfund Fairfax County schools by $568 million per year, according to the state’s own independent study.
- I’m pleased that the marked-up budget also advances the Board’s goal (and mine since 2019) to invest the equivalent of two pennies of the real estate tax for affordable housing by FY 27. In this budget, we dedicated another quarter penny towards this goal, bringing the county’s total investment to 1 ¼ pennies or $0.0125. This money is needed to achieve the Board’s commitment to create at least 10,000 net new affordable homes by 2034.
- We also established a new 4% prepared food and beverage tax that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. This new tax is anticipated to generate $65 million in total new net revenue during the first six months it goes into effect. Taxes of any type are never popular, but this new tax helps diversify the county’s tax base and reduces the reliance on real estate taxes. And the new meals tax helped remove the proposed 1.5-cent increase in the real estate tax rate. In the future, consideration should also be given for the food and beverage tax to replace the portion of the real estate tax currently dedicated to affordable housing.
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We also set aside $12.6 million for a new reserve fund to deal with the economic uncertainty ahead. This prudent action prepares us for the possible impacts from the administration’s proposed budget cuts, continued reduction of the federal workforce, and the impacts from tariffs.
It's never easy to craft a responsible budget, and this year has been especially difficult. This budget included the most significant cost-cutting since the Great Recession when the county trimmed $90 million from its FY 2010 budget and froze the FCPS transfer at the FY 2009 level (no increase). During the last two budgets, we have reduced recurring county spending by more than $80 million in total.
The Board will adopt the FY'26 budget on May 13, although no changes are anticipated from yesterday’s approved markup. As challenging as this year has been, unfortunately it seems likely that next year’s budget may be even more difficult. To help avoid that, and as I noted at yesterday’s meeting, the County Executive is expected to work with the Superintendent to establish a formal process to avoid a situation where a fiscal commitment was made by FCPS absent confidence that it could be met. For the current year, however, I’m happy that in this budget we were able to give our number 1 priority (FCPS) a 4.6% increase and protect county programs supporting FCPS and some of our most vulnerable residents.
Regards,
Walter
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- In the Community
- Early Voting Has Begun
- Join me for Pedals with Petals
- Deck Bootcamp May 13
- What's News in Vienna
- Events and Activities
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We celebrated the installation of two new little libraries at the Crescent Apartments, and I joined Yaseen who helped build them, along with Bill Threlkeld and Nick Acord from Cornerstones. The nonprofit spearheaded this project through the Reston Opportunity Neighborhoods program (RestON).
To expand access to books and inspire readers, my office funded these mini libraries, along with the ones at the Cedar Ridge, Stonegate Village and West Glade Apartments.
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This past Friday, it was an honor to welcome Special Olympics student athletes last week when James Madison High School hosted the 3rd annual Feet Meet. I joined Special Olympics Coach Beth Bradford Eachus, Principal Liz Calvert, Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and Delegate Holly Seibold.
Beth Eachus deserves a big kudos for organizing this amazing event where preschool to high school students competed in races, the Turbo Jab Throw, standing long jump and other games.
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Thanks to everyone who joined our fifth anniversary Tour de Hunter Mill community bike ride this past Sunday despite the rain! We had solo riders, tandem bicyclists and for the first time teams like Team Bean and Ben.
A big thanks to the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling and Reston Bike Club for their support to make this ride possible.
And, I especially want to thank Kelley Westenhoff who has designed the tour’s routes for the past five years, as well as has been a driving force in organizing the ride. She’s retiring from this volunteer job, and I’ll deeply miss her energetic contributions to the Tour de Hunter Mill.
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Early Voting Underway for
June 17 Democratic Primary
| Early voting has begun for the June 17 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general. If you wish to cast your ballot early, you may vote at the North County Governmental Center in Reston from 1-7 p.m. on weekdays. Early voting will also be offered at this location on Saturday June 7 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only three early voting sites (including the North County Governmental Center) are currently available, but an additional 13 voting locations will open starting June 7. The last day to vote early is Saturday, June 14. | Pedals with Petals Bike Ride May 10 | While the Tour de Hunter Mill community bike ride was just this past Sunday, you can join another bike event this Saturday in Tysons. I’ll be riding in the Tysons Community Alliance’s Pedals with Petals, an all-ages, all-skills, family-friendly event. Choose from two routes: beginner (2 miles) or intermediate (9 miles). | |
Deck Bootcamp May 13. Make (Re)Building
Your Deck as Easy as a Spring Breeze
| | With beautiful spring weather here, are you planning to rebuild your deck or build a new one? Take the free Deck Boot Camp class on May 13 at 9 a.m. at the Herrity Building Conference Room 106/107. You’ll learn about the code requirements and permits needed, making the process as easy as a spring breeze. Also check out the county’s Typical Deck Details publication that will help streamline the permitting application process. For more information, call Fairfax County’s Land Development Services at 703-222-0801. | | |
Wellness and Safety Expo May 9
Attend this expo for adults 55+ this Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Get information and resources on exercise, physical and mental health, hypnotherapy, accupunture and more. Enjoy an on-site food truck, giveaways, and this year's new "appraisal pop-up."
Patrick Henry Library Closing May 9
Reminder: the Patrick Henry Library closes its doors on May 9 to make way for construction of the new Vienna-Carter Library. A temporary branch will open in Cedar Park Shopping Center in June. Learn more.
Vienna Economic Summit May 15
Join town officials and regional economic experts for this free summit on May 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of Vienna’s current economic outlook, upcoming development projects and trends affecting the region —particularly the impact of federal workforce changes on Northern Virginia. Registration required.
| | Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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