Department News
February 17, 2026
Balancing fiscal stability, long-term infrastructure needs and continued investment in county services is at the core of the FY 2027 Advertised Budget Plan presented by County Executive Bryan Hill to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17. The proposal maintains the current $1.1225 Real Estate Tax rate, while incorporating targeted reductions and strategic investments in schools, employees, facilities and services for vulnerable residents. “This budget reflects a full recognition of the fiscal challenges we face, while continuing to invest in our community and workforce,” Hill said. Revenue, Spending and Economic OutlookFairfax County is required to adopt a balanced budget. The FY 2027 proposal includes $32.9 million in county reductions and the elimination of 107 merit positions, bringing total reductions over the past four years to nearly $125 million.New funding is directed primarily toward employee compensation, debt service, contractual adjustments and essential operations. The Advertised Budget also includes a $23.2 million balance for the board’s consideration. These funds may be used to provide tax relief, reduce the gap between the superintendent’s request and the proposed school transfer, restore reductions or support priorities such as affordable housing.The budget reflects cautious optimism following stabilization in residential and non-residential property values, while acknowledging continued uncertainty tied to state budget actions, federal policy decisions and commercial market performance.Under the Advertised Budget, the average homeowner’s tax bill is projected to increase by approximately $356 at the current tax rate. Fairfax County Public Schools FundingFunding for Fairfax County Public Schools remains the county’s highest budget priority. The Advertised Budget includes a $99.2 million increase in the schools operating transfer, a $7.5 million increase for the School Construction Fund and an $11.4 million increase for school debt service.Combined with additional state revenue and savings from reduced retirement contributions, FCPS is projected to benefit from approximately $224 million in funding flexibility. While the proposal addresses core operating and facility needs, it does not fully fund the superintendent’s request. Fully meeting that request would require identifying up to $44 million in additional funding.Hill emphasized the county’s continued advocacy for increased state investment in public education and the need to balance school funding with other priorities and the impact on taxpayers. Employee Compensation and BenefitsEmployee compensation remains a central focus of the FY 2027 Advertised Budget and accounts for more than three-quarters of the increase in county disbursements.The budget fully funds collective bargaining agreements, includes a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment and supports performance, merit and longevity increases. It also reflects rising benefit and retirement costs, partially offset by savings in retiree health obligations.These investments are intended to maintain competitiveness, support workforce retention and recognize employee contributions. Capital Renewal, Facilities and InfrastructureThe budget prioritizes reinvestment in aging facilities and information technology systems. Seventy-five percent of county facilities are now at least two decades old, underscoring the need for sustained capital renewal.Baseline funding for capital renewal is being restored, with adjustments to the bond program to focus resources on critical building systems and maintenance needs. Several projects have been deferred or restructured to manage long-term debt service.Planned renovations at Herndon Fortnightly and Kings Park libraries are proposed to shift to a future referendum, while Centreville and Chantilly Regional libraries are being repositioned for potential redevelopment and alternative financing. A planned Human Services facility in Springfield is also proposed for deferral to allow greater investment in existing buildings. Community ServicesThe budget includes a 5 percent increase for the Consolidated Community Funding Pool and $5.5 million in additional funding for emergency housing and food assistance. Other investments include support for Parks’ implementation of a sliding fee scale to expand access to programs and services, as well as new positions to address growing workload demands related to affordable housing. Looking Ahead to FY 2028Hill cautioned that FY 2028 presents significant fiscal challenges, including slowing residential market indicators, new collective bargaining agreements, rising retirement contributions, increased debt service and continued operating cost growth. Barring action from the state, the county could also experience significant increases in transportation funding requirements. Public Input and Next StepsResidents are encouraged to provide input through public hearings, community meetings and online engagement tools. Public hearings are scheduled for April 14 to 16 and final budget adoption is planned for May 5. More information is available on the Department of Management and Budget website.
February 17, 2026
Fairfax County has released its 2026 Annual Report, detailing the numerous ways county leaders and agencies made decisions on the county’s priorities and the projects to pursue over the past year. Released concurrently with the county executive’s FY 2027 Advertised Budget presentation, the report is organized around the four drivers of the Countywide Strategic Plan: Equity, Data Integration, Community Outcomes and Inclusive Engagement, and highlights accomplishments in 10 thematic areas called “community outcomes.”"This report isn’t about numbers—it’s about people, and the impact our work has had on daily life," said Bryan Hill, Fairfax County Executive. "It shows how we’re turning equity from a goal into a standard, and how we’re improving outcomes for children, families, older adults, people with disabilities and historically underserved communities."
Several hundred new programs, expanded initiatives and ongoing projects are detailed in the report. It’s a lot to read, and we hope you will. But with so many finalized projects, new partnerships and ongoing initiatives hitting critical milestones, some of our best work over the past year may have slipped by your attention. These 10 selected highlights—and the many others in the full report—demonstrate how the county is using a thoughtful approach to improve quality of life while being responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable residents. 1. Cultural and Recreational OpportunitiesThe county reopened the Mount Vernon Rec Center, introducing new amenities, including a two-story fitness center, an additional ice rink and a climbing wall. The upgraded and expanded fitness center features cardio and strength equipment, as well as a variety of low- and high-impact drop-in group fitness classes in the new studio classrooms. The Rec Center’s new ice arena features two National Hockey League-sized ice rinks, a skate rental area, skate sharpening services, team locker rooms and party rooms with skate-friendly flooring for events.
2. Economic OpportunityAssisted by 143 dedicated IRS-certified volunteers, the county's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program prepared 2,380 tax returns in 2025, resulting in a combined federal tax refund of $2,867,135. Additionally, VITA helped individuals and families claim $1,117,942 in Earned Income Tax Credits, maximizing financial benefits to support households.
3. Safety and SecurityOfficials broke ground on two new fire stations: the Gunston Fire Station in Lorton and the Fairview Fire Station, both designed with advanced sustainability features. Crews will build the two-year Gunston project next to existing Station 20, which serves Mason Neck residents and supports the Fire and Rescue Department’s marine operations. The new four-bay, two-story facility will replace the older two-bay station and is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and net-zero energy standards through geothermal and solar energy systems. The new two-story, three-bay Fairview Fire Station will include solar panels, geothermal systems and electric vehicle charging stations, with plans to meet net-zero energy and LEED Gold standards.
4. Effective and Efficient GovernmentIn 2024, the county tested the Assisted Non-Emergency Triage (ANET) system on its non-emergency line to handle routine inquiries, including permit questions and noise complaints. More than 30% of calls involved simple information requests. The system provided answers, forwarded callers, or sent helpful text links. ANET handled only non-urgent calls, supported English and Spanish, and allowed callers to request a human operator. Officials plan to use early results from the test to guide a potential expansion this fall, aiming to let dispatchers focus on emergencies while AI manages routine calls. 5. Mobility and TransportationThe county celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Fairfax Connector, which began in 1985 with a few routes and has grown into a countywide network serving tens of thousands of riders daily. The bus system connects people to work, school, shopping and other destinations. The anniversary celebration included special events, stories from the past and opportunities for the public to participate.
6. Lifelong Education and LearningFairfax County Public Library surpassed 4 million digital checkouts in a single year for the first time since it introduced Libby by OverDrive in 2006. In 2024, only 29 libraries that use OverDrive exceeded the 4 million digital checkout mark. The library system currently ranks No. 22 in digital circulation nationwide and No. 1 in Virginia. 7. Housing and Neighborhood LivabilityThe county broke ground on the transformative renovation of Telestar Court in Falls Church, marking the county’s first office-to-residential affordable housing conversion. The project repurposes vacant office space into affordable homes, reflecting a new approach to addressing housing needs. Located in the employment hub of Merrifield’s Telestar Court, the project supports the county’s goal of providing housing options that allow residents at all income levels to live close to where they work.
8. Environment and EnergyTwenty new businesses joined the Fairfax County Green Business Partners program, bringing the total number of members, leaders and allies to 70. The program provides resources, collaboration and recognition to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices, reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
9. Healthy CommunitiesThe new Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center opened across the street from Springfield Town Center. Reachable by public transportation, the facility expands services and improves accessibility for residents, particularly those who rely on transit. The state-of-the-art center provides a wide range of public health services, including immunizations, maternity services, tuberculosis treatment and screening and more. 10. Empowerment and Support for Residents Facing VulnerabilityLaunched the Opportunity Youth Network, a collaborative initiative focused on empowering Opportunity Youth; young people ages 16-24 who are not in school and not working. The kick-off event, titled “Powering Pathways … Igniting Potential: A Collective Commitment to Fairfax County Youth,” marked the beginning of a countywide effort to drive equity, elevate youth voices and strengthen support systems for more than 9,300 young people facing disconnection in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church.
Why the Annual Report and the Strategic Plan Matter to YouThese highlights – and many others bulleted in the full report – demonstrate how the county is using a thoughtful approach based on data to improve quality of life. From enhancing public safety to expanding economic opportunities, the county remains focused on delivering meaningful actions for all residents. The report illustrates how Fairfax County leaders and staff are building a local government that’s effective and efficient, while also being fair, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the county's most vulnerable residents and to the goals of becoming OneFairfax.
February 4, 2026
The 2024 Uninsured Population Without Health Coverage Visualization is now available. This interactive infographic represents the demographic characteristics of Fairfax County’s uninsured population in 2024, based on newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. It explores differences by age, race and ethnicity, citizenship, income, poverty status, language spoken at home, living arrangements, employment status, education and other factors. Between 2023 and 2024, the overall uninsured rate increased from 5.9% to 7%, while the rate among working-age adults with a disability declined from 9.8% to 6.5%. In addition, nearly half (49.1%) of uninsured residents are non-citizens, and more than three-quarters (75.2%) of uninsured working-age adults in Fairfax County are employed. The visualization is prepared by the Economic, Demographic, and Statistical Research Unit of the Department of Management and Budget. For more information or questions, email dmbinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov.