Management and Budget

The Cultural and Recreational Opportunities dashboard and the Lifelong Education and Learning dashboard are the eight and ninth dashboards now published to support the implementation of the Fairfax Countywide Strategic Plan. The dashboards are designed to:Inform residents and stakeholdersMonitor progress over timeIdentify any demographic or geographic disparities among residentsGuide community leaders, practitioners and advocates in making data-driven decisions Cultural and Recreational Opportunity Dashboard HighlightsThe Cultural and Recreational Opportunity Dashboard is now available and presents information under the following topic areas referred to as indicators:Access to Local Arts, Sports and Cultural OpportunitiesSatisfaction with Local Arts, Sports and Cultural OpportunitiesAwareness and Appreciation of Diverse CulturesRepresentation of Diverse CulturesOverall, the data included in this dashboard help to evaluate the goals of access to, availability of and participation in cultural and recreational opportunities.Data Highlights:Residents Have High Access to Cultural and Recreational Opportunities: Access to cultural and recreational opportunities is necessary for physical health, mental health and social connection. In 2024, more than 9 in 10 (93.7%) Fairfax County residents lived within a mile of a cultural or recreational center, including community centers, recreational centers, public schools, libraries, museums and performing and visual arts venues. As an example, the average monthly visitors to the Fairfax County Park Authority and Neighborhood and Community Services centers, as well as the Fairfax County Public Library totaled almost 150,000 in FY 2025.Overall, Students and Older Adults Report Availability of Community Activities: For youth, recreational opportunities, such as physical activity, are critical for their development. In 2024, 94% of 8th, 10th and 12th grade Fairfax County Public School students reported that there are sports teams or other after school activities available to them in the community. For older adults, recreational activities are critical to their health and ability to live independently. In 2022, 79% of older adults surveyed rated the overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts as excellent or good and 68% rated recreation opportunities (including games, arts, library services, etc.) as excellent or good. Lifelong Education and Learning HighlightsThe Lifelong Education and Learning Dashboard is now available and presents information under the following topic areas referred to as indicators:Access to Early Childhood EducationAccess to Quality TechnologyParticipation in Learning OpportunitiesSupporting Academic AchievementSupporting Career-Based TrainingIncreased English Language ProficiencyOverall, the metrics included in this dashboard help to evaluate the goals of promoting school readiness and supporting the achievement of educational goals, while ensuring that access to resources and learning opportunities are available to residents at all stages of life.  Data Highlights:Almost Six Out of Ten Kindergarteners Meeting Grade Level Expectations: In School Year 2024-2025, 57% of all kindergarteners enrolled through Fairfax County Public Schools met grade level expectations in the Fall. Students with Pre-K experience (65%) were more than twice as likely to meet grade level expectations in reading, mathematics and self-regulation in the Fall than those without Pre-K experience (26%).On-Time High School Graduation Rate Fluctuates Slightly but Remains High: The on-time graduation rate for the Fairfax County Public School 2025 cohort was 93%. Rates have fluctuated slightly in recent years, with a low of 91% in 2019. The 2025 rate was higher than Virginia’s rate of 92%. Locally, Loudoun County had the highest rate of 97%. Rates varied by race and ethnicity.Overall, the Number of Active Library Cardholders is Increasing: In FY25, 610,481 persons were registered Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) cardholders, an increase from 515,358 in FY22. In the same year, 257,039 persons had an FCPL card and actively used their card in the past year, for example, to check out materials or access online databases and digital resources. The number of active cardholders has fluctuated in recent years, with 209,364 active cardholders in FY22.Compared to Virginia and the US, More Fairfax County Residents Speak English Less Than “Very Well”: In Fairfax County, approximately one in seven (14.5%) residents in 2024 reported speaking English less than “very well,” indicating limited English proficiency. This represents a decrease from 2017. The county’s rate was higher than both the Virginia state average (6.5%) and the national average (9.0%). Limited English proficiency was more prevalent among certain groups, including older residents and residents living in poverty. For More InformationBoth dashboards will be updated yearly to continue to determine trends and monitor progress. All published dashboards may be accessed through the Countywide Data Analytics webpage. Learn about all ten Community Outcome Areas on the Fairfax Countywide Strategic Plan webpage. For instructions on how to navigate and use the dashboards, please visit the Strategic Plan Dashboard Tutorial. For questions about the dashboard, contact Countywide Data Analytics at DMBDataAnalytics@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

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.