The Park Authority Board was presented with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget Requests at a meeting of the board’s Budget Committee on Sept. 27. The presentation included the results of an initial round of public comment based on an early draft of proposed priorities released on Sept. 15. The most recent version includes proposed General Fund Budget requests of just over $8 million to fund key park priorities, including equity initiatives, safety, forestry operations, maintenance and capital equipment.

The presentation and a recording of the discussion that took place is available on the Board and Committee Meetings webpage.

The Park Authority welcomes public comment on the FY 2025 budget proposals and will receive all comments submitted on or before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Comments may be submitted via email at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. Comments received will be shared with members of the Park Authority Board for their consideration before the ratification of the proposed budget.

A vote to endorse and submit the proposed budget is anticipated at the Oct. 25 meeting of the Park Authority Board. Once endorsed, the proposed budget will be submitted to the Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget to be considered as part of the FY 2025 budgetary process.

All budgetary decisions relative to the allocation of funds from the Fairfax County General Fund to support Park Authority initiatives rest with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, not the Park Authority Board. Presently, the Park Authority receives roughly 35% of its operating budget from the county’s General Fund – monies generated through collection of real estate tax. The remaining funds for park operations are generated through the assessment of fees for various programs, services and amenities.

For additional information about the Park Authority’s proposed budget, visit the Publications, Plans and Budget website; or contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.