At the Sept.13 meeting of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board Budget Committee, staff presented the board with the initial proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. The proposed budget requests just over $6 million in funding to support key 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 comments beginning Friday, Sept. 15, through Friday, Sept. 22. 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 ratify and submit the proposed budget is anticipated at the Oct. 25 meeting of the Park Authority Board. Once ratified, 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.