At its Aug. 28 meeting, the Park Authority Board received the initial fiscal year 2026 budget recommendations from staff. The presentation included proposed new General Fund budget requests of just over $4.5 million to fund key park priorities. The board is now seeking public comment on the budget recommendations presented, which are now available at Park Budget and Fees website.
Approximately 35% of the funding to support the operation and maintenance of the county’s park system comes from the Fairfax County General Fund, which is approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The general fund is funded primarily through monies collected through the real estate tax. Each year, the Park Authority reviews and endorses the General Fund budget requests submitted for the county’s consideration.
Fairfax County takes a proactive approach to budgetary planning for the future. In order to provide the County Executive and Board of Supervisors with potential considerations to create a balanced budget, the Park Authority and all Fairfax County agencies supported by the county’s General Fund have also been asked to create a prioritized list of reduction options totaling 10% of their FY 2025 General Fund budget allocation. This list of potential budget cuts, totaling just over $3.5 million, was also presented to the Park Authority Board at the Aug. 28 meeting for their consideration.
The Park Authority Board is seeking public comment on the proposed budget recommendations. Beginning Aug. 28 through Sept. 11, the board will accept written comments submitted via U.S. Mail and email. Additionally, the Park Authority Board will hold a special public input session at the Sept. 11 meeting of its Budget Committee.
Complete details of how to participate are available at the at Park Budget and Fees website. Those interested in speaking at the Sept. 11 meeting are encouraged to sign up online. Speaker order will be generated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, please contact the Park Authority Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.