Budget

Jump to:
FY 2027 Budget Book Give Feedback Budget Highlights Budget Calendar Budget MemosResponses to FY 2027 QuestionsFY 2026 Budget 

Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget

The FY 2027 proposed budget is a detailed description of how taxpayer money is spent to provide programs and services to Fairfax City residents. The annual budget describes the city’s goals, proposed programs, and activities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

The city manager presented the proposed FY 2027 budget to city council on Feb. 24. View presentation.(PDF, 5MB)

The city council will adopt the final budget on May 5. Your feedback matters — public input is welcome through May 5.

FY 2027 Proposed Budget Book

Explore the full proposed budget online or download the PDF.

Budget Book Icon

Click to open the interactive Budget Book

Tips for Using the Online Budget Book

  • Use the left sidebar to jump to any section.
  • Use the search bar to find a topic by name.
  • Click Download PDF in the top-right corner to save or print.
  • Use the arrows at the bottom of the page (hover if it is not visible) to move to the next page.
  • Some pages open as an embedded document with its own toolbar — scroll to browse.
  • Click the city logo in the top-left corner to return to the landing page.

Your Voice Matters — Public Input Open Through May 5

← Use Engage Fairfax to submit questions or comments and read what other residents are saying.

Other ways to give feedback:

  • Email the mayor and city council: publichearing@fairfaxva.gov
  • Speak at a council meeting or submit a video for a public hearing
  • Use eComments

Learn how to use all these tools at the City Meetings page.

FY 2027 Budget Highlights

Budget Overview
Total expenditures for all funds $302,642,085 (+4.3% from FY 2026)
General Fund revenues & expenditures $207,549,419 (+4.5% from FY 2026)
Tax Rates
Proposed real estate tax rate $1.080 per $100 (+$0.025)
Estimated impact for average homeowner (assessed value: $726,287) +$517/year
Personal property tax rate (unchanged) $4.13 per $100
Meals tax (proposed) 4.5% (+0.5% from current 4.0%)
Utility Rates
Wastewater utility rate increase (~$44.65 based on 56 tgal. used) 6.0% proposed increase
Stormwater utility fee increase (approx. +$10.19/yr for typical residential property) 5.0% proposed increase
Staffing & Fiscal Health
New positions None requested
1% COLA (July 1, 2026) + 3% salary adjustment (Jan. 1, 2027) for eligible employees General staff
1% COLA (July 1, 2026) + step increase (Jan. 1, 2027) for eligible employees Public Safety
Unassigned General Fund Balance (minimum policy: 15.0%) 17.7%

FY 2027 Budget Memos

Responses to FY 2027 Questions

FY 2027 Budget Calendar

All meetings begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Check the City Meetings page for the most current schedule.

* A 30-day advance notice is required before a public hearing on the real estate tax rate when assessments increase more than 1%.

Date Action Item
Oct. 21, 2025 Open HouseBudget Open House — Sherwood Center, 4–7 p.m.
Oct. 28, 2025 ReviewFY 2026 quarterly financial review; suggested FY 2027 budget guidelines & budget process
Nov. 8, 2025 RetreatFY 2027 budget retreat — City Hall, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Nov. 18, 2025 ApprovalFY 2027 consideration of budget guidelines & budget process approval
Jan. 27, 2026 ReviewFY 2026 quarterly financial review
Feb. 3, 2026 Work SessionFY 2027 discussion with Planning Commission on recommended CIP
Feb. 24, 2026 PresentationFY 2027 City Manager’s proposed budget presentation
March 3, 2026 Work SessionFY 2027 budget work session; presentations by School
March 10, 2026 Public HearingFY 2027 budget public hearing; consideration of real estate tax rate to be advertised*
March 24, 2026 Public HearingFY 2027 budget public hearing
April 7, 2026 Work SessionFY 2027 budget discussion work session
April 14, 2026 Public HearingFY 2027 budget public hearing; introduction of C&I, wastewater, stormwater utility and Old Town Service District rates; introduction of FY 2027 budget appropriations; budget work session
April 28, 2026 Public HearingFY 2027 public hearing for real estate tax rate, C&I, wastewater, stormwater utility and Old Town Service District rates; FY 2026 quarterly financial review; budget discussion work session
May 5, 2026 AdoptionSpecial Council Meeting — public hearing on FY 2027 budget appropriation; budget adoption

FY 2026 Budget

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Fairfax City Council approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2026 and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 2026–2030. FY 2026 runs July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. The total approved budget for all city funds is $290.2M.

FY 2026 Budget Highlights

  • Tax rate = $1.0550 ($0.0250 increase).
  • Expenditures for all funds = $290,212,082.
  • General Fund expenditures = $198,691,789 (9.9% increase over FY 2025 adopted budget).
  • Fully fund the city school board’s tuition request of $71.4M.
  • $200K for an efficiency audit.
  • Rate increase of 6.0% for both the wastewater and stormwater utilities.
  • The meals tax remains unchanged at 4.0%.
  • Unassigned general fund balance = maintained at 17.7%.
  • Recommended CIP expenditures to fully fund 126 projects = $98.1M for FY 2026 and $614.9M for FY 2026–30.

Adopted Budget Documents

FY 2026 Adopted Budget Documents

FY 2026 Adopted Budget (entire book)(PDF, 61MB)

FY 2026 Adopted Budget (by Section):

FY 2026–FY 2030 Adopted CIP

FY 2026–FY 2030 Adopted CIP (PDF)(PDF, 24MB)

View Past Budgets

Back to top