Budget Open House Set for Oct. 21
Published on October 10, 2025
Come to the city’s budget open house from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center to engage with interactive displays and speak directly with city staff and elected officials about the upcoming FY 2027 budget.
“It’s a place to come learn about city services, and how the city uses funding from a variety of sources,” said Gwen L. Riddle, Fairfax City’s budget director. “Residents can understand how their taxes are spent, and business owners can learn about multiple services available to them through the city.”
Feedback gathered during the event will help inform the mayor and city councilmembers about community priorities for FY 2027. Attendees will be asked to complete a survey evaluating the event, responding to current and desired city programs and services, and helping guide the city’s outreach during the budget process.
The previous budget open house in April was well-received by the community and helpful to city leaders and staff. “The city wants to be transparent,” said Riddle. “The budget open house provides technical financial information to the public in a way that is more easily understood.”
Like many households and businesses, Fairfax City must manage rising costs while providing vital services to the community. “The city is not immune to inflation and rising costs,” she said. “We’re focused on great service and fiscal responsibility — and we need community input to help meet that goal.”
Parking is available on-site, and CUE Bus riders can access the Sherwood Center via Gold Route 1 (stop 151) and Gold Route 2 (stop 89).
Here is the budget calendar for FY 2027:
- Oct. 28 – FY 2026 quarterly financial review; suggested updates to the FY 2027 financial policies and council budget guidelines
- Nov. 8 – FY 2027 budget retreat
- Nov. 18 – FY 2027 consideration of budget guidelines & budget process approval
- Jan. 27, 2026 - FY 2026 quarterly financial review
- Feb. 3, 2026 – Joint meeting of the Planning Commission regarding the draft FY 2027-2031 CIP
- Feb. 24, 2026 - FY 2027 city manager’s proposed budget presentation
- March 3, 2026 - FY 2027 budget work session; presentations by School
- March 10, 2026 - FY 2027 budget public hearing; consideration of real estate tax rate to be advertised** (**Required 30 days advance notice before public hearing on real estate tax rate if assessments increased by greater than 1%.)
- March 24, 2026 - FY 2027 budget public hearing
- April 7, 2026 - FY 2027 budget discussion work session
- April 14, 2026 - FY 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 - FY 2027 budget public hearing; 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 - special city council meeting: public hearing on FY 2027 budget appropriation; budget adoption
Info: fairfaxva.gov/budget.