Budget

Fiscal Year 2028 Budget 

The Fiscal Year 2028  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, programs, and activities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027.

Upcoming FY 2028 Events

Engage Fairfax: Shaping the FY 2028 Budget Priorities

05 Nov 2026 Fairfax City staff are seeking public input as they begin planning for the FY 2028 budget. Residents are invited to join a multi-platform community meeting, “Engage Fairfax: Shaping the FY 2028 Budget Priorities,” at 6 p.m. Nov. 5.

The meeting will be offered in person at City Hall, online via Zoom, livestreamed on the city website, and cablecast live on Channel 12.

City Hall, Council Chambers Room 100, 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA 22030

Tagged as: , meetings

FY 2027 Adopted Budget 

 FY 2027 Adopted Budget Book

Access the adopted budget book online - click the image below to open it on a new window.

Budget Book Icon  

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FY 2027 Budget Highlights

Information updated May 6, 2026. 

Budget Overview
Total expenditures for all funds $299,568,503 (+3.2% from FY 2026)
General Fund revenues & expenditures $207,912,496 (+4.6% from FY 2026)
Tax Rates
Adopted real estate tax rate $1.0725 per $100
Estimated impact for average homeowner $462.50/year
Personal property tax rate (unchanged) $4.13 per $100
Meals tax (adopted) 4.5%
Utility Rates
Wastewater utility rate increase (~$44.65 based on 56 tgal. used) 6.0% increase
Stormwater utility fee increase (approx. +$10.19/yr for typical residential property) 5.0% increase
Staffing & Fiscal Health
New positions None requested
1% COLA (July 1, 2026) + 3% salary adjustment (Jan. 1, 2027) for eligible employees General staff
2% COLA (July 1, 2026) for eligible employees + 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

View Past Budgets

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