The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget at its meeting on May 5, which will take effect July 1. The new budget includes a quarter-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate to $1.12 per $100 of assessed value and restores funding for several community programs.
The decision to lower the tax rate is intended to help balance affordability for residents while continuing investment in key priorities such as housing, education, and essential services. For the average homeowner, this change reduces the projected increase in annual property taxes from $357 to $337.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said, “This budget reflects the careful balance we must strike in a time of continued uncertainty—maintaining core services, investing in our workforce and community priorities, and taking measured steps to ease the burden on taxpayers. Lowering the real estate tax rate, while continuing to invest in housing, economic competitiveness and essential programs, positions Fairfax County for long-term stability while also allowing us to respond to current needs.”
Key changes include an additional $8.8 million dedicated to affordable housing efforts, bringing total baseline investment up to about $52.7 million annually. Partial funding has been restored for several programs based on community feedback: low- and moderate-income home repair pilot ($250,000), part-time preschool program ($200,000), home-delivered meals ($130,588), and BeWell behavioral health support ($310,000). New positions have been added for economic competitiveness and housing initiatives with costs mostly offset by existing resources.
The board set aside $4.7 million in reserves for economic uncertainty amid ongoing fiscal pressures that have led county agencies through four consecutive years of reductions totaling nearly $124 million. Despite these constraints, employee compensation remains a priority with full funding provided for collective bargaining agreements as well as pay adjustments for non-represented staff members.
More than half of Fairfax County’s total budget—over $3 billion—continues supporting public schools. The board also decided to defer by one year a planned transition service realignment affecting high school students with individualized education plans exiting county schools.
