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FY26 Budget Season Update |
Our budget sets priorities amidst many tradeoffs. This year has more pressures and uncertainties than usual, given employment uncertainty, inflation, social service demand, and commercial office trends.
Final FY26 budget, tax rate and fees will be set April 9. You can read the budget document, watch detailed work sessions, and share your input at countyboard@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-3130. |
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- The County Manager's proposed $1.69M budget would eliminate 44 staff positions, reduce some programming, increase permitting and parks fees, hold real estate tax rate constant, and increase the meals tax from 4% to 5% to match neighboring jurisdictions.
- Recognizing extremely uncertain times (including ~$88M in federal funding), the County Board advertised a maximum 1.0 cent increase in the property tax rate. This does NOT mean a tax rate increase is inevitable. (Of note, all five County Board members voiced a strong preference to keep tax rate steady and two of us indicated interest in exploring possible rate reduction).
- The proposed budget includes continuing to bolster our "rainy day" stabilization reserve fund.
- Final tax rate and budget will be set April 9.
- Our property tax rate remains one of the lowest in the region.
- Top expenses remain schools, human services/housing, environmental services (water, sewer, streets, etc), and public safety.
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Useful Info to Keep Handy |
I am liaison to volunteer commissions and regional bodies supporting my 2025 priorities:
Human Resilience: Arts, Community Services Board, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, NOVA Parks, Park & Recreation, Sports
Housing & Climate Resilience: Climate Change, Energy and Environment (C2E2), Joint Facilities Advisory Commission (JFAC), Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Climate Energy and Environment Policy Committee, Quincy Site Liaison
Fiscal Resilience & Transparency: Audit Committee, Columbia Pike Partnership, Community Oversight Board, Industrial Development Authority, MWCOG Region Forward Coalition, MWCOG National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, Virginia Association of Counties
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