Fairfax Homeowners to Pay More in Real Estate Taxes

Homeowners in Fairfax County will see higher tax bills next year, as the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted to increase the tax rate to $1.09 for the 2015 fiscal year.

That’s an increase $.005 over the fiscal year 2014 rate of $1.085.

For the average homeowner, that means an increase of about $25 in addition to the $332 “average increase resulting from rising assessment values,” according to the budget mark-up documents.  

In a prepared statement, Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) said, “I am disappointed in the Board’s decision to opt for a tax rate increase over tough cost reductions and a focus on priorities.”

According to the 2015 budget mark-up package: “The good news this year is that real estate values are beginning to rebound. The bad news is that only residential values are rising; business taxes are flat and commercial assessments are a 0.1 percent decrease from fiscal year 2014. 

“Combine this with an increase in our Fairfax County Public School student population; increased needs for human services; and stressed-out County employees who have endured pretty much stagnant compensation for the past five years, and we end up with a pretty challenging budget brew.”