No Real Estate Tax Hike In Proposed 2020 Fairfax County Budget

Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill proposed the 2020 fiscal county budget Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors. The budget keeps the real estate tax the same at $1.15 per $100 of assessed value.

"I am presenting a balanced budget, with no increase in the Real Estate Tax rate, which provides compensation increases for our valuable employees and meets the full operating request from the Fairfax County Public Schools," said Hill in a statement. "This budget proposal includes investments in human services, public safety, and transportation and relies upon savings generated from operational efficiencies."

While the real estate tax rate could stay the same, property owners could see tax bills go up based on assessments. According to new assessment data, 75.6 percent of residential properties increased in value. The average home assessment in 2019 is $562,601, compared to $549,630 last year. The county estimates the average tax bill will increase by $149.16.

The proposed general fund budget is $4.44 billion, a $156.9 million increase from the current fiscal year. Some budget highlights include:

• $2.35 billion for Fairfax County Public Schools, an $86.46 million increase over the current budget. FCPS accounts for more than half of the county general fund budget.
• Increase the refuse collection fee from $350 to $385 per unit
• $38.17 million in employee pay increases based on 1 percent Market Rate Adjustment as well as performance, merit and longevity raises
• $26.38 million contribution to Metro
• $4.48 million contributions to Fairfax Connector and Virginia Railway Express
• $3.45 million in staffing for South County Police Station

Board of Supervisors public hearings on the budget are set for April 9-11, and a number of budget town halls are coming up. Residents can submit comments to clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov or sign up to speak at a Board of Supervisors meeting.

The Board of Supervisors is expected to adopt the 2020 budget on May 7. The FCPS school board will adopt the approved budget on May 23.

To see the full proposed budget and approval timeline, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget.

Image via Fairfax County