No Real Estate Tax Hike In Fairfax County's Approved Budget

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Good news Fairfax County residents: you will not see their real estate tax rate increase on July 1. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted the $4.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2018 Tuesday.

“The real estate tax rate will stay the same at $1.13 per $100 of assessed value to ensure Fairfax County continues to be an affordable place to live for seniors and families," said Chairman Sharon Bulova in a statement. "This budget is responsible and balanced and includes $13 million in savings, reductions and efficiencies.”

Last year, the county had approved an increase from $1.09 to $1.13 per $100 of assessed value. The county's rate stays slightly above Prince William County and Loudoun County's new $1.125 and Arlington's $1.006. The county's rate is below Falls Church City's $1.33 and is on par with Alexandria's proposed $1.13.

But next year residents could still pay more in property taxes next year due to a slight increase in the countywide real estate assessments.

The budget does include some fee increases. The stormwater fee will increase slightly to $0.03 per $100 of assessed value. Residents will also see sewer service charge rise 7 cents to $6.75 per 1,000 gallons. However, the leaf collection levy will decrease slightly to $0.013.

Funding for public schools continues to be a major component of the county's budget. The 2018 budget allocates $2.17 billion for Fairfax County Public Schools, or 52.8 percent of the general fund budget. This is a $52.7 million increase from 2017. The school system projects a $48.4 million shortfall for fiscal year 2018, based on the adopted state budget and a 2017 third quarter review.

The budget also allocates $1.9 million more for the Diversion First initiative, which offers alternatives to incarceration for mentally disabled people. The program diverted 375 people from potential arrest in 2016, the year it was launched.

Next year's budget will pose challenges to the county. The budget includes implications of increased contributions to the D.C. Metro system and changes to the federal budget.

Read more about the adopted budget here.

Image via Fairfax County