Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill released a new Fairfax County budget, based on current and anticipated economic conditions, that eliminates some tax increases but also has a number of cuts.
Like many municipalities, Fairfax County is looking at a major decrease in revenue this year and next year due to global economic uncertainty, local job furloughs and layoffs and more.
“Little did we suspect, at the time, that the COVID-19 pandemic could so quickly and significantly change the economic outlook—not only for Fairfax County but across the country and the world,” Hill said in a statement.
Because of those losses, the new budget proposed “no longer includes the previously proposed three-cent Real Estate Tax rate increase or a proposed 4% Admissions Tax and holds revenue flat. Compensation increases for county employees, expanded library hours and new positions to staff various programs and facilities have been eliminated.”
There will be a significant decrease in the amount of the County’s budget that is transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools.
The County is trying to maintain increases to the budget that were to cover additional positions in the Health Department, School Health programs and more, but overall hiring is significantly reduced.
Further, Fairfax County officials will need to revisit the budget multiple times and may need to make adjustments over the next several quarters as the coronavirus situation develops.
According to the opening statement to the new proposed budget: "At this time, we are unsure how long the current economic downturn will last as we do not yet know how long it will take for our country to begin to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, even if we are able to “flatten the curve”, there are concerns that the virus could come back and spread throughout the country once again. In fact, until there are demonstrated treatments that may alleviate symptoms or an approved vaccine, we may be faced with cycles of social distancing and economic disruption for the foreseeable future. It is important, therefore, that we be conservative in our assumptions in this revised proposal."
Fairfax County residents are invited to share their opinions on the new proposed budget Tuesday through Thursday, April 28 – 30. Video, phone and written (online) testimony options are available. Due to physical distancing recommendations and the Commonwealth’s stay-at-home order, there will be no in-person opportunities.
