Fairfax County may give homeowners a slight break on their property tax rate, even as total tax bills increase due to rising property assessments.
The proposed one-cent decrease from $1.15 to $1.14 (per $100 in assessed valuation) is part of the proposed budget Fairfax County Board of Supervisors members are considering this month for the 2022 fiscal year. Like in other parts of Northern Virginia, home values are on the rise — and so are tax bills for homeowners. For the average homeowner in Fairfax County, the property tax bill would rise by $224 per year.
“Despite the tremendous impact that the pandemic has had in our County, we have fared better than most other jurisdictions across the country,” wrote Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay in a budget memo. “This is due in part to the solid economic foundation that has been developed and strengthened over many decades.”
Similar to other parts of the region, commercial real estate has decreased in Fairfax County and that will affect revenue in the upcoming fiscal year.
Homeowners will also be paying a bit more in solid waste and wastewater rates. Those were originally supposed to increase in the FY 2021 budget, but as the pandemic hit county officials backed off on those increases to help residents financially. Those increases will take effect this year if the proposed budget does not change.
Fairfax County published this "where it comes from" revenue pie chart with more information about FY 2022 revenue sources. About two-thirds of revenue come from real estate taxes (commercial and residential).
Where Fairfax County Revenue Comes From FY 2022
Spending Changes
The proposed budget also calls for an increase of $14.13 million to Fairfax County Public Schools — far short of the $104 million increase in funding that FCPS officials requested. Some federal pandemic funding may offset increased costs.
However, the proposed budget does not include more than $60 million in local funds to match state funds that could increase FCPS employee salaries by as much as 3 percent. Fairfax County employees would not receive a raise, either, but some may receive a financial bonus and hazard pay.
“Providing pay increases for teachers and other school employees is certainly one of the County’s top priorities, and no one wants to be in the position of turning down state funds. But the burden placed on localities to fill the funding gap is simply too great, particularly in times of economic uncertainty,” McKay wrote.
County officials will slightly increase spending on various board priorities, including public safety, the Diversion First program, opioid use prevention, environmental initiatives and more. This will include 16 positions for the South County Police Station.
“I know that many residents have struggled due to a loss of income and other challenges during the pandemic. I appreciate that the County Executive has proposed a budget that reflects these uncertain financial times, and is a responsible starting point for discussion,” said Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck.
Storck and School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders will be hosting a virtual community meeting on the budget this Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m. (Sign up to attend the meeting here.)
The following chart is the FY 2022 "where it goes" revenue pie chart.
