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Fairfax County supervisors have informally approved a $5.9 billion fiscal 2027 budget that slightly lowers the real estate tax rate while restoring money to several programs targeted for cuts. Despite the rate reduction, the average homeowner’s tax bill is still expected to increase by $337.

The Board of Supervisors backed the package 8-2 during its Tuesday markup session. A final adoption vote is scheduled for May 5, and the budget will take effect July 1.

The plan reduces the real estate tax rate from $1.1225 to $1.12 per $100 of assessed value. Rising property assessments will still push bills higher, though the average increase would have been $357 if the board had kept the rate proposed by County Executive Bryan Hill.

Board Chairman Jeff McKay credited the county’s new meals tax with helping make the rate reduction possible. The 4% tax on prepared food took effect Jan. 1 and is charged in addition to the existing 6% sales tax.

McKay said the tax “has begun to deliver on its intended purpose.”

Supervisors also made last-minute adjustments that left the spending plan with a $4.7 million balance. That money was directed to a Reserve for Economic Uncertainty.

Several board members described the budget as an imperfect compromise shaped by instability at the federal level and growing pressure on local governments.

“We are in a time of chaos. We are the backstop for our community,” said Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith, the board’s vice chair.

Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk said the package supports residents’ “safety, stability and well-being” while offering some tax relief.

Two supervisors oppose the compromise

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn voted against the budget for sharply different reasons.

Herrity, the board’s only Republican, objected to spending increases and said the modest tax-rate reduction “doesn’t cut it.”

“Here we go again — tax bills are still going up,” Herrity said. “Our taxpayers have not been a priority.”

McKay said he hopes the county can reduce the rate further in future budgets, acknowledging that “people are suffering right now.”

Alcorn, however, opposed lowering the tax rate while the county is cutting safety-net services and other programs. The advertised budget included approximately $32 million in reductions.

“I cannot support a reduction of the real estate tax rate — even only a small amount — while also cutting services across several programs to some of our most vulnerable residents,” Alcorn said.

He also criticized the county for providing Fairfax County Public Schools with $43.8 million less than the School Board and superintendent requested.

Funding restored to four programs

During markup, supervisors partially reversed proposed cuts or eliminations affecting four programs:

• $250,000 was restored for home-improvement initiatives serving low-income residents.

• $200,000 was restored for a part-time preschool program serving about 150 children in 13 classrooms.

• Approximately $130,000 was added for home-delivered meals, allowing seven deliveries per week. Pandemic relief money had supported as many as 11 weekly meals, while the advertised budget proposed reducing the number to the five required under federal law.

• $310,000 was restored for the BeWell health initiative, which offers wellness coaching to people with significant mental illnesses.

The budget also raises affordable-housing funding to $52.7 million. The amount falls short of what advocates requested but exceeds previous county funding levels.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck said he wanted a larger real estate tax-rate reduction but still supported the overall package. He said the central goal was “making sure we leave no one behind.”

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik similarly praised the budget’s overall priorities and called the affordable-housing investment a meaningful step.

Braddock District Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer said the plan reflected reasonable tradeoffs under difficult conditions.

“We cannot forget those most in need — we cannot,” said Sizemore Heizer, a former School Board member who joined the Board of Supervisors after a December 2025 special election. “Budgets are never perfect. We can’t do everything.”

Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez criticized some school-funding advocates for behavior he described as “disrespectful” and at times “mind-blowing.”

“We all care about students,” Jimenez said, urging education advocates to work with supervisors instead of insulting them. “We want to be helpful, we want to partner.”

Transit and crossing-guard cuts remain

Not all proposed reductions were reversed. The plan eliminates crossing guards at county high schools and calls for contractors to fill vacancies at elementary and middle schools.

It also cuts $7.2 million from Fairfax Connector service. Hill proposed eliminating 48,500 service hours across 13 routes classified as low-performing, a change estimated to affect 600 passengers each day.

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said he “didn’t feel good” about either reduction but believed both resulted from fair cost-benefit reviews. He described the overall budget as “relatively stable in otherwise chaotic times.”

Lusk also expressed concern about losing crossing guards but said the county has other tools available to improve pedestrian safety near schools.

After finishing the markup, supervisors sent fiscal 2028 budget guidance to Hill and county employees. That guidance also addresses a projected $15.86 billion in county capital spending over the coming decade.

Jimenez warned that the next budget cycle could be even more difficult.

“We’ll be looking at tougher decisions next year,” he said.