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Falls Church is heading into a consequential spring, with a proposed $134.3 million budget, the coming retirement of longtime City Manager Wyatt Shields and a packed calendar of civic events, arts programs and community activities.
Meanwhile, Virginia Dream FC has delivered another U.S. Open Cup upset, defeating a professional opponent for the second consecutive year.
Proposed budget keeps tax rate steady as assessments rise
Shields presented the proposed fiscal 2027 budget and six-year Capital Improvements Program to the City Council on March 23. School Board Chair Kathleen Tysse and Superintendent Dr. Terry J. Dade joined him for the presentation.
The proposed general government operating budget, excluding debt service, includes $59.5 million in spending, up 3.4 percent from fiscal 2026. The transfer to schools from general tax revenue would rise 4.1 percent to $57.8 million.
Including state and federal revenue, the School Division’s operating budget would total $71.6 million, a 3.4 percent increase. The entire General Fund budget—including schools, general government and the capital plan—would reach $134.3 million, up 0.8 percent as the city reduces its use of capital reserves and spends less on debt service.
The real estate tax rate would remain $1.185 per $100 of assessed value. Despite the unchanged rate, market appreciation is expected to raise the median homeowner’s tax bill by $611, or 5 percent.
Shields said the proposal invests in employees and essential infrastructure to provide reliable, responsive and resilient city services.
The six-year capital plan allocates $100.6 million for transportation, $7.6 million for city and school facilities, $33.5 million for sanitary sewers and $8.7 million for stormwater projects. It includes $94.8 million in federal, state and regional grants, of which $90 million would support roadway safety and accessibility work.
No new taxpayer-funded debt is planned until fiscal 2031, when the city expects to borrow $5 million to replace the Falls Church Fire Station roof.
Residents will have several opportunities to follow and comment on the proposal before its anticipated adoption:
- March 26: First Budget Town Hall at noon
- April 6: First budget work session
- April 13: First reading and second budget work session
- April 17: Budget and Finance Committee meeting
- April 20: Third budget work session
- April 27: Public hearing and fourth budget work session
- April 30: Second Budget Town Hall
- May 4: Final markup and fifth budget work session
- May 11: Second reading, public hearing and anticipated adoption
- May 12: School Board budget adoption
- July 1: Start of fiscal 2027
Public comment is scheduled for March 26; April 13, 27 and 30; and May 11. Residents may also email comments to Budget@fallschurchva.gov or speak in person or virtually during regular council meetings. Speakers receive three minutes.
Council work sessions are open for public viewing but do not include public comment.
Wyatt Shields to retire after 23 years
One day after presenting the budget, Shields announced that he intends to retire from Falls Church government on Sept. 4.
Shields has served the city for 23 years, first as assistant city manager and, since 2007, as city manager. His tenure has included major economic development projects, infrastructure investments and efforts to improve the city’s finances and public services.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve the City of Falls Church for these past 23 years,” Shields said, crediting city employees, volunteers and council members for their collaboration.
Mayor Letty Hardi praised Shields for leading with integrity, vision and a commitment to the community.
Under the City Charter, the council will establish the schedule and process for recruiting and appointing his successor.
“No Kings” demonstration planned along Broad Street
Falls Church Indivisible and Democracy Falls Church are organizing another “No Kings” event from 10 a.m. to noon March 28.
Organizers plan to line Broad Street from Haycock Road to Roosevelt Street. Democracy Falls Church has asked participants to arrive before 10 a.m. at Frady Park, 311 E. Broad St., for instructions and safety guidance.
Block captains will support demonstrators between Washington and Cherry streets, and attendees are being asked not to interfere with other people’s daily activities.
The event follows Falls Church demonstrations held in June and October 2025. Organizers said about 2,500 people attended the Oct. 18 gathering and hope to double that turnout.
This year’s event will include contests for signs, decorated cars and costumes for people and dogs, with prizes supplied by local restaurants and businesses.
Falls Church Indivisible began meeting in December 2024 and joined the national Indivisible network in January 2025. Its membership includes people from Falls Church and surrounding jurisdictions.
Student-led workshop will confront “us versus them” thinking
Meridian High School students will help lead an April 11 workshop examining how people become marginalized because of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
“Othering: The Danger of ‘US vs THEM’ Thinking” will run from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley.
The program is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of Falls Church and Vicinity, an initiative of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, in partnership with the Chi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Panelists will discuss the effects of exclusion on individuals and communities and offer ways to challenge it. Meridian sophomore Liya Bejarano said the aim is to give teenagers and adults practical strategies for building a more inclusive community.
The panel will feature Dade; public-policy strategist and social-justice advocate Chlo’e Edwards; Mount Daniel Elementary counselor Michelle Goldberg; and Meridian junior Xavier Smith, president of the school’s Black Student Union. Meridian senior Olivia Pierre will perform spoken word.
Doors open at noon for a light lunch near the Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden on the fifth floor. The garden and its artwork commemorate Selby, the first Black student to attend and later graduate from the formerly segregated George Mason High School.
The free event will include childcare, supervised activities, refreshments and parking. Advance registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome.
Monthlong fitness challenge begins April 1
The Falls Church Fitness Challenge returns from April 1 through April 30 with free activities intended to get residents moving while introducing them to local businesses.
Open to all ages, the program will offer outdoor Jazzercise, sound baths and “Walking Office Hours” with Hardi. A community kickoff called Move Falls Church! is scheduled for April 11.
A bingo-style Fitness Passport will encourage participants to visit different workouts, events and locations. More than 25 fitness and wellness businesses are expected to offer promotions, with local restaurants also participating.
People who complete challenges can earn prizes ranging from decals to duffel bags.
Falls Church Arts earns top nonprofit honor
The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce has selected Falls Church Arts as its 2026 Nonprofit of the Year.
The all-volunteer organization has operated for more than 25 years, growing to more than 280 members and reaching over 2,100 people. Its work includes plein-air events, public art, classes, camps and scholarships intended to support local artists and make art more accessible.
Falls Church Arts is also accepting applications through April 30 for its Excellence in Art Scholarship. A limited number of $1,000 awards will go to Northern Virginia high school seniors planning to pursue artistic work at an accredited postsecondary institution.
Applicants must demonstrate excellence and creativity in drawing, painting, photography, mixed media or sculpture. Additional consideration will be given to students whose art and activities have benefited their school, fellow students or the wider community.
Each application must include five images, an artist statement, an academic transcript, a recommendation from an art instructor and another recommendation from a non-family adult. All materials must reach the Falls Church Arts Scholarship Committee by April 30.
Falls Church doctor backs permanent standard time
Dr. Ashtaad Dalal, a Falls Church-based sleep medicine physician with PMA Health, testified virtually before the Virginia Senate in support of SB 541, a measure favoring permanent standard time and an end to twice-yearly clock changes.
The Senate passed the bill, and Sen. Richard Stewart referenced Dalal’s testimony during his opening floor remarks.
Dalal told lawmakers that standard time corresponds more closely with natural sunlight and human circadian rhythms. Morning light, he said, helps regulate sleep, alertness, mood and brain function and is particularly important for children, adolescents, families and people with early school or work schedules.
He also argued that permanent standard time could support better health, safety, academic performance and workplace productivity.
Dalal discussed the issue on WUSA-TV’s morning program March 6. Further action would require passage by the Virginia House, followed by regional coordination with Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Virginia Dream stuns another professional club
Falls Church-based Virginia Dream FC advanced to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by beating professional side Carolina Core FC 2-1.
It was the semi-professional club’s second consecutive year eliminating a professional opponent from the tournament.
Carolina Core scored in the 52nd minute, but winger Diarra Zoumana equalized six minutes later. Midfielder Mike Akinkoye struck the deciding goal in the 78th minute.
Vice President Paulo Mendes said the victory reflected the club’s goal of giving talented players opportunities to compete at a high level. Head coach Charles Taylor said the team entered the road match understanding the challenge after overcoming another professional club in the previous year’s opening round.
Virginia Dream will play the winner of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Steel City FC on March 31.
Founded in 2022, the club covers its players’ costs as part of its mission to remove financial barriers to high-level soccer.