Budget Committee

The Fairfax Federation was quoted in an article of the Fairfax Times on May 2, 2025:

The federation is an 85-year-old organization for the residential communities within Fairfax County. It represents “tens of thousands” of Fairfax County homeowners in the county’s nine magisterial districts. The federation’s central concern is to “ensure a prosperous long-term future for all Fairfax County residents.” 

In a statement, the federation complained that the county has received less revenue than it needs. “It would be prudent for the county to plan for a darker economic environment in the near future. Faced with potential tax increases and lines of business reductions, Fairfax County ought to base important decisions about programs on our strategic plan,” the federation said.

“We continue to support the Board of Supervisors advocating at the General Assembly for a more equitable share of our tax dollars. We are also aware that successful advocacy will require a multiyear effort,” the federation said. 

However, the federation said that “for the first time in recent memory,” it is “not supporting fully funding” a budget request by Fairfax County Public Schools.

“We do not believe the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget represents a truly needs-based budget. Despite the County Executive’s request for all County departments to submit budgets with 10% cuts, FCPS has not suggested any programmatic or policy shifts to improve their operations and/or ensure that our tax dollars are spent both efficiently and effectively,” the federation added. 

The federation said, “In a difficult fiscal environment, every government agency must examine whether their approach to spending represents their best critical thinking about how to meet their mission, and not to simply engage in business as usual.”

The federation also offered its remarks on diversifying Fairfax County’s tax base, including taxes on lodging, cigarettes, admissions, business licenses (BPOL), and food and beverages. 

“This would diversify the tax base and put less pressure on homeowners, who provide the bulk of County revenues,” it said.

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Tim Thompson spoke at the April 24, 2025 Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on the budget, covering the Federation's budget resolution: https://video.fairfaxcounty.gov/player/clip/3778?view_id=7&redirect=true (tune to 4:56)

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Approved the FY2026 Budget Resolution at the March 27, 2025 Fairfax Federation Membership Meeting.  The Resolution was submitted to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

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Federation's 27 February 2025 Budget meeting

At the February Membership meeting, the members heard from Matthew Norton, Fairfax County Public Schools Budget Assistant Director, Joe LaHait, Deputy Director, and Phil Hagen, Director, Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget who explained and answered questions related to their respective budgets.

1. Phil Hagen, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget provided an overview of the county's FY 2026 budget

2. Mathew Norton, Assistant Director of Budget, Office of Budget Services, Fairfax County Public Schools provided an overview of the Fairfax County Public School's FY 2026 requested budget

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Important Links

Link to the FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan

FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan | Management and Budget

 

Agency Reductions to the FY2026 Advertised Budget Plan

Agency Reductions - FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan (Fairfax, Virginia)

 

FY2026 Budget Process Timeline

Budget Process Timeline | Management and Budget

 

FC County Executive Budget Presentation

FY 2026 Advertised Budget Presentation