Fauquier County's Board of Supervisors made significant budgetary decisions during their adjourned meeting on April 3, 2025, aimed at reducing the tax burden on residents while maintaining essential services. The proposed budget reflects a reduction in the general real estate tax increase from an initial 3 cents to 1.9 cents, resulting in an average annual tax bill increase of approximately $110, or $9 per month, for homeowners.

Key budgetary adjustments include a $216,000 savings achieved by reducing the county's employer contribution to the Virginia retirement system hybrid plan. Additionally, the budget does not include any new positions, leading to the elimination of two roles: a senior assistant county attorney and a drug court coordinator. However, two new positions in community development—a zoning planner and an environmental specialist—were created, fully funded by reallocating existing resources.

The Board also shifted $800,000 in public safety asset replacements to the fire rescue tax rate, further easing the general tax rate. The budget maintains funding for the school division, which will see a slight increase to 52.85% of the total budget, and public safety funding will also rise marginally.

Looking ahead, the Board plans to address several capital requests in upcoming meetings, including significant investments in public safety technology and cybersecurity improvements. A proposal for automated vulnerability testing software aims to enhance the county's cybersecurity posture, potentially reducing the time required for system updates from years to mere hours.

These budgetary measures reflect the Board's commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring that essential services remain funded and that the community's needs are met. The discussions and decisions made during this meeting will shape the county's financial landscape in the coming fiscal year.