Fauquier County’s proposed FY2026 budget would raise real-estate rate 3 cents as residents urge fuller school and public-safety funding

The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026 proposed budget, which County budget staff presented as totaling approximately $441,480,000 with an overall real-estate tax rate of $0.973 per $100 of assessed value — an increase of three cents in the general rate compared with FY2025. The county said the average homeowner’s tax bill under the proposal would rise by $138.13 annually. The presentation also showed a proposed capital improvement program (CIP) of about $151,100,000 through FY2030.

The hearing drew extensive public comment focused on school funding and teacher pay, plus separate remarks in support of fire-and-rescue staffing and equipment. Commenters repeatedly urged the board to fully fund the Fauquier County Public Schools (FCPS) request so the division can increase teacher pay and address a personnel shortage affecting classroom and specialist positions.

County budget presenter Ms. Dribling summarized the proposal’s headline numbers and tax effects during the hearing. She told the board the FY2026 proposed budget includes no change to the fire-and-rescue levy or the conservation easement service…