County staff outline FY2026–2030 CIP, propose adding health lab and splitting childcare bonds

Summary

At the March 25 budget committee meeting Fairfax County staff reviewed the FY2026–2030 capital improvement program, proposed adding a $35 million health department laboratory to the 2026 bond referendum, splitting an early childhood bond into two $25 million questions, and recommended deferring the Centreville library to a later bond cycle.

Christina Jackson, Fairfax County chief financial officer, and Martha Reed, capital programs division director, presented an overview of the county’s FY2026–2030 capital improvement program (CIP) and bond plan at the March 25 Budget Committee meeting.

The lede: staff emphasized affordability in a higher interest‑rate environment, recommended a handful of changes to the 2026 bond plan (including a new health department laboratory and staged childcare funding), and highlighted use of sinking fund balances and Economic Development Authority financing to manage large projects.

The nut graf: the county’s broader CIP totals more than $15 billion over multiple programs; the focus of the committee discussion was on the general‑fund supported capital program and upcoming bond referenda and how to balance program needs with debt affordability.

Staff said the FY2026 general‑fund supported capital program totals about $31.7 million in the advertised budget and that the county’s overall CIP includes both county‑managed and non‑county managed programs (for example NOVA Parks and Fairfax Water) and self‑supported programs (stormwater, wastewater, solid waste). A joint CIP committee recommendation…

County staff outline FY2026–2030 CIP, propose adding health lab and splitting childcare bonds

Summary

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