Prince William County adopts FY2026 budget, approves levies amid taxpayer objections

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2026 all‑funds budget and a slate of tax levies and fees at its April 27 meeting after several hours of discussion and public comment. Key votes included adoption of the real‑estate property tax levy, the fire levy and the school budget. Several supervisors and members of the public warned that rising property assessments are pushing tax bills higher even where the board reduced the tax rate.

The budget vote follows public comments from business owners and residents who said rising assessments driven by data‑center sales are increasing tax burdens on long‑standing industrial and small‑business properties. "The tax assessment has gone up $8,000,000 in the last five years," said Barry Braden, who identified himself as a developer and a 25‑year member of the county commercial development committee, and said his 10‑acre heavy industrial lot near Hornbaker Road and University Drive has seen assessment and tax increases that threaten continued operation as an industrial site. Ben Baldwin, who identified himself as "from Kohl's," criticized the board's majority for approving additional school funding and described the budget as a "con" that increases average residential bills.

Representing firefighters, Mitch Nason, president of the Prince William Professional Firefighters and a 20‑year veteran, thanked the board for proposed safety investments and urged additional funding for cancer screenings after the union reported recent diagnoses among members. "We've had six members diagnosed in the past 12 weeks," Nason said, asking supervisors to consider further investments in firefighter health and staffing.

Why it matters: The board approved a budget that the chair described as reflecting county priorities including schools, public safety, parks, and capital…