Reston Association narrows 2026 assessment to $901 after budget adjustments; board adopts CIP

The Reston Association Board of Directors reviewed Draft 2 of the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets on Oct. 23 and approved a set of changes that reduced the draft assessment to $901 per member for 2026 while adopting the association's 2026'2035 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The board and staff said the draft budget reflects multiple adjustments recommended by the fiscal committee, offsets from unassigned capital funds and changes to the timing of capital projects, including moving the Hook Road restroom replacement out of 2026 and into 2027.

Why it matters: The adopted CIP and budget direction determine the association's capital spending and the 2026 assessment that members pay. Board members and the finance committee emphasized balancing near-term member impacts with long-term capital needs, especially the association's capital reserve (the 'BRF').

Key decisions and context - Draft 2 assessment: Staff reported that, after motions the board made earlier in the budget process and the fiscal committee's recommendations, the assessment reflected in Draft 2 is $901 per member. That number incorporates a $300,000 reduction in the capital contribution relative to an earlier draft, offsetting some but not all proposed capital spending. - CIP adoption: The board voted to adopt the 2026'2035 CIP as presented. The CIP incorporates facility condition-assessment results completed in 2025 (see separate coverage) and schedules several projects across multiple years. - Project timing changes: The Hook Road restroom project was moved to fiscal year 2027. Staff said the move and other timing updates reduced the 2026 capital spend and contributed to the lower assessment. - Use of unassigned capital funds: Draft 2 includes offsets from unassigned Bridal RF and CARF funds (staff used $500,000 from Bridal RF unassigned and $100,000 from CARF unassigned plus cancelled-project savings) to reduce near-term assessment impact; the board approved using those offsets as part of Draft 2.

Pool programming and aquatics funding A separate motion reduced aquatics operating spending by $175,000 for 2026, with the direction that staff preserve the more heavily used evening-hours and the additional school-break week that expanded service in 2025. The motion passed. Board members who opposed that reduction said they wanted more time and data to evaluate the first year of the expanded schedule; proponents cited a fall in overall pool visits in 2025 despite additional operating hours and expressed concern about the cost per visit.

Unrealized investment gains and capital funding Treasurer and several directors debated whether to "take" unrealized appreciation from the Bridal RF (capital reserve) and use it to reduce assessment pressure. A motion to direct staff to liquidate the fund's unrealized appreciation as of Oct. 31, 2026, and credit the 2027 CIP failed. Supporters said a one-time realization would let the board use investment gains to prepay capital and hold assessments down; opponents said the board should not prescribe selling into the market and warned that using gains now could require higher assessments later. Staff cautioned that the association is already drawing down Bridal RF over the next two years to fund planned projects.

Other budget items and administrative matters - Elections funding: The board left the 2026 election budget at the amount in Draft 2 (reduced from an earlier figure after new vendor pricing), and staff noted the line includes printing and mailing costs beyond vendor contract fees. - Friends of Reston requests: The board voted to ask Friends of Reston to consider funding specified Walker Nature Center projects (a set of 2026 and 2027 items) rather than reducing the assessment directly; staff will follow up with Friends on the request.

What comes next Staff will prepare Draft 3 (final draft) of the budget for publication ahead of the Nov. 13 adoption meeting, and the board's final vote on the 2026 operating and capital budgets will occur at that meeting. Staff said it will incorporate tonight's motions, the adopted CIP and any remaining direction into the final packet.

Ending note: The board's actions leave the association's longer-term capital funding strategy unresolved; several directors asked staff and the fiscal committee to present a multi-year plan to ramp the capital contribution so that assessments and spending align more closely over time.