Arlington County Board adopts FY2026 budget, holds property tax rate flat and raises meals tax to 5%

Summary

The Arlington County Board adopted its FY2026 operating and capital budget and tax resolutions April 9, keeping the base real estate tax rate flat but raising the meals tax from 4% to 5%. The package includes one‑time reserves, increases for housing and human services, pay adjustments and funding tied to climate goals; the vote was unanimous.

The Arlington County Board on April 9 adopted the fiscal year 2026 county operating and capital budget, approved the corresponding appropriations and tax resolutions and enacted a series of fee and code amendments. The board kept the county’s base real estate tax rate unchanged at $1.033 per $100 of assessed value, adopted a 5% meals tax (up from 4%), and approved several other tax and fee measures. The package passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The budget funds the county’s safety net and core municipal services while responding to growing uncertainty in the regional and federal economy. County leaders said the package preserves services for vulnerable residents, advances climate and public safety priorities and includes one‑time and ongoing measures to stabilize the county’s finances amid volatile revenue forecasts.

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Arlington County Board adopts FY2026 budget, holds property tax rate flat and raises meals tax to 5%

Summary

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