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Fairfax City budget hearing draws strong public comment; council introduces wastewater, stormwater and meals‑tax ordinances for public hearings
Summary
At a lengthy public hearing on the FY2026 budget, residents urged the council to protect public safety and arts funding while discussing potential tax and fee increases; Council voted to introduce wastewater and stormwater rate increases for public hearing and to advertise a possible meals‑tax increase (vote 4–3).
The Fairfax City Council opened its third and final public hearing on the proposed FY2026 budget and heard testimony from residents, firefighters, business leaders and arts organizations before introducing several ordinances for public hearing.
Public testimony: Over two dozen speakers urged the council to prioritize core services. Brian Sullivan, president of the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, warned that proposed public‑safety cuts (a scenario exercise discussed earlier) could eliminate positions and degrade emergency response, saying the proposed reductions would “have severe consequences, including the loss of 12 dedicated fire and emergency positions.” Firefighters’ union leadership and volunteer fire representatives echoed that message, emphasizing…
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