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Fairfax City manager proposes 9.5¢ tax‑rate increase recommendation; council weighs advertising cushion and public town halls
Summary
City Manager Brian Foster presented a proposed FY26 budget that includes a recommended 9.5¢ real‑estate tax increase for council consideration; council debated whether to advertise a slightly higher rate for flexibility, weighed town‑hall style public engagement, and staff outlined options including a one‑time personal‑property timing change that would yield about $6.5M.
City Manager Brian Foster briefed the Fairfax City Council on March 4 about the proposed FY26 general fund budget and the near‑term procedural decision the council must make on the advertised tax rate.
Foster said the manager’s recommended budget proposes a real‑estate tax increase equivalent to 9.5¢ (moving the rate to about $1.125 per $100 assessed value) and explained that state statute requires the council to advertise a tax rate prior to the public hearing; the advertised rate can be higher than the eventual adopted rate but not higher than the advertised amount without restarting the…
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