Fauquier County holds combined public hearings on $460 million FY27 budget, tax rates and CIP

Ms. Stribling presented the county's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, telling the Board of Supervisors the plan totals approximately $460,000,000 and carries an overall real estate tax rate of 91.1¢ per $100 of assessed value.

"The fiscal year 2027 proposed budget totals approximately 460,000,000 with an overall real estate tax rate of 91.1¢ per a $100 of assessed value," Ms. Stribling said, and she noted that the FY27 rate is 5.6¢ lower than the FY26 adopted budget because of reductions in the general rate and the fire/rescue levy. She also said the proposed capital improvement program totals about $136,500,000 through FY2031 and that planned future projects total roughly $178,100,000.

The staff presentation highlighted the countywide real property reassessment effective 01/01/2026, which Ms. Stribling said resulted in about a 22.3% increase in total assessed value and a 26.8% increase in total taxable value adjusted for land use. She added the proposed FY27 budget includes a cash funding commitment of about $18,600,000 (approximately 13.6% of appropriations across the five-year planning period) and that the CIP is in compliance with the board's debt policies.

Chairman Carter opened three consolidated public hearings so residents could address the FY27 proposed budget, a possible real property tax increase, and consideration of repealing Article 20 of Chapter 8 (the county's stormwater management fee). After hearing more than a dozen speakers the board closed the hearings and staff announced the budget adoption is scheduled for March 31 at 4:00 p.m.

The hearing made clear that while staff views the package as fiscally balanced, residents and school representatives repeatedly urged local funding for schools and pressed the board to consider the local effects of the reassessment. The board took no vote at the hearing; the next formal step is the March 31 budget adoption meeting.