Fauquier County proposes $460 million FY2027 budget with targeted raises for public safety and schools

Fauquier County administrators presented a $460,000,000 FY2027 budget proposal that staff said focuses on preserving core services, funding infrastructure and supporting public-safety staffing. Janelle Downs introduced the package as one built to “steady the basics and protect essential services.”

Mallory Stribling, the deputy county administrator, outlined the proposal’s key numbers and timing, saying the advertised real-estate rate is proposed at 91.1¢ and that reassessments mean the average homeowner will face an annual increase of roughly $406 (about $33.90 per month). Stribling said the county reduced $4.2 million in operating costs and $3 million in asset replacements during the budget preparation to limit new recurring program spending.

The proposal includes a general 3% salary increase for county employees, step increases for uniform fire-rescue personnel tied to a schedule change, and a 6.8% market adjustment to the sheriff’s pay scale for sworn staff. Staff described the SAFER grant that supports 24 new fire-rescue FTEs (75% reimbursable in year one) and noted recurring costs for ambulance and equipment replacements are included in the asset plan. The county’s proposed general-fund and transfer increases also reflect a fully funded school request and increases to debt service and benefit costs.

The board is scheduled to hear follow-up presentations (pay and benefits, clerk and sheriff details) on March 12, hold a public hearing on March 23 and consider budget adoption on March 31.