Fauquier Board adopts FY27 budget, sets tax rate at 89.5¢

The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt and appropriate the fiscal year 2027 budget, set calendar-year 2026 tax rates at 89.5¢, and approve the fiscal 2027–2031 capital improvement program. The motion was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote; the board recorded a single nay.

Committee member said the board must address workforce retention as an ongoing budget concern, adding, "I think that we need to do a much more thorough job of understanding of finding a solution to the employment problem that we have." Mallory Stribling, the county presenter, outlined the package and confirmed the board's mark-up/mark-down decisions were reflected in the materials on the dais.

The adopted budget follows staff recommendations that included a package of proposed reductions and one-time transfers intended to produce the 89.5¢ rate. During discussion members raised the impact of competitive pay in neighboring localities on county staffing for schools, the sheriff's office and fire/rescue. Stribling noted the county will bring a recommended $290,000 appropriation for a state-directed bonus to a future meeting and that some compensation-board reimbursement changes have been anticipated in the mark-up.

Chairman Carter called the vote and declared the motion carried. The board also approved several related agenda items, including the repeal of a stormwater management fee and a separate resolution opposing state legislation on mandatory collective bargaining; next steps include the administrative follow-up for appropriations and planned communication to the governor on the bargaining resolution.