Fairfax County residents testified passionately during the Tuesday, April 22 public hearings. Those who attended the hearings live or tuned into the video broadcast learned that the board has announced plans to cut life-saving programs — ambulance service in some parts of the county — as it considers how best to address a prospective $300 million budget deficit. 

The budget shortfall is due to rising costs, particularly employee pay and benefits, which outpace revenue growth. There is also a heavy reliance on property taxes, which have not kept pace with the county's increasing expenses, but continue to increase a burder on residents. Additionally, the county is not funding Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) full request.

Maria Posey discussed the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services Middle School After-School Program (MSAS), a free, five-day per week program offered at all Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) middle schools and formed in the early 2000s, and paid for by the county budget, not the schools. “Fairfax was seeing a dangerous rise in gang recruitment among middle schoolers,” Posey said. “The number one gang prevention recommendation in Fairfax County was simple: keep middle schoolers engaged after school.”

“I've heard some of you say that we should charge a sliding scale fee to keep the program running. As someone whose values of social justice and fairness run deep, I have three words for you. Please, don't do it. The moment you add a fee, however small, some families won't be able to afford it, and their kids will be the ones who need this program the most.”

Robert Young, president of the IFF Local 2068 firefighters' union, said four EMS transport units are threatened. His core message was that reducing units increases response times, delays medical transport, and potentially compromises emergency services in less populated areas.  Shawn P.  Stokes, the Volunteer Fire Commission chairman, expressed concerns about budget cuts. Stokes said the reduction of the apparatus stipend from $35,000 to $25,000 could cause volunteer fire departments to postpone apparatus purchases

Eva May said she is an addict in recovery at New Generations. It is a program of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. Her testimony highlighted the importance of the residential program in helping mothers recover while caring for their children. She argued that cutting the program would harm mothers, children, and future generations. She urged the board to save New Generations.

Multiple speakers advocated keeping the doors of Fairfax County Employees' Child Care Center (ECCC)  open and not privatizing it. Frank Woodruff reminded the supervisors that the board and the agencies have control if the county runs the center. The Fairfax County government operates ECCC, part of the Fairfax County Health & Human Services System.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors invited local residents and leadership from organizations and programs to testify and share their concerns during public hearings beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22. The board held public hearings related to, among other things, an increase in the local transient occupancy tax rate from 4 percent to 6 percent, effective July 1, 2025;  adding a food and beverage tax of no more than 6 percent; and consideration of an effective property tax rate increase. 

Fairfax County reported that over 300  people were expected to testify during the three days of budget hearings. One hundred eighteen speakers registered to testify on day one, beginning at  4 p.m. during the Public Hearing on the FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan, the FY 2026 – FY 2030 Advertised Capital Improvement Program (with Future Fiscal Years to 2035) and to Amend the Current Appropriation Level of the FY 2025 Revised Budget Plan as Proposed in the FY 2025 Third Quarter Review. The public hearings continue on April 23 and 24. The record is left open for testimony until May 6 as part of the budget markup process.

Overlap concerning tax increases spilled from the 3 p.m. public hearings to the 4 p.m. public hearing. The speaker's line continued nonstop for nearly eight hours on Tuesday as locals advocated for and against proposed taxes as described in the county’s FY2026 advertised budget. The supervisors are proposing including the consideration of a 4 percent food and beverage tax. The proposed meals tax rate could generate $65.1 million in revenue that could be used to offset real estate tax increases or fund other county priorities, according to a report on the Fairfax County website. 

Jeffrey Leach criticized the county's spending habits and advocated for a balanced budget without tax increases. He called the budget “a car wreck,” and criticized county leaders for mismanaging taxpayer resources.

Leach provided specific statistics to highlight what he sees as overspending in the school system. According to Leach, between 1985 and 2025, student enrollment increased by 44 percent, but total FCPS employees nearly doubled, to 94 percent; the number of teachers increased by 186 percent, and the number of assistant principals increased by 306 percent.

James Kulikowski, representing the McLean Citizens Association, advocated for a balanced budget and the use of surplus funds to avoid tax increases. Kulikowski suggested reconsidering small proposed reductions to restore Fire and Rescue funding, middle school after-school programs, and Park Authority trail maintenance. He also proposed an additional $8.5 million for affordable housing from FY 2025 funds and foregoing the $6 million in unallocated reserve to avoid a rate increase. Kulikowski emphasized the need for active transportation projects and spoke against the $80 million Dunn Loring Elementary School funding, citing enrollment projections and conflict with the Tysons Comprehensive Plan.

Rob Whitfield proposed a comprehensive tax reform and the establishment of a business community group to address the county's financial challenges.

“We must increase and diversify our revenue streams. I am advocating today, as I did in 2016 for a meals tax, or as we're calling it, a food and beverage tax. This is a progressive tax that puts the burden on those who can afford prepared foods and those who have the means to eat in Fairfax restaurants and live elsewhere.”

— Kimberly Adams

Meals and Beverage Tax

Testimonies showed significant debate; some in the county saw the meals tax as a potential solution to budget challenges. Kimberly Adams advocated for a meals tax to support county services and funding gaps, particularly for schools and employees. “We must increase and diversify our revenue streams. I am advocating today, as I did in 2016 for a meals tax, or as we're calling it, a food and beverage tax. This is a progressive tax that puts the burden on those who can afford prepared foods and those who have the means to eat in Fairfax restaurants and live elsewhere.  This recommended 4 percent additional taxes are necessary and long overdue.”

Kyle Stern of the Fairfax County Park Authority encouraged the implementation of a meals tax to generate revenue for park maintenance.

Other speakers highlighted the adverse effects of a 4 percent meals tax, citing it as a regressive measure that would disproportionately affect low-income and fixed-income residents.  Thomas Cranmer said he circulated a petition from Great Falls restaurants under the petition by the Restaurant Association. “It's very clear that the Virginia Restaurant Association is opposed to this idea, and the restaurants in Great Falls are unanimously in favor of getting rid of this [proposed] tax.”

Che Ruddell-Tabisola,   vice president of Government Affairs for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, opposed the meals tax, citing its negative impact on neighborhood restaurants and low-income residents. “We strongly oppose anything that makes the cost of going out to a restaurant further out of reach for working Fairfax families,” Ruddell-Tabisola said.

Eric Terry of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association highlighted the financial strain the meals tax would impose on restaurants and the potential for reduced business due to increased costs. He added that this tax impacts the population's lowest income levels. “They spend a much higher proportion of their disposable household income on meals out of home,” he said.

“We strongly oppose anything that makes the cost of going out to a restaurant further out of reach for working Fairfax families.”

— Che Ruddell-Tabisola, Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington

Testimony on Effective Tax Rate Increase

Phil Hagen, director of the Department of Management and Budget said, “The Board of Supervisors authorized advertisement of a real estate tax rate of $1.14 per $100 of assessed value, which is the rate upon which the FY 2026 advertised budget plan was balanced and an increase of 1.5 cents over the current real estate tax rate.” The total increase in assessed values of existing properties is expected to be 4.68 percent, including a rise of 6.17 percent for residential real property.

Rod Dyke, speaking on behalf of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance  emphasized that  “The supervisors don't acknowledge that they are proposing an average  7.5 percent hike in real estate taxes. … Next year's proposed increase would average  7.5 percent,  the largest in a decade, raising the average property tax bill from $8,659 to $9,312 … Even with the new proposed meals tax, real estate taxes would still increase by 6.2 percent. County taxpayers' taxation stems from overspending, not legitimate educational costs or rising property values.”

Charles McAndrew, protested the proposed real estate tax increase, highlighting the disproportionate impact on homeowners. “My real estate taxes from the year 2015 to 2025 which would be estimated this year, has gone up; in 2015, $7,609, and now it's going to be $11,770 with the estimated taxes for this year, an overall increase of 65 percent. This is an increase of three times rated inflation during this time period.”

Nicole Miller shared the financial strain on her family and the impact of increased assessments and tax rates, urging the board to consider the needs of low-income residents.

Support for Tax Increases and Budget Proposals

Molly Sullivan, an FCPS teacher and resident in the Sully District, supported the real estate tax increase. She emphasized the importance of funding for schools and public services. “I'm aware that if the governor actually sent an equitable amount back to our county for how much we send to them, that we actually might be able to fix a lot of our budget issues. However, that's unlikely,” Sullivan said.

Others criticized the proposed real estate tax increase, noting it would raise the average property tax bill from $8,659 to $9,312. Alternatives, like a 4 percent meals tax, were suggested to offset real estate taxes. 

With economic uncertainties, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority emphasized efforts to support displaced federal workers and attract new businesses. 

James Kulikowski proposed to bring the carryover surplus back from over two percent to its historic level of one percent of the general fund budget. “This would result in more funds being available at the start of FY 2026,” Kulikowski  said,

Michelle Jefferson of the Community Action Advisory Board supported a half-penny dedication to the housing production fund, emphasized affordable housing for seniors, families, and essential workers, and called for expanded access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food.

Josiah Zalalum of the Community Action Advisory Board advocated for a $239,541 increase for Pathway Homes, which helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find housing, and an increase in funding for the Victims of Crime Act Victim Services Program.

Robert Young, the president of the IFF Local 2068 firefighters union, opposed eliminating Medical Transport Units serving Gunston, Clifton, Cross Point, and North Point. He argued that reducing units would increase response times, delay medical transport, and potentially compromise emergency services in less populated areas. He also emphasized maintaining consistent service quality across all county areas.

Copies of the full text of proposed ordinances, plans, and amendments, as applicable, and other documents relating to the subjects above are on file and available for review on the County’s website at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov.