Politics & Government

Fairfax Co. Budget Approved, Real Estate Tax Rate Stays The Same

The budget included more funding for affordable housing and a legal fund for immigrants facing deportation cases.

The Fairfax County budget for fiscal year 2020 increases some fees but keeps the real estate tax rate the same.
The Fairfax County budget for fiscal year 2020 increases some fees but keeps the real estate tax rate the same. (Fairfax County)

FAIRFAX, VA—On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $4.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2020, which included a legal fund for immigrants pilot program and more funding for affordable housing.

The budget keeps the real estate rate at $1.15 per $100 of assessed value. Residents could still see higher tax bills depending on their property assessments. According to 2019 assessments, 75.6 percent of residential properties increased in value.

A number of fees will go up in fiscal year 2020, which begins on July 1, 2019. The county trash collection fee will increase from $350 to $385, while the trash disposal fee will go up from $66 to $68 per ton. The sewer service charge will increase from $7 per 1,000 gallons to $7.28 per 1,000 gallons. The quarterly sewer service base charge will go up from $30.38 to $32.91.

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For residents of the Phase I Dulles Rail Transportation Improvement District, the tax rate will drop from $0.13 to $0.11 per $100 of assessed value.

School funding accounts for more than half of the county budget. The $2.35 billion for Fairfax County Public Schools fully funds the school board's request. The school district's top budget priority is the recruitment and retention of employees. The school board is scheduled to adopt the approved budget on May 23.

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The budget adds $5 million for affordable housing initiatives, which is in addition to $10 million already allocated. According to the Washington Post, the county was able to allocate additional money because of budget savings and commercial property tax revenue being higher than expected.

New this year is a $200,000 pilot program creating a legal fund for immigrants facing deportation proceedings. The program is for legal and undocumented immigrants.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors elections will be held in 2019.


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