The FY2026 budget maintains program spending at FY2025 levels but adds a 5% salary increase for all City and school employees and growth-related costs. A 10.5% real estate assessment increase allows a 2.5c (2%) decrease in real estate taxes to $1.185.
Council Members lined up 3-3 with contrasting positions on the one remaining issue to be discussed in April: the permissible side and rear setbacks for ADs from the property line. Other elements of the code were also contentious.
Falls Church and Fairfax County have agreed to key terms for the City’s purchase of sewer capacity to meet development and peak flow demands that anticipates building a $10+ million sewage retention tank under Cavalier Park.
The 2025 Community Survey showed residents liked life in the City, valuing its walkability and small-town feel. Taxes, traffic, and road infrastructure were top issues. While they were satisfied with City government, they were least satisfied with how growth and development, and road infrastructure are being managed.
Update: The Quinn site plan was approved on March 19, 2025. The latest site plan moves the Quinn loading dock from S Maple to S Washington. The sanitary sewage will be pumped to Arlington County’s treatment plant.
227 people completed the City’s Accessory Dwelling Survey. The results show a community that is split on six of the nine elements, with strong disagreement on height, setback and the lack of an owner occupancy requirement.
175 injuries from traffic crashes were reported in 2024, according to police and traffic data, an improvement over 2023 but still the third worst year in the last 8 years. The majority occurred on key 25-30 mph roads – Broad St, Washington St, Hillwood Ave and Great Falls.
Econize is finalizing plans for a new showroom at 821 W Broad St. The basement may be rented out for remote work. The current Econize properties on Park Ave. are to be sold to Madison Homes.
The editors introduce a feature where federal employees and contractors are invited to tell their stories describing the importance of their work to the public they serve.
