Update: City Council Approves 50% Increase in Salaries Starting FY2027
City Council considers raising salaries for Council members and the Mayor in keeping with new Virginia regulations that increase the annual salary caps for these positions.
Budget and Finance
CFO Kiran Bawa Leaves Falls Church After 8 Years
City Chief Financial Officer Kiran Bawa is returning to Piedmont, California, as that jurisdiction’s finance director.
Adopted FY2026 Budget Shaves a Penny Off the Tax Rate
The adopted FY2026 budget reduces the real estate taxes from $1.21 to $1.20. Sales, meals and business taxes projections were lowered due to the economic outlook. Healthy residential real estate assessments growth supports increases in the school and general government budgets.
FY2026-2031 CIP Budget – Major Sewer Infrastructure Project to Begin Soon
The FY2026-2031 CIP budget continues prior years’ capital projects plus a new sewage flow equalization basin that will require a bond issue in FY2026. The six-year $148 million budget covers over 40 projects. $26 million will be spent in FY2026.
Flash Update: FY2026 Budget – Proposed Real Estate Tax Rate Reduction is Gone!
A 10.5% real estate assessment increase allowed the City to initially propose a 2.5c (2%) decrease in real estate taxes from $1.21 to $1.185 in the FY2026 budget proposal. The latest data show economic uncertainties putting that reduction at risk.
FY2026 Budget Guidance For Falls Church City Expects 5.5-6% Revenue Growth Yet Projects $2 Million Shortfall
The FY2026 budget guidance cautions that real estate tax rates may need to rise to meet the increased costs for infrastructure and school enrollment growth. Also, there is uncertainty in state and federal funding, and the regional economy.
FCCPS Growth Leads to Possible 9.4% Increase in FY2026 Budget Request
FCCPS growth, driven by new residents moving into West Falls, Broad and Washington and Founders Row II, is a major factor in the 9.4% increase in the FY2026 budget guidance. Staff salary increase is about 5%.
City Council Reviews Options for the $6 Million FY2024 Budget Surplus
City Council decided to fund the long-awaited Fellows Park project and two EV school buses. The School Board was surprised that their share was only $449,000. $1.67M of the FY2024 budget surplus will go to capital reserve.
The FY2024 Year-End Financial Report – a $6 Million Surplus!
The FY2024 surplus was primarily due to a higher investment return than the 2% budgeted, and higher property tax and meals tax revenues. The capital reserve was $13 million, and projected to go down to $2 million by 2030.