Social Safety Net, Metro Funding Top 2026 Legislative Program
City Council establishes the City’s legislative priorities and positions for the upcoming General Assembly in Richmond.
Budget and Finance
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FY2027 Guidance: Budget Increase to be Financed by Higher Taxes from Single-Family Homeowners
In the City’s FY2027 guidance, the budget increase relies on a 6% projected increase in single-family home assessments and higher car taxes, while other properties and revenues remain flat. FCCPS staff are to receive a 5% salary hike.
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City’s FY2025 Budget Year-End Report Reveals Slowing Economic Activity
The FY2025 year-end results showed a $2.3 million surplus. Sales tax and meals tax receipts were much lower than expected. Staff recommended using the surplus to shore up reserves and for small projects.
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Council Boosts Planning Commission Salaries; First Increase Since 1990
The City Council took steps to raise Planning Commissioners salaries, which, if approved, will go into effect this fall.
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Update: City Council Approves 50% Increase in Salaries Starting FY2027
City Council raised salaries for Council members and the Mayor in keeping with new Virginia regulations that increase the annual salary caps for these positions.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
