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.
City Chief Financial Officer Kiran Bawa is returning to Piedmont, California, as that jurisdiction’s finance director.
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.
To address condo owner concerns that they are not getting a service paid by their taxes, the City Council will discuss and likely approve the creation of a Solid Waste Task Force to study and report on options for a fee-based trash service by early August.
Fairfax considers a Comprehensive Plan amendment application from the Beyer Family properties for the Gordon Road Triangle that would clear the way for increased density at the City’s west end.
Following one-on-one negotiations over the weekend, City Council reached key compromises on setbacks and owner occupancy requirements. Mayor Letty Hardi called for an ADs 2.0 review in a year to see if new provisions need to be relaxed.
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.
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.
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.
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.