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.
Plans and Policies
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Cost and Safety Concerns Prompt New Streetscape Design Standards
The City streetscape design standards will no longer be all-brick sidewalks and crosswalks. The new standards, if approved, will apply to Founders Row II, the Quinn project, the new roundabout and other new infrastructure projects.
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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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Update: City Manager Proposes 3-Month Study of Fee-Based Trash Service
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.
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Fairfax Reviews Gordon Road Triangle Plans
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.
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Compromise Carries the Day on Accessory Dwellings
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.
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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.
