Fairfax Supervisors Suggest Increase in Real Estate Tax Rate

Fairfax County homeowners may see an additional tax increase in Fiscal Year 2015.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized on Tuesday the advertisement of a real estate tax rate for FY 2015 of $1.105 per $100 of assessed value. That’s an increase of from $1.085 in 2014.

County Supervisor Chair Sharon Bulova warned last month, when County Executive Ed Long proposed the FY 2015 Budget, that an increase in the advertised rate may be necessary, in part, to better fund the Fairfax County Public Schools budget request.

Projecting a $130 million budget gap, the school system is asking the county for a 5.7 percent increase from FY 2014. That means an additional $63 million needs to be found to better fund schools.

The OK for the increase in the advertised rate passed 8-2, with Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity and Providence Supervisor Linda Smyth voting no.

If the increase passes in the final budget, the average homeowner will see an increase of $150 to his tax bill. This is on top of an average of $300 more that homeowners will be paying due to higher assessed home values.

Bulova said advertising an increase in the rate does not prevent the board from lowering any advertised tax rate, but a higher tax rate cannot be imposed without advertising the higher rate.

Want to make your voice heard on this subject?

A public hearing on the effective tax rate will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 3 p.m., Fairfax County Government Center Board Auditorium.

Public hearings on the proposed FY 2015 Budget, the advertised capital improvement plan (CIP) and the proposed tax rate are Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, at 3 p.m. and Thursday, April 10, at 3 p.m.

Those wishing to speak at a public hearing can sign up online to place their name on the speakers list, or contact the Office of the Clerk to the Board at 703-324-3151, TTY 703-324-3903. The public hearings will be held in the Board Auditorium, Fairfax County Government Center, and will be televised live on Fairfax County Government Channel 16.

Town hall meetings are also being held to get citizen input.

You can also email through mid-April to [email protected].