While most of the budget remains unchanged from the initial presentation on Feb. 25, MCPS received clarity from the state â which provides 50% of the funding for the budget â on how much it would receive.
According to Taft Kelly, MCPS' director of finance, said an additional $330,000 would be given to the district. But, Kelly warned that Gov. Glenn Youngkin's budget has not yet been approved and likely won't be until April or May.
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Dozens of Stafford County residents packed the chambers Tuesday night during a special-called meeting of the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on the proposed $1.015 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget â and the tax increase that may come with it.
The meeting featured a detailed budget presentation by Chief Financial Officer Andrea Light, followed by a public hearing where residents delivered emotional appeals both for and against the proposed increase in the countyâs real estate tax rate.
The Board recently voted to advertise a five-cent tax increase, which would raise the rate from the current $0.89 to $0.94 per $100 of assessed property value. If adopted, the increase would mean the average Stafford homeowner would pay an additional $229 per year in real estate taxes.
During the presentation, CFO Andrea Light explained that while the total proposed budget exceeds $1 billion, only a fraction of that is truly flexible. Over 59% of all county expendituresâabout $669 millionâgo toward the school system, with much of the rest tied up in state-mandated services, utilities, and transportation.
Only about $209 million falls under the general government budget that the Board of Supervisors can directly allocate.
âWhen people hear âa billion-dollar budget,â they think we can fund everything,â said Chairman Deontay Diggs. âBut the reality is, a lot of that funding is restricted or already spoken for.â
The proposed increase is intended to help fund rising costs across the county, including public safety staffing, health insurance increases, debt service, and school system needs.
School Funding Tops the List
Stafford County Public Schools has requested full county funding to keep pace with enrollment growth, aging infrastructure, and competitive salary demands. Multiple speakers urged the board to deliver.
âIâm willing to pay a little more in taxes to ensure our students get the education they deserve,â said Don Gray, a George Washington District resident. âWe need to attract and retain quality teachers and build schools where theyâre needed.â
Michelle Wickman, a former Stafford teacher and single mother, said, âWe canât say weâre part of Northern Virginia but not tax like they do. Iâm not rich, but Iâm willing to pay more because I believe in this community.â
Abram Marsh, a Hartwood resident and Air Force veteran, spoke passionately about values. âOfficers eat last,â he said. âWe must do whatâs necessary to ensure our children have the same opportunities we did.â
Nonprofits Plead for Reinstated Funds
Several local nonprofits voiced concern over proposed cuts or eliminations in county support:
Legal Aid Works, which provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents, was zeroed out in the current proposal after decades of support.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Fredericksburg saw its allocation cut by more than half, from around $6,000 to $2,980.
Fredericksburg SPCA touted a $7,000 investment last year that helped reduce shelter cat euthanasias by 17% and asked the board to help continue its life-saving work.
Not all were in favor of the proposed hike.
Mary Hanson, speaking on behalf of her elderly parents, said, âThere are seniors whoâve taken out reverse mortgages or opened their homes to adult children just to survive. They canât afford another tax increase.â
Jenny Solt, of the Rock Hill District, added: âFamilies donât get to raise their neighborsâ rent when moneyâs tight. The government shouldnât either.â
Some speakers expressed frustration that business growth hasnât translated into tax relief. âWeâve got Walmarts, Targets, Amazon, warehouses. Why are we still shouldering the burden?â asked Todd Hanson.
Others, like Renee Kendall, questioned whether more money would improve outcomes. âNearly 60% of the budget already goes to schools, and weâre still talking about low test scores,â she said. âThereâs something deeper going on, and itâs not just money.â
The Board of Supervisors is expected to hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rate on April 15, with a vote on the final FY2026 budget scheduled before the May 1 deadline.
Chairman Diggs concluded the meeting by thanking the community. âWhether youâre for, against, or somewhere in the middle, your voice matters,â he said.
On Tuesday, Manassas Park City Schools presented the governing body with a $64.8 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget outlines key priorities to improve academic performance, boost teacher compensation, and expand student wellness and mental health services.
Superintendent Dr. Melissa Saunders and Finance Director Mr. Lyon led the presentation, which showcased the divisionâs efforts to balance rising costs with a continued decline in student enrollment.
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The Dumfries Town Council has voted to approve a significant salary increase for its elected officials, citing the townâs growth, increased responsibilities, and alignment with updated Virginia state law.
At the March 18, 2025, council meeting, members approved an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article III, Section 2.56 of the Town Code, adjusting salaries for the mayor, vice mayor, and council members.
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Dumfries Town Manager Tangela Innis has presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget for the town. The budget outlines strategic investments in infrastructure, public safety, and community programs while maintaining the townâs real estate tax rate.
The first reading of the budget is scheduled for March 18, with a public hearing on April 1. If approved, the Town Council may adopt the budget the same evening.
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Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody presented the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal to the City Council on March 11. The proposal outline a $136.75 million spending plan to strengthen public schools, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure long-term financial stability.
The proposal includes a three-cent real estate tax increase to fund these initiatives, bringing the rate from $0.77 to $0.80 per $100 of assessed value. This tax hike is expected to generate additional revenue while helping to fund essential services such as a new middle school, a fire station, and water system upgrades.
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Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle presented an ambitious plan to replace aging fire stations, upgrade firefighting equipment, and implement a systemwide approach to purchasing fire apparatus during a Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) work session on Tuesday.
The proposal, which spans Fiscal Year 2026 through 2031, aims to improve response times, station reliability, and firefighter safety while addressing rising costs and resource demands. The plan also includes a $158.3 million investment in four new or replacement fire stations and overhauling the countyâs equipment procurement process.
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As Stafford County prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, officials and citizens alike are raising concerns over the mounting financial burden of a state-mandated tax exemption for disabled veterans. The issue, discussed at the March 4, 2025, Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting, has sparked debate over the program's sustainability and impact on county taxpayers.
Mayausky: "A Worthy Program, But an Unfunded Mandate"
Stafford County Commissioner of Revenue Scott Mayausky detailed the rapid growth of the veteran tax relief program, which has significantly expanded since its inception in 2011.
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Data centers in Prince William County could see an increase in the tax rate for computers and peripherals used by data centers as the Board of County Supervisors deliberates on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The proposed tax rate for computer and peripheral (C&P) equipment is set to rise from $3.70 to $4.15 per $100 of assessed value, a move that could significantly impact data center operators and businesses utilizing advanced technology.
The Board of County Supervisors voted to advertise the new C&P tax rate, meaning they can lower the rate during their upcoming budget discussions but cannot raise it beyond the advertised amount. Some supervisors expressed concerns about the increase, arguing it could deter business investment, while others emphasized the need for additional revenue to support county services.
