Fairfax County is considering reductions in the FY26 budget.  Ambulance 441 at Fire Station 441 (Crosspointe) is threatened with elimination, as is Medic 439, North Point’s lifeline. Ambulance 420 (Gunston) is on the chopping block, as is Clifton Ambulance 416. “Seconds can be the difference between life and death,” posts Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics.

Faced with a nearly $300 million budget shortfall, Fairfax County is also considering eliminating 16 high school crossing guard positions from its fiscal 2026 budget.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors faces a daunting challenge in balancing revenue growth, economic uncertainty, and county service investments in its FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan. Public hearings are underway Tuesday through Thursday, April 22-24. The Board will adopt the final budget on May 13. The public may provide testimony at hearings in person, in writing, by phone, or via video. Use this form to submit Budget Hearing testimony. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/clerkservices/budget-public-hearing-testimony

The Board of Supervisors proposes a 1.5-cent real estate tax increase, $60 million in spending cuts, and a 2 percent transient occupancy tax increase. Supervisors must consider the $125.34 million increase for schools; the full request would require a 4.5-cent tax rate increase. There is meals tax consideration. A four percent rate could generate $65.1 million, with the potential to offset real estate taxes or fund county priorities. The budget plan includes a 2 percent increase, $13.03 million, to the Transient Occupancy Tax, half of which will support tourism activities. 

At the March 19 Board meeting, Chairman Jeff McKay said that the Commonwealth of Virginia allows jurisdictions to implement a meal tax of up to 6 percent. The Board voted to consider implementing a meals tax with a cap of 4 percent.

While McKay advocates a new meals tax as an alternative to the 1 1⁄2 cent rate increase, the average real estate tax would still increase due to higher assessments. Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity voiced concerns about the Fairfax County FY 2026 budget, stating that even with the implementation of a meals tax, the average real estate tax bill is still projected to increase due to higher property values.

"Clearly disappointed with the advertised Budget. A 7.6 percent  tax bill increase for the average homeowner, with the possibility of a meals tax. For years I have been asking the Board to do a deep dive, strategic look at the Budget as other Boards have done because we knew this was coming. Now we are limited to line-item cuts – almost half of which were to public safety – including ambulances and crossing guards," posted Herrity on March 5.

Fairfax County is facing a projected budget shortfall of $292.7 million for FY 2026. This is due to rising costs and limited revenue growth. Specifically, declining nonresidential property values and rising employee compensation costs, including those related to collective bargaining agreements and pay increases, contribute to the problem. While residential property values are rising, this increase isn't enough to offset the shortfall.

“The nearly $60 million in reductions proposed this year represents the most significant cost-cutting effort since FY 2010, when over $90 million was cut following the Great Recession,” reports Fairfax County.

The meals tax could offset “proposed reductions or tax increases or fund other priorities," said Phil Hagen, director of Fairfax County's Department of Management and Budget. Hagen said the food and beverage tax would equal about 3.6 percent of fiscal 2026 revenue. He added that each percent up to the amount allowed by state law generates about $35 million in gross revenue annually. The tax would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, halfway through the fiscal year.

Beyond raising revenue through taxes, the county's proposed fiscal year 2026 Advertised Budget calls for a controversial $60 million in government spending cuts. Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics 2068, raises concerns about proposed elimination of four EMS Transport units. 

"As Fairfax County weighs cuts in the FY26 budget, Medic 439 at Fire Station 439 (North Point) is at risk of being eliminated, and that's a risk our community can't afford," reports Local 2068. Located in the northern part of Herndon, Medic 439 is an Advanced Life Support resource that provides lifesaving care.

"Fairfax County residents deserve reliable, fast, and professional EMS care, no matter their ZIP code. Cutting Medic 439 puts lives at risk. Plain and simple. Join us in standing up for North Point. Let your voice be heard. Tell your Supervisor: Don't cut Medic 439," urges Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics.

Ambulance 441 is also threatened. It is a lifeline for the Crosspoint community on the county's southern end.

Eliminating Ambulance 441 could mean delays in care for time-sensitive incidents like cardiac arrests, strokes, and severe trauma. 

Ambulance 420, Gunston, is on the chopping block. Cutting this unit would be dangerous and risk lives and response times, say firefighters and paramedics. Ambulance 420 serves a geographically isolated part of Fairfax County. Residents in the Gunston area could be left waiting precious extra minutes during medical emergencies.

Ambulance 416 is on the chopping block. It provides essential EMS coverage in a geographically large area where transport times can be longer, say firefighters and paramedics. It plays a key role in ensuring timely care during emergencies.

Medic 439 at Fire Station 439 (North Point); Ambulance 441, Crosspointe; Ambulance 420 at Fire Station 420, Gunston; and  Ambulance 416, Clifton, are on the chopping block. Fairfax County is faced with a nearly $300 million budget shortfall.