Arlington County's Budget : Budget : Arlington, Virginia

Residents

Visitors

Businesses

County Government

Online Services

Información en Español

Management & Finance

Arlington County's Budget

The Budget Process

Arlington County's budget follows an annual cycle, with the fiscal year starting July 1 and ending June 30. The fiscal year budget serves as the annual operating plan and is one of the three major strategic documents in the County regarding planning, in conjunction with the Annual Management Plan and the County Comprehensive Plan.

During the fiscal year, the Department of Management and Finance conducts reviews of the current budget at midyear and for the closeout of the fiscal year. As part of the developing an annual budget, the Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (FAAC) provides further review of the County Manager's proposed budget. The County's budget process is consistent each year, though specific dates may change. View a graphic of how the process works.

FY 2014 Budget

County Board Adopts FY 2014 Budget

On April 20, 2013 the Arlington County Board adopted a $1.09 billion General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 that includes a 3.5 cent increase in the real estate tax rate and additional funding for affordable housing, maintenance of County-owned facilities and infrastructure, employee compensation and core services.

The real estate tax rate will rise by 3.5 cents, from $0.971 per $100 of assessed value (including the sanitary district tax) to $1.006 per $100 of assessed value. The overall tax and fee burden for the average Arlington homeowner will increase 4.1% -- or about $23 a month. That amount includes the increase in real estate assessments and fee changes. The FY 2014 budget includes no increases for personal property tax, business tangible property, business and professional licenses, or the commercial transportation tax rates. The household solid waste rate will also be slightly reduced from $293.92 to $293.76.

The total FY 2014 transfer to Arlington Public Schools is $415.7 million. This funding includes an increase in ongoing funds of $12.3 million and fully funds the cost of more than 1,000 new students as part of the real estate tax rate increase. In addition to the ongoing funding provided to Schools, $3.1 million in one-time funds from 2013 tax revenues are provided. The County Board has also set-aside a $6.6 million contingency fund to address community enhancements needed as part of Schools’ capacity projects and for joint use projects.

Below is a table summarizing the adopted tax rates and the summary information for the FY 2014 adopted budget. The entire adopted budget document will be available in June 2013. Citizens can find the latest information by visiting the FY 2014 budget information webpage.