"The advertisement of a 1-cent tax rate increase does not mean there will in fact be an adoption of an increase,” said Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis. “This provides the Board with some flexibility during the Budget Process, as we monitor the impending impacts of the current administration and Congress’ decisions that will disproportionally impact our regional economy. The Board initial focus on reductions and efficiencies remains the highest priority for this year’s budget process.” 

If adopted in April, this advertised tax rate would result in a real estate tax payment increase of $398 based on the average home value of $854,900. By law, the Board can adopt a tax rate no higher than the advertised rate, although it may adopt a lower rate. 
 
To view the staff presentation on the proposed FY 2026 budget and reports on the requests to advertise tax and fee rates, visit this meeting’s webpage and scroll to item No. 23 A – S. 

FY 2026 Proposed Budget 
Prior to the Board’s advertisement of a real estate tax rate increase, at the February 22 Regular County Board meeting, the County Manager proposed a $1.69 billion budget, a 2.1% percent increase over the adopted FY 2025 budget. The County Manager's budget recommended nearly $13 million in budget reductions, no increase in the real estate tax rate, and an increase, from 4 to 5 percent, in the meals tax, along with increased fees across many service areas.  

Read more about the County Manager's Proposed FY 2026 Budget 

Next steps 
The Board will review the Manager's proposed budget through a series of work sessions with the Manager, County departments, and County advisory commissions in the coming weeks. The work sessions will be held in the County Board Room on the third floor of the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. All work sessions are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the County website and broadcast on the County's cable channel. 
 
The Board will hold a public hearing on the budget on Tuesday, March 25 and a public hearing on the tax rate on Thursday, March 27. You can sign up online to speak at these hearings five days in advance. 
 
Both hearings will be held in the Board Room and will be livestreamed on the County website. The Board will adopt the FY 2026 Budget at its April Regular Board meeting. The FY 2026 fiscal year begins July 1, 2025.  

To view the Manager’s complete FY 2026 Budget proposal, visit the County website. 
 
To submit a comment on the proposed budget, email the Board at countyboard@arlingtonva.us.