Stafford County Administrator Bill Ashton presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget to the Board of Supervisors on March 4, 2025.
The budget, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, prioritizes school funding, public safety, and community services while addressing challenges such as population growth and state-mandated tax relief programs. The All-Funds Budget totals $1,015,097,345.
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The Town of Haymarket’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget has sparked a mix of concern and debate among residents following its presentation to the Town Council on Monday, March 3. While the budget aims to balance financial stability with needed investments in public safety, infrastructure, and economic development, some residents question whether it does enough to address the town’s most pressing issues.
Residents Demand Transparency on Tax Rates
During the public hearing, several residents voiced concerns over rising property assessments and their impact on their tax bills. Bob Weir, a former Town Council member and current Prince William County Gainesville Distirct Supervisor, did not mince words when addressing the council.
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The Town of Haymarket’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget will be presented to the Town Council on Monday, March 3, at 7 p.m. by Town Manager and Zoning Administrator Emily L. Kyriazi. The proposed financial plan outlines revenue projections, key expense changes, and priorities for town operations in the coming year.
The FY2026 draft budget builds on previous financial planning while incorporating adjustments for salaries, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development in alignment with the Town’s Strategic Plan.
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Prince William County Executive Christopher Shorter recently unveiled a $2 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, sparking a heated debate among supervisors and residents over the county’s consistent budget surpluses, rising tax rates, and spending priorities.
Under his proposal, the budget maintains the real estate tax rate at 92 cents per $100 assessed value. Yet, due to increased property assessments, the average residential tax bill will rise by $276 to $5,165.
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Budget Breakdown & Funding Challenges
The $503.1 million budget represents an increase of $8.3 million in state revenue based on the General Assembly’s budget, bringing the division’s total anticipated increase in state funding to $18.9 million. However, despite the added funds, the projected funding shortfall now stands at $18.3 million.
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Prince William County residents are invited to participate in a virtual community meeting on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon to discuss the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Hosted by the Office of Management & Budget, the event allows the public to learn about the budget details and ask questions directly to county officials.
Residents must register in advance to attend. Upon approval, registrants will receive an invitation to the webinar.
The virtual presentation follows County Executive Christopher Shorter’s recent unveiling of a $2 billion budget proposal, which maintains the real estate tax rate at 92 cents per $100 of assessed value. However, due to rising property assessments, the average residential tax bill is expected to increase by $276, bringing the total to $5,165. Approximately 57% of this bill—around $2,956—will be allocated to Prince William County Schools under the county’s revenue-sharing agreement.
Supervisor Yesli Vega voiced strong concerns about the proposed budget, arguing that it would impose an undue financial burden on residents.
“Unfortunately, even without a rate hike, the average taxpayer will still see an increase of $276. This amount fails to account for additional taxes, including the fire levy tax, which will drive costs even higher,” Vega stated.
She emphasized the need for a thorough budget review to ensure it serves all county residents reasonably.
“That’s why we need to take a hard look at this budget and make sure it works for everyone. Last year, this Board proved that by working together, we can achieve real results—balancing the needs of our community while protecting taxpayers. My goal is to build on that success, refine this budget, and find ways to deliver much-needed relief.”
Vega encouraged residents to attend the upcoming community meeting, voice their concerns, and contribute to shaping a budget that reflects local priorities.
“It’s crucial that we hear from you to ensure this budget reflects the priorities of our community. We must continue investing in education, public safety, sustainable housing, and infrastructure while also being mindful of the financial burden on taxpayers. With your input, we can shape a budget that supports growth and stability without putting extra strain on hardworking families.”
Residents are encouraged to attend the virtual community meeting to comprehensively understand the proposed budget and its potential impact.
For more information and to register for the event, visit Prince William County’s official website.
Shorter proposed the real estate tax remain at 92 cents per $100 of assessed value, but the average residential tax bill would increase by $276. According to the budget presentation, the average residential tax bill would then total $5,165, which is up from the average $4,881 tax bill in fiscal year 2025.
A majority — 57% to be exact or $2,956 — of the average tax bill will go to fund Prince William County Schools (PWCS) due to the revenue-sharing agreement between the county and PWCS. This has been a major point of contention for some of the county supervisors and became a topic of discussion at Tuesday's meeting.
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Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part story focused on Prince William Board of County Supervisor At-large Deshundra Jefferson's first 100 days in office. Read part one here.
In the wake of the contentious PW Digital Gateway project and ongoing debates surrounding the Meals Tax, Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors faces a series of complex decisions as county leaders leave their honeymoon phase and begin on the next three and a half years of their term.
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At 47, Jefferson, a single mother who lives in Montclair, shares how she balances raising a teenage son with managing a county of nearly a half million residents. She provided insights into her governance approach and her vision for the future of the county.
Under her leadership, the Board of Supervisors recently halted three years of consecutive property tax hikes, which are a primary source of funding for county government and public schools. The approved $2.2 billion budget focuses on critical needs like schools and infrastructure while offering tax relief to residents.
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Manassas City Council held a public hearing on the city's budget, as residents once again are facing the prospect of paying more in taxes.
The hearing held Monday, April 22, 2024, focusing primarily on proposed tax increases, notably in real property taxes. The proposal suggests a flat tax rate of $1.26, sparking a range of reactions from residents, each echoing their unique perspectives on the matter.