budget cuts

News

Arlington budget proposes tax increase, closure of gymnastics program and library

By Scott McCaffrey
County Manager Mark Schwartz (screenshot via Arlington County)

A tax rate increase, the closure of the Cherrydale Library and the elimination of a popular youth gymnastics program are key components of the new budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.

The $1.69 billion spending plan, released at a County Board meeting on Saturday, is down a fraction of a percent from the adopted fiscal year 2026 plan. The almost unprecedented year-over-year decrease reflects ongoing concerns about declining revenue from commercial office buildings, hotel stays and the federal government.

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News

Arlington Economic Development director warns of ‘constrained resources’ this year

By Scott McCaffrey
Local leaders help cut the ribbon of the new AC Hotel Arlington National Landing in August 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Arlington’s economic development efforts may need to do more with less over the coming year.

“This is a budget [year] that is very lean. There’s going to be a lot of discussion about that,” acting Arlington Economic Development (AED) director Kate Ange said at the Feb. 10 Economic Development Commission meeting.

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News

Federal cuts are affecting the finances of most Virginia voters, poll finds

By The Associated Press
Alonzie Scott, a recently retired federal worker, is seen at an Arlington, Va., polling center on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, 2025. (AP Photo/Helen Wieffering)

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Not everyone who voted in Northern Virginia in Tuesday’s election has felt the impact of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government, but even many who haven’t said they have colleagues or neighbors who are dealing with the consequences.

“I’ve seen so many federal families lose their jobs, lose their income, lose their certainty here,” said Karina Valdez, who voted at the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center in Arlington.

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Schools

Freeze on federal education funds cast doubt on $1.5M at APS

By Scott McCaffrey
Superintendent Francisco Durán (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

A freeze on federal education dollars cast $1.5 million in Arlington Public Schools funding into doubt.

This was the amount of funding at APS that the U.S. Department of Education withheld for weeks as part of a review to ensure that spending aligned with the White House’s priorities.

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News

Arlington Public Library warns of longer wait times after budget cuts

By Vernon Miles
Birds reflected in the windows of the Shirlington Library (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington Public Library is warning local readers to expect longer wait times for popular titles after the collections budget was slashed.

In a release, the library said the collections budget was decreased by 21% in fiscal year.

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News

Delays to bond sale, $4.9M in Arlington capital projects considered in tight times

By Scott McCaffrey
Budget director Richard Stephenson and Department of Management and Finance director Maria Meredith (screenshot via Arlington County)

Arlington County leaders are considering delaying the sale of municipal bonds and deferring various capital projects in the face of tight economic times.

It’s too early to think about amending the county’s recently adopted Fiscal Year 2026 budget, county budget director Richard Stephenson told County Board members on Wednesday.

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News

Arlington leaders seek Richmond’s help, warn of ‘widespread damage’ from federal spending bill

By Scott McCaffrey
County Board members JD Spain, Sr., and Susan Cunningham (screenshot via Arlington County)

Planned cuts to federal funding for Medicaid, food assistance and other safety net programs have Arlington leaders turning to state officials for help.

At a meeting with county staff and County Board members last week, Arlington’s state delegates said they expect to return to Richmond in September to address cuts at the federal level.

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Schools

School Board approves $845M budget, removing controversial cutbacks

By Scott McCaffrey
Mary Kadera (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

Public opinion won the day on two contentious issues as School Board members finalized an $844.6 million budget last week.

The new spending package, approved last Thursday, is up 2.2% from the fiscal year ending June 30. It includes funding for continuing the Integration Station early-childhood program and retaining library aides as full-time positions.

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News

Falls Church eliminates senior staff post in money-saving effort

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi (screenshot via City of Falls Church)

In a cost-saving move, Falls Church leaders on Monday (May 12) voted to reconfigure how the city oversees its economic-development, planning, zoning and permitting operations.

In adopting the fiscal 2026 budget, City Council members eliminated the position of Community Planning and Economic Development Services director.

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Schools

Potential cuts to special education funding could add more difficulties for APS budget

By Scott McCaffrey
APS director of secondary special education Kenneth Brown (screenshot via APS)

Possible reductions in federal funds for special education could put more stresses on Arlington Public Schools’ budget proposal.

“There are questions, concerns, uncertainties” about the Trump administration’s plans for special education funds, said Kenneth Brown, the school system’s director of secondary-level special education, at an April 10 School Board meeting.

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Schools

Questions over state and federal funding may delay APS budget adoption

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

Concerns about state and federal revenue could lead to a delay in the adoption of Arlington Public Schools’ new budget.

Superintendent Francisco Durán said Thursday that he may ask to postpone the planned May 1 approval of the $845 million spending plan to May 15.

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News

County seeking ways to recoup more costs from 55+ programming

By Scott McCaffrey
A photo from the cover of the 55+ Spring 2025 guide (via Arlington County)

Arlington County’s heavily subsidized 55+ programming may get more pricey for participants in coming years.

County Board members have unofficially tasked the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to examine the fee scale for the approximately 7,000 people — most county residents — participating in these programs.

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