budget | ARLnow.com

NEW: $1.7B Arlington budget proposal calls for higher meals tax, restrained schools transfer

Published February 24, 2025 at 8:15AM

County Manager Mark Schwartz (screenshot via Arlington County)

No tax-rate rise for property owners, but increases in the meals tax and charges for some county services, are part of the $1.69 billion draft fiscal 2026 budget unveiled Saturday (Feb. 22) by Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz.

The proposal represents an increase of 2.2% from the current spending package. Schwartz said it aims for a balance between meeting core needs, addressing concerns from homeowners about tax burdens, and contingency planning for uncertainty in federal spending and the economy.

News

Falls Church leaders, staff scramble to keep up with Trump edicts

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 20, 2025 at 8:15AM

Donald Trump speaks at Truong Tien Restaurant in Falls Church, August 2024 (via C-SPAN)

Falls Church city officials continue to do their best to evaluate the local impacts of federal downscaling and a barrage of other decisions coming out of the White House.

“It’s different every day,” said Cindy Mester, the city’s community relations and legislative affairs director.

News

Election format, climate, Melwood plan and more on County Board’s agenda

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 19, 2025 at 2:30PM

Rendering of Melwood site redevelopment proposal (via Melwood and Wesley Housing)

Ranked-choice voting, a climate resolution, the contentious Melwood development proposal and the draft Fiscal Year 2026 county budget are all on the agenda for a County Board meeting slated for Saturday (Feb. 22).

Among the highlights:

Schools

New APS budget strategy will be put to the test in coming months

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 12, 2025 at 9:45AM

Arlington School Board 2025 (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

Arlington School Board members for six months have promised a new approach to tackling the school system’s budget-development process.

Those assurances are about to be put to the test.

News

NEW: AIM audit reveals ‘deeply concerning’ issues in handling of $2M from county

By Dan Egitto

Published February 6, 2025 at 1:30PM | Updated February 6, 2025 at 5:38PM

Arlington Independent Media logo (via AIM)

The results of an audit on Arlington Independent Media are out, revealing substantial gaps and errors in how the nonprofit handled some $2 million in county-provided funds.

The audit report appears to have been uploaded by Arlington County yesterday, the day after ARLnow reported on delays in its release. It suggests that AIM failed to provide adequate documentation for over $1 million in expenditures, including payments to dozens of third-party contractors.

Morning Poll: Budget cuts, tax hikes or both?

By ARLnow.com

Published January 13, 2025 at 9:00AM

Arlington fiscal 2025 spending (Arlington County)

Arlington County is facing a $30-40 million budget gap in the fiscal year starting July 1.

Arlington’s” budget season” is now underway and county leaders are focused on how to allocate funds and balance the budget. But with more than half of county spending considered non-discretionary, options for cuts are somewhat limited.

On the other hand, another way to close the budget gap — higher property tax rates — looks to be politically challenging given that a continuous rise in home assessments paired with a tax rate increase last year has Arlington homeowners more sensitive to higher taxes.

Given our recent reporting on some of the potential options and tradeoffs, which option for balancing the budget are you leaning towards?

If you vote for cuts, let us know where in the budget should they be made.

News

Tax hikes vs. budget cuts: County Board faces ‘tough choices’ filling $30-40M budget gap

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 10, 2025 at 9:00AM

Arlington fiscal 2025 spending (Arlington County)

As Arlington County eyes another possible tax increase this fiscal year, County Manager Mark Schwartz warns that trimming the county $1.65 billion budget would be no small task.

From the rising costs of compensation to funding commitments that can’t be altered in the short term, Schwartz suggested that cutting costs to fill an anticipated budget gap of $30 to $40 million — about 2% of Arlington’s $1.65 billion budget — isn’t as easy as some might think.

News

New Board chair Karantonis: County’s values must survive the challenges of 2025

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 7, 2025 at 4:30PM

Takis Karantonis at 2025 County Board organizational meeting (via Arlington County)

Arlington residents and its county government need to face an uncertain future by remaining committed to community values, Arlington’s new County Board chair says.

Takis Karantonis, who has sat on the Board since 2020, on Tuesday (Jan. 7) was elected unanimously to serve as chair for the coming year. After the vote, he laid out his priorities for 2025 and expressed his emotions about elevation to the top position in county leadership.

News

More programs sought to increase Arlington home ownership

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 2, 2025 at 11:15AM

Home construction (via Ernie Journeys/Unsplash)

Proposals for new and expanded support of lower- and moderate-income Arlington homeowners could run into budget headwinds in 2025.

County staff closed out 2024 by presenting a host of proposals to County Board members. They aim to support those priced out of the county’s housing market, as well as those who already are homeowners but are having difficulties maintaining their properties.

News

Falls Church leaders seek action in 2025 on affordable housing

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 30, 2024 at 11:15AM

A sign outside the city hall of Falls Church (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Some Falls Church officials are hoping 2025 will be a year of moving from conversation to concrete decisions in addressing affordable-housing goals.

“It’s the action side of things that has always been the problem — not the aspirational nature of what we want,” City Council member Erin Flynn said during a discussion of how city leaders will move forward on housing issues in the new year.

News

Two safety-net programs for county seniors facing challenges

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 27, 2024 at 1:30PM

A person enjoying a meal (via Ryan Reinoso/Unsplash)

Two initiatives to meet the needs of at-risk Arlington seniors are facing troubled times.

An end to Covid-era funding is hitting operations of the nonprofit Meals on Wheels program hard, while there remains a backlogged waiting list for those wanting to be a part of the Arlington Department of Human Services’ Adult Day program.

Schools

APS leaders planning streamlined FY26 school-budget process

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 21, 2024 at 11:00AM

School Board member Mary Kadera (via Arlington Public Schools)

County school leaders, both elected and staff, will be presenting a united front as the fiscal 2026 budget season fast approaches.

In a change from typical practice, the Arlington School Board and superintendent will present a joint budget in mid-March, Board members decided Dec. 12.