Budget Processin progress
Status set at the School Board Regular Meeting on May 4, 2026
The City of Fairfax budget process is an annual multi-phase cycle spanning from fall CIP planning through spring adoption, typically culminating in a City Council vote in May.
The process involves work sessions, public hearings, and coordination across multiple bodies including the City Council, School Board, Planning Commission, and advisory boards such as HHCAB. Key milestones documented include: a January 2025 Council retreat that included a scheduled overview of the budget and CIP process (no minutes available); the FY2027 budget, which was adopted by City Council on May 5, 2026, following a special budget adoption meeting; and FY2027 DRPT grant agreements totaling approximately $4,967,570, authorized as part of the FY2027 budget process and formally approved via consent agenda on September 8, 2026. As of April 2026, staff had published eight budget memos and characterized the process as "a little more than halfway" through.
The state budget had not yet been adopted as of early May 2026, creating uncertainty for schools and localities.
Separately, the Housing Trust Fund vote in September 2026 was framed as needing to occur ahead of the budget process, and a bond referendum process initiated in mid-2026 was described as the first step in a multi-step process tied to CIP capital planning. The school board's CIP requests are scheduled to go to Planning Commission on November 9, then to Mayor and City Council in December, before proceeding through the spring budget process toward a May Council vote.
Still open
- The state budget had not been adopted as of early May 2026; it is unclear whether it has since been adopted and what its final impact on City of Fairfax schools and localities will be.
- The Housing Trust Fund vote, framed as needing to occur before the budget process, was anticipated for September 2026; its outcome and budget implications are not yet recorded.
- The School Board's FY28+ CIP requests are pending Planning Commission review (scheduled November 9) and subsequent Mayor and City Council presentation in December, with final adoption expected in May.
- The bond referendum process related to school and public transportation capital projects was described as 'step one' of a multi-step process; subsequent steps and the scope of permissible fund uses remain to be determined.
- No city representative for the CoC Board had been approved by Council as of December 2025; the request to shift that seat from the Human Services Committee to HHCAB, with interested members to notify the Housing Program Manager by December 5, 2025, has an unrecorded outcome.
- The federal THUD appropriations bill was flagged as having significant implications for HUD CoC funding; its final disposition and impact on the City's budget are not recorded.
What members have said
- Superintendent Wright (Dr. Wright)
At the March 2, 2026 School Board meeting, Dr. Wright noted there would be significant FY27 budget process work throughout the month, including coordination with the City Council. At the May 4, 2026 HHCAB meeting, Superintendent Wright provided an update that the City Council's final budget adoption was scheduled for May 5, 2026, and flagged that the state had not yet adopted a budget, noting significant impacts on schools and localities.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Apr 22, 2025 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Jan 11, 2025City Council · item 2Overview of the Budget Process and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Process
A presentation on the City budget process was scheduled for the Council retreat; no outcome recorded as no minutes or actions report exist.
- Continuum of Care Program Funding Update
The THUD bill (Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations) was highlighted as a key piece of the federal budget process with important implications for HUD's CoC program.
- Mar 2, 2026School Board
Dr. Wright noted there will be significant work related to the FY27 budget process throughout the month, including working with the city council.
- Closing Remarks
The Housing Trust Fund vote in September was framed as needing to occur ahead of the budget process.
passedMotion to close the HHCAB meeting.✓ Light✓ LaCroix✓ Delboy✓ Anderson✓ Vincent✓ Ihara✓ Wilber✓ Jensen✓ Gillespie✓ Napolitano✓ Cabelli✓ Cattaneo✓ Hatch✓ Opoku-Yeboah· Bonaiuto· Derosier· Atwood Superintendent Wright shared updates on the City of Fairfax budget process, noting that final adoption was scheduled for the following evening (May 5, 2026). Superintendent Wright also noted that the state budget had not yet been adopted as of the meeting date.
- Sep 8, 2026City Council · item 6Consent Agenda
The city manager was authorized to sign FY 2027 DRPT grant agreements for CUE operating and capital assistance totaling approximately $4,967,570 across five grants, previously appropriated as part of the FY 2027 budget process.
passedApproval of the full consent agenda.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.