On April 22, Fairfax County residents sounded off at the first of three public hearings to demand that the board of supervisors stop raising taxes. (Nick Minock, 7News)
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — On Tuesday evening, Fairfax County residents sounded off to demand that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors stop raising taxes in the first of three public hearings on the upcoming budget.
The county has a $300 million budget shortfall, and the board of supervisors is looking at cutting $60 million in county services, raising existing taxes, and implementing new taxes on residents and small businesses.
“Stop raising taxes" --- that’s the message several Fairfax County residents are sending to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who are looking at raising taxes on homeowners by the highest amount in 10 years.
“I just think it's ridiculous,” one man told 7News. “I'm already hurting from what they've done to us for the last 10 years.”
“My husband and I, we're on a fixed income and we can’t afford to keep paying higher property taxes,” another Fairfax County resident told 7News. “People just need to pay attention when they vote. If you're not happy with what's going on in your county, speak up.”
Supporters of the tax increases also spoke up at Tuesday's public hearing.
"Just because they aren't here tonight doesn't mean that we don't exist," said Molly Sullivan, who owns a home in Fairfax County. "If you look at the average age, no offense, of the people that are against the tax increase, they are not able to benefit from a lot of the things the taxes pay for, like better school employees."
The county executive’s advertised budget would raise taxes on the average homeowner by more than $600.
“I think it's going to cause problems,” another Fairfax County resident told 7News.
And restaurant workers are asking the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors not to implement a food tax.
“It will absolutely do irreparable harm to the restaurant industry,” Eric Terry told 7News.
Fairfax County voters have voted against implementing a food tax twice, but the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is still looking at implementing one anyway.
“Do you think the board is listening to voters?” 7News Reporter Nick Minock asked Terry.
“I don't think so,” said Terry.
Year after year, many Fairfax County families have called on the board to stop raising taxes.
“I am not alone in saying that, as my family considers having another kid, we are certain we cannot afford to expand our family here in Fairfax County,” a woman who held her newborn baby told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Chair Jeff McKay in 2024.
RELATED | Fairfax County leaders set to hear from concerned residents on budget cuts, tax increases
But McKay and the board still raised taxes last year and the year before, while giving themselves a big raise, and McKay gave himself a taxpayer-funded vehicle to drive.
“Who came up with this idea to give yourself a 47% raise while the rest of Virginia residents live below poverty?” one man asked McKay and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2023.
One woman told the board of supervisors on Tuesday that she supports the tax increases.
“If we pay our fair share in taxes, we will contribute to the wellness of our community," she said.
One thing driving the $300 million budget shortfall is that the board is expecting to give Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) more money despite largely flat student enrollment. FCPS has communicated that it needs more money to educate kids who do not speak English and to raise teacher pay.
If you didn’t get a chance to speak to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, there will be a public hearing on the budget on Wednesday and Thursday.
Those seeking to voice opinions about the proposed county budget and its potential impact on their family can speak at upcoming Fairfax County Board public hearings on April 23 and 24 at 3 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center.
For several weeks, 7News has been asking Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair McKay for an interview to discuss the county budget. McKay has refused to interview with 7News on the budget.