Arlington’s annual operating budget outlines spending on County programs, services and administration for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. The County Manager and County Board are committed to engaging the Arlington community in setting budget priorities.
Latest News & Information
- News Release: Arlington Board Adopts $1.4 Billion FY 2022 Budget, Keeps Tax Rate Flat (4/20/21)
- FY 2022 County Board Adopted Budget Guidance (4/20/21)
- FY 2021 Mid-year / 3rd Quarter Memorandum (4/2/21)
- Board Presentation: County Manager’s Proposed FY 2022 Budget – Full Document (2/20/21)
- News Release: County Board Advertises No CY 2021 Base Real Estate Property Tax Rate Increase (2/20/21)
- Board Presentation: County Manager’s Proposed FY 2022 Budget – Overview (2/18/21)
- News Release: Proposed FY 2022 Budget Bridges Arlington Through the COVID-19 Pandemic (2/18/21)
Budget Timeline & Additional Resources
Step 1: County Manager Gathers Input
When: Fall/Winter 2020-21
The County Manager gathers input from his leadership team, County employees, the County Board and the Arlington community. This input helps frame and develop the Manager’s Proposed Budget.
- County Board Budget Guidance for FY 2022
- WATCH: A Message from the County Manager on the FY 2022 Budget (Fall 2020)
- Board Presentation: County Manager’s FY 2022 Budget Outlook (Fall 2020)
- News Release: County Board Focuses on COVID-19 in FY 2022 Budget Guidance (11/18/20)
- WATCH: Community Forum on FY 2022 Budget (Fall 2020)
- FY 2022 Budget Feedback Summary
Step 2: Proposed Budget Released
When: Feb. 18 and Feb. 20, 2021
The County Manager presented his Proposed FY 2022 Budget to the County Board at a Board work session and at the monthly Board meeting on February.
- County Manager’s Proposed FY 2022 Budget – Full Document (2/20/21)
- View: Proposed FY 2022 budget document section-by-section (2/20/21)
- Board Presentation: County Manager’s Proposed FY 2022 Budget – Overview (2/18/21)
- News Release: Proposed FY 2022 Budget Bridges Arlington Through the COVID-19 Pandemic (2/18/21)
Step 3: County Board Gathers Feedback
When: March–April 2021
The Board will review the budget proposal and conduct a series of virtual work sessions with each County department starting in March. There will be two public hearings—Tuesday, April 6, and Thursday, April 8. The final vote on the FY 2022 operating budget is scheduled for Saturday, April 17. The fiscal year beings July 1. All sessions are cablecast and live-streamed on Arlington TV.
Step 4: Final Adoption by County Board
When: April 2021
Following extensive review and consideration, the County Board adopts the final FY 2022 operating budget.
- FY 2022 Adopted Budget Document
- Arlington County Board Adopts FY 2022 Budget (4/20/21)
- FY 2022 County Board Adopted Budget Guidance (4/20/21)
- County Board Adopts the Chairman’s Mark (4/15/21)
More About the Budget
Arlington County’s budget follows an annual cycle, with the fiscal year starting July 1 and ending June 30. The fiscal year budget serves as the annual operating plan and is one of the three major strategic documents in the County regarding planning, in conjunction with the County Comprehensive Plan.
During the fiscal year, the Department of Management and Finance reviews the current budget at midyear and for the closeout of the fiscal year. As part of developing an annual budget, the Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (FAAC) provides further review of the County Manager’s proposed budget. The County’s budget process is consistent each year, though specific dates may change.